Maria stood still for a second to compose herself. She smiled gently. She stepped out into the ball- room. The guests bowed and courtseyed to the beautifull Princess. Maria was a jewel. She walked gracefully through the parted crowd to the high table. She took her seat to the right of her father. All the while she smiled gently and pleasantly. At once the rest of the guests seated themselves and begun to talk amongst themselves. The buzz was electric. It was all for Maria. Her beauty, her style, and the jewel she'd make.
The eligible bachelors were all excited and couldn't wait to have their moment on the floor with the Princess. It was custom for the Princess to dance with all the eligible bachelors invited. The ball- room had a few of them. Maria alread spotted them out, from her vantage point and begun to analyse and make judgements based on looks alone. She knew this wasn't at all safe, but she wanted to start making her job easier, and her life less tedious. Maria wanted to see if he was there. Who this he was she didn't know. She hoped, however, that the love of her life, whoever he was, would be there. All save one were ruled out. She didn't recognise him either.
The orchestra was playing pleasantly till the point when the guests had finished their desert. All at once the orchestra begun to play a piece. The King and his daughter rose from their seats. The hopefulls all stood up too. The father and daughter made their way to the floor. At once the orchestra played the music to a Russian waltz. They were sensational dancers. Simple and yet perfect and elegant. It was a sight to behold. Midway, the King bowed, and his daughter courtseyed. Now she was a woman, and he presented her to the bachelors. He made his way off the floor. Maria waited. She would wait till one of the fools had the nerve to put her out of her misery and ask her to dance.
None approached in the seconds that passed since her father left the floor. He younger brother, George, the future king of Greece was 13 at the time. He was close with Maria. He knew now, that she was in need. He stepped forward. He looked at all the bachelors with a frown as he approached his sister. He rounded to face her and bowed. Maria was shocked, but smiled and courtseyed. The guests found this amusing, some laughed, others smiled sweetly. The brother and sister danced a round of the floor. George would show them how it was done. When they reached the centre again he stopped and bowed. Maria smiled and courtseyed. George looked at the bachelors and held out his hand, as though offering it to Maria. George looked around, frowning.
"Step forward or loose your chance!" he informed them one last time.
The guest didn't hear him, though, the bachelors all did. The guests all smiled again. It was something of a sweet sight, and Maria was thankful for George's courage and love. One by one the bachelors gained courage within themselves. One stepped forward, the rest all reprimanded themselves for not being quicker off the mark. He bowed low, Maria courtseyed politely. They danced a round of the floor. They spoke a few words. All the while Maria remained pleasant and friendly. By the end of the round she scratched him from the list. Another stepped forward. So the night continued. Maria danced with bachelors from all across Europe. One country would be lucky. Which was it to be?
As the bachelors all had their turn Maria scratched more and more and considered very few. It was nearing the end that he stepped forward to dance. He bowed. It wasn't low, but it was with the simplicity and humble character he seemed to possess that he did so, which made it seem all the more respectful. Maria caught herself smiling dreamily at him. She composed herself. She courtseyed and off they went.
"Your name soldier?" asked Maria kindly.
"Stephanje, Your Highness." His voice was gentle, and quiet. To quiet for a soldiers, thought Maria.
"How long have you served in the army of Russia?" She asked trying to learn as much in little time.
"Since i was old enough to hunt, Highness." The answer was vague. Maria didn't like it, but she respected the privacy he wanted to maintain.
"How do you come to be of Royal status then?" The question was impertinent. She reprimanded herself again. It was out of line. Before she could correct the mistake he answered.
"My father is cousins with the Tsar of Russia, Highness." He looked at her kindly, she looked at him, but hid her embarrassment.
"What do you plan to do later in life?"
"Whatever comes my way, Highness. I don't wish to limit myself, or the possibilities." She liked the answer, but it didn't give much to the marriage factor.
"Don't you wish to marry soldier? A beautiful woman, to have a family?" She inquired innocently. Stephanje smiled.
"I would marry you in an instant Your Highness, if i didn't think i'd end up like my father." Maria blushed. Then she smiled at him.
"So you don't wish to marry?" she asked again to clarify.
"No Highness." He replied plainly.
"Why are you here then?" She asked. Again she was out of line. He answered before she corrected it.
"Duty." She looked at him bewildered.
"That's no way to speak or to answer!"
"You prefer a lie?"
"You could have changed the subject totally-" he cut her off
"And be rude! What a thought." He smiled at her. She was taken aback by his quick change of the mood. She calmed herself.
They completed the round. He stopped. Bowed again, simply and humbly. She courtseyed and stared after him. Stephanje. The name echoed in her head like the tolling of a church bell. It would ring at about the same time, all the time. It would be heard, even from afar, and summon up all her feelings and emotions of that dance.
c. John Apotsis 2008- 2009
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