𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐮 | 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐧𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐞𝐧

[ELEVEN]

The manor was decorated beautifully, with blue string lights hung across the night sky to the elaborate costumes guests wore. A string band had taken over, to switch from the upbeat jazz of your group to slower classical songs. Now, you were helping Tiana serve beignets at her catering table.

"Senator Johnson. Hey, Jimmy." Mr. La Bouff greeted the man in a devil costume. The host himself was dressed as Zeus, quite fitting considering his character. "I hope you're leaving some of them beignets for your constituents." He led the senator away from the catering table you and Tiana stood behind as she handed a woman a plate.

"Here you go, piping hot," Tiana said. You grinned and turned to see Stella snatch a beignet off the table.

"Stella. Excuse us," you said to the woman. "Stella, no. No." The dog looked up at you with, well, puppy eyes as you pulled the display away from the edge of the table. She whined as she looked at you. Both of you giggled. "Okay, but just one." You tossed it in the air and she caught it, sliding past Charlotte, who was looking around frantically and avoiding eye contact with a jester.

He pleaded, "But, Miss Charlotte, you said 'later' two hours ago."

She sighed. "Travis. When a woman says 'later,' she really means 'not ever.' Now run along. There are plenty of young fillies dying for you to waltz them into a stupor." Her face changed quickly as she rushed over to Tiana's table a few feet away, scrambling to grab a wad of napkins. "Give me them napkins, quick!"

"What on Earth for?" Tiana asked worriedly.

Charlotte quickly dabbed her armpits and shoved the napkins in her bra. "I swear, I'm sweating like a sinner in church! Girls, it's getting to be so late." She glanced around.

You both followed her and tried to calm her down. "There are still a few stragglers," you said.

She wailed, "It's just not fair! My prince is never coming!"

"Now, Lottie..." Tiana began.

Charlotte burst into a fit, ripping her tiara from her head, napkins flying out from where she had shoved them. "I never get anything I wish for!" She charged up the stairs and you caught her tiara, which she had thrown a second earlier.

"Lottie, wait!" You called. Both you and Tiana rushed up the stairs behind her. "Just calm down." She rubbed her smeared eye makeup as it ran down her face. "Take a deep..."

"Maybe I just gotta wish harder." She said, hopeful. As she put her hands together and looked up to the Evening Star, she said, "please, please, please, please, please, please!" She repeated.

"Lottie, you can't just wish on a star and expect things..." Tiana started yet again.

Suddenly, a man called out from the crowd below. "Ladies and gentlemen!" All three of you turned, surprised and interested. "His Royal Highness, Prince Naveen!"

Naveen walked into the party, practically glowing as the lights made his crown sparkle. You looked at him, wide-eyed with awe, having never seen the prince in person before. The guests murmured, and the tiara was snatched from your hands. Charlotte placed it back atop her mountain of blonde hair and wiped the makeup from her eyes. She made quite a fast turnaround when motivated.

A whistle escaped her lips and a column of pink light cascaded on her as she threw a handful of glitter. Naveen approached the bottom of the stairs, hand out. Charlotte raced down daintily and curtsied as he bowed. They quickly took to the dance floor as a waltz began. You turned to Tiana.

"That's the happiest I've ever seen her."

"Mhm, ever since she found out he was coming here. I wish her luck."

"She's not the one who needs it. He's actually got to deal with her."

You both laughed as you made your way back down the stairs, stopping to stand next to the table. As you both swayed, you realized there was a large horse costume right next to you.

"Evening, Tiana, Y/n. Marvelous party." The horse head was removed, and Mr. Fenner was revealed.

"Evening, Mr. Fenner and Mr. Fenner." The saddle popped open as well as the other brother appeared.

"Fine smelling beignets," he said.

"Gonna be the house specialty once we sign those papers y'all brought tonight," Tiana said, offering them a platter.

"Yes, about that," he said slowly.

"You were outbid." The smaller brother said bluntly.

Both of your smiles fell instantly. "What?" You asked.

"A fellow came in, offered the full amount in cash. Unless you can top his offer by Wednesday..."

"You can kiss that place goodbye."

Tiana came around the table to meet them as they began walking away, with you right on her tail. "You know how long it took us to save that money?" She said, starting to get angry.

"Exactly!" One of the brothers said, "Which is why a little woman of your background," he said, not only slyly referencing Tiana's job but her race as well, "would have her hands full trying to run a big business like that. And Y/n doesn't have experience with any real job, so she'd be no help. No, y'all are better off where you're at."

You spat. "Now, wait a minute-"

"Love those beignets, though! And great music, too!"

"Hold on, there! You come back-" You were interrupted by your own scream: you had yanked the horse tail in order to slow them down, but it ended up coming out completely, knocking you into Tiana and both of you into the dessert table. You fell to the ground, costumes littered with honey, powdered sugar, and assorted jellies.

Charlotte approached you two, back turned, cheerful as she could be. "Girls! Time to hit Prince Charming with those man-catchin... what happened?" She finally turned to see the both of you sitting on the ground, covered in food.

"We- we just..." Tiana said dejectedly.

"You poor dears." She helped both of you off the floor and called out to her date. "Oh, Prince Naveen, we'll be right back, sugar!" She guided you up the stairs. "I got the perfect dresses for you both."