MIRELA ➪ PERCABETH

Bibbity Bobbity Boo Times Two

And despite the long, tiring wait, he continued wishing to find her.

___ ♪___

The day of the ball was hectic at most.

All of the servants were required to assist in the preparation. Whether it be cooking, cleaning, or decorating, someone had to be busy with something or else the Duke would have a fit.

Percy was assigned cooking duties until an hour before the gates opened for the guests to arrive. He followed Grover's example by wearing his party clothes underneath his waiters uniform. He had decided beforehand to keep the trousers, but he would later disperse himself from the stuffy, black jacket and show off his newly bought green waistcoat. It was a plain forest green, but Percy had used nearly all of his extra coins for the piece of clothing, so he hoped he would at least appear presentable.

The ball was already in full swing when Percy and Grover decided to change. Once they had returned from the staff lavatory, both boys were shocked to see the abundant amount of people that overflowed the ballroom. The population of the area was mostly female, but nonetheless, Percy had never witnessed so many occupants in a single space.

"Do you think you will meet your dream girl tonight?" Grover questioned while stuffing his face with the palace delicacies that they were supposed to be serving.

"I'm not sure," Percy admitted. He watched from afar as the Prince was being fawned over by each guest one at a time. By the expression on his face, he seemed disinterested; uncaring of the attention of the hundreds of women that have gathered in hopes to become his future wife. "Besides, even if I did find her, she would probably be too enamored with the Prince to notice me."

Just then, the doors to the ballroom opened. The music slowly died as everyone turned to witness who had entered. Percy pushed himself through the crowd, curious since he was sure all of the guests were accounted for. But as soon as she was in his sight, he halted in his movements.

She was a beautiful creature. The most gorgeous being he had ever had the pleasure to lay eyes upon. At first, he thought she might have been a goddess. Descending down from the heavens to grace these mere mortals with her presence, but then he thought better of it as the fair skin of her cheeks flushed slightly pink from all the attention.

She smiled shyly at the crowd of people gawking at her. Her light azure dress shimmered as she moved through the horde of guests, like the stars had decided to rest themselves upon her clothing for the night, giving her an even more divine beauty. Her shining golden hair was piled up in an array of curls that fell across her slender neck, making it appear as if the sun had entangled itself into her blonde locks.

But her eyes. Oh God, her eyes. They captured Percy's very soul. Her silver orbs glittered like the ice crystals that hung on the stable roof during the winter. They sparkled with life and wonder and Percy had to restrain himself from falling at her knees from the overwhelming emotion coursing through his veins.

It was her. He was sure of it.

The girl from his dreams.

___ ♪___

Percy's heart felt as heavy as lead.

He continued to watch on with the crowd as the girl he had been wishing for danced with the Prince.

The Prince.

How was he supposed to compete with the Prince (and future king) of the kingdom? Prince Lucas was devastatingly handsome, wealthy, charming, and he lived a life of luxury behind the sturdy palace walls. Not only that, but he was also rumored to be the best swordsman in the realm.