It was a hazy afternoon and the students from the ballet class were returning to their dorms. The fountain poured out her heart. She was singing sweet goodnight to the angels who would soon have dinner and go to bed. The ballet academy had a large playground and various trees, flowers, and attractions to play on. The spring fountain was the center of attraction and the favorite place of the students. They used to practice their dance lessons until they reached perfection. Their shoes would wear out at the end of the month, but they didn’t care. They wanted to be ideal. Such was his dedication and his ballet teacher, Mr. Meow, was just as good. He had strange whiskers like a cat’s and a funny temperament. If he found a student bored as a ditch at his performance, he would freak out and run down the hall and scream and ask them to bring a lot of jalapenos for him to eat. He was quite funny to watch, but the students loved him and knew that he cared for them.

The class saw its best students this year. Rue cha, Keith, Ana and Ahiru. They were beautiful dancers and possessed unique qualities. Rue cha was an exquisite girl with hair like a raven and legs like sticks of butter. She was delicate and danced like a fairy queen in wonderland. She and Keith made a seductive couple and every time they danced together they created magic on stage. Ballet positions like pirouette and arabesque looked dainty while performing. Ana was a soloist and her movements were dark and acrobatic. The students stood in the academy hall, watched them perform, and joined them in creating a magical atmosphere along with beautiful symphonies. It was thanks to these perfectionists that the call for the Comprehensive Ballet Contest was up in the air. Everyone knew it was a piece of cake for the groupers. They believed in their talent and in Mr Meow. Last but not on the list was Ahiru. Her full name was Ahiru Mei Chan.

Ahiru was small, skinny, and duck-like. His eyes were large and wide with curiosity. Her friends called her a duck face or clumsy dancer. Thanks to his big orange hair, the others behind him never stopped to sneeze. Ahiru was shaky, pawy, and bit like a child who found it difficult to dance ballet. Mr Meow considered her ‘morning crisis’ as she had to control her temper while counting her mistakes. Poor Ahiru! She had a hard time at the academy.

In his room near the attic, he used to look at the blue sky and feed the little sparrows that perched on his window. Some liked her furry nest so much that they had the good intention of building their nest on her head. She didn’t care about that. All she wanted was cheerful company and waiting for the prince of her that was Keito Biros. She wanted to have a moonlight dance for once in her life with him. Poor me! It was still a dream for her as keito was taken. He was the prince of Rue.

Ahiru was an ordinary girl and clumsy to others. It was a disaster for her friends and for herself. Her panic attack came countless times a day when she met Keito. She fluttered, blushed, and stumbled twice on the hallway floor to save her soul. However, there was a sweet white secret lurking in her heart.

Her innocent red locket that she toyed with contained its majestic charm. She was a princess. A duck princess designed and destined to save the prince, she silently prayed for her safety.

I had a music friend named Adele. She played sweet and hopeful melodies on her music box. Ahiru listened intently and all her sadness vanished. Her hopes of being with Keito would grow stronger and she gained more strength as a princess determined to save her love. One day fate smiled at her and she had the opportunity to fulfill her longed-for dream. It was a practice session for the Ballet Competition.

All the ballet boys and ballerinas had gathered in the meeting room. It was full of mirrors, so it seemed like there were thousands of tiny dancers lining up. They each had to give a solo performance so that the dance moves could be monitored. Star performers Rue and the other girls performed gracefully. The room was filled with applause and shouts. Ahiru was standing at the end of the line. She watched Rue and Keito act with mesmerizing eyes. They moved like a pair of swans. It was an impressive performance, but Ahiru had her heart elsewhere. “So apparently beautiful! Why, oh why can’t I take her hands just once in mine? Why am I so incompetent? I wish I had the same grace and proud spirit as Rue… L! He was pondering and knotting his fingers while his gaze was fixed on Keito.

“MISS AHIRU-CHAN!” She panicked and turned around. Mr. Meow glared at her. “Oh no, I’m in trouble!” Ahiru was petrified. “Mrs. Chan I think this is a practice and monitoring session?” So where is your concentration headed?” If you don’t focus on your steps, I’m afraid I’ll have to eliminate you immediately! Do you understand?” Yesiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii”I’m sorry mister meow” she smiled weakly. Mr. Meow came forward huffing and puffing. Now it was his turn. He had to show his best this time. Ahiru took a deep breath and looking at her love out of the corner of her eye, she went to the center of the study.

The melody went in the air- “Although my love is small, it is big enough to conquer the world!” He closed his eyes and surrendered to the rhythm. She danced. Oh, how she danced! Her body as if she were under the musical spell. All she wanted was to be a perfect dancer for her beloved prince. There was an aura of love around her and she consumed the energy in her

She danced a beautiful pirouette and an arabesque pose that ended with a perfect pas-de-deux. When the music ended, the audience was silent and stunned. Even Rue looked a little dismayed and looked at her with poisonous eyes. Mr. Meow was silent for a moment and shaking his head at her he walked over to her. A sudden thunderous applause filled the room with whistles and shouts.

No one could believe that he danced so well. Even Ahiru didn’t believe what her body was doing. She regained her senses and timidly looked at Keito. For once, he seemed surprised and stunned by disbelief. “Well done Miss Chan!” I didn’t know you had that in you.” You surprised us today dear Ahiru,” Mr. Meow said with evident appreciation. I think I have to reconsider my decision to create the star couple in the competition. Keep doing your best and it will be your time soon.” Ahiru was beaming. She bowed gracefully to the students and returned to her place. One after one, the performers demonstrated her talent and grace and it was a beautiful evening. Later she served herself a snack and the students prepared to retire for the night.

“My oh my! I saw her smile! She was smiling at my dance. She liked it. Oh Keito!” Our duck princess was secretly hugging each other with joy. She knew that she had sown a seed of friendship in her heart. She pondered again, “Calm down, duckling! You have a bad habit of overthinking things in your little feathered head. It’s just the first step. I’m not sure if he’ll ever talk to me or sit with me in the field.” I thought about sharing this with Adele but decided it was after 10 and the girls probably wouldn’t let her out of the club at this time of night.” Maybe later I can ask.”

As he ran to his room, he heard a strange noise near the side of the pond. “Oh darling! Who could it be?” Ahiru’s blue eyes widened and she stroked her hair. It was a nervous gesture from our little miss duckling. “Surely, it’s just a bat or a bird. Oh shit! Let me check.” He walked slowly towards the flower bush. She stirred again and she froze. Something came out from behind her and two dark, gleaming eyes looked at her.

Keito? Heart failure! Ahiru was dumbfounded and he couldn’t speak. “What is he doing here? Is he suffering? He Is he in trouble? It’s wrong?” Minutes passed and Keito came out and stood in front of her but still without speaking. Finally, he recovered and smiled at her heartily. “umm ahem hello keito. What are you doing here? It’s very late.” Keito remained silent. He spent more time. Ahiru was uncomfortable now. She tried to ask him about it but he didn’t say a word. “God! What’s wrong with him?” Is he looking at me because I look like an idiot? Is he thinking deeply? Oh, what should I do? Ahiru knew that these moments were priceless even though nothing happened. She locked her eyes with his prince and they were near the pond in the moonlight with peaceful surroundings.

Keito moved a little closer and his breathing increased. He got closer and closer and suddenly, as if in ecstasy, he took her hand and whispered…ahiru Chan. You danced so well. You’re like a secret dancer in the dark, do you want to dance with me tonight?

“WHAT?”

“He just?” The invisible feathers of our duck princess stood up in awe and shock. He’s asking me for a dance. Is this a dream? Her already large eyes widened but she didn’t respond. Keith smiled. His large brown eyes lit up with an unknown emotion. Keito had the most beautiful smile. Slow and loving. Ahiru was mesmerized. Keito repeated his question.. “Get a grip, duck!”

“Yes, my prince I will dance with you.” Smiling, he bowed gracefully to her and took her hand and together they walked to the water’s edge.

It was a star-studded night and Ahiru was dancing slowly and happily in her prince’s arms. It was a magical dream for her. Tree branches swayed to the music of the wind, an imperceptible music box played heavenly melodies as Ahiru and Keito swayed around the pond. Ahiru felt like a duck princess. She had a trail of thoughts running through her mind, but her heart was beating with euphoria. Keito was looking from her to hers with big blue eyes of hers and not for a moment had she felt that she was being mocked like a duck with a feather brain. She felt like a princess dancing with her knight.

“Oh Keito! How had I longed for this moment to become alive? All my life I had been waiting for you to take me in your arms and dance a pas-de-deux. My destiny wanted me to save you from all evil and I will return your heart to you. I give you a promise from my soul.” Ahiru pondered these thoughts deep in his spirit and the aura grew stronger. Adele looked from afar and smiled.”A duck’s heart can act like a human. A girl will transform into a dancing princess when she has to save her prince in distress.”

“I may look like a duck but inside I am your princess and my piece of heart belongs to you. Ahiru opened her eyes to find that she had transformed into a duck princess in a yellow and white dress.

She looked alluring and heavenly. Keito wore the attire of a royal knight. Her love for him had transformed her souls and the starry night witnessed her beautiful union.