The Dark Prince

Dark Moon Festival

"Fetch me a pair of bobby pins right away. Hurry hurry, we don't have all day!"

Ingrid hollered back and forth at the servant girls as they bustled around the room, hustling to fulfill her urgent orders.

"That white lace, I need it at once. The red lipstick on the vanity, bring it to me quickly."

Ingrid's orders flew here and there over the sound of scuffling shoes. Girls left and right bounced between Ally and I, busily working to get us set for the ball.

The Dark Moon Festival was tonight and my excitement was boiling over. I couldn't wait for this useless ceremony to be over so I could finally partake in the luck hunt.

Unfortunately however, the ball must go on first. I knew I would be dreadfully bored during the time, my only thoughts on what is to come after.

Ingrid was in charge of preparing my sister and I for the event. Like any other occasion, she was the puppeteer of the show, pulling our strings to her favour the way she liked.

"The colour of my dress does make me look quite pale in comparison" Ally would comment, clearly unsatisfied with her look.

"Oh but darling, boys like a fair complexion on young women" Ingrid would say, convincingly assuring Ally her appearance was appealing.

"But-"

"No buts" Ingrid interrupted, her tone openly indicating that she would not back down. "Your dress is your dress, and we are not changing anything last minute for your petty opinions."

What Ingrid wants, Ingrid gets.

That left us with no say in the matter. We remained quiet during our dressing, knowing that anything we say will likely get pushed aside. Our appearance will remain our final appearance whether we like it or not.

Ingrid had dressed me in a lilac purple ball gown dress. The neckline lay just below my shoulders, showing of my defined collarbone. The bottom was sewn with layers upon layers of ruffles, making the dress look dramatic indeed.

I for one despised the long sleeves the dress came with. The pouffy fabric made my arms look increasingly larger than their actual size.

I also disliked the glitter that littered the dress from top to bottom. I shimmered in every mirror I looked in. It was a little too much sparkle for my liking.

But my judgements remained in my head.

I knew why Ingrid had chosen this dress. It was the colour King Roman thought I looked best in. Ever since he told Ingrid it suited me, she would try to squeeze in the colour on every outfit I wore.

"Would you stop that slouching Natalia" Ingrid scorned, bringing my thoughts back to the task at hand.

I straightened my back and sat up tall in my chair. Ingrid huffed a sigh of annoyance and continued my makeup, taking the prickly brush and swiping it over my cheek.

At least she had been lenient on my makeup, only giving me a light look.

My hair was next, which caused the disaster to appear. Ingrid had made the horrible choice to throw my hair up in an elaborate bun.

Flowers were placed in between the multiple braids and stands that made up the giant bun. It looked like a floral bird nest.

Once she was done, she stepped back and examined her work, circling me a full count of five times.

"Well, are you satisfied with your look?" Ingrid asked. Though, it wasn't much of a question. Whatever my answer may be, there's no changing my appearance otherwise.