"Listen up!" Silvia yelled grouchily, glaring down at us.
The 15 of us all looked at each other questionably before looking back at her.
"We have a very big test coming up ladies. 5 of you will be eliminated. And depending on how you do, this will determine whether you get into the elite. So pay close attention."
There was mumbling and whispered across the group of girls before we all fixed our eyes on Silvia.
"We will be hosting some important guests very soon and there will be a ball held for each of them. You will be separated into groups of five and your group will plan a ball. You must plan the decorations, food, and entertainment. Also the dresses for the selected. But these are foreign guests so you must do you're research. It is very easy to offend them."
"The first group will be hosting the German Federation." She began listing five names off and the girls skipped off giggling the whole way. "The second group will be hosting Queen Amberley's family. These girls are; Anna, Tiny, Bariel, Ashley, and Tuesday. The last group will be hosting the Italians. We hope to make allies with them so there is quite a bit of pressure. We have selected; Elise, Marlee, Natalie, America, and Kriss."
We all huddled up and smiled at each other. These were some of my closest friends.
"Before you all go crazy!" Silvia yelled recapturing our attention. "The Germans will be arriving Tuesday, queen Amberley a family-Thursday, and the Italians-a week from yesterday. We will take care of all expenses. Get to work!"
"I'm part Italian," Natalie told us. "I know a lot about there heritage and I studied the royal family's in grade school."
"Do you think we should maybe assign jobs?" Kriss asked.
Elise nodded in agreement. "Here's what I'm thinking. Natalie, you will do decorations because you're probably the most capable of not offending them. America, you can choose music since that's pretty much what you're good at. Kriss, you can choose the dresses for the selected and ourselves of course. Choose one style for the hosts-us. And a different style for the selected. And Marlee you'll do good on food and drinks, Coordinate with Natalie for the best results. And I'll do everything in between."
We all nodded in agreement satisfied with our own jobs.
"Let's get going," I said.
"Let's make something great," Marlee agreed.
~oOo~
Planning was going great. I had gone to Queen Amberley for some band and song ideas which she happily gave. I've coordinated with Natalie for the type of music they like to listen too and have found a great who speak Italian and English. We have meetings every day to check in with each other and make sure everything is on track.
"Okay everyone. Let's check up," Elise said, bringing the meeting to a start.
"The live orchestra is arriving tomorrow. I've heard a couple samples of there music and got a good recommendation from Queen Amberley so I think that'll work out," I explained.
"That's good," Elise nodded, scribbling something on her clipboard.
"I talked to the chefs," Marlee chirped excitedly. "They have sent out for the best wine money can afford. And I am going in tomorrow to try all the Italian dishes hors d'oeuvres they have prepared."
Elise nodded and scribbled some more.
"I have done all my research," Natalie said. "I have arranged for the flowers in the ballroom to be replaced with stylized lilies, there national flower. We will be draping some colored cloths on the wall, switching out the curtains, and shining different lights on the stained glass to shine some Italian colors."
"I have collaborated with the maids to design some short red party dresses with gold accents in different Italian dress styles," Kriss spoke up pulling out some dress designs.
We all inspected them. "Very nice," Elise commented.
"We should probably talk about the ball for the Germans," Kriss suggested.
I nodded. "It was well executed I guess. But it was boring in a sort. Which is one reason why we need to pep ours up. But the other is because Italians love to party."
"I agree," Natalie suggested. "I heard that Princess Nicoletta and her cousins are coming. Orabella and Noemi are supposedly some of the biggest partiers in the public eye."
"Just another reason to pump up the party!" Marlee exclaimed.
"What about the party for Queen Amberleys family?" I wondered.
"It was really good," Kriss admitted sadly.
Elise nodded in agreement but still had that look of determination in her eye. "Yes, having the party in the gardens was a brilliant idea, but there were some flaws."
"The music was not upbeat at all and very quiet," I suggested.
"Because the gardens are so far from the kitchens it took a while to bring out the food. Birds were getting very close because they were trying to get some food," Kriss named off.
"Those are problems we won't have," Marlee said hopefully. "And I don't think the Italians would enjoy the outside as much. There partiers right? The gardens don't have good acoustics."
"True," I agreed.
"Than I think we should be good," Elise smiled.
"I'm so exited!!!!" Marlee squealed.
~oOo~
"These designs are rocking!" I complimented Kriss over the loud music.
"Do is this music!" Kriss yelled back. "I think the Italians are digging it!"
I looked over in the general direction Kriss was looking. Noemi and Orabella were standing on two neighboring tables dancing the night away with two matching wine glasses sloshing in there hands. Orabella had two! The princess was more reserved but she was definitely a partier too.
"America!" Orabella called to me as she jumped off the table.
"Great wine!" Noemi greeted as she followed Orabella.
"Thanks," I mumbled shyly.
"You must try some," Noemi persisted, pushing her glass towards me.
I politely took a sip in order to not offend them. It was good but I'm not much of an alcohol fan.
"Yum," I agreed handing her glass back.
"Take some!" Orabella yelled unnecessarily loud, prying my and open and forcing her second glass into it.
I nodded thankfully and wondered if I was being too quiet. They were just so loud.
"Would you like to dance?" A sweet, melodic voice whispered.
I turned to see Maxon and smiled. I looked at the girls hesitantly. I didn't want to appear rude.
"Go on," Noemi whispered.
He is hot Orabellla mouthed.
I danced away a couple songs with Maxon before taking a break at the side of the room. Still sipping politely on my wine.
"Are you the hostess?" A kind, cheery voice asked laced thickly with an accent.
"Yes," I confirmed, turning towards the Italian princess.
"I'm Nicoletta. My cousins seem to like you," She told me
"I like them too. There Very funny."
"We always wanted to align ourselves with Illea. But the castes and female rule don't sit well with Italy," Nicolette informed me.
"I'm sorry, but I'm really not the person to be talking about this. I don't have any power," I apologized politely.
"Sure you do. We watch report and we know you people's preferito (favorite). We might consider an allineamento (alignment) if you our regina (queen)," she whispered discreetly.
Is she saying what I think she's saying.
"I saw you danza (dance) with the prince, no? I notice a certain scintilla (spark) and support it completely. I just hope you can get some maschile (masculine) rule into this country and put it back on track."
I just stood there gaping like a fish as she spoke of me marrying Maxon, becoming queen, and more.
"Call me if you need anything mia signora,"
Nicolette said, setting a folded paper in my hand. "Addio, principessa."