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Drizella
The carriage ride to the castle was a bumpy one, the closer we got the more nervous I became. I tried to recall the sound of my dress before we left home, twirling around with my sister made me giddy and excited.
I closed my eyes and tried to bring that giddy feeling back. I kicked my legs a little to hear the rustling of the fabric but the carriage was too small. I put my hand on my stomach and inhaled deeply. It smelled of fresh rain and newly cut grass, we were no doubt nearing the castle.
I opened my eyes to see and we were coming just around the corner to the castle. I was right; it had rained and the lawn outside the castle was freshly trimmed and gardened with roses of all colors.
I got thinking of the color meanings of roses and then looked at our gowns.
Mother's gown was a deep red, just the color of the classic red rose symbolizing love and romance.
Ana's dress was green, a rarity among rose colors, then again, Ana was a rare kind as well. 'Thank God for that' I thought to myself and smirked. I looked down before either of them could notice my amusement.
My own dress was blue, I had never heard of a blue rose before, I could only imagine what it looked like, let alone what it meant.
My thoughts were cut short when the carriage stopped and the footman came to the door.
"Ready, my ladies?" he asked with an encouraging smile.
We all looked at each other and nodded before he opened the door and we each exited the carriage carefully, one by one. 'Don't trip, don't trip, don't trip' I kept thinking to myself.
The footman offered each of us his hand to help us out, I hesitated shyly, then placed my hand in his. 'Is it odd that I wanted him to keep holding my hand?' I thought as I looked back to see him do the same with my mother and sister. 'You're being ridiculous, Driz. It's just nerves' I thought to myself while waiting for Ana and Mother to reach me. I heard Ana stumble and curse under her breath.
As they got closer to me I turned to face the steps to the castle, inhaling once more. Ana grabbed my hand at the base of the steps and we let Mother walk ahead, the Lady of the house should always be presented first before her daughters.
The staircase was grand and made from marble, almost mesmerizing. The marble continued into the main entrance to the castle, I brought my gaze upward to see it stretch all through the hall and into the ballroom where hundreds of people were gathered.
Mother stopped right before the doorway to tell the guard who we were and how to announce us. We hadn't discussed it with her, and I was unsure if she would use her maiden name or the name that she was given after marrying Ella's father.
Oh God, Ella, I forgot about her. One of mothers conditions was that she find her own way to the castle. Did she find a way? Could she have possibly walked? Our carriage ride was so bumpy, I could only imagine what walking in such conditions would be like. She could sprain her ankle! 'Stop worrying about her, Driz. You are at the Royal Ball, calm down and enjoy yourself.'
Ana let go of my hand and placed hers together in front of her as Mother had shown us to look like respectable young ladies.
I recalled her little speech to us before leaving, "You cannot hold each other's hand the whole time we are there. This is your debut as Ladies-" Mother put extra emphasis on the word "Ladies" until she continued, "You must show yourselves as independent and respectable young women. Which means no holding your sister's hand in the ballroom; you keep your hands to yourself unless you are asked to dance."
Just then, the herald announced us. His vocal projection made Ana and I jump.
"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 Ana had. We smiled at each other and walked forward into the grand ballroom.
"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
I kept a tight hold on the back of the carriage as we made our way to the castle. The roads were bumpy after the rain and my hands were starting to lose their grip, but I waited until I could see the castle to jump off the back of the carriage and walk the rest of the way.My hair was blowing in the wind and my face was losing feeling from the chill. I buried my face down into my chest trying to keep warm when I saw the lights from the castle in the corner of my eye.I looked up and saw a long line of carriages moving slowly in a trail towards the front steps. The air has an amazing feeling after it rains where the air seems fresher, cleaner, and overall I felt healthier inhaling it.Hopping down from the carriage, I took a deep breath and felt all my worries wash away with the fresh a
I continued repeating to myself 'I am brave, I am courageous, I am strong' and as soon as I got to the steps of the castle I looked up, took a big breath, smiled, and said "I am grateful."When I reached the top of the steps, I noticed people stopped outside the entrance to the ballroom as their names were being announced as they walked in. 'Oh no, I can't have my presence announced if I want to stay hidden from my stepmother and stepsisters. I have to find another way in.'I looked around frantically for another entrance to the ballroom and found a staircase that led down. Without hesitation I started down them watching my feet to be sure not to trip, my shoes were still wet from the walk, and I didn't want to fall.I reached the lower level safely and turned a corner that led t
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?"I hesitated, looking at his hand extended to me I thought of the feeling I had when the footman had given me his hand to exit the carriage. I didn't want him to stop for some reason. 'Have I been longing for a man's touch so much that the slightest thing sends electricity through my body?' I thought to myself and felt pathetic. Yet here is a man who doesn't just want to hold my hand, but put his hand on my back and dance. The thought alone gave me goosebumps and I grabbed his hand with a smile and nod. Apparently, my voi
"Hmm. You look rather familiar to me, are you sure there was no instance where we may have crossed paths?""Yes your highness, I am quite sure. I would certainly remember if I had met the crown prince," I said with an innocent smile to him.The prince returned the smile and proceeded "Indeed. Well, hopefully, you will remember this encounter and save me a dance later tonight?"I couldn't help but meet his eyes in this instant. They were as green as the fresh-cut grass in the front of the castle, and suddenly I felt the clean air wash away my nerves. "Of course, your highness, it would be my pleasure." I bowed my head to him and continued my search for a new entrance.I hurried back up the steps and hid behind a large pillar while
"Would you like a tour of the garden?" He asked."Yes, I would love one," I responded.We each kept our hands respectively to ourselves, he held his arms behind his back, accentuating his perfect posture while I kept mine in front of me with my index fingers hooked together."You seemed to be in a rush when you ran around that corner," He mentioned."Haha, which time?" I joked."Haha both, but I was referring to this time in the garden,""Oh, I had thought I smelled lavender and it reminded me of my mother's old perfume so I followed the scent. I apologize again, I became overly zealous when I thought of it." I explai
***Drizella"The One." Hah. How could Ana possibly think this? I only just met Peter, the handsome palace guard, less than an hour ago, it is absolutely ridiculous for her to be asking me that question. I may be completely smitten right now by Peter but who knows how I'm going to feel in a few hours? Hell, I felt electricity through my body when the footman handed me his hand to exit the carriage, it was simply lust brought on from being alone for so long with only the company of my sister and mother.At this time, I am still standing with Ana who just finished telling me what a "smitten kitten" I am. I heard her gasp and quickly asked her what was wrong, "Look! The prince! He just came back from outside!" She was holding my arm while jumping for joy when she caught sight of him. 
***EllaI had waited a few moments after the prince had left to go back inside. I took my time inhaling the fresh air and the lavender scent, letting it steady my still pounding heart. If I didn't know any better I would have thought that it would pop right out of my chest.I sat down in front of the lavender and touched one of the buds as I whispered to it "Thank you, Mother," and smiled.My heartbeat had resumed its usual pace and I decided it was time to stand up and head back. 'I'm sure it's been a while since the prince has reentered the ball and I won't be noticed.'I walked slowly, taking in the beautiful scenery while remembering my dance with the prince. I spun around a few times while humming t