Emerson

two

"May I look yet?" I asked, holding in a breath as Martha, my servant and friend, grasped at the corset housing my waist. 

"No, not yet, my lady." There was a tugging as she pulled against the last clip before it was fastened into place. The corset - no deathtrap - felt constricting and totally unnecessary but apparently, it would have been unbecoming of me as a royal to not uphold the high standards of class and sophistication.  "You can look now, my lady," she mused. 

I opened my eyes and scanned the mirror up and down, taking in my newly constructed and regal appearance. My dark, brown hair had been set in its usual loose curls, falling just above my small waist. My baby hairs had been swept away from my forehead, clasped in place behind a dainty tiara that adorned my head. My skin was clear, free from any foundation and I wore hardly any make-up, just a little gold eyeshadow to frame my eyes and add to the elegance of the look. Around my neck was a delicate gold necklace, embellished with silver frost on each individual link. 

The dress, though, was what really stood out. It was a low cut ball gown, gold in colour to match the make-up and jewels. The figure-hugging corset I had been forced into accentuated my already curvy figure and what seemed like endless amounts of tiny glass beads trailed across my bust, eventually diminishing as it travelled down onto the skirt in patterns. 

"I honestly think this is the most striking you've been yet. They won't be able to keep their eyes off you!" Martha buzzed as she handed me a pair of dainty white gloves. I pulled them on effortlessly and hummed at her, dismissing the thought. 

This wasn't my first ball. It would most likely be much like the others. I'd enter the room with a gracious man on my arm, only to be abandoned by him as I work my way around the room before dancing with anyone who asked - as was the polite custom. The ball would eventually end, hopefully with little scandal, and I would head to my room until the next morning, where most would be hungover from the amount of wine they drank to calm their nerves. Today would be different though. This time I was going to who I really was, not some facade. A princess. 

Coming away from my thoughts, I pulled on a pair of smart gold heels and watched as I grew in height but the dress' material still pooled around my feet in a small train. I sighed, eyes brightening from their deep black pools into a chestnut brown as a stray strand of sunlight poured in from a crack in the curtains, straightened up and smiled in the mirror.This is it. 

Just as I was about to exit, there was a brisk knocking at the door and Martha raced to answer it. 

Parris strode into the room, forcing Martha to dip into a low curtsey. He wore a maroon blazer with black flourishes on the collar. His shirt, white and well-fitted, hugged at his torso and gave an indication of the infinite strength of the muscles that lurked beneath. His hair, though usually tightly kept and neat, was touselled lightly and curled into its natural form - much like mine - creating an overall devilish look. 

"To what do I owe the honour of this visit, Parris?" I said sarcastically, turning from the door to the mirror and adjusting the tiara. It felt heavy on my head, despite being so very light. 

"Is that any way to speak to your brother, Em?" He smirked, walking forward toward me. I turned and watched him take me in. "You've worked wonders." he breathed, crediting Martha on her handy work. I couldn't disagree, I did look the part of a princess. 

"Are you saying I don't normally look beautiful, brother?" I said, faining sadness as I threw his point of being my brother back at him. He stuttered, unsure of what to say. The atmosphere in the room had become tense and rigid. Parris looked from me and then to Martha, for some help perhaps. Why is it just so fun to mess with him?  "I'm joking Parris. Don't look so worried." a smile made its way onto my face as he blankly gaped at me. 

After he'd recovered, he chuckled lightly and cleared his throat, once again becoming professional. "I do believe it is time to go." He said as he re-adjusted his tie and linked his arm around mine.  He led me out of the room, halting at the top of the staircase. Looking down, I saw a large queue of people and my heart lept in my chest. What if I'm not accepted as a royal?  The question was all I could think about but soon we made our way down the stairs, joining the many who were being filed into the ballroom. A few heads rotated in my direction and I made my face blank as the question reappeared in my mind, over and over. 

Parris, noticing my body stiffening, lent down to my considerably shorter level. "Don't worry," he murmured in my ear. "You're as much as a royal as me, if not more." That's not technically true. I nodded uncertainly, inching a few metres forward and setting my eyes straight. Gradually, he ushered me towards and through the double door entrance, where we stopped, waiting for the butler to announce us. Here we go. 

"May I present His Royal Highness, Prince Parris De'Morre." At the announcement, all of the couples that had gathered in the centre of the room turned. The ladies, all in elegant and extravagant ballgowns, and the gentlemen, all in dress suits, bowed in respect. He nodded curtly as he dragged his eyes along the crowd, rather enjoying the admiration of status and looked at me inquisitively as I curtseyed too. 

"You know you don't have to do that, right?" he whispered in my ear as the crowd turned back to their conversations and countless noble girls prepared to intercept him for his first dance. I dipped my head in response, and turned back to the room, preparing for the encore. 

"And may I present-" the butler looked to me and I smiled, letting him know it was time to reveal my true identity publically. 

"Her Royal Highness, Princess Emerson De'Morre."

-----------

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

I tried to kind of build it up and let it flow but I'm not too sure how that went. If it wasn't obvious, Emerson (the main character) has been to many of these balls before but never as her true title as a Princess. Her brother, Parris, is well known as the eldest Prince. The reaction to her reveal will be in the next chapter. Let me know what you think in the comments. 

Thanks, Lucie