Normal POV
The ballroom was alive with chatter, people were dressed to the 9's, conversing with one another about God only knows. There was a live band, some bland melody echoing throughout the room with the harp punctuating pretentious laughter.
Frederick and Johnston had disappeared almost instantly, talking to his competitors as well as contributors who were present. Meanwhile, Evangeline and Eleanora had their noses in the air, unimpressed with the festivities. They truly thought they were too good to be here.
Evangeline stood with her head high, back ramrod straight as she scanned the room for her friends and hopefully a handsome blonde. She titled her head to look at her mother and smirked, "I do say mother, I'm glad you talked father into having her ride with his mother." It definitely made all the difference when she wasn't there to muck things up.
"Oh I didn't do that", Eleanora told her daughter, shaking her head to and fro, "but I do say, I'm glad the old hag made one good decision." She hated her mother-in-law with all her heart. The woman had had it for her since her and Frederick were in school, and it's only gotten worse since then.
"I mean, what kind of person would I be to let her arrive with us? What would people think seeing us with her?", she was baffled at just the thought of their pureblood canoodling with that of a bastard American child. She quickly recovered as a family dressed man passed by and they smiled and waved at him until they were alone again, "Besides, her and the old woman are the dirt on the tapestry of our great family; they are perfect for one another." They shared a laugh, simultaneously drinking from their champagne glasses.
Meanwhile, up the staircase and outside the entrance doors, Aria and her grandmother stood at the door. Annissa had made the decision to not arrive with her son and his family, but to ride alongside her granddaughter. The latter seemed to notice how little fondness she shared for her daughter in law and her spawn, but Aria didn't comment on it. She had only known them 2 weeks to her probably 20 or so years.
At the moment, the two "outcasts" waited to make their grand entrance or in Aria's case, pacing on the marble floor.
Annissa watched her fidget and squirm before speaking up, "Child relax, you are making my nerves bad just watching you."
With that single comment, Aria halted her nervous activity. "Sorry, grandma", she apologized honestly, stepping aside to let others enter.
"My dear", the elder woman called out, beckoning her over with a gloved hand, "do tell me when you plan to actually enter?", she asked, "The suspense is nearly killing me."
Aria smiled awkwardly at her comment, "I'm just so nervous", she admitted, looking down at her nails.
Annissa frowned at her granddaughter, "Whatever for?"
Aria couldn't even contain her snort, "Was that a genuine question?", she scoffed as she threw herself down on the chase, shaking her head, "Have you not seen me?" She was a mess; the pins were digging into her scalp and her dress, although stunning was a nightmare. She couldn't help but think they were all right about her. No amount of makeup or pretty dresses would change that. Evangeline had made sure to tell her that too; how she didn't belong. She didn't deserve to be in such a beautiful dress.
Annissa watched her fight with herself with soft eyes, before taking a seat next to her, "I have indeed seen you and you want to know what?" She took the younger girls' hands, forcing her to turn to face her. Aria could hardly bare to look in her eyes, "I see the absolute best parts or your mother and father. Do you know what that is?"
She shook her head in response, fighting back a sniffle, "N- no, what is it?"
"Your confidence and good head on your shoulder", she told her, "You don't care what people think of you."
"Fredrick doesn't care what people think?" She found that hard to believe. He was a politician; they thrived or failed on what people thought of them. She remembered the few times she was shoved out of his office as they had work to do.
Annissa frowned, "I know he does not act the type, but he used to be different...", she paused, eyes downcast when she spoke, "was different..." Her voice began to trail off as she looked onward, and Aria recognized the far off look in her eyes. Her mom would often do that back home. She silently pondered if her and her mother often shared distant looks for those they loved when she was here.
She was brought from her thoughts by Annissa's next words, "Aria, my dear", she said, taking her smooth cheek in her cold hand. Aria welcomed the affection, having not received much without her mother around to provide it. "You belong here just as much as anyone else...not more or less."
'You belong...I belong here.'
Aria was suddenly flush with bravery and warmth as she smiled widely, squeezing her grandmother's hand. "I....I think I'm ready to go in", she announced, after a deep breath.
Annissa looked at her with a bright smile at her strong declaration, "Well, we must dilly-dally before you change your mind, mustn't we?" Hand in hand, they giggled together as they moved to the entrance.
The younger girl's breath hitched at the crowd already visible at the bottom of the staircase. She could make out the grey of Frederick's hair. Her throat dried as a knot formed tightly in her belly, her knees were like jelly as she slowly teetered towards her posh demise. She could feel her body growing hot as her breathing labored.
'I don't think I can do this. Oh God, I can't do this.'
"Just remember, my dear", Annissa whispered, "Just smile, wave, head up high and shoulders back", Aria nodded, mirroring her shift in posture, "just do that and you'll be sure to rock it."
With those final encouraging words, she stood. Aria watched as she stepped forward and approached the herald. "Now presenting.... Lady **Dowager**Annissa Jocelyn Leopold!"
Aria watched in amazement as she disappeared from her view. She felt like Mia watching her grandmother in The Princess Diary. The eagle was truly landing, and Aria thought the sight as majestic as such.
Soon it was Aria turn to step forward. She smiled at the guard who sat idly for her meltdown, "Well, here goes nothing!", with that, she entered.
"Now presenting Miss Aria Henry Blake of Oakland, California!"
The moment was something straight out of Cinderella. Aria would be lying if she didn't feel like a princess as everyone looked up at her. Even Eleanora and Evangeline watched with jaws dropped along with everyone else in the room who craned their necks to see her. The room went dead silent, gasps echoing off the high walls. Aria wished she was being dramatic, but she wasn't.
She smiled at the camera flashing at the base of the stairwell, smiling brightly at her audience. She had found her grandmother looking up at her with a warm smile and a nod. She looked down at her dress, nervously brushing out invisible wrinkles in the expensive material.
With a deep breath, Aria began her descend the steps in graceful fluid motions. She brushed off the steadily increasing beating of her heart as she put all her etiquette training to practice. She would prove she belong, whether the blonde witches thought she didn't or not. She was the daughter of Frederick Henry Leopold and had his blood pumping through her veins and his irises mirrored hers.
'I belong.... just as must as they all do...not more and not less.'
No sooner than she had stepped off the last step, she was bombarded with cameras. She balled her fisting, mumbling to herself, "Just smile, wave, head up high and shoulders back", the echoed her grandmother's words as she adjusted herself before heading into the fray.
She was blinded and defended by the chaos of the press, which was too be expected as her formal (more than the last) introduction to the British upper-class. It seems media here was just as aggressive and bold as they were back home. Aria tried her best but was disoriented beyond belief at the flashing light and feral reporters surrounding her. Panic began to rise as she tried to locate her grandmother only to be grabbed. She jumped when a hand was planted on her back, and she spun around to face Frederick.
"Let's move", he said nothing else as she nodded and allowed herself to be lead through the crowd.
"How are you enjoying your stay?"
"Are you involved with your father's campaign?"
"Why were you hidden for so long?"
"Sources say Frederick did not know he had a daughter, is this true?"
"Could there be a possible re-coupling, Frederick? How does your fiancé feel about you being in contact with her mother?"
Aria couldn't even begin to answer their questions and she felt no need to. She smiled weakly, trying to keep her head high as she found herself down the scope of the camera lens. Frederick didn't respond to any of their questions either, pulling her close as he guided her passed the cameras. He seemed to have blockers on as he ignored the press. Meanwhile Aria's breath was hitched well until they left the area and moved into the packed ballroom.
Aria's jaw hit the floor at the beautifully decorated room. Everything was so clean and dazzling; those Hallmark movies didn't hold a candle to this.
She was pulled from her thoughts by Frederick's breath against her ear, "If I could give you any advice Aria, don't, for the life of you, stare at that monstrosity to your right", he whispered glancing over her head, and she couldn't help but follow his gaze.
She glanced over at the statue that seemed to materialize a few feet from her, "Wait, is that -", she raised her hand to point at it before she was suddenly spun around.
"No, don't draw attention to it", he insisted, leading her away from the statue, "and yes, it is. It's the actual foot from the statue of Zeus in Olympia, Greece", he informed, stopping once they were away from the centerpiece. "The baron loves it more than his own children and he'll tell you the entire story of its making and how it ended up separated from the rest of his body."
Aria took in the information although confused as to why someone would want a giant dusty foot in their house and not in a museum. "Is it long?", she asked him.
"Incredibly so", Frederick answered strongly, "which is made worse because the story is the least bit interesting and the details more repetitive than anything", he explained with an exasperated sigh, clearly speaking from firsthand experience.
She could tell the idea of it was boring him to death and she couldn't help but laugh at his joke, "I'll be sure to stay away from it then", she said between giggles. They were both so caught up in their laughter that neither noticed as a blonde man approached.
"Good evening, Lord Leopold", the stranger said to the older man, making his presence properly known to them.
Frederick ceased his chuckling and turned to face him, "Ah Amistead, how are you?", he asked casually to which he nodded, "I am well and you sir?"
Frederick smiled back at him, "Likewise", he answered with a nod before he noticed his gaze had moved to the young lady on his arm, "Oh where are my manners", he realized, putting an almost protective arm around Aria.
"This is my daughter Aria", he introduced squeezing her side softly, "Aria this is Amistead Stewart, the eldest son of the viscount of United Kingdom", he read off with the smile that she deemed the "business smile" that he used when he wanted to be overly polite.
Even with that in mind, she couldn't help the shit eating grin that spread across her face at the name: daughter. It made her feel warm and giddy; a feeling which carried over to her own introduction, "It's nice to meet you", she said politely offering her hand to shake. However instead he bent over to plant a kiss on the back of her hand.
"I'm sure it is."
Aria frowned slightly at the strange response, realizing he had yet to let go of her hand. She politely drew her hand back, her smile now more forced than before. Something about him rubbed her the wrong way; he was very attractive, no doubt about it, but something about his face wasn't right. She couldn't help but remember Evangeline's threat from earlier that day.
Flashback....
Aria had just gotten out of the shower when she heard banging on her door. Before she could tell them to come in, Evangeline had barged in like the damn police and it took everything in her to not tell her to get her ass out and try that again
Instead, Aria just walked over and sat at her vanity, towel around her body as she took her sweet time drying her hair. She ignored the blonde's presence as long as she possibly could. She could visibly she her temper rising through the mirror's reflection, and she enjoyed every second of it. She looked like an angry mother with those curlers in her hair and her pea soup green clay face.
After another minute had passed, Aria finally decided to acknowledge her presence, "Do you need something?", she asked politely into her mirror, not turning around to face her.
Evangeline stood there visibly red faced even with mask on her face, her hands planted on her hips, "No, I don't need anything from you", she seethed through pouted lips.
The younger girl bite her tongue, once again ignoring her pointed tone. She had grown used to her shady comments which was kind of sad in a way now that Aria thought about it. "Then why are you here?", she asked, now brushing her hair.
The blonde stomped over to her, now standing beside her. For a second, Aria thought she wanted to get physical until she started to check herself out in the mirror, "Daddy told me to give you some pointers for the party tonight, so I just wanted to let you know one thing", she slammed her hand on the surface making Aria looking over.
"Amistead Stewart is off limits so keep your grubby dirty American paws off", with those words, she turned on heels in true Evangeline fashion and stomped out of her room, slamming the door behind her.
Aria inwardly rolled her eyes at the memory, 'She sure knows how to pick 'em.'
Just as she thought their meeting was over, Amistead turned back to Frederick, "I must admit sir, I came over with every intention of asking your permission to dance with your lovely daughter", he explained smoothly, eyes still trained on her and once again she felt uncomfortable. He was looking at her like she was naked, and she wasn't a fan of it. Nope, not one bit.
However, much like his daughter, Frederick lacked the ability to read the room; that or he didn't care, "Well you have my permission", he allowed, nodding his head towards his daughter.
The blonde smirked as he offered his hand for her to take, and Aria hesitated before taking it and she was carted off to the dance floor. She looked back at Frederick before Amistead's bulky frame blocked her view.
"Don't worry, I don't bite", he promised, putting his arm around her waist, "unless you want me too, that is", he whispered smugly.
'Fuck me', she thought as he twirled her around the floor. Never in her life did she ever think she'd hate being right. She could see Evangeline glaring at her and didn't even care enough to glare back. If she really thought she wanted a guy like Amistead then she was really threatened by her in more ways than one.
"Women just find themselves terribly attracted to me", Amistead ranted into her ear as they danced, "It is the strangest thing, but with a face like this who could blame them? Many people call me the English Chris Hemsworth except richer and more good looking, you know?"
"Oh really, wooow", Aria replied for the 5th time; just trying to fill the silence in the one-sided conversation. It was obvious from the get-go that Amistead wasn't hoping to listen to her in turn, so she had zoned out quickly, wanting to be anywhere but here.
They had only been dancing for about 3 or 4 minutes or so and a majority of it was spent with him bragging and Aria repeatedly stopping his hands from heading south.
She gasped when she was suddenly dipped, her hand holding his arm tighter. She looked up to see him looking at her with a strange look in his eyes. She didn't know what it was, but she didn't like it one bit.
"You're feeling it now aren't you?", he asked with those stupid puckered duck lips, "No need to deny your carnal desires, I can see it in your eyes", he murmured before leaning in to kiss her as she began to panic.
"I need to go!", she announced suddenly, trying to wriggle out of his hold, rewarded with a raised brow from the man, "Uh sorry I uh", she babbled, stumbling back onto her feet as she tried to come up with an excuse, "Lou! I need the uh Lou!" With that, she turned and walked away, leaving him standing in the middle of the floor.
Once she was lost in the crowd, Aria began to rant to herself. 'What in the absolute fuck! I cannot believe that jerk and they say I have no manners?!' She scoffed at the idea, 'They just kiss people they don't know like that? That's how the plague was going around.'
When she had finally found her way through the crowd, she saw two girls sitting at a table with matching bored expressions. Aria had recognized them as the two girls that were coming out tonight and decided to be polite and speak.
She approached the table with a kind smile on her face, "Hello I'm Aria, Frederick Leopold's daughter", she greeted waving her hand.
They both looked up and smiled at her, "Pleasure", they both said simultaneously.
"I'm Caroline", the girl on the left said.
"And I'm Coraline", the girl on the left said.
"It's nice to make your acquaintance", they greeted in unison.
Aria was taken back by this, "Do y'all really do that?", she asked out of curiosity.
They both stared at her, "Do what?"
"Nothing", she shut down quickly. The last thing she wanted to do was insult the birthday girls/royalty. She promised to be on her best behavior, "Congratulations on your coming out...thing", she offered, trying to change the topic, "Your party is amazing", she added.
"Only if you're accustomed to galas in the pigsty", a snobby voice budded in.
The three girls looked over to see none other than the bane of Aria's existence and what seemed to be her minions staring them down.
"From the looks of it, she would", her friend added, snickering behind her hand. Aria honestly wanted to know what the fuck was so funny, and she was going to before Evangeline spoke again.
"Such a pity", she tsked, "the Baron throws better parties for his decorations than his own daughters. How pathetic", she spat at the twins.
"How so indeed", Tweedle-dee added after the fact.
Coraline and Caroline only lowered their heads, not saying anything back to the bullies, unlike Aria who decided to say something. "Keep on walking ladies", she stepped in, standing between them and the girls, "before I do it for you, and you know firsthand Evangeline that I will", she threatened darkly and to top it all off, she jumped at her, making them all flinched before shuffling off like some scaredy cat.
Aria glared at their retreated forms, "That's what I thought", she then turned back to Coraline and Caroline, "Don't listen to them, your party is great."
"Thank you", Caroline said while her sister nodded and she just waved it off, "Don't worry about it, us girls gotta stick together."
They both smiled and before Aria could say anything else, the sound of a horn filled their ears.
Once Aria had uncovered her ears, she looked over at the sudden chaos of loud talking and people rushing to where the sound originated. 'Talk about overkill', she thought, rolling her eyes. "What's all that?", she asked them, pointing over at the entrance.
Caroline was suddenly very anxious in her chair, "The royal family", she whispered harshly as if someone were listening.
"Well, the Prince to be more specific, Prince Alcott", her sister finished just a anxiously, "grandson of the Queen."
Aria thought it over for a second only to draw up nothing, "Never heard of him", she said with a shrug; making a note to ask Frederick about it later.
"He doesn't get out much", Caroline explained, chewing on her bottom lip, "usually only comes to these things in place of the Queen and his other relatives."
Aria looked at the flashing of camera lights. For someone who doesn't get out much, he sure is a big deal around her. "Well might as well go get a peek, see what all the fuss is about", she decided, ignoring the looks of horror she received in return, "I'll be right back I swear."
With that, she moved through the other spectators, "Sorry...excuse me...pardon me...my bad."
Once she had successfully gotten through the crowd with cursing anyone out -thank God- she waited for the prince to come into view. She wondered what he would look like. Would he look like the princes in her old Disney movies or old like the ones in those Hallmark movies?
Images of an Amistead clone with a crown filled her head and her shoulders ate her ears. 'One of those are more than enough.'
Aria couldn't help her building excitement as they announced the prince. "Now presenting, Prince Alcott Raphael Lillington of the Royal Family!"
She watched the figure approach Baron whatshisname, and she couldn't shake the feeling that something about him seemed familiar which was odd seeing as she didn't know him.
The Royal walked into the ballroom, finally allowing her to get a proper look at him. Aria could not believe what she was seeing, (who) she was seeing. 'Wait...is that-'
"Ralph?", she gasped.
Although she was quiet with her words, he seemed to have heard her and looked up in her direction. The bright smile on his dropping at the sight of her.