The Princess's Handbook

Rule #11: Never Show A Thing You Feel Inside

Rule #11: Never Show A Thing You Feel Inside

Louis checked us into the hotel and Derrick guided us to our rooms. We were only staying one night in London and I wouldn't have minded a small hotel but my family insisted on one that has higher security personnel thus the grander hotel. We only got normal rooms though, it was already a waste of money to stay in such an expensive hotel so I insisted on getting the lowest price rooms I'm allowed to get.

Lila, who had came along to assist me, followed me into my room and immediately started to help me unpack before helping me to get ready. I was going to need a lot more time to appear presentable for a formal event than Dante.

I had shower and was dressed as Lila fussed over my hair while I did my own make up. I was trying not to poke myself in the eye with my eyeliner pen when there was a knock on my door.

"Just a second!" I hollered. Unladylike, I know but I was trying to not render myself blind with an eyeliner pen. Those things can be lethal let me tell you. Lila was half way through curling my hair.

"Go get the door first, you can finish my hair later." I told her. She set down the curling iron and rushed to open the door to reveal Dante. He raised an eyebrow as he saw me attempting to not smudge my eye make up.

"I never understand how girls manage to do that without blinding themselves." He said as he walked in, Lila closing the door behind him. 

I ignored him. He took a seat on the bed that was only a few feet away from the dressing table where I was seated in front of. Lila resumed curling my hair. I finally finished doing my eyeliner.

Lila ran a brush through my hair to smooth out the curls and then she pulled my hair back into a soft low ponytail with a curl or two framing my face. I was dressed in a white dress that had a long black bow in front. I paired it with black high heeled ankle boots and a small black bag.

I turned to face Dante. He wore a collarless white dress shirt with the top couple of buttons left unbuttoned, a charcoal sport coat with grey chinos and suede shoes. He looked the perfect combination of formal and casual.

"You look great." He complimented.

"Right back at you." I replied with a smile.

"So exactly what event are we attending?"

"It's actually a charity fashion show. Designers from all over the world participate in it and socialites and celebrities alike attend as well. The dresses would be auction off later and all proceedings will be donated. I don't usually attend these events but the organiser personally sent an invitation to me so I thought it would be a bit rude to refuse."

"They think some royal presence can spice things up?" He questioned. I shrugged. "Probably. More publicity I think."

"So is it an international event?"

"Yes." I confirmed.

"Guess I'll have to be prepared for the publicity."

"You can still back out now. It's not too late and I know it's definitely not on your bucket list to be on the cover of every gossip magazine there is." I said.

He smiled. "Who said it isn't?" I gave him a deadpan look. He chuckled. "Come on, Princess. I think we should get going." I rolled my eyes at him.

We took a limousine to the venue where the fashion show was held. There was also a red carpet event before the show starts. Rows of press members lined up on either side of the carpet, prepared to capture as many photos as they can.

"You ready?" I asked Dante.

"I can't back out now right?" He questioned back. I shrugged.

That was when the car door opened. Dante exited the car first. The cameras were flashing non-stop. Dante turned to face me as I was still in the car, he gentlemanly held out a hand to me.

I took it and gracefully stepped out of the car. If it was possible, there were even more camera flashes. I let go of Dante's hand after I was out of the car. He in turn offered me his arm. I felt extremely nervous but showed nothing as I took his arm nonchalantly.

Dante glanced at me. I smiled back reassuringly. I know how unnerving it can get with all the cameras. He nodded at me and we started to make our way down the crimsom red carpet.

As we posed for the reporters, there were shouts of questions but we answered none of them. Halfway through the process, I looked at Dante to check up on him.

He seemed perfectly calm and collected as if all the hustle and bustle didn't exist. If it wasn't because of the fact that up close I could see the turmoil of emotions in his eyes, I would've thought of him to be someone who had done this countless of times before.

We slowly but surely made our way to the entrance where Derrick was waiting for us. The other security members were scattered around the place to ensure the perimeter was secured I supposed.

Derrick silently escorted us inside to the venue. Many celebrities and socialites along with fashion prodigies were already inside. A lot of them turned to look our way as we walked towards our seats. I smiled politely at them as some of them greeted me.

"This is quite an impressive scene." Dante commented quietly for me to hear.

"It is. I'll let you in on a secret, I never feel like I fit in among all this glamour. Everyone here seems to be perfectly at home while I feel a little awkward. I may be a princess but I'm not a star so it just feels weird." I whispered back.

Dante didn't managed to reply as reached out seats. To our left sat a well known celebrity couple while to our right was an up and coming designer I think, I remembered someone mentioning her at the ball back then.

They stood to greet me as I smiled. "It's nice to meet you all too." We then sat down. Curious looks were tossed our way mainly aimed at Dante who looked completely unfazed. He turned to meet my gaze then leaned in to whisper in my ear.

"Seems like everyone thinks I'm your boyfriend. Do we really look like a couple?"

I looked at him, taking in his demeanour and how close we were sitting together. The seats were pretty spacious but the two of us were sitting close, more so now that we were trying to speak without anyone overhearing our conversation. I finally replied.

"I think we do give off that image. Do you think it's a bad thing?"

He flashed me a mysterious grin and a wink.

"Not at all."

I blushed lightly and swiftly turned away from him to focus my gaze elsewhere. I could still feel his eyes piercing me but I didn't dare meet them.

Dante Williams can be one dangerously charismatic guy.