Chapitre 12: Chapter 10
I walk through the doorway onto the balcony. Looking down, I see hundreds of people in this huge room. I count at least five grand chandeliers and many more smaller ones. Carefully, I begin my descent down. Just when I think I've made it down safely, I trip on the last step and fly into Zander's arms.
"Easy there," he says with a chuckle.
My cheeks burn with embarrassment when I notice that people around me are staring.
"Are you okay?" Zander asks.
"I'm fine," I mutter, straightening my dress.
"Wow. You look great."
I blush. Why can't I stop blushing?
"Would you care to dance?"
"Um..."
I know a few dances that my father taught me, but that doesn't mean I'm comfortable dancing them.
"Oh come on."
"Well, okay."
He leads me and we begin a quick paced dance. By the time it's over, I'm slightly out of breath. Zander excuses himself and I stand there, unsure of what to do. As I glance around the room, I catch the prince staring at me. It makes me uncomfortable but I stand up tall and straight.
"Iris!" I hear a voice say as a hand tugs at my dress.
"Samuel!"
"I have something to tell you."
"What?"
"Not here! It's a secret."
I chuckle at the boy's enthusiasm and follow him to the the corner where we are mostly out of earshot.
"I think my brother like you!"
"What? Samuel, I'm pretty sure we both know that's not true."
Or do we?
"But it is true! Once you left, I said doesn't Iris look really nice, and he said she does look beautiful."
"Oh Samuel, I've been told that by many different people. It just a polite thing to say."
I see his disappointment and say, "Let's go outside where we can play a game together."
His eyes light up at this and he takes my hand. Once we're outside, I take in the beauty of the garden and fountains.
"Let's make fun of what some people are wearing."
I'm shocked. It doesn't sound like something he would say. "That's not very nice though."
"Please? Ash and I always do this because these parties get boring."
I laugh. "Okay, whatever you say."
After doing this for a while, the prince comes outside. "Hey Sam, mother wants you inside."
"Ugh, she's probably just going to fix my outfit for the thousandth time."
He heads inside, leaving me and the prince alone.
"I love your brother."
"Do you have any siblings?"
"No."
"We used to have an older sister," the prince says solemnly. I look over at him and see pain in his green eyes. "She was just like you but at the same time so different. She was quiet and laid back, but at the same time she had that fire inside her that brought her to life."
"Wh-," I clear my throat, "What happened to her?"
"She got sick. For days, she had a high fever and couldn't do anything. She got weaker and weaker until one morning, I went to check on her and she was dead. She died in her sleep."
I sit down on a bench and he joins me. He takes my hand in his and my heart begins to beat faster. Suddenly, we hear a commotion inside, followed by screams.
The prince and I rush inside and we find people dressed in all black shooting people with bows and arrows. The guards manage to capture two and the rest escape quickly.
"Ashton!"
The queen yells across the room and the prince grabs my hand and we run in her direction. In her arms is Samuel. I almost vomit at the sight. Protruding from his side is an arrow.
The prince takes him in his arms and immediately runs to the infirmary. I follow close behind. I can hear the prince whispering words into his ear.
When we get there, the nurses immediately take care of him. The prince and I sit there waiting. It's taking a while and I'm tired. Without thinking, I lay my head onto the prince's shoulders. Instead of shifting away, he lays his head on top of mine. I nod off to sleep.
"Iris," a gentle voice whispers.
I open my eyes and there's the prince's face right next to mine. Confused, I jump away. Then I remember what happened.
"Is he okay?"
"For now."
"Can I see him?"
The prince takes me to a room, where Samuel is sleeping. He's not wearing a shirt and his side is bandaged up. The sight of him makes me begin to cry.
"Shh," the prince whispers.
"What happened?" I say in between sobs.
"We were attacked. Two people were killed and two others, not including Samuel, were shot."
My head spins at this news and I need to sit down. Why would anyone do this?
"I'm sorry your birthday was ruined," I say once my head clears.
He shrugs and responds, "Besides my brother being shot and others killed, it was okay."
"I really am sorry."
I place my hand on his shoulder and he flinches. I jerk my hand away and mutter, "Sorry. I shouldn't have touches you."
"No, you didn't do anything. I guess I'm just a little jumpy after all that has happened.
Suddenly, the king and queen rush into the room. I quickly curtsy and step back.
"How is he?" The queen's voice is much deeper than I would've expected.
"He's doing fine right now. We just have to hope that he heals correctly and doesn't get infected," the prince responds.
The queen then turns her attention towards me.
"You must be Iris."
"Yes, you majesty."
"Thank you for accompanying both of my sons."
"You're very welcome."
She looks down at my torn and blood stained dress. "I'm so sorry about your dress. It was so lovely. I'll send you some of my old ones that I hardly ever wear anymore."
After awhile, they leave. I start to leave as well but the prince stops me.
"Thank you for everything."
His emerald eyes are beautiful and I have a hard time looking away.
"Of course, your highness."
"Please, call me Ashton."
I smile and nod my head. Finally, I leave him and his brother alone.
When I get back to my room, I peel off my dress and clean up. What was supposed to be a beautiful night turned into a disastrous one. Climbing into bed, a tear runs down my face.
Then there's a knock on my door.
"Come in!" I yell out while quickly wiping away my tears.
To my surprise, in walks Zander. He quickly walks over to where I'm laying and says, "I had to make sure that you were okay. No one knew what happened to you."
"Well I'm right here."
"Are you okay?"
I nod, but more tears begin to spill out. He holds me until I calm down.
"Maybe Ash- I mean, the prince was right. Girls are too weak and emotional."
"Don't you dare think that," Zander says. "You are the strongest person I know."
These words comfort me and I fall into a deep sleep in his arms.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone