Of Royal Blood | Closed

Looking out across the ballroom, the deep brown eyes of the Prince, looked over the decorations. The room was immaculately made up for the festival tomorrow, and the city was abuzz with excitement. He was however fully aware of his parents and his families disapproval of his decision. It had been nearly forty years since one of these festivals had been held in the kingdom. The last one was held for his Grandfather William, and the rest of his family since then had shied away from the tradition.

Louis took a breathe and headed out to the gardens. The Palace was huge, and the servants had been working hard to get the place tidied, not that it wasn't always perfectly tidy, but tomorrow was important. Louis made his way over to the bench and sat under the cherry tree, "Heya Gran, I know they don't approve, but you always told me how important, and thankful you were for Granddad's decision to include the entire kingdom in his search," he said quietly.

Louis was the last Single male of the royal family, he knew he would probably never be King, and after his insistence about tomorrow, they certainly wouldn't go out of their way to allow him to be King. However that was just how important, giving the lower class woman an opportunity a chance, no matter how small, was to him. He knew they were just as human and just as passionate about life as those born to higher classes. He wanted them to be allowed to come tomorrow, if they so wished, perhaps he'd find a woman as beautiful and caring as his Gran, but equally maybe not.

@ A Drop On the Window
Joana day in her family’s small living room as her mother kneeled before her, scrubbing her feet as she tried to get Joana ready for tomorrow. Joana didn’t think that she should go to the ceremony but her parents insisted on it. Her mother worked as a seamstress and her father as a ditch digger. They had heard about the Prince staying traditional to the ceremony and inviting everyone, and since then, they had saved everything to buy Joana a dress and clean her up. Her parents kept telling her how beautiful she was and how she could win his heart and help her family move up a class.

“Mother, I’m very capable of cleaning my own feet.” She told her with a sigh. “I know sweetie but we just want you to get a feeling of what it’s like to be royal. We want everything to be perfect for tomorrow. This may be our only chance.” Her mother responded. Joana sighed softly, running a hand through her mother’s hair. “I love you, mother. I don’t want you guys doing all this in case I don’t succeed.” She whispered. Joana was worried her parents would be devastated if she failed.

When Joana’s bath was done, her mother went into the kitchen and fixed up a simple meal. For now, all they had was rice, so she served Joana a healthily portion, telling her to sleep well and be rested. Joana at her meal and headed to bed soon after.

Joana was woken up early the next morning and was whisked into the bathroom. Her mother carefully doing Joana’s hair, using what little makeup they had left (which the family made on their own) to accent Joana’s facial features. And finally they got Joana into her dress. It had cost the sum of both of their monthly salaries. The dress was black, sleek, but long in the back, with light gold and red accents. Both Joana’s mother and father beamed with pride as Joana insisted they calm down. She, as well as many other girls and families, made their Way to the ceremony.

Louis was anxious, he could sense the expectation around the castle. Everyone in his family wanted him to pick women from the Royal class, or even the upper class. Louis though, had spent time with many of the Royal families, and the upper class families, and none of them seemed all that interesting or caring. He hadn't taken a liking to any of them, and wanted to meet new more interesting people.

He slowly fixed his attire, straightening his clothes, but leaving his tie, loosened. He wanted a woman who could let him be relaxed as much as royal. He then slowly made his way down towards the Ballroom which was already buzzing with guests. Louis made his way towards a small group, his family and smiled softly at them, "relax enjoy it, and don't be too worried, the Kingdom won't fall today," he said softly. He gave his mouth a light hug.

Louis then moved back out towards the crowd to begin to mingle.

@ BadStreetBoys

@ A Drop On the Window
Joana’s parents ushered her into the ballroom, as they and many other families waited outside. She felt so awkward in this setting. It was nothing like she had ever seen before. Joana was awestruck, her eyes wide with wonder as she took in every detail and every piece surrounding them. She saw a few friends that lived in her neighborhood talking and trying to mingle, however anyone above their class was ignoring them.

Joana smoothed her hands on her dress and took a breath, trying not to let the situation overwhelm her. She moved through the crowds, and looked over at the table of food and drinks presented for all the guests. She wanted to take some, but thought she may seem desperate if she did so she passed on by. As Joana was turning around she felt herself bump into someone. Immediately beginning to apologize. “I am so sorry.” She said quietly. Her eyes moving to meet those of the person, the man, she bumped into. She was shocked that the person she bumped into was the Prince they were all here vying for. “Oh I’m so sorry, your highness.”

Louis felt a bump from behind, and turned to look at the Dark haired girl. He smiled gently as she apologized, then recognized him and apologized again. He stepped back, "That is quite alright, no need to be so formal, Ms?" he asked lightly. His eyes looked her over, she was very beautiful, and she had clearly made a proper effort. He was so used to the upper class women with their expensive make-up, and perfectly trimmed hair, they seemed to not try beyond that. He could see the effort that had gone into this young ladies look, and make-up.

Louis waited for her to introduce herself, before continuing, "so tell me, have you ever been in the castle?" he asked. He was generally interested.

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@ A Drop On the Window
Joana smiled slightly as she looked over the prince, he was more handsome in person. She had heard from everyone that he was handsome, but they had understated it. “Marquis.” She answered. “Joana Marquis. Pleasure to meet you.” She said curtsying then offering her hand to the Price. She shook her head at the next question as her eyes gazed again. “No, it’s so beautiful.” She said and smiled. “It’s so large, there’s so much detail.” She said and chuckled. “When I walked in I had to make sure to close my mouth because it is a jaw draping place with its beauty.” She told him honestly. Joana was shocked at how calm and natural the Prince seemed in this atmosphere. But she assumed it was because he was raised in it.

Louis took her hand and kissed the back of it lightly. "Well pleasure to meet you Joana," he said lightly. He chuckled, "well I always found this room, a little too much, If I'm honest, I mean how big does a room have to be," he joked lightly. He stood comfortably and looked around the room, "To be honest, after awhile the beauty of the room, wanes, and what I find much more interesting and beautiful are the people I meet in it," he said softly.

He offered his arm, "would you like to meet some people?" he asked softly.

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@ A Drop On the Window
Joana blushed a rosey pink when the Prince kissed her hand. She was surprised, she didn't think he would be so kind to someone like her. She tried to hide the blush before he looked back at her. "Oh no, the pleasure is all mine." She said honestly. It was another awestruck thing to meet the Prince in such an intimate way. "That's fair, this room could probably fit all the houses on my street inside it." She said chuckling softly. Her eyes watched his as they moved across the room. She thought he had beautiful eyes. "I don't think I would ever get sick of the beauty." She said honestly, shrugging slightly. "There's so much beauty in the world, in the biggest things and the smallest details. If you get used to something and it doesn't seem beautiful anymore then you just have to change your perception." She said and blushed as she realized she had started rambling. Joana nodded and took the Prince's arm immediately getting nervous and feeling butterflies swell in her stomach. "I'd love to meet people, I think the question is, do they want to meet me?

Louis smiled and listened to her, he didn't mind that she was rambling somewhat. He didn't talk often, unless he had something to say. He looked at her, "well, they will want to meet you, just because I've taken an interest, they will be dying to know why," he said softly. He walked with her towards another group of guests, "The upper class loves nothing more than gossip, and scheming," he said softly.

He shifted and brushed a hair out of her face, "I do have one question for you, Joana, where did you get such a lovely dress and nice make-up," he said softly curious. He knew the lower classes didn't have as ready access to those kinds of things, due to them not being necessities.

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@ A Drop On the Window
Joana’s cheeks flushed pink, the Prince was very nice. She wanted to hear more about him. She blushed even more when he said he’d taken an interest in her. “Oh I dunno about that.” She murmured. “I’m not that interesting.” She said, walking alongside Louis. “Oh is that so?” She asked, raising an eyebrow and looking at Louis.

Joana looked up again when he said he had a question. “Ask away.” She chuckles slightly. “Well my mother is a seamstress, so she made the dress.” She told him and paused. “But both of my parents saved up all their money for nearly two months for the fabric, after they heard you were opening the ceremony to everyone.” She explained. “The makeup is homemade, again my mother made it.” She told him. “You see, you can get dyes from factories or you can get them from berries or vegetables or plants.” She explained and used hand motions. “My mother uses the dyes and things like baby powder to make it.” She told him with a smile.

Louis smiled as she talked about her parents, "well that is certainly more interesting than most of the women here," he said lightly. He looked her over, "your mother is rather talented, and seems to know what she is doing with make-up as well as dresses," he said softly. He walked with her towards a group of people.

"Good morning," he said softly. He smiled as the group greeted him, "I was just talking with Joana here, about her dress," he said softly. He looked around the group who all had shop brought outfits and make-up. He smiled to Joana, "Isn't it just a lovely dress," he commented.

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@ A Drop On the Window
Joana smiled as he spoke, with a light shrug of her shoulders. “Interesting to you maybe.” She said with a chuckle. “To me it’s my life and yours is what’s interesting to me.” She told him chuckling again. Joana smiled as he complimented her mother. “I’ll tell her you said that, she’ll be delighted to hear the Prince thinks highly of her work.” She told him, following alongside the Prince.

Joana took a deep breath just before they arrived at the other group of people. She knew this group was of a higher class than she because she didn’t recognize them. Joana have a smile and a curtsy. “Hello, I’m Joana.” She said softly. She blushed when he complimented her dress. “You all have lovely dresses as well.”

Louis smiled softly and kept close to her, not wanting to leave her alone until the rest of the group had softened a bit. He looked around the group, and introduced himself, and learned each of their names. He was doing the usual royal thing of getting to know people and socializing. He still kept coming back to Joana though, she just seemed to keep his eye. He smiled softly, and looked at Joana, "well thank you for the pleasant conversation everyone," he said as he looked around the group.

He looked at Joana, "please feel free to walk around and enjoy the buffet, whatever, I'll come find you later," he said softly. He gave a small bow before leaving. Once Louis had left one of the other woman smiled at Joana, "well he certainly likes you, You are so lucky," she said lightly.

@ BadStreetBoys

@ A Drop On the Window
Joana allowed her eyes to quickly take in everyone in the group around them, she was sued to reading people. Either to stay safe or just to learn. Joana hadn't noticed that the Prince was always looking to her, maybe because she was so nervous and trying very hard to fit in. She didn't want to stick out and Joana was just doing her best to assimilate with everyone around her. Occasionally she would glance at the Prince. When he said he was moving on she nodded. She blushed when he said he would find her later, just giving a polite nod.

Joana looked at the woman across from her and she gave a smile, blushing. "Oh I don't know." She said with a soft chuckle. "I think he was just interested in my dress because it was homemade." She explained and smiled at the women around her.

The rest of the group smiled and kept talking with her, the conversation shifting to womenly things, and just gossip in general.

In the mean time, Louis continued to walk around the hall, talking with the guests, and the other single women. He didn't find any that were interesting, at least not as beautiful and interesting as Joana. As more time past, he did manage to meet a High class blonde woman, who wasn't as entitled as the others, and could actually carry on a conversation. He decided to bring her over and introduce her to Joana.

@ BadStreetBoys

@ A Drop On the Window
Joana mostly listened to the group of women around her. She wasn't one who was too fond of gossip, but she wanted to feel like 'one of them' so she stayed listening, nodding. He eyes moved around the room occasionally, looking for the Prince. She almost wished he would save her from this.

Joana saw as Prince Louis made his way over with another woman, smiling at him. When they approached she curtsied again. "Hello again, Prince Louis." She saw. "Hello, Miss.." She said and looked at the woman. She thought the woman was beautiful, she was sure this would be Prince Louis' future bride. She was blonde, high class, gorgeous, and seemed kind.

Louis smiled as he approached the group again, "Hello Joana, how are you coping over here?" he asked curious. He introduced the woman with him, "This is Jessica," he said lightly. He paused as the group introduced themselves. He moved closer to Joana, and put his arm around her waist gently. He was now standing with Joana on one side, and Jessica on the other. He smiled at Joana.

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@ A Drop On the Window
“I’m doing well.” She said with a soft smile, looking around the group as everyone introduced themselves to Jessica. She moved a strand of hair behind her ear as she looked at Jessica and then back to Prince Louis. Joana almost jumped when she felt Louis’ arm around her. She blushed gently, but smiled up at him. Trying to continue to act as normal as she could.

Louis smiled relaxing more, he was feeling comfortable around Joana, and actually enjoyed having her next to him. He continued with small talk with the group, keeping his arm around Both the woman's back. After another long conversation, he looked at Joana, and then Jessica, "Would you mind, If I met your parents for a bit?" he asked softly. He was interested to meet the parents of the two women he had picked.

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