Delilah Frost uncharmed by the suitors that her father had fancied for her tends not to care about the young gentlemen from whom she had to pick from. Giving up the idea of true love and a man who loves her for who she is rather than crown and kingdom goes to a ball and meets a handsome charming man Eric Corrigan is he the man delilah had longed for was he a friend for a foe???
I was enjoying the comfort of my duvet; the warmth hugged my skin so lightly. I was sleeping so peacefully when Madam Beryl came into my room. "Good morning, Your Highness," she said in her very cheerful voice.
I let out a groan, telling her that I was still very sleepy.' Madam Beryl has been taking care of me since I was a day old. My mother died when she gave birth to me. Madam Beryl has been the sweetest thing to me; she is well respected in our castle and is my one and only friend. "Come on, princess, it's time to wake up. Your father has called you for breakfast."
She said this while pulling away the curtains and letting the sunshine in, which hit my face. I sat up straight and said, "Good morning." I rubbed my eyes, so who is it today, a duke? an old friend? 'Beryl let out a laugh. "A duke." 'This is the 7th man this month. I can't keep living like this. I don't want to choose the man I marry. I want to find my one true love," I said while getting up from my bed. 'I know your grace, but these are the orders of our king," she said with a sad smile. 'Three maids come into my room, and they help me get dressed.
As I looked at myself in the mirror, I couldn't help but feel trapped by the expectations placed upon me. I longed for a love that was genuine, not one dictated by politics and power.
One brushed my hair. The other two helped me get dressed, and I made my way to the dining hall.' As I am walking down the hall, a lot of thoughts strike my head. I take a deep breath and enter the dining hall. 'I go inside as two guards announce that Princess Delilah Frost is coming in." I bow down and smile as I see my father after a long while. Good morning, father, I said a bit too cheerfully, then my eyes lay on a man about in his mid-30s, looking fairly good but still not my type. 'Delilah, my dear daughter, meet Lord Benjamin, a potential suitor for you," my father introduced. Lord Benjamin bowed politely, and I forced a smile, knowing this meeting was more about politics than my happiness.
My father says it in a calm tone, and I look at him with a look he has seen many times, almost every time he brings a suitor. "Sure, I smiled, bowed a little, and sat down on a chair next to my father, facing my father."
' You very beautiful princess—I must say the finest one in the country," he says with a grin on his face. I try to hide the fact that I am disgusted by that compliment because I've heard it a million times from every guy whom my father wants me to meet. "Oh, that's very sweet of you to say, sire," I say politely. "Oh, please call me Benjamin Ben for short, princess". It's a pleasure to meet you, sir. I look at my father and take a deep breath again.
The servants serve us breakfast, and I eat slowly, endeavoring to hasten the end of this encounter. "So tell me, Princess, what are your hobbies? Do you only enjoy ball gowns and such?" he queries between mouthfuls, his casual manner contrasting sharply with the formality of the setting. Doubt creeps in; it's hard to believe he holds the title of Duke anywhere. As I ponder my response, a sense of unease settles upon me. Despite Benjamin's relaxed demeanor, there's an indefinable quality that sets me on edge.
I reply, "Well, Mr. Benjamin, I enjoy a lot of things. Horse riding being my favourite one," I was thinking when he was about to ask, "Gosh, boys are so dumb sometimes." "Your Highness I'm a bit busy this afternoon, you know, and I would like to take my leave now. It was nice meeting you, Princess, and I hope to see you again."
"Guards, could you please escort him out with care?" my father requests in a gentle tone. Once the guards lead him away, I exhale deeply, my father's keen gaze finding mine. "I sense you didn't quite take to him, did you?" he remarks, his tone understanding.
"Well, yes, you're right, Father. I believe I'm capable of finding a suitor on my own; these arranged meetings aren't leading me to the one meant for me. Besides, I'm in no hurry; I'll encounter him when the time is right." Just then, Madam Beryl entered and handed me an invitation. "Your Highness, this just arrived in the mail. It's an invitation to the winter solstice ball." Grasping the invitation, I couldn't help but smile, a spark of excitement igniting within me at the prospect of attending the ball. My father chuckled softly, remarking, "Well, perhaps you'll discover your suitor there instead."