35 | Cheerleader

 

***

 

Yoona hadn't been this nervous for her entire life, As she stands in front of the mirror, wearing a royal suit she had never imagined would happen. It's Christmas Dance Ball, and as a tradition from the royal family, the crowned princess shall attend. But this time, ever since she dated a princess, herself, she was granted to attend the ball. The royal families and so as the prime minister will attend such event - that leaves her anxious. Although her grandparents, in her mother's side would be there, Seohyun's side is nerve wrecking. 

 

"Aish, why my hair is not growing fast." Not only is the event giving her this nervousness, the fact that her hair is short and she's a girl concerns her. Not to mention, she is wearing the prince suit. She's freaking a girl. What have gone into the royal palace's mind for sending it to her? She just hope no one would insult her. Otherwise, she's going home before the event ends.

 

Looking to herself in front of the mirror for one last thing, she took a deep breath and exhaled anxiously. "Fighting!" she cheered on herself along with a fist.

 

She left her room and went downstairs, where she saw her father had been waiting in the living room. He chuckled when she saw her, which made her roll her eyes. She knows her father is just teasing her with her outfit tonight. She just shrugs and lead him out.

 

Just and hour of drive, they arrived at the palace. Immediately Yoona noticed the expensive cars that was on the line in getting inside the palace's ground, compared to her father's old chevrolet. 

 

"Looks like, we're the only two who arrives like this." Mr. Im commented as he finally pass them from the guards. They're so strict this time, since a lot are going to Christmas Dance Ball. Not only royals, but also selective guests by the royal families "But I definitely have a cheap royal prince here." he jokes, earning glare from his daughter. He pats her shoulder lightly, making up for it.

 

Yoona sighed and took her phone out of her pocket. She raised her brows when she realized she missed an unread message. 

 

Seo Penguin: I can't wait to see you!!! <3

 

"This Penguin." She mutters as she replied, although it was sent 30 minutes ago.

 

To Seo Penguin: I can't too. Prepare for my surprise~ ^^

 

Thinking her girlfriend won't reply right away, she decided to put her phone back to its place. Just then, the car pulled over. She and her father casually stepped out of the car when two butlers opened it for them. But Yoona especially receives a bow from the butlers which made her blush and bow back. 

 

"I wonder what time is this ending? I have never been in this ball." Mr. Im said as he and his daughter stepped into the stairs, where everyone is also doing.

 

Yoona felt a little uncomfortable when she realized few stairs are on her. Mostly, coming from the relatives of the royal family. She just smiled and bow to them constantly. Until they have reached the ballroom of the palace, the stares are still on her. Prolly because of her suit and because her hair cut? Does it bother them?

 

Suddenly, a woman in her 40's approaches them.

 

"I'm Seohyun's aunt. Welcome to the family, Miss Im. You look fantastic."

 

Yoona smiled and took the woman's hand for a handshake. "Thank you... " The latter also proceeds to her father and they both have started a conversation. However, as she thought only one would welcome her, more from the royal families have come to greet her. She felt very welcome and overwhelmed as she also greets them one by one with full smile. It's totally a new experience for her. But she loved it. Because she felt so at home.

 

After a while, she finally got herself out from her girlfriend's relatives and look for her grandparents through the crowd. As expected, they're amuse at how she wore, but later did they explain the reason. It was because the current royal family leading the country is acknowledging Yoona as a member of the royal blood.

 

Soon, everyone got quite when the King is taking the small stage in front of everyone. Yoona got nervous when in the middle of the speech, the King glances at her. Her father look at her if she knew about it, she just shook her head a little.

 

"So here she is, may I present to you, our new addition to the family and will soon take over the throne, her royal highness, Im Yoona."

 

With that said, Everton eyes including her father looked at her - but difference from the others who are smiling and clapping their hands, he is apparently surprised with the sudden introduction. Yoona awkwardly smiled to each eyes that was on her. She freezes on the spot. But when she was gestured to come to the stage, she almost wanted to decline but her father proudly pushed her. She stumbles but quickly composed herself and made her way to the stage. She stood in front of everyone like a statue. 

 

"Come on, just a little speech." The King whispers.

 

Without a word, Yoona took the microphone from the King's grasp. "Ha-Hi. I... I'm Im Yoona." She said nervously. Her mind is blank out of a sudden. In which, it made her pause, as she tried to search for the words to say next. But for freaking unknown reason, she couldn't. 

 

In that moment where everyone are quite and anticipating for her to continue, her eyes spotted someone descending from that long stairs, wearing a red gorgeous dress, hair is curled as she loose them in her shoulders, her heart beats started racing as her lips parted. Goose bumps all over her arms, as for the very first time she feels like the prince. Everyone's eyes followed her gazes and everyone gasps to see the crowned princess walking down the stairs with all smile and looking so gorgeous. Everyone's eyes are in love with the her.

 

Seohyun, who hasn't noticed the people's eyes while walking downstairs just keep her eyes on every steps she's taking. She only noticed when she is already at the second last step and she has to look straight. Her cheeks turned a bright red as she smiled to them. "Did I interrupted something?" As she asked innocently. Smiles and chuckles was the respond by the guests.

 

"Ahem." A sound of clearing throat was heard from the microphone, everyone's attention now returned to the stage.

 

Seohyun finally realized who was on the stage. She smiled in pride and showed support by sending her a flying kiss. Xiao Xiao and Daniel who just arrived saw her immediately and she got surprised when she felt an arm wrapped in her right arm. Xiao Xiao hush her before she can react to their sudden appearance. Daniel bowed in respect for her. She smiled in glee upon seeing back her friends.

 

There were no words exchange as they put their attention to the doe-eyed girl, who seems to be taking her time. Seohyun keeps on cheering by showing heart shapes through her fingers, so the doe-eyed would find the words to say. She didn't stop it until Yoona on the stage was fueled with confidence. 

 

"I... I'm sorry for taking time. No one told me that I have to be standing in front of everyone. Not to mention, to our prime minister here. This is... really huge for me... and I'm honored..." Yoona trailed off as she finds her eyes again to Seohyun, mouthing words like 'I love you', and 'Go, Go, fighting!' before she continued, "...To be speaking in front... of you guys. Um, I wanted to take this opportunity and thank everyone, especially the Seo Royal Families... for welcoming me so warm. I was really overwhelmed and... really welcomed. Not only me but my family of course. I didn't expect everyone it would be like this. But I guess... expect the unexpected?" She said with a soft chuckle, earning smiles from the crowd. "I just wanna say, I will not fail each and everyone of you here right now. I will be someone everyone can be proud of. Thank you and... let's have fun tonight." She ended it with a 90 degrees bow, earning loud applause. She let out a sigh of relief as she continues to bow, listening to the applause. She had never been this proud of herself as well. It feels so great to be welcomed by the family of your girlfriend. It's as if, she's really part of the family now when they're not even yet married.

 

But it's quiet a pressure for her also; one mistake, everyone will hunt her down for sure. And if she will make the princess cry, it wouldn't be only the King who will she face, her entire family. Sigh. 'Welcome to the Royals, Im Yoona.'

 

-

 

"I didn't really expect your cousins, Aunt, Uncles and even the prime minister will like me." Yoona whispers to her girlfriend as soon as she got free from the King. The King have pulled her for a conversation with the other members of the royal blood after she left the stage and the event is starting.

 

Seohyun turned around and literally throws her arms around the doe-eyed girl's neck. "You did well." she whispers back.

 

"Yah! Lovebirds! Don't you guys want to greet us as well?" Xiao Xiao takes the opportunity and approaches the royal couple. Daniel is in her side.

 

The couple quickly pulled away from each other after hearing a voice. Yoona's bright face got even brighter as soon as she saw her friend in London. She gives her a bear hug.

 

"When did you guys arrived?" She asked, as she gives a fist pump with Daniel behind Xiao Xiao. She pulled back slowly from the latter after a few seconds.

 

"Just when you're talking to the crowd earlier." Said Daniel.

 

"They arrived almost at the same time with me." Seohyun also said. She casually takes

 

"You. Was that true? You're really part of the royal family now?" Xiao Xiao couldn't help but whisper to Yoona.

 

"It is." But it was a kind of whisper that the next person can hear. Seohyun smiled to Xiao Xiao's question in amusement.

 

"Well, Congrats, Yoona. You can no longer escape now from your fate." Daniel jokes, as he meaningfully smiled to the young princess. The young girl only smiled and Yoona pout her lips.

 

"What do you mean by that?" Xiao Xiao however doesn't have any idea.

 

"It's nothing, Xiao. Daniel is just being mean. Um, have you guys ordered? I'm hungry already. I didn't know talking in front of everyone will be like this." Yoona rubs her stomach as she pouted, earning chuckles from her friends and her girlfriend.

 

"This is cocktail, Yoong. Foods won't come to you but you have take it in the side." Said Xiao Xiao. "Come on, before the real Dance will take place later." She leads them almost instantly.

 

But as Seohyun wanted to join, she heard her name was being called, asking her to meet with her relatives.

 

"I guess I will eat later." Seohyun apologetically said to her girlfriend.

 

"It's okay. I'll see you later then." Yoona kissed the younger girl's cheeks. "I should be your last dance, Okay?" and reminded her through a whisper before going with the others.

 

Seohyun's blushed as she felt giddy inside. She thought of that as well. She has no idea who will she dance with for the last time, as soon as the event starts later. It only depends about the organizer who will be asking guys (mostly) to dance with her. She has no power about it. But hopefully it will be her beloved Im Yoona. But before that, she has to fulfill her duty as the princess. She went with her relatives and greet them one by one. Not only them but her relatives' friends, and some guests from her father. Just like what Yoona did earlier.

 

-

 

Yoona almost choke on her food when she heard her name being called. "Not for some speech again, right?" She jokes, but only to be pushed by Daniel and Xiao Xiao. She couldn't decline and just go where the speaker was asking calling for her. By this time, it will be about the lightning of the tall Christmas Tree in the palace. The palace invited orphan kids as well, to witness the event. Yoona somehow got relieved the kids are in front while the adults are behind. 

 

"There you are." Seohyun immediately took her girlfriend's hand, as soon as the latter arrived next to her. And the girl greets her with a forehead sweet kiss.

 

"What's this? I thought it's a Dance ball? Why there's like this?" Yoona just realized the Christmas Tree was put in the middle of the huge ballroom without her noticing it. She was busy chatting and eating with her friends, she would never noticed it though.

 

"It's Christmas, right? This is one of the traditions in the palace. And you know how much we care for orphans." Seohyun smiled to the kids who are waving their hands to her. She waves back in response.

 

"Oh." Yoona nodded. 'So this will come next year as well. I wonder how many traditions does the palace have?' she thought at the back of her head, thinking she will be spending more time now in the royal palace, with her being acknowledge as a royal blood.

 

"Here, your highness." The speaker handed the button for the Christmas lights. They held it together. "We will count from 10 to 0, Are you ready kids?!!!" 

 

"REAAADYYYY!!!" The kids chorus. Not only them but the adults surrounding the Christmas tree as well.

 

Seohyun and Yoona both giggles at the childish voices mostly from the adults. 

 

"Ten!" As the speaker started, everyone also follows. The kids are especially showing their fingers in counting down. "Nine!"

 

Daniel, Xiao Xiao and Yeri soon joined the countdown. Although they're at the back.

 

"Eight!"

 

"Seven!" The royal couple have also joined the countdown.

 

"Six! Five! Four!"

 

As the countdown have suddenly pause, all kids stands up from their sitting position in the floor, eyes are on the big and tall Christmas Tree. Even the royal couple are now looking up, as they all continue the countdown.

 

"Three! Two... ONE."

 

With that said, The couple pressed the button. Consequently, the Christmas lights was , causing for everyone to clap their hands and the kids jumping in celebration.

 

Yoona unconsciously wrapped her arms around her girlfriend's waist and kiss her on the lips. But she pulled back right away before the attention could be on them. A big grin plastered her face however, as she finds out she left her girlfriend surprised with those big rounded eyes. She kiss her forehead and pulled back, so they could greet now the kids. The gifts under the Christmas Tree is being distributed by them for the kids. Yoona who always loves kids is the happiest on earth to be personally doing it.

 

-

 

Dancing in tune with the music, the couple are once again on the spotlight of everyone's attention. Even though there are other pairs dancing as well. The fact that they're recently the talk of the town, it makes sense why the attention are on them. The King and Mr. Im are both proudly smiling while watching in the side.

 

"What?" Seohyun finally noticed her girlfriend had been to her face while they're dancing waltz which others are also doing. Yoona hasn't even said anything.

 

"I just still couldn't believe my eyes." Yoona whispers back. She turned Seohyun then grab by her waist again and doing the waltz. Truth is, she had been mesmerize by the beauty before her. It's beyond perfection.

 

Seohyun blushed, knowing well what her doe-eyed girlfriend is talking about. "You're not bad yourself, handsome." she shyly complimented her girlfriend.

 

"I can see the guys' stares on me."

 

"Hmm?" Seohyun's eyes avert behind her girlfriend's shoulder. The stares from every guests are not indeed on her. They're staring Yoona's back. 

 

"I know they're envy." Yoona said in cockiness, earning a an amuse smile from the young girl. "But I'm not letting them dance with you." She possessively added, leaning in to kiss her girlfriend's cheeks. Just before she turned her again and caught her back. As their eyes were on each other again, she winks.

 

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