The royal ball

I woke up with a pit on my stomach, today was the ball. I already knew who the prince of Zemira was and what he looked like and practically every detail about him. But sill, this was the moment I had been dreading all month, I had to put on a really convincing show. Asterin and Zemira has been enemies since the founding of the Enchancia. It was like Romeo and Juliet, tragic love where sworn enemies fall in love. That’s wasn’t the only part of the ball I dreaded though, the next worse thing was the outfit. I would spend the whole day being constantly scrutinized by my maids picking out an outfit.

I was shaken out of my dread when Lucy walked in.

“Good morning princess! Are you ready for today?” She said cheerfully.

“I’m nervous for today.” I replied which was a complete understatement.

“Don’t worry princess you will look your best!” She said seriously.

“Oh no, I’m not worried about that.” I said trying to sound the least depressed possible.

“Princess I have known you since you were a baby, you will be ok. I promise.”

Lucy was like a mom to me. Unlike my real mother she actually cared if I was feeling stressed or overwhelmed.

“Ok, I feel a lot bette after hearing you say that.” I said happily.

“I’m glad. Now we’ve got to get you up and out! You have a ball to get ready for!”

At this I gave a fake smile.

It started with the bathing or should I say forcefully scrubbing me until I shined like the palace floor. I was bombarded with fragrant soaps, body washes, shampoos, and conditioners. They after trying out lavender, apple, peach, ginger, coconut, mint, rose and so many more they finally decided on lemon. By the time this finished it was 10 am and I woke up at 6 am.

Then the had to dress me, I tried on dress after dress. The maids kept muttering,

Too pink...too puffy... too glittery... to this, too that. I was so tired of this eventually they all sighed. “That’s the one” a maid squealed. “She looks just like her mother” commented another. “It’s perfect!” said Lucy. I turned to wards the mirror, I did look like my mother.

I wore a off the shoulder gown that had was a calming blue that matched my eyes with a branch pattern in silver. They had also picked out jewelry. I wore a diamond necklace and matching earrings.

After this we took a break for our midday meal and I practiced the piece I would be performing tonight.

But I my hair was still down. Right on que my hair stylist came matching in with his two assistants. Raul always did my hair for balls and any other royal event. I had gotten used to his poking and prodigy but he also became more gentle after a while.

“Hello my princess! I hear today is a special occasion, your hair must be very grand today!”

I sighed internally when Raul got like this there was nothing I could do. I plastered a smile on my face “yes, today is indeed a special day!”

He smiled back “let’s get started #1 hairbrush, #2 hair oil”

His two assists came forward and handed him each. I really didn’t know how they reacted so quickly. Finally after countless hours of hairstyles Raul had decided. “Magnificent, ah perfection! I have really outdone myself this time!” He praised himself. I looked in the mirror I wore an intricate braid that allowed my hair to be half up half down. There was a diamond hairpin to match.

Then Lucy came rushing in though the archway but paused “My lady!” She gasped. “You look so...there are no words.” I smiled warmly. “Oh yes, my lady it’s 6:30 time for your meal before the ball. Your mother and father will be joining. You do not want to be late.”

“I appreciate your concern, I will be there in just a moment.”

“If course my lady, but please hurry!” Once Raul and her both left I sighed. I rode from my chair and walked to my balcony. The view I looked upon was breathtaking. The meadows, rivers, valleys and mountains of the 8 regions spread out before me. I closed my eyes trying to mentally prepare myself. Whenever I saw my mother and father they were constantly scrutinizing me. I silent tear slide down my cheek, every hope

had was crushed by this marriage. Whoever my fiancé was I already resented them.

After a painstakingly long dinner under my mother’s eyes it was time for the ball. Although I didn’t know if it was any better. I was going to take my entrance and then join my fiancé and the bottoms of the stairs. Lucy led me to the golden double doors “Don’t worry princess. My mother has just entered and I waited it enter next. “You will be okay. Just smile.” Lucy said. She squeezed my hand. I straightened my dress the trumpets sounded “Introducing Princess Ariana of Alderin”

I glided down the stairs and tried to calm down I had done this so many times before, right? But today felt different even though they always shared. After an eternity I joined my familiy at the table. Next to me would sit my fiancée I had no idea what to expect but my worst fears soon came to life. The trumpets sounded once again and the said

“Introducing Prince Bentley of Zemira”

I looked up the boy walking down the stairs was the opposite of what the other duchesses and princesses had described! Handsome and charming? The boy was fat with orange freckles strewn across his cheeks like boogers. Sure he had money but he was a disaster in every other way possible. This was only his appearance not even his manners or personality.

He sat down next me me with his father and smiled displaying his crooked rotten teeth.

“Hey lady I’m your fiancée right? Well you’re not bad hehehe!” He was eyeing my breast’s.

I almost puked on the spot, this man was a pervert too! I forced myself not to frown.

“I am pleased to meet your acquaintance.”

He smiled arrogantly “I am handsome aren’t I?”

I replied steadily “your appearance is befitting to your wit!”

He was as dumb as a doorknob.

I heard a snicker from a table next to ours and smiled happy someone understood my sarcasm.

The rest of the evening went with plenty of dull conversations, painful dancing (the prince kept stepping on my feet) and my piano playing (which was wonderful).

Finally I exited the ballroom with my mother, father and siblings. I bid them goodnight and walked down the corridor to my room. But suddenly someone covered my mouth and pulled me against the wall. It was Bentley.

“What are you doing prince Bentley?” I said urgently as he uncover my mouth.

“Come with me, tonight your going to warm my bed!” He groped my ******.

I slapped his hand away “Get away from me you disgusting bastard!” I storm Ed off in the other direction.

He grabbed my wrist to stop me. “That’s no way to speak to your fiancée!”

I jerked my hand away again but his meaty hand gripped my tightly. Suddenly I heard a voice “ And that’s no way to speak to a lady.”

He put his foot on the wall where Bentley’s hand was crushing it. The man was devilishly handsome. He had blazing red eyes and black hair. He was wearing a suit but had taken off the coat and sling it over his shoulder. He had also unbuttoned the shirt showing off his chest slightly. There was something dangerously magnetic about him.

Bentley immediately tried pulling his hand out from under his foot but failed miserably. I held in a laugh.

“There’s no use. I will let you go after you apologize.” He said smirking slightly.

It was clear Bentley was in pain but he still acted arrogant.

“Let me go, I am a prince you will paa a t for this!”

He pressed his foot down harder.

“Alright alright, jeez I’m sorry dude.” He muttered.

“You should be dead but I’ll let you off easy.” He said lifting his foot from Bentleys only to kick his stomach. Then grabbed my hand let me away. At the staircase leading to the living quarters he paused.

“This is where I leave you I’m sure we’ll meet again.”

“Thank you” I replied still shaken from the events. He nodded and walked away.

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