Later that evening, Darrel was in her bedroom, as Lily finished getting her ready for the ball.
"You look incredible Your Highness," Lily informed.
"Thank you," Darrel smiled, "you've done an amazing job."
"Thank you ma'am."
Lily got back to work when there was a knock at the door.
"Come in!" Darrel called.
The door opened and David entered with Sebastian. Both men sunk into bows.
"Your Highness," they greeted.
"You look stunning," Sebastian grinned, going over and planting a kiss on his fiancée's head.
"Thank you Seb," Darrel nodded, "you don't look so bad yourself."
Sebastian chuckled.
"Alright, you're all finished ma'am," Lily announced, as she gathered her things, "is there anything else you need?"
"No, thank you Lily," Darrel replied.
"Very good m'am."
Lily bobbed a curtsey and left the bedroom. David approached his sister and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Are you ready for this?" David inquired.
"As ready as I'll ever be," Darrel shrugged.
David couldn't help but laugh as he produced a small jewelry box from his pocket.
"I wanted to give you your gift before everyone arrived," David informed, "happy birthday."
Darrel gave him an appreciative smile as she took the box and opened it. Inside was a silver necklace with a pendant that had 'Elizabeth Darrel Windsor' engraved on it.
"David, it's beautiful," Darrel gasped.
"I'm glad you like it," David replied.
"I love it. Thank you."
Darrel stood up and gave her brother an awkward hug.
"Well, I'll leave you two alone. Our parents expect us downstairs in half an hour," David announced.
David bowed and walked out of the room. Once alone, Sebastian approached Darrel and they shared a passionate kiss.
"I love you," Sebastian sighed.
"I love you too," Darrel grinned, giving him another kiss.
"Are you ready for this?"
"As long as I have you, I'll be ready for anything."
Sebastian grinned and they kissed again.
"Are your parents here yet?" Darrel asked, going to her mirror to make sure everything was perfect.
"Not yet," Sebastian replied, "they'll be arriving with the rest of our guests."
"It seems weird that I won't be meeting them first."
"I know, but they've had business to attend to."
"I suppose so. I guess we'll just have to excuse ourselves from the ball later. I need to speak with your parents before they return to Spain."
"And you will, my Darling. Don't worry about anything."
Darrel smiled, "You keep me sane."
"If I even am, then that's the hardest job I've ever had," Sebastian said playfully.
The two laughed then went to sit down on the sofa.
"What if this goes horribly?" Darrel sighed, "I feel as if everyone is watching me, and waiting for me to fail."
"Nobody wants you to fail," Sebastian assured. "And, if they are looking at you, it is because you are by far the prettiest girl in the room."
"You are quite the charmer."
"I try my best."
"I am glad that I have you by my side. I don't regret anything."
"Me neither."
They shared another kiss.
"No more kissing," Sebastian smirked, "you'll mess up my suit."
"Good. Then less girls will find you attractive," Darrel smiled.
"I only have eyes for you. Nobody can sway me from you."
Before they knew it, the thirty minutes were over and the couple was summoned downstairs.
"Don't worry Darrel," Sebastian assured, "I'll be right there by your side. I will be tonight, and for the rest of our lives."
Darrel smiled, took him by the arm, and the two of them walked downstairs towards the ballroom.
They entered the sitting room attached to the ballroom to find David and his parents waiting. Darrel had her hair tied up in a bun, with a braid running around it. She was wearing a long, light blue ballgown with a sparkling jewelled sequence. With the addition of her tiara, she truly did look like a princess.
"You look passable," the queen approved.
"Mother!" David cried out in an exasperated tone, "You can be more generous than that! She looks beautiful."
"Indeed you do," King George V nodded, "you clean up nicely."
"Thank you sir," Darrel curtsied. (Though she was unsure how she felt about her parents' supposed compliments).
"Are you ready?"
"As ready as I'll ever be sir."
"Good. Now, when we enter, I will thank everybody for attending, and then the dancing shall begin with you having the first dance with Sebastian. Afterwards, be sure to dance and have conversations with your guests," King George V informed.
"Yes sir," Darrel replied.
"Come. Let's not keep our guests waiting any longer."
King George held out his hand for Queen Mary, Darrel took hold of Sebastian's arm and David trailed behind them. His Majesty nodded to the nearby guard, who opened the doors to the ballroom.
"Their Royal Majesties: King George the Fifth, and Queen Mary of Teck. Their Royal Highnesses: Princess Elizabeth of Wales, Prince Sebastian of Spain and His Royal Highness: Duke David of York," he announced.
All the guests stopped their conversation mid-way and turned to bow to the monarchs.
"Greetings my guests," King George V smiled, speaking loudly and powerfully. "I would like to thank each one of you for coming to this joyous occasion for both me and our country. Today we celebrate Her Royal Highness' fifteenth birthday. As well as her engagement to the Prince of Spain."
The King paused as the guests burst into applause. Darrel showed them a shy smile and gave a polite wave to the crowd of people, as her fiancé did the same.
"I know there has been quite a bit of gossip spreading across England over the past little while. But, tonight I am here to settle your minds," King George V continued. "I say with great pleasure that Princess Elizabeth is in fact my daughter, and will be my successor."
There was another round of applause, but this time all Darrel could do was force a tight smile. She knew that nobody in either of her families agreed with the words that had come out of the king's mouth.
"Let the celebration begin!" He declared.
"Are you ready?" Sebastian muttered.
"I'll have to be," Darrel replied.
The crowd had cleared a path the dance floor, and Darrel lead Sebastian to the middle of it. She nodded towards the orchestra, who began to play. The young couple began to dance, with all eyes on them. At first, Darrel was so focused on everyone else in the room. Yet, she kept her eyes glued on Sebastian and as the song progressed, she got lost in her own little world, in which is was only her, Sebastian, and nobody else. When the song ended, they curtsied and bowed to each other, as everybody else clapped. As the next song began, they made their way off the dance floor as other couples started dancing.
"Well done," Sebastian nodded, "you only stepped on my toes twice."
"Sorry," Darrel said sheepishly.
"No worries. I was expecting it to be worse."
Darrel giggled.
"I guess we should go talk to others now," Darrel shrugged.
"I need to go find my parents," Sebastian informed. "Will you be alright on your own for a little bit?"
"Of course."
"I'll see you later."
Sebastian planted a kiss on her cheek and headed into the crowd. Darrel looked around and spotted Charles Blake speaking with Evelyn Napier. She took a deep breath and walked over to them.
"Your Highness," they bowed.
"Good evening gentlemen," Darrel smiled.
"How are you enjoying your ball ma'am?" Evelyn inquired.
"Their majesties certainly know how to throw a party. And you two? Are you here with anybody?"
"I came solo."
"He's still hung up on Lady Mary," Charles smirked.
"I am not!" Evelyn protested, "She's married, and has two children."
"Yet you're still in love with her."
Evelyn gave his friend an annoyed look, then bowed to Darrel and headed off.
"Is he actually still in love with Mary?" Darrel asked.
"I have no idea," Charles shrugged.
Darrel laughed, "Well...would you like to dance Mr. Blake?"
"I would be honoured, Your Highness."
Charles bowed to her, took her hand and they headed back onto the dance floor.
"So," Charles said softly, as to not be overheard, "you're still engaged."
"Yes," Darrel nodded, as they danced, "although you must have read your invitation. So you already knew that."
"I suppose."
"I want to thank you Charles. Your advice was very helpful, even though I didn't listen to all of it."
"Then which part was helpful?"
"I spoke to Sebastian, and I spoke to Papa. Everything's alright between us now, and he supports my engagement with Sebastian."
"I'm very happy to hear that. I hope that things keep going well for you."
"Thank you Charles. I truly appreciate everything you did for me."
Charles gave her a genuine smile as he spun her around. Once the dance ended, he bowed and walked off the dance floor. Darrel was about to follow and go find Sebastian. However, she was stopped by another English nobleman who wished to dance with her.
Meanwhile, Cora and Robert were standing off to the side of the ballroom.
"I'm glad you decided to come," Cora informed.
"I have to be here for Darrel," Robert shrugged.
Cora took her husband's hand as the King and Queen approached them.
"Your Majesties," Cora curtsied.
"Lord and Lady Grantham," King George V nodded.
"You won," Robert said bitterly. "Congratulations."
"This isn't about winning. It's about Elizabeth doing what is right for our country."
"I consider it winning," Queen Mary shrugged.
"This isn't the right time, or place to speak like that," her husband warned.
Queen Mary rolled her eyes and walked away.
"Darrel might have decided to live with you, and accept her role, but she is my daughter. And you will not keep her away from us," Robert informed.
"Just you watch me," King George V hissed and strolled off.
"I'll kill him," Robert warned.
"Don't do anything you'll regret," Cora advised.
"She's still our daughter."
"I know that Robert. But she wouldn't want to see you getting arrested, or worse..."
"Fine, fine..."
Later that evening, Darrel had taken a break to eat something with her sisters, Tom, Henry and Bertie.
"Despite their flaws, their majesties know how to throw a nice party," Mary admitted.
"I agree," Darrel nodded.
"You and Sebastian looked like a very nice couple when you were dancing together," Edith smiled.
"Yes, your children will be adorable," Mary added.
"Mary!" Henry sighed in an exasperated tone, "She's 15."
"So? She's engaged."
The others burst out laughing, causing the guests around them to turn and stare.
"People are staring and giving us funny looks," Bertie warned.
"Oh let them stare," Tom shrugged, "we're having a good time."
"Here, here," Darrel replied.
Darrel turned to give the wide-eyed guests a smile, causing most of them to feel embarrassed, and walk off.
"That works too," Henry chuckled.
"So, do you think you'll be able to leave the Palace soon and come back to Downton?" Edith inquired, "Bertie and I are going there after this, and it'd be nice if you were there."
"I'll ask their Majesties," Darrel replied. "Hopefully I'll be able to come as well."
The group continued to talk until Sebastian came up to their table.
"Hello Sebastian," Mary smiled, "are you treating my sister well?"
"Of course," Sebastian nodded.
"You better keep doing that," Edith warned, "you don't want to be on Mary's bad side."
"Let's not argue now," Mary advised.
"I don't want a fight. I simply know from experience that it's not nice to be your enemy."
"Very true," Darrel smirked.
Mary rolled her eyes towards her younger sisters while the men laughed.
"Anyway, I hate to break up the family party," Sebastian shrugged, "but my parents want to speak with you Darrel."
"Oh gosh..." Darrel sighed.
"It will be fine."
"And I'm sure their majesties won't punch you," Mary added.
Darrel shot her oldest sister a glare, stood up and followed Sebastian.
"You miss teasing her on a daily basis?" Henry assumed.
"Obviously," Mary replied. "But, I'm glad she's happy with Sebastian."
"Yes, they do seem like a very nice couple."
"Not as nice as us though."
Henry grinned and leaned in for a kiss.
"Should you two get a room?" Tom chuckled.
The young couple entered the sitting room where the King and Queen of Spain: Manuel and Sofía were waiting for them. Darrel went into a deep curtsey when she saw them.
"Your Majesties," she greeted.
"Your Highness," Manuel nodded, "happy birthday. It is nice to see you again after all these years."
"The same to you, sir."
"I heard from Sebastian that Lord Grantham did not react very well to your engagement at first. I want you to know that I am very happy with your union. I fully support your relationship."
"Thank you sir. That means a great deal to me."
Manuel smiled, approached Darrel and planted a kiss on each of her cheeks.
"Gentlemen, do you mind leaving us?" Sofía requested, "I would like to speak with the princess on my own."
"Mother..." Sebastian began.
"Silence. She is your fiancée, and will eventually be my daughter-in-law. I believe I have every right to speak with her. Unless her highness objects?"
"Of course not ma'am," Darrel replied.
Sebastian gave her a worried look, but left the room with his father. Once the two women were alone, Sofía gestured for Darrel to take a seat across from her.
"You've certainly changed from the last time we met," Sofía informed. "I believe you had just turned eleven."
"That's correct ma'am," Darrel nodded.
"I've seen my son with many girls over the years...they never last long, and he usually never seems that interested in them."
Darrel didn't reply, and instead turned to look at the ground.
"However," Sofía continued, "you are different. Sebastian is quite serious about you, and is very much in love. All the letters he sends us go on about how you are 'the one' for him, and how he cannot wait to spend the rest of his life with you."
Darrel cracked a small smile as a blush appeared across her face.
"I want to give you a word of warning," Sofía said solemnly.
"Of course ma'am," Darrel responded.
"I suspect you know that Sebastian has been in love with you since he first met you. I believe the reason he never took any relationship seriously is because he wanted you. Did you know that he was engaged once before?"
"It has come up."
"Well, when he called it off, he said it was because he wasn't ready to get married. I didn't press him any further, but I suspect you had something to do with it."
Despite the urge to defend herself, she did not want to thrown Sebastian and Camila under the bus.
"He's spent the last four years longing for the youngest daughter of an English Earl," Sofía informed. "I am happy that he finally has the girl he wished for, but I hope you understand how much this means to him."
"I suppose I do ma'am," Darrel replied.
"Do not hurt him. Now that he finally has his so-called dream girl, he will do anything to keep you."
"I don't want to hurt him ma'am. I love him."
"I can see that, and I do not believe you have any bad intentions. But as I said, he will do anything to keep you. So I want you to keep that in mind. Do not ask him to betray his morals or his country; because he will agree to anything you ask of him. Do you understand?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Good. You're dismissed. Don't tell Sebastian about this conversation."
Darrel stood up, curtseyed and swept out of the room.
Hours later, the ball was finally finished and Darrel was in her bedroom with Sebastian.
"That was a success my darling," Sebastian grinned, giving her a hug, "the public loved you."
"It wasn't as tedious as I expected," Darrel smirked.
"What did my mother want?"
Darrel paused, before saying, "Nothing much. She wanted to welcome me to the family."
"Really? Well I don't know why she sent us out of the room for that."
"I think she wanted it to seem as if we were bonding."
Sebastian nodded.
"Well, I need to get some rest," Sebastian announced. "I'm having lunch with my parents tomorrow."
"Goodnight Seb," Darrel smiled.
"Goodnight Darrel."
The two of them shared a passionate kiss then Sebastian left the room.
Once alone, Darrel sat down on the bed and let out a heavy sigh. Her conversation with Sofía kept replaying in her head. She knew how much Sebastian loved her, but she never imagined that she was on his mind for the past four years. Darrel knew that she was not the reason for his previous engagement ending. Yet she couldn't help but wonder if she was part of the reason he was so eager to end it. One thing was for sure: she couldn't call of her engagement with Sebastian, even if she got cold feet about their plan. It would break his heart, and she was scared about what might happen to him if they were no longer together.
Darrel was torn away from her thoughts by a knock at her door.
"Come in!" Darrel called.
Darrel stood up as Francis entered her room and bowed.
"Good evening Your Highness," Francis greeted.
"Evening Francis," Darrel nodded. "I hope you weren't too busy with the ball."
"The entire staff was, ma'am. However, we now have enough leftovers to last us a week."
"Well, I'm glad you got something out of it. Although Wilson should give everyone a few days off now."
"I don't think Mr. Wilson would ever do that...ma'am."
Darrel laughed politely.
"I caught a glimpse of you at the ball ma'am," Francis informed. "You looked very nice in your dress."
"Thank you," Darrel smiled.
"Oh...I almost forgot. I'm here to deliver a letter to you. A young man came to the palace but didn't want to be seen. So he asked me to give this to you."
Francis stepped forward and handed her a white envelope. It had the name: Lady Darrel Crawley written on the front. She looked down at it and recognized the handwriting. It was Paul's.
"Thank you," Darrel muttered, studying it closely, "that will be all."
"Of course, your Highness. Goodnight." Francis replied.
He gave her a deep bow and left the room, closing the door behind him. Darrel sat back down on the bed, before ripping the envelope open. She took in a deep breath before reading its contents:
Dear Darrel (or Elizabeth, or Her Highness, your choice),
Happy birthday! I can't believe that you are fifteen-years-old. Do you remember back when we were seven and we'd spend our days pranking everyone at Downton? Lord Grantham was furious when we had stolen all his nice shirts, since he'd yelled at Carson for an hour. I don't think we ever apologized to Carson for that; we probably should.
You're probably wondering why I'm bothering to mention those pranks. For they were a long time ago, and you've most likely forgotten all about them. But I've been thinking about them a lot. When I told you that I no longer wanted us to be friends, it was a mistake. Maybe one of the biggest mistakes of my life (including when I convinced you to sneak soap into the wine).
Sebastian came to see my two days ago, and told me what happened after we spoke. He made me realize something very important. We were best friends before Sebastian came into the picture, and before I fell for you. I know how hard everything must be right now. So the last thing you need is to lose someone who's always been there for you.
I can't promise that I'll ever like Sebastian. But I care about you, and you love Sebastian. So I am going to stop being such a dick towards him, and if you ever want to talk, I will be there to listen. Because I wasn't in love with that seven-year-old girl who dumped flour all over the kitchen; I was her best friend. And I would like to be yours again.
I completely understand if you're still mad at me, and never want to see my face again. So if this is to be my last letter to you, please remember this: I love you Darrel Crawley, because you are my best friend, and nobody can replace you.
Sincerely yours,
Paul Ringer
Darrel laughed at the memories, as she returned the letter to its envelope. She wiped away a tear and went to look at herself in the mirror.
She was no longer the foolish girl who pranked everyone. She was now the Princess of Wales, fiancé to the Prince of Spain, and the best friend of Master Paul Ringer.