Chapter 1 - Beautiful yet dangerous I

In the ballroom of the royal palace of euphoria a woman sang ever so melodiously and beautifully in front of the crowd.

"Victory belongs to the brave

young warrior

The one who fought for the glory

of our kingdom

Victory belongs to the brave

young warrior

far over the misty mountains cold

He fought for the glory of our

kingdom..... "

Celestina sighed softly and opened her eyes after completing her song before bending her knees in an elegant curtsey to finish her performance and immediately the crowd of aristocrats bursts into a fit of applause and praises.

"As expected of the first princess of euphoria. Such angelic voice."

"If only I could sing as well as the princess... "

"I heard the princess is clocking twenty-two this year I wonder why she's not married yet."

"She has red hair."

Celestina ignored the whispering gossips of the nobles who were gathered in the ballroom of the royal palace of euphoria as she inwardly rolled her eyes.

She held the hemming of her lovely golden ballgown with her gloved hands before climbing up the short stairs to the podium where her father the king sat ever so majestically on his gold made throne.

"You've done well child"

King Demetrius said with a rare smile to Celestina, and she nodded her head gracefully before facing the crowd back with her usual indifferent expression.

The king stood up from his throne before clinking a golden spoon on the rim of the wine goblet in his hand making the chattering crowd to quiet down.

"Today we all gather here to celebrate our victory against the kingdom of cleeves"

The crowd cheered in excitement at the king's word, and he clinked his goblet again to silence them.

"To begin the party I will now call out the man of the hour, the man who lead our army to victory, duke Ambros de perilius"

The crowd applauded the Duke who walked into the ballroom in a luxurious dark blue robe which hugged his huge physique perfectly. The Duke was a handsome young man with the darkest blond hair and dark gray eyes which looked almost black, and he was considered the most wanted bachelor in the noble Society. The Duke walked towards the king before standing in front of him.

He bowed respectfully "Greetings your majesty"

"Rise my loyal subject"

The king said with a small chuckle as he gestured for the Duke to rise.

"Thank you your majesty"

Duke Ambros raised his head and glanced at Celestina who stood beside the king and his gray eyes met her indifferent blue ones. He smirked slightly at Celestina making her furrow her brows in annoyance.

'He still hasn't given up'

Three years ago before the Duke had gone to war he had asked for Celestina's hand in marriage after declaring his love to her, but Celestina rejected his marriage proposal as per the king's order, but he didn't give up instead he promised to marry her after the war.

The king noticed the way the Duke was staring at Celestina, and he immediately cleared his throat making Ambros advert his gaze from the red haired princess.

The king forced a smile on his face. "Duke ambros you should go and celebrate our victory against the cleeves. May the party begin!"

The Duke deepen his head in a small bow before moving to join the crowd after taking a last glance at Celestina who was ignoring him.

After confirming that the people were not pay much attention to them, king Demetrius faced Celestina with a cold expression on his face.

"I don't want to see you with anybody. We wouldn't want anyone dying on this joyous day"

Celestina sighed "I understand... father"

King Demetrius nodded his head in approval of Celestina submissive response.

"Your power is very dangerous, and you know that so do not take off your gloves and that is an order"

The king said to Celestina as he faced the crowd.

"As you wish your majesty"

Celestina responded like a doll with a slight look of hurt on her face. She took in a deep breathe not wanting her expression to show.

The musical band at the corner of the ballroom started playing a classical music and people started waltzing on the dance floor.

"Oh marquis Orion lovely to see you "

The king said making Celestina advert her attention from the dance floor to the man who stood in front of her father. It was marquis Orion one of the King's closest friends.

"Greetings your majesty"

"Rise Orion no need to be so formal"

To king said with a light laugh as he gestured for the middle-aged marquis to rise.

"Of course your majesty"

Marquis Orion said as he raised his head and smiled politely at the king.

"I don't see the marchioness and your daughter "

The king said noticing the absence of the marquis family.

"They're probably busy making connections"

The marquis said a little embarrassed by his family's rude behavior towards the king, but the king brushed it off like a light matter.

"I see"

The marquis faked a laugh at the king's word before his eyes finally notice Celestina who stood still like a statue beside the king.

"It's a pleasure meeting you princess Celestina "

He greeted making Celestina force a tight smile on her face

"Likewise your grace"

Celestina said with a small curtsey making marquis Orion laugh.

"The princess is quite graceful"

The king laughed at his comment.

"Of course she is, she's my daughter after all "

Marquis Orion stared at Celestina in fascination making her subconsciously frown at his open gawks.

"I'm quite surprised to see the princess knowing that you don't attend any ball. The kingdom has only seen you twice and of course your appearance never fails to shock us all"

The marquis said taking a glance at Celestina blood-red hair which looked nothing like her father's blond hair and her mother's brown one.

Celestina's eyes narrowed at his word not liking where their conversation was heading to.

"What are you implying, your grace? Are you trying to declare me a bastard?"

Celestina asked making the marquis pale in fear.

"I would never accuse a member of the royal family "

"I see....then that settles it"

Celestina said before turning away from him with her usual indifferent expression.

"You shouldn't make assumptions based on appearance Orion "

The king said feeling highly disrespected. Although he didn't like Celestina he didn't like it when people speak down to her.

"I understand"

Noticing the King's solemn expression marquis Orion quickly tried to brighten up his mood.

"Pardon me for asking this but... where is the queen and the second princess? "

At the marquis question the king's face immediately brighten up at the thought of his lovely daughter and wife.

"The queen was feeling a bit under the weather and Estella decided to stay with her to nurse her back to health"

The king said with a proud expression on his face.

"Ah... I see. I pray the queen good health. But might I say princess Estella is very lovely. The princess is clocking nineteen, you should find her a suitor your majesty. Someone like duke Ambros will make a great match with the princess"

The king nodded "Yes, I have thought about that and you're indeed correct. Duke Ambros is the most suitable bachelor for my lovely estella"

The king said with a smile.

Celestina took in a deep breathe as she clenched the side of her dress with her gloved hands feeling a rising level of sorrow and envy.

'Perfect bachelor for your lovely daughter huh?...If only she knew'

Celestina schooled her expression not wanting to seem weak before facing her father.

"If you would excuse me father. I would like to take a walk outside. Well then... "

With that Celestina curtsey before finding her way out of the ballroom to clear her head.

Well that was the first chapter hope you liked it

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