A Destined Encounter

She stepped briskly, turning a corner down a long, grandiose corridor. "These...parties," she spoke to herself. "Father knows I don't enjoy attending them..."

She was, of course, speaking of the ballroom extravaganzas her father held every so often; bringing out the best silverware and clothes from storage; inviting friends and family alike. They all seemed too formal to her.

Making another turn, she quickly moved down a flight of marble stairs and across a gigantic finely-crafted rug. Her new shoes easily snagged against the fabric, one slipping off her foot. Sighing, she turned and leaned over to retrieve it.

To her surprise, another pair of feet stood in front of her. Slowly she stood up, following the body past a shield, breast plate, and shoulder plates, to a face.

A beautiful face.

A young man, probably only four or five years her senior, and dressed partially in armor, leaned towards her, his hand reaching towards the fallen shoe. Their eyes met.

And the princess fell in love, right then and there.