Princess Victoria

Serena ties the finishing knot on my corset and helps me lace up my gown. I sigh and look at myself in the mirror. This golden dress is absolutely stunning. I am in love with it.

Tonight is going to be magical.

Serena stands next to me and examines her own outfit. "We are going to knock it out of the park tonight. The kingdom won't know what hit them." I place my hands on her shoulders. "Are you going to dance with Henry tonight?"

She shrugs. "I am not sure if I want to be public yet. Being assumed as the next queen of Estonia is not something I think I am ready for."

I nod. "I understand." I grab her hands. "Actually, I don't because no one ever looks at me and thinks I am going to be Queen someday even though I am literally second in line. I mean that I understand how it feels to be unsure of your future. Henry is a great guy and if you can ignore the pressure of the crown for a bit, you will understand."

"Enough about me, Victoria. Let's talk about you and Clarke!" She squeals, squeezing my hands.

"I know. Tonight has to be perfect. It is the first time Clarke and I will be seen together in a public setting. Tonight is going to set up our future. Nothing can go wrong." I sigh, fixing my dress.

"Nothing will go wrong." Serena assures me.

"Right then, let's go." I lift the front of my gown and she lifts the back.

I stand behind the throne room doors and wait for my big entrance. "Presenting: the Princess Royal, Victoria Anne!" The doors open and I am presented to the room. My brother escorts me inside and bows, smiling and taking great pride in presenting me in front of my (hopefully) future husband.

I lock my eyes with Clarke across the room. This is it. People are going to be talking about my next movements for months to come. I had better make it a good show for them.

The applause of my audience dies down as I try to ignore the stares we are going receive as soon as he asks me to dance. I accept his invitation he takes my hand gently and guides me to the center of the dance floor. We take our places with confidence.

A new song starts. The soft song blasts in the otherwise silent room. All eyes are on us.

Clarke smirks seductively as he bows. I return his gesture with a curtsy and a mysterious smirk of my own. Our right hands raise to eye-level. We circle around each other, our hands untouching, our gazes locked on one another. We turn directions, circling each other the opposite way.

He places one hand on the small of my back and the other takes my hand, our feet in perfect sync with the music and each other. My smile grows from ear to ear. This is everything I have dreamed of for Clarke and I.

He turns me elegantly, keeping in tune with the music. He is deliberate with his moments, as stubborn as a mule yet I can not find myself caring. The warmth between us grows more powerful by the second. My heartbeat grows steadily along with it.

He spins me around the dance floor. It is something out of a dream. He keeps his eyes on me while we move. I do the same. I feel as if we are floating on a cloud all on our own.

"Clarke," I whisper. "Everyone is looking at us. Can you believe it?" I laugh in his ear.

He squeezes me closer to him. "Really," he chuckles softly, "I haven't noticed. I've been too busy looking at someone else."

The music ends and our first dance as a public couple is over. Our dance was perfect; everything from our breathing to how our feet moved stayed in sync.

When the song ended the audiences' applause fills our ears. I can not help but smile at him.

"The Princess Royal and Sir Clarke Howard, betrothed." The words fill my ears as he guides me off the floor towards the refreshments.

*
The last several chapters have been pretty short. I thought you guys deserved a longer one!

Here is what Clarke was wearing

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