Happily Ever After all over again

I decided to tell my sisters I wasn’t going. When they went out to buy gowns, I went into my closet. I decided to wear one of Mother’s old gowns, since none of my sisters had ever seen them. When Mother died, I hid her best gowns, so Violet would not dispose of them. I picked out her very best gown, which she only wore once, to the king’s ball when he was still a prince. It was a one-of-a-kind silk and satin white gown with a pink stripe down the middle, sparkling with small diamonds. It came with a white tiara and diamond necklace. I put it on a hanger and hid it in the back of the closet just as they were getting back. The night of the ball, I put the finishing touches on Violet’s hair, pinned up Rose’s dress, and helped with Lily’s make up. When their carriage finally pulled out into the night, I quickly slipped into my dress, and started on my make up. I put on Rose’s powder to cover up my tanned skin, rogue on my cheeks, and ruby red lipstick on my lips. I put my hair up in fancy curls on top of my head. I put the tiara right in the middle of it all, setting off the whole look. I was ready to go. I was very happy we lived so close to the manor, though I still wouldn’t have minded a carriage. When I arrived in the ballroom, I passed the king and queen. I didn’t even notice them, so when I heard the king clear his throat; it nearly startled me out of my gown. I quickly recovered and bowed. “Sorry…your majesty.” Surprisingly, the king smiled. “Don’t feel bad, we’ve been doing that to most the ladies that walk in.” He and the queen let out a hearty laugh. I smiled, bowed again, and went on to find the prince. I finally saw him, sitting on a throne, and looking quite bored while Rose jabbered away. When she finally left I walked over. His expression changed. “The girl from the market.” he smiled. I gasped and covered my face. “You recognized me!” His smile widened. “Are you hiding from somebody?” Feeling foolish, I put my hand down, which was now covered with powder. I quickly took a mirror out and checked my face. “Do you want to dance?” I frowned slightly. “I don’t quite know how.” The prince shrugged. “Neither do I. Father says it’s impolite not to offer, though.” I sat down on a stool next to him, and we began to talk about all kinds of things, his travels, his soon-to-be kingship, and what he likes to do. “Well, well.” a voice behind me said. I recognized it as Rose’s. I turned around to see her smiling sweetly, with Violet behind her. I looked around to find Lily, who was talking to Caesar‘s younger brother, Antonio. “I see you’ve made a friend while I’ve gone to the refreshment table. What is your name, miss?” “Umm…” I stammered. Her eyes were cutting through me like daggers. I started perspiring. “Well, my name is…” Just then, the queen stormed up. “Caesar, you must dance with someone or you will seem rude. A king from the west kingdom is here. We must make a good impression!” “I’ll dance with him your majesty,” Rose shouted, grabbing Caesar off his throne. “If it is to make a good impression.” “No, I’ll dance with him,” Violet yelled, coming from behind Rose and taking his other hand. “Since I am a much better dancer.” They glared at each other, than looked at Caesar. “Who do you want to dance with?” He looked helplessly from Rose’s face, to Violet’s, to the Queen’s, to mine. “Well, it is the lady here,” he said, pointing to me, “That asked first.” The queen nodded. “Very well. As long as you dance with somebody.” Rose and Violet just stood there in awe. He took my hand and led me to the middle of the room. Most everybody was standing around talking, but once they saw the prince began to dance, everyone started to dance, since it was considered rude not to in the presence of royalty. In the beginning, I was so afraid of making a mistake that I was mostly looking at my feet. Then when I looked up and saw Caesar was smiling at me, I relaxed a little. Soon I was with every step and keeping up. “I thought you said you could not dance?” he said, laughing a little. “I could not.” I said defiantly. “I would never lie to royalty. And I despise you for thinking so.” He let out a hearty laugh, just as his father did. “You are quite funny, Noelle.” I gasped. “How did you know my name?” “I had one of my men follow you home that day we met in the market. He said one of those ladies over there called you Noelle. This brings me to another subject matter. How silly of that wench to not even recognize her own sister. Why did you not reveal yourself?” I glanced back down at my feet. “Well, she told me that if I was to come to the ball, I was not to even speak to you, as to give her better chance with you. So I came here in secret, since I wanted to meet you again.” He smiled and blushed for a minute, then turned angry. “How dare she keep you from seeing the prince!” I shall go over and have her arrested.” I held out my hand. “No, that would reveal me. And then I would surely be without a home.” “You could stay with me, along with your remaining sisters. I doubt they would attempt to harm you in the royal manor!” A beautiful lady with long, flowing hair came and interrupted his anger. “Caesar, you promised me a dance?” He half-smiled and looked at me. “You don’t mind, do you?” I shook my head and went over to the refreshment table. Rose and Violet approached me.

“Hello miss.” Rose said slyly. I fought to find my words. “H-hello.” “I see you caught the prince’s eye,” She smiled and Violet nodded. “For a while. You see, the prince has already promised to ask my hand in marriage.” I smiled back. “Really? Well there must be some misunderstanding. You see, the prince just told me he wants to have my hand in marriage.” Her smile flickered for a moment. Then she started to laugh lightly. “Well, he told me he says that to all the ladies here, to make them feel better. You’ll see who he ends up with.” Caesar came over and smiled at me. “I believe I owe you a dance.” He held his hand out , and Violet snatched it. “Why yes your majesty, you do.” “But I..” he started. “I think she‘s right.” I interrupted. Then I mouthed “I will talk to you later.” He looked helplessly at me while Violet dragged him away. I went back to the refreshment table. I picked up a biscuit and began to watch people dance. Once again the prince was looking bored while Violet jabbered away, dancing horribly. I was close enough for hearing range. Finally the prince said, “I’m horribly tired. I think I’ll go out to the balcony and rest. He looked at me and motioned to follow. Once I was next to him on the balcony he started laughing. “Your sister is awfully boring.” I laughed along with him. “I could tell by the look on your face.” I looked out to the beautiful courtyard lighted by the full moon. When I turned around, I saw that Caesar had been looking at me. I blushed and looked down. “It seems as though I’ve known you forever.” he said through the silence. “I wish I had.” All I could do was smile and nod. “You know Noelle, I wanted to ask you…” “So, this is resting, eh?” Violet’s voice overpowered Caesar’s. “I was worried about you so I came to give you something to drink. And here you are with..” She shot a look at me. “You’ve got a lot of courage wench, to even try to compete with me.” Then she stormed out. I gasped. “She’s leaving. I have to beat her home.” Caesar stopped me. “I’ll see you again.” I nodded and jumped over the balcony, landing on the soft grass. I ran home, and arrived just as the carriage pulled up. I snuck in through the window of my room, and, not having time to take off anything but my shoes, climbed into bed and pulled the covers over my head. Violet burst into my room. “Noelle get up!” I didn’t answer. “NOELLE!” No answer. I heard her footsteps come to the edge of my bed, then I felt the covers fly off.