Raised From The Wild-Chapter 87: The Bewitching Lady
Nelida expected Amaya to make a mistake during the 18 Roses dance. She was surprised to see her dance very well and even finished it with a beautiful triple twirl. ’Was she not hurt by shoes? The shoe designer was useless. I will definitely punish her.’
She carefully watched Amaya’s facial expression after the dance. She did notice the few moments that Amaya grimaced and she started to show a slight limp when she walked. However, she saw Lilia carry a box to her. Amaya went behind a pillar and when she came out, she looked relaxed and she walked with more confidence.
If her scheme with the shoes failed, Nelida was looking forward to the time that she will walk along the bridge over the pond to the gazebo where her birthday cake was.
As Ibarra’s wife, she was expected to be at the bridge with him to let Amaya symbolically guide Amaya as she crosses the bridge to the Gazebo. She has instructed the servants to place teal candles along the bridge in the guise of creating a dramatic effect. She was excited as she walked side by side with the crown prince to the East Garden.
The smile on her face faded when she saw that the candles were floating above the water and not on the bridge. She clenched her fist and looked around trying to find the head maid.
Marx was intently watching the princess consort’s facial expression. His eyes turned dark when he saw the ugly expression on her face the moment she saw the candles on the water.
"This is beautiful. The candles floating on the pond are mesmerizing that I thought I am in a dreamland." Prince Ibarra praised her and then he smiled.
Nelida’s heart fluttered. It was rare for Ibarra to praise her and his smiling at her was even rarer. And it was for something that she did not plan at all.
"Thank you, My Prince. Of course, I have to pay attention to everything as it is the First Princess’s birthday after all." Nelida said sweetly while her smile reached up to her ears.
Marx who was nearby smirked when he heard the princess consort’s words.
The king and the queen were escorted to the foot of the bridge. They stood opposite each other. Prince Ibarra and Princess Nelida joined them and they waited for Amaya to pass through.
Amaya arrived after a few minutes. Her small strides were elegant, her back was straight and she held her head high. She curtsied to the four people standing regally at the foot of the bridge then she walked slowly to the gazebo.
The moment she reached the gazebo, she stood beside the five-layer cake.
"Happy birthday to you, happy happy birthday to you, happy birthday Dear Princess! Happy birthday to you."
The choir started singing a lively birthday song. Everyone sang along and started clapping their hands to the rhythm of the song.
When the song ended, the lights behind the gazebo dimmed. Two servants lighted the 18 candles on the cake and they left afterward leaving the ethereal beauty beside the cake.
A few servants released hundred of fireflies behind the gazebo. Gasps were heard from the cloud and Amaya looked back. She was enthralled by the twinkling lights floating around that for a moment she forgot about the cake and thought about her seventh birthday.
"Make a wish and blow out the candles, Aya." Queen Lucinda’s gentle voice pulled her back to the present. She closed her eyes and blow out the candles. Everyone clapped their hands.
The master of ceremonies invited the guests back to the banquet hall so they could start their dinner. Amaya took the opportunity to go back to her room to change. She asked Lilia to call the makeup artist and the stylist.
"Princess, the makeup artist, and the stylist are with Princess Danella because she will be doing another performance later. They were told that you will only be wearing one gown tonight."
"It is okay, Lilia. Just help me out of this gown and help me dress."
Lilia hastily unzipped the ball gown and help the princess to remove the petticoat. She then helped the princess to wear the dark blue evening gown. The soft material of the gown hugged Amaya’s slim waist and curvy hips. It tapered down to her knees and flared at the bottom with the hemline kissing the floor.
Amaya wore the necklace. Lilia retouched her lipstick.
"Princess, your hair looks good on this gown as well. Let us keep it as is."
Amaya checked herself in the mirror. Lilia was right. A few wisps of her hair from the front were braided and wound at the upper part of her head while her slightly wavy hair that reached up her waist was left hanging freely at the back.
The tiara on her head perfectly complemented the gown. The tiny diamonds that looked like sprays of water from a cascading waterfall reflected the deep blue of the gown creating an illusion that those were blue diamonds.
"You are breathtaking, My Princess. Even if I am a lady like you, I am bewitched by your beauty. You looked like a real lady now." Lilia kept on praising her as she brushed her hair.
"Let’s go back now. Your guests might be looking for you."
At the banquet hall, everybody was busy eating and drinking they did not notice the absence of the celebrant.
"Honored guests, let us please welcome the talented Princess Danella to serenade you with a song while you enjoy your food and wine." The deep magnetic voice of the emcee was heard over the microphone.
A piano was brought in the middle of the stage. Princess Danella went up the stage and curtsied before sitting down in front of the piano. She sang as she played the accompaniment. Danella has a sweet and gentle voice that was pleasant to the ears.
"Your second daughter is very talented Prince Ibarra." the King of Alabania said as he brought the goblet to his mouth to taste the wine. "Where is your debutant? How about you she performs for us as well?"
