The Royal Ball

"Lady Tremaine and her daughters, a Miss Drizella and a Miss Anastasia" 

My heart skipped a beat and my whole body went cold when I heard my name. Ana and I looked at each other and I placed my hands together just as she had. We smiled at each other and walked forward into the grand ballroom.

If I thought the hallway was mesmerizing leading to the ballroom then the actual ballroom was exquisite. 

The white marble continued to the dance floor where it finally broke into a pattern of rings, drawing an eye to the center of the dance floor where the prince would dance with his future wife. 

The ceiling was covered in white Alexander tiles and held up by marble pillars so wide in size that my arms couldn't reach around even half of one. 

There were over half a dozen chandeliers; six smaller, three of them on either side of the main chandelier in the middle of the room. 

Crystals. It was entirely made of crystals. As I realize this, I look around and see nothing but crystals and fire illuminating the room, so many that not a single person cast a shadow. 

The windows were glass and reached all the way to the ceiling, the drapes were a deep purple color. 'White marble and tiles with purple drapes. Those must be the royal family's colors.' I thought to myself. 

Still letting my eyes wander in awe, someone caught my eye. He wasn't in white and purple, so he was not of the royal family, but black and purple, he must be a guard. 

Yes, he was certainly a guard. Dressed like royalty and a posture to match but standing by a door, watching the people. 

Ana saw my wondering eye suddenly stop, and looked to see what I was looking at.

"What is it? Is it the prince?" she asked in suspense.

"No, I don't know who he is," I replied with shallow breath "but he's certainly gorgeous," saying the words out loud made me blush and I couldn't help a smile on my face. 

"Look at you! Smitten like a kitten over a guard!" she mocked me.

"What?! I am not." 

"Oh please, Driz, I mean look at you! Your cheeks are all rosy and your eyes are sparkling! You! My sister! Are a smitten kitten," she put extra emphasis on the last two words and poked my shoulder.

I looked back towards the guard I had my eye on but he was gone. 'Where did he go? Did he see me staring and get uncomfortable? Oh God, I made him feel awkward and he moved' I cursed under my breath and went looking for Ana instead who had also disappeared from my side.

I found Ana heading to the dance floor with a handsome stranger in a fancy tuxedo, the pianist just starting to play the Minute Waltz. Quite audacious of dance for Ana, in my opinion, knowing her clumsiness. 

She looked beautiful with her dress billowing with every twist and turn, if she made a mistake, I'm sure no one could have noticed. 

I spotted Mother walking around the ballroom, watching Ana and her dance partner. I couldn't quite place the look on her face, was it a disappointment that Ana wasn't dancing with anyone royal? Was she looking for me and wondering why I wasn't dancing? 'Oh, God, she's going to see me watching idly and scold me.  Quick, hide before she sees you!'

I turned around quickly, planning to hide behind the tallest man I could find, only to find him just behind me. The tallest man in the room, the guard. 

He looked into my eyes and his lips curled to a grin on one side as he approached me.

"Hello." 

His voice was deep and smooth, I felt myself practically melting in front of him.

"H-Hello sir," I bowed my head to him, not knowing what else to do.

He chuckled, barely audible, and I looked up at him with curiosity.

His eyes were the same color as my dress, deep blue, like the bottom of the ocean. His hair was a deep brown and combed back for the occasion, but I could tell it was long enough to lay slightly over his forehead when less formal. 

The music faded and everyone applauded the dancers. Even with the roar of applause, our eyes never left each other. 

The next song began, it was 'The Blue Danube', my personal favorite, a classic. 

The handsome guard put his hand out and asked me "May I have this dance?"