"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?"
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
I stood at the base of the steps for a moment, taking in the fresh air, trying to steady myself when I heard a familiar voice from behind me."That was kind of you," said Peter.I jumped when I heard him. I put my hand on my chest and turned around to find him walking down the steps towards me."Hah. You scared me.""I'm sorry, I didn't mean to," He said with a bright smile. "And I didn't mean to watch you just now, but it's kinda my job you see?" he pointed to his uniform."Yes, yes I see that haha," I said awkwardly."So who was she?" He asked while looking at the carriage driving away."Oh, that was my s