'Your beauty matters more than your prettiness' - S.S
Reyna slipped into the crowd of people, searching for the Prince. Never mind she didn't know who she was looking for. She had been given no description of his physical attributes - and Fabian, who might have helped her find him, had disappeared. She rubbed her hands, wondering her next course of action. As a girl, she had always dreamed of becoming a Princess and attending a ball where she fell in love. It was almost funny how her childhood dream had taken a dark turn. Destined to make a Prince fall in love with her and killing him just before their wedding. Reyna recalled what Agnes had said - make him notice you. Dance with someone? Stage an upset? Pretend to be hurt? She pondered the possibilities, each more tedious than the last. She bit her lip, eyes searching for someone. She almost grinned with relief when her eyes snagged on a dark blonde head.
She slipped through the throng, murmuring 'excuse me's as she made her way through. As Reyna came closer she was relieved to find she had been correct - it had been the strange girl from earlier - Everly. Her hair was curled, half of it up to form a bun while the rest fell down her back. She looked different in the light, smiling with a girl Reyna didn't recognise. Her gown was a red yellow, the colour of sunset, hanging off her shoulders and sweeps of tulle billowing from the waist down, the dress going past her feet and spilling out behind her. She looked radiant, like a sunbeam. Reyna tapped her on the shoulder. The other girl turned to look at her dumbstruck, mouth hanging open in surprise. She was pretty enough, albeit simple, brown hair and eyes and a flush in her cheeks.
Everly turned to her with a smile. "I was hoping to see you, Rain." She nodded to the other girl. "This is Gladys. She's hoping to compete at the Prince's Hand too." Gladys inclined her head politely before waiting for Everly to speak. "I see. I'm Reyna, nice to meet you."
"I've never heard of you." Gladys commented. "Where are you from?"
As Reyna was figuring out a response, Everly cut in. "Don't answer, Rain. Keep yourself a mystery." She replied with a wink before grabbing Reyna's arm. "Let's look at the food, shall we?" And with that, they marched off leaving Gladys in the dust. Everly was quite excited over the choices of pie, cake and fruits before settling on a strawberry dipped in chocolate. At her insistence, she had one too. The sweetness and warmth was perfect ; she almost swooned from the delight.
Reyna noticed after a few different strawberries, people were sending her and Everly glances. She couldn't help but be suspicious. After all, who was Everly really? Her dress was more luxurious than the rest and her manner was more refined, speech more articulate. She definitely was hiding something. "Who are you, really?" Reyna blurted out. Everly finished swallowing a strawberry before releasing a laugh. "Took you longer than I expected." She replied, grabbing a glass of champagne from a passing butler. She drunk deeply, draining the glass before setting it down with ease. "So?" Reyna asked incredulous. "Answer me." Everly eyed her before sighing, wrapping a piece of hair around her finger. "You're not in the position to make demands but...I like you so I'll be honest." She grinned. "I'm the Princess."
Reyna wanted to groan. Of course. How hadn't she seen it sooner? The confidence and boldness, unnatural beauty that only one of royal blood could have. Unless you made a deal with Witches. She had forgotten that Donovan had a younger, beautiful sister and cursed herself. "Should have seen that coming." Reyna replied, drinking from a glass of champagne. She'd never had alcohol before and marvelled at its sourness. Everly watched her, amused.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Go on. I might not answer though if its something incriminating." The princess replied with a smirk. Reyna rolled her eyes. "Where is he? Your brother?"
"My brother?" Everly glanced around the room as if looking for him. "Knowing Don, he's likely up to something he shouldn't."
"Is he even at the ball?"
"Oh, he's here alright. Father made him come and he won't disobey when it comes to." Everly sniffed a glass of wine before putting it down, disgusted, the liquid splashing all over her feet. "What was that for?" Reyna hissed.
"It didn't smell quite right. There's always people trying to kill us - sneaking in and poisoning a few glasses. Or sometimes it's just some despicable substance that will make you brain dead for a few hours. No thanks." Reyna considered this - a life living in the spotlight when people will always be trying to kill you. Unsettling but was it worth the price? Beauty, love and admiration. To never want for anything.
"So?" Reyna persisted. "How do I get his attention?"
Everly stared at her for a beat too long and she soon realised the girl had no ideas. The Princess looked around as if trying to conjure a solution when she beamed, speeding into the crowd. Reyna stayed put, flabbergasted, wondering if her new friend was planning on returning or had gotten bored of her. A second later, she caught sight of Everly arm in arm with a man with dark eyes and black hair - wait. Fabian. He looked up, meeting her eyes before flashing her a grin. Reyna looked away, still wary of him. She focused on Everly instead who was laughing at something Fabian had said while approaching Reyna.
"Rain, this is my brother's dearest friend Fabian. Fab, this is Reyna-"
"Oh, we've met. Haven't we, Reyna?"
Reyna flushed, embarrassed that Fabian had had to save her to get out of the situation. It had made her feel weak, needy, everything she didn't wish to be. "Yes." Reyna mumbled. "He stepped in when I um - was trying to get into the Ball." Fabian's eyes lit up with amusement and Everly glanced between them. "Oh! Sounds like quite a story. Do tell."
"I went to the back entrance to take a breather," Fabian began. "And a girl was, well, sneaking in, shall we say? About to be kicked out. Well, I thought, I do so little good deeds I can do this. I told the Guard she was with me and he backed off. And then - she didn't even thank me. I was quite hurt, you see."
"If this is your way of asking me for a thanks I'm not giving you one." Reyna retorted. She reckoned that Fabian had only helped her because she was beautiful - if she was still her old ugly self he likely would have delighted at her humiliation.
"Of course." He replied. "You're so above me, after all. So noble." Fabian extended a hand, waiting for her to take it. Reyna's eyes cut to Everly's. "Go on." She urged. "Donovan will notice if you dance with his best friend. He always wants what others have."
Reluctantly, Reyna took Fabian's hand. His palm was warm, soft as he led her to the dance floor. Guests gave them curious glances as they passed and she did her best to ignore them. "I don't know how to dance." She whispered as they took their places. She was sure her heart was going to beat out of her chest. "Just follow me and you'll be fine." Reyna didn't know if she believed him but knew she didn't have a choice. It was too late to back out now. He laid his hand on the small of her back as her hands entwined around his neck. It was so intimate a thing Reyna couldn't help the slight blush that rose to her cheeks. She'd never experienced romance - not even hand holding. She was relying on her looks and not her love poetry reciting to win Donovan's heart.
The music began to play and it was slow, soft, and Reyna instantly relaxed. It was just a few steps forward, to the right and she settled with ease. She looked towards Everly who watched her raptly, beside Gladys. She craned her head to look up at Fabian who was looking at Everly - his expression one of pain that caused her to feel confused as if she'd missed something. He noticed her looking and his expression neutralised. He must have been about six foot while Reyna was only five and a half foot herself. "So, Donovan will notice me?" She looked into the crowd, wondering if she may spot him. "Definitely."
"I would have thought he'd make himself more obvious tonight." Reyna prodded.
"His method was to be more in the shadows, talking to girls who stood out to him, them not knowing who he was before handing them a slip saying they're in and where they'll be sleeping. Otherwise he would have been surrounded all night."
Reyna was disappointed Donovan hadn't come to talk to her but she knew there were a lot of girls here so didn't take it personally. "You're close friends then?"
"Since childhood." Fabian's lips quirked. "Are you interrogating me?" He asked playfully, spinning her around. "Maybe?"
"Maybe? It's my turn to ask a few questions."
"Is it now? What if I don't answer?"
He shrugged. "Then you'll miss out on my excellent conversational skills." Despite herself, Reyna felt a small smile form on her face. "What's your favourite colour?"
"That's what you want to ask me? Out of everything?" She was almost expecting him to say he was joking but all he said was "yes."
"Then my favourite colour is green. The green of forests and trees." She replied.
"Have you ever been in love?"
"No."
"Do you want to be?"
Reyna considered him. Was he trying to lead her into a trap? If she said no, he might think she was unfit for Donovan. If she said yes it would be weakness, sacrificing her pride and coolness. If she was being honest, she wanted love with a burning passion. To be with someone who cared for not what she looked like but who she truly was. Someone who loved her, the good and the ugly. The kind of love people would kill for, all consuming. "Perhaps." She answered eventually. "I think I'd find it difficult to be vulnerable with another person." She admitted. "Have you been in love?"
Fabian hesitated. "I've been in love many a time. With very interesting girls I meet in the City or the ones who sneak into balls..."
"Shut up." Reyna quipped. "You know what I meant."
"Who's to say one type of love is more valid than another?" He replied, causing Reyna to mutter something unladylike under her breath like stupid prick.
"You wound me." Fabian replied, pressing a hand to his heart in mock pain.
Before she knew it the dance was over and she rushed over to Everly, trying her best not to trip. "You two looked cosy." The Princess cooed. Gladys looked as if she agreed with that statement. Reyna scoffed. "We weren't, I assure you. Now, what do I do?" Everly pointed to a dark corner of the room. "Go brood over there." 'Over there' was a lonely food table, devoid of everyone. The perfect place for the Prince to approach her. "Go on." Everly urged and Reyna gave in, leaning against the wall while sipping some ice cold lemon water. She watched the party go by, watching how others interacted while being on alert. It was interesting really, how other people's faces revealed everything they were thinking. She'd always found that fascinating since she was a young girl.
At the sound of feet making their way towards her, Reyna looked up to see a Butler and no Prince which made her heart sink. he approached her and slipped a card into her palm. Momentarily surprised, she watched him leave with her mouth hanging open. After processing what had just happened she opened the card, hope filling her.
She grinned when she saw the gold emblazoned writing : You have been accepted for the Prince's Hand. Your room is in the east wing, fourth bedroom down. At the bottom of the paper was Donovan's initials in a messy scrawl and handwriting that definitely wasn't there originally. I'll meet you tonight in your room. -D.