The Forgotten Princess Amora's story

Have you ever felt like the ugly duckling? Well this forgotten Princess has, her name is Amora she is the only daughter of the King and Queen. She has two older brothers Helios and Hesperus, they are twins and the first born sons. The kingdom was on the border of the fairy realm, Amora loved to sit at the edge of the kingdom watching the fairies. Amora was 16 years old, to her parents she was lovely but she felt they only ever were just saying that. She was only 5 foot 5 inches tall, she had long light brown hair and she had full pouty lips that were slightly pink.

Her eyes were golden and rosy cheeks with a fair complexion what most would call the vision of beauty.

She looked nothing like her family and that had some in the Kingdom whispering about it saying things like "Is she even the king's daughter?" Rather than listen to the staff's whispers and dirty looks. She would go to the edge of the kingdom near the forest of the fairy lands. She would watch them work and go about tending to the forest and all its creatures, sometimes she would sketch them. Her brother's were the talk of the Kingdom both 6 feet tall and muscular with broad shoulders, Golden hair to their shoulders and piercing eyes also golden in color they almost glowed. They had their mothers stunning looks and charisma, they had their fathers build and stature along with his chiseled jaw.

The whole castle was busy getting ready for the ball that was to happen in two days. All the princesses from the surrounding kingdoms were coming as it was time for her 25 year old brothers to pick their brides. Helios was a finicky prince; he was a scholarly type and tended to over think everything. He knew what kind of princess he wanted, he wanted someone sweet and kind just like his little sister. She had a beauty about her that she never saw herself. She always smiled and never had a mean word to say to anyone even when they were nothing but rude to her. She had a purity that could not be matched. He hoped one day she would see her own beauty and learn to hold her head up high as she could be the most lovely princess ever. If he could find another princess half as wonderful as his sister he would be happy. Hesperus was however not as picky, he was a big flirt. He would chase just about anything in a skirt if he thought it would get him some action. With his looks who wouldn't want him and it was true there wasn't a lady who didn't hope to get his attention.

The kingdom of Valor was one of the largest in the region of Valkyrie; all the surrounding kingdoms wanted to be in the good graces of King Phosphorus. The ball was not just going to be the royals but every noble family that had both daughters and sons. Queen Achelios was hoping that Amora might find someone that catches her eye more than the fairies she is always drawing. Little did anyone know in the kingdom that Amora had caught the eye of a demon named Oneiroi. As she had been watching the fairy folk he has been watching her. She was the most lovely thing he had ever seen. It was so out of character for him to want something so good and so pure. He was a demon after all, so it would only be natural for him to want someone dark like him. He just could not help himself being drawn to her, soon it would be time for her to be married off. That thought broke his heart there is no way the King and Queen would let a demon marry their only daughter.

The day of the ball Amora sat in her usual spot. As she sat there drawing she was thinking to herself "I wish I was as pretty as the other princess' that will be here tonight. No one will even give me a second look. I mean if I can sit here and not even the fairies notice me no one else will either." If she only knew what others thought of her. There is no real reason as to why she never thought very highly of herself. Other than at every ball there was never anyone who ever came to talk to her. Tears started to fall down her cheeks when she thought about how alone she felt. Oneiroi saw her crying and all he wanted to do was hold her in a hug and tell her she was not alone. He did not have the courage to do something so bold, she may just run screaming anyways. Before she knew it, it was getting late and she still had to get ready for the ball. Without realizing it Oneiroi had come out of the shadows and closer to Amora. He was reaching out a hand just to touch a strand of hair just once that is all he wanted. Amora looked up from her drawing and realized she was going to be late if she did not hurry to get ready. She stood and dusted off her dress and turned to take one more look at the forest. She was thinking about when the last time she would ever see the fairies would be. She thought she saw something coming out of the shadows of the forest but she could not be sure because all she saw was what looked like a human-shaped shadow. Until she looked a little higher and that is when she saw the most striking blue eyes looking back at her. The eyes looking at her had her captivated. She was not afraid, nore did she try to run. Locking eyes neither one moved an inch. Oneiroi has never seen eyes so golden and lovely in all his long life. Amora was not sure what this strange sensation was that seemed to come over her. Was this the power of his eyes alone or was it something more. Looking at Amora was like looking at the sun; you were blinded by the beauty of it. Oneiroi being so close to her could not stop himself he reached out and stroked her cheek. Her warmth was a stark contrast to his cold skin. She slightly shivered at his touch as it was so cold. She dare not speak not knowing that if she said a word to him if he would leave. This is the first time and one of the many creatures that lived in the forest ever came this close to her.

As much as she wanted to stay and find out who and what this thing with the cold touch and captivating eyes was. She knew she had to get to the ball so she turned and got on her horse and rode as fast as she could back to the castle. Once she got to the stables she hurried off of her horse. She took off the saddle and put silver in his stall. As she went inside to her room she could not get those eyes out of her head. For her it was not love or fear as to the reason she could not get them out of her head. It was because there was something about the eyes she couldn't put her finger on.

He looked human kind of, but what kind of human had such cold skin, or such captivating eyes.

"Why do I feel I have seen those eyes before?" Amora says to herself. While she picks out her ball gown. It is a lovely pale gold dress with an off the shoulder sleeve and a corset style bodice, the skirt was satin and there was a lovely embroidery of golden roses all over the dress. After a maid helped her get the corset tied she sat down and worked on her hair. She brushed her long hair and then loosely pulled it back. As she sat there looking at herself she wondered why did those eyes look like they were just as captivated by her as she was by them. But why, she was nothing special, just average looks. She was not a stunning beauty like most of the nobles and other princesses. Yes she was smart and artistic and talented and had a lovely singing voice that she almost never shared. But those were not the things any one valued yet those were the things that made up who she was and she had nothing else. She headed to the ballroom once she was ready to stand with her family as the guests were announced. She stood off to the side a little as she didn't blend in with her family. Off to the side and to the back a little she wouldn't stand out as no one was even looking at her anyways. Helios had spotted a few ladies that caught his eye as the guests were announced. Hesperus was smiling and waving at every lovely lady that was introduced all while Helios rolled his eyes at his brother.

"You know you will end up with someone who only wants the title and money if you flirt with everything" Helios told his brother in a whisper.

"I know but what's the fun in being a stuff shirt like you? You overthink everything" Hesperus teased his brother back. Almost all the guests had been announced and soon dancing would happen and by the end of the night the boys would have picked brides. The queen's hope would be that the suitors would start asking to court Amora. However there seemed to be little to no interest in her at all. Once everyone was announced she would sneak off to a quiet corner to hide. Its not like she would be missed at all anyway. The guests had all arrived and announced but Amora had kept her head down for the most part; she had not even noticed that the same striking blue eyes she had seen in the woods were now watching her. He was announced as prince Oneiroi of the kingdom Argos. Argos was one of the oldest kingdoms in the land of Valkyrie. Many had even forgotten it was still around. The king and queen hearing this looked and whispered to each other.

"I didn't even know they still had any royals there" the queen said.

"I thought they had all died out long ago. But the last royal member I remember had the same name. How odd I wonder if it has been passed down?" the king said in response. The music started and Helios made his way to the few ladies that had caught his eye. As they talked he found one he really enjoyed being with and asked her to dance. Hesperus on the other hand was just having fun flirting and not really taking it seriously. Just as Amora was sneaking off to watch from the quiet corner she had picked out. A hand gripped her wrist when she looked up she saw the blue eyes she had seen in the forest. This time it was different. His body was not hidden by a shadowy mist like before. He was about 6 feet tall with long raven black hair that hung straight down his back. His skin was cold and pale which made his eyes stand out even more. He had the body of a young man maybe around early 20's but his eyes and soul seemed to have been around much longer. He seemed strong and well toned but it was hard to tell through his clothes.

"Hello my dear princess, I am Prince Oneiroi of Argos" he said with a bow.

"Pleased to meet you Oneiroi I am Amora" she greeted back with a bow.

"Would you like to dance my dear?" He asked with a sweet smile. He wasn't sure what was coming over him as he had never felt such a pull toward another let alone a human girl.

"Um sure but I'm afraid I am not any good" she says with a blush creeping up her cheeks.

"That is alright my dear I will lead you" he said with a smile, offering her his hand. God she is so lovely even her blush adds to her beauty. He thought to himself as he waited for her to take his hand. Amora placed her hand in his and let him lead her to the dance floor. Once they started dancing it was like floating on air so effortlessly and easily. Amora smiled like she had never smiled before for the first time in her life she was having fun.

Amora looks up at Oneiroi and wonders what is going through his head. Why has he chosen me out of all the other lovely ladies to dance with, not that I am complaining. She thinks as she looks up into his blue eyes.

"Oneiroi, how come I have never seen you at one of these balls before? I mean this isn't the first one we have ever had" Amora says, quickly realizing how rude she sounded and rambling off a random fact to cover her embarrassment.

"I live in an old kingdom and they tend to forget we even exist as its been a long time since anyone has left the kingdom" he answers with a polite smile. He doesn't want to tell her it is because of her that he has chosen to venture away from his home. Or that she is the reason he took on human form after years of living in his true form. Will she be accepting of my form once she knows what I am or will she run away screaming. Amora's smile warms his heart and he wants to believe she will stay by his side.

"I know what it is like to be forgotten myself" she says as looks down with a sad smile on her face. How could anyone forget such beauty.

"That can not be true, you are so beautiful how could anyone not be captivated by your beauty?" Oneiroi says with conviction in his voice as he only speaks what's in his heart. Shocked by what he just said, Amora was speechless. They danced for what seemed like forever even though it was effortless with Oneiroi.

"Shall we take a break? There is a balcony right there we can look out over the kingdom" she says as she points to the balcony just to the left of them.

"Sure that sounds wonderful" he replies and lets her lead the way. He noticed that she is in fact right no one even noticed she was dancing or that she now heads out on the balcony. Helios is dancing away with a lovely woman and all eyes are on him until Hesperus finally finds a woman who challenges him. She doesn't buy his cheap words of flattery but agrees to dance anyway. Oneiroi watches as everyone is drawn to watching the twins dance not once thinking of the princess. Is it truly possible that she really does understand the loneliness of being forgotten. I have been forgotten for centuries until I felt her presence. Turning and watching her walk to the edge of the balcony vowing to never forget her ever. He follows her to the edge to overlook the kingdom.

"What a view this is thank you for sharing it with me" He says walking up beside her and looking out over the kingdom.

"It really is a nice view thank you for joining me, I never really get to share it with anyone" Amora says smiling. Looking out over the kingdom she can't help but wonder what it is he sees in her that everyone else ignores. They stand there in silence perfectly at ease with each other never feeling like they have to fill the silence. I think she is my soulmate, I have never felt so at ease with any other human in my long life. Oneiroi thinks to himself as he glances at the princess out of the corner of his eye.

"So you said you came from an old kingdom that is often forgotten. Do you mind telling me about it?" Amora asks as she wants to learn more about this mysterious stranger that seems so familiar somehow.

"It is the kingdom of Argos; many have forgotten it over time as it is small but one of the oldest kingdoms in the land. It is surrounded by rolling hills of green; it is just on the southern side of the fairy realm." Oneiroi says a bit shocked she remembered what he said over an hour ago. She did not ask when I first said anything most people would have wanted a more in depth answer then what I gave her then.

"It sounds lovely, do you think I could see it one day?" Amora asks with an ear to ear smile on her face so hopeful that he will show her. She holds her breath waiting for his answer. She is afraid he is simply just being nice as she is the princess.

"It would be my pleasure to show you my kingdom some day, if you should ever make your way there I will show you around myself" He says smiling sweetly at her. Why does she pull such emotions out of me? He thinks to himself, he has been asleep for so long he has almost forgotten what emotion is. The clock tower chimes midnight, the ball is coming to a close Amora and Oneiroi head back inside. Helios and Hesperus are standing in the middle of the room making an announcement to everyone.

"I would like to say thank you to everyone who showed up tonight, I also would like to say this lovely lady next to me has agreed to become my bride." Helios is the first of the brothers to address the ballroom full of guests.

"I, as well, would like to say thanks to all of you for joining us this evening." Hesperus says as he gets down on one knee and looks up at the lady he had been dancing with. "My fair maiden I have fallen head over heels in love with you, as you present me with a challenge you do not buy into my flattery and it intrigues me greatly. Will you do me the honor of letting me court you so that one day you may do me the honor of being my bride."

"Oh, this is so unexpected but if you are truly in love with me then yes" the maiden says to Hesperus, smiling and tears falling down her cheeks. The ballroom cheered for the couples and then started to say their goodbyes. The families of the ladies stayed to talk things over with the king and queen.