The Engagement Ball

Katie sat on a wooden deck at late afternoon; her feet dipped in the water. She stared at the orange-tinted horizon for a brief moment, sighing contentedly at the sight and the sound of the waves rolling on the shore. She looked down at the clear water below, creating small patches of foam as she kicked at its surface. She giggled to herself, laughing at her antics like it was the funniest thing in the world.  

“I came as fast as I can!” she heard someone say behind her.

She glanced over her shoulder. A boy around her age smiled brightly at her, his brown eyes sparkling. She slid a few inches from her spot, giving room for her friend to sit. The boy took off his shoes and sat on the deck, sighing with contentment he submerged his feet into the water. Now that she got a closer look at him, Katie couldn’t help but think that he looked familiar. He looked like… Alexander.

Katie gasped and she jerked awake, the ceiling in her brightly lit room slowly coming into focus. She reached for her phone beside her pillow and checked the time (seven AM). She had been asleep for eight hours but she still felt so tired.

“Ugh,” she groaned and rolled on her bed. “Why the hell was Alexander in my dream?” she wiped her face with her hand and pushed herself up to a seating position. “And a younger one, no less.” her lips curled to a thin smile as her thoughts started to entertain reasons why she saw Alexander in her subconscious world. Immediately, she caught herself and she slapped both cheeks lightly. “What am I doing?! I need to get ready!” she nodded. “Alright! Let’s do this!”

After getting ready, she rushed to the kitchen and ate her breakfast sandwich as she fast-walked to the ballroom. She threw the doors open, startling some of the staff but they went right back to doing their tasks.

“Well, aren’t we a little busy today?”

Katie felt the hairs at the back of her neck stand on end as she felt a presence approach her. She spun on her heel and an unknown person stood behind her, an elder man. He greeted her with a graceful bow and a smile that deepened the creases on the corners of his eyes. Katie was unfamiliar with him but he seemed to know his way around the palace. With how busy everyone was today, he would have had to walk past several people on the way to the ballroom. Since no one seemed to stop him, Katie surmised he might be a significant figure.

“I’ve long waited the day I meet the famous ‘Lost Princess’ of Aelysia,” the man held out his hand for a handshake.

“I have to apologize, sir. I’m afraid I don’t-” Katie shook his hand. Instantly, an image of a fire flashed in her head and she pulled her hand back in alarm.

The man’s eyes widened with surprise but his expression immediately softened, replaced with concern. “Are you alright, Your Highness?”

The princess simply nodded, forcing a smile on her face. “Pardon me, I’m just a little tired, I guess.”

“My dear,” the elder man said, squeezing Katie’s shoulder. “Your eyes hold such heavy burdens. I hope you know I’m always here to listen to you.”

Katie’s smile faltered but the man didn’t seem to notice. “With all due respect, sir, but I understand that a ruler must carry her own share of burdens when it comes to her kingdom.”

“And yet I think your burdens have nothing to do with the kingdom.”

She felt her heart drop. What does he mean by that? Recently, all she thought of was about the kingdom. The words of the old man made her question her thoughts, and even her motivations. Does she not care about the kingdom, after all?

Her thoughts were interrupted by Arden’s voice, calling out to her from the ballroom doors. He rushed to her side, giving a nonchalant smile at the elder man before grabbing Katie by the arm, ushering her to a vacant corner.

“What did he want with you?” Arden asked as soon as they were out of earshot.

“Nothing, he just told me he wanted to see me,” Katie answered.

Arden searched for any signs of deception and nodded when he saw none. “Alright, we still have lots to prepare. Let’s get back to work.”

“But… who is he?”

Arden glanced warily at the elder man who was on his way out. “He’s the new priest of the old temple.”

“What happened to the other priest?”

Arden didn’t answer. Knowing that the ball was a more pressing matter, they went right back to work. The preparations went smoothly and they managed to finish just a couple hours before the ball, giving the staff time to get ready. Katie rushed to her room, already feeling sluggish. I can’t believe there’s still a ball after this!

After a quick shower, she put on the dress Arden picked out for her and texted Shirley, asking for her help. When she received no reply after a few minutes, she tried calling her but she seemed to be unavailable. Knowing that the Queen was very picky with her outfits when it came to special celebrations, Katie assumed she was busy and started to think of a simple style that she could do with her hair.

Something that looks nice… her thoughts immediately drifted to how Alexander would react. She caught herself and she heard her own voice screaming in her head. No, do this for yourself! To hell with Alexander!

With time running out, she grabbed a hair tie and finally decided on a low, side ponytail, knowing that it will accent the soft curls of her hair more. She pulled at small locks of hair at her temples and allowed them to fall loosely, giving a framing effect on her face. She stood before the large mirror at the corner of her room and did a few turns, her eyes fixated on the low cut in the back. I think I need a second opinion.

As if on cue, she heard firm raps on her door before she heard it creak. Only her aunt can and would do that.

“Katie dear, are you-” the Queen stopped in her tracks, wide-eyed and mouth agape. “Who are you and what have you done to my niece?”

Katie chuckled. “Is it weird-looking?”

The Queen shook her head vigorously. “No… no, dear, you misunderstood! You look like you’ve changed!” she walked to Katie’s side and gave her a quick hug. When she pulled back, a grin tugged at her lips. “I’m sure Alexander would love it as well.”

Katie felt a blush rise to her cheeks but her pride refused to think that she was entertaining the thought of impressing Alexander. It’s not like I want to make him think that I look beautiful. She scoffed. Real tsundere moment there, Katie.

“Shall we be off?” Her aunt asked her and she promptly replied with a nod.

They walked together in silence toward the ballroom. Katie never felt the need to overexert herself in acting as dignified as possible but in her aunt’s presence, she felt differently. The Queen exuded an aura that would make anyone think she’s royalty without question. She always admired this quality of her aunt’s and she wondered if she will ever get such an aura. Perhaps when she becomes Queen?

“I hope you know that I’m proud of you,” her aunt said. “And thank you for being level-headed about this arrangement.”

“I’m still adjusting to things,” Katie answered honestly. “But I knew what was coming to me, aunt. I don’t want you to worry about me on that front.”

They paused just outside the ballroom, the muffled music and noises from the revelry barely audible from their spot. Staff bustled about, rushing in and out of the kitchen carrying trays of drinks and hors d’oeuvres.

“Remind me to commend the organizers of this ball, they did a good job,” the Queen whispered to Katie. Before Katie could say anything, the Queen subtly nodded at something behind Katie. “Don’t look now but I think you’ll like the sight.”