|| Expect the Unexpected || ~☆

New Year's chapter 💐 ✉

P•S

I was in the theater sketching costumes for the upcoming play when I could hear the principal on the speakers. She announced that we had to gather at the ballroom in 10 minutes for a special announcement regarding an upcoming event. Luckily the theater wasn't too far away from the ballroom, even so I needed to rush there before I miss any information. I stood up from the chair I was sitting in and got my bag and phone. After double checking my belongings, I rushed to the ballroom, keeping my pace quick but not even jogging. When I was there I checked my phone to see how many minutes went by. 9 minutes had passed. I was almost late.

I looked up from my phone when I heard someone panting beside me. I shut off my phone and looked up to see Dominic. I grinned as we make eye contact. "Hi!" I said, my gaze focusing on his exhausted figure. "Hey" He answered, his mouth turned up in a smile. "Wanna go inside together?" He questioned. "'Course!" I replied.

I gazed around the ballroom in astonishment. There were students around us as well as the second floor and the two sets of stairs leading to it. Some of the students on the second floor were interacting, some were trying to find a place near the railing and get a good look at the stage, and others were silently waiting, patiently looking down on the stage for their principal's familiar figure.

I searched around the room, looking for any familiar faces. My gaze quickly turned to the stage when I heard the principal clear her throat.

"Welcome, third, second, and first years of Amaryllis Academy. Today I have gathered all of you here to tell you all that we will hold a special event before you all go home for new years! You will all gather here, in this ballroom and play as a character that you have created." The principal began, her tone grand as her arms emphasized her words, creating a dramatic effect.

"The theme of this event will be--" she paused, building suspense "--'The Royal Ball'! Now, you may be wondering why we've named the event that, the characters you create must be of royal blood. For example: if you want to show up with a significant other, you may be kings and queens or princes and princesses. If you want to show up alone, you can be a lonesome queen, king, prince, or princess. You may also form a group with your friends and come to The Royal Ball as a family. If you want to show up as characters that I haven't mentioned, consult with me first." The principal explained, enthusiasm visible on her face as she informed all this to us with a smile on her face.

"Now, of course there is no king and queen without a kingdom, and we can't have unrelated characters come from the same kingdom. So for thar reason, we have put up a big board in front of the fountain where you will put your kingdom's name and your name in. You write your and your partner's or group's names in brackets beside your kingdom name. For this reason, you have to choose your group or partner before you write on the board. Make sure to double check the previous or taken kingdom names before you enter yours. Choose wisely!!" She warned us, a seriousness in her eyes.

"That is all for now. Return to your dorms until you receive a letter. We will slip these letters below your doors. They have information on this event that I have not mentioned yet and I all that I have mentioned previously. I suggest that you read it before you start designing." She explained further, her hands clapping together as she ended her speech, fingers interlacing infront of her chest. "Good evening," she continued, her head bowing as she gave her final smile to the students and walked away.

With that I bid my goodbye to Dominic and walked back to my dorm to wait for the letter. I went back with my roommate who I met on the way. We talked about ideas for characters while walking back.

I did some work while waiting. I'd check the door for the letter every few moments. Until I saw two pieces of paper slide in my dorm room from the corner of my eye. I quickly stood up and grabbed both of the envelopes. I called for my dormmate while examining the envelopes. Both had bronze wax seals with an Amaryllis symbol on them. One had my name elegantly written across the back of it. It was in red ink and it seems like it was written with a glass pen. I marveled at the beautiful writing.

My roommate then ran up beside me, her eyes were glimmering with excitement. "It's here? It's here!!" She exclaimed after she peeked at the letters from behind my shoulder. I handed her her envelope and she was practically jumping with excitement.

We both unsealed the letters and pulled out the paper inside. There were 4 cards in the envelopes. Cards a bit smaller than the envelope itself. Information regarding The Royal Ball was printed on said cards. I visibly deflated seeing all the words on so many cards.

Since it took a while to read everything, I'll summarize it for you. Basically, the new information I got from that is you can't show up as an uncle or aunt of a royal family nor can you be duke/duchess, baron/baroness. Only royalty, no nobles. It said that the principal had chosen me to read a scroll of rules or something(??) she also told me not to tell anyone and to just go along with the string of events.

Now I have to pick a role. I think I wanna be a princess. Yeah, sure. I kinda wanna have a family. But with who? That's the problem. I need to find a family now.

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"There you are! Thank God, I thought you wouldn't come" I spoke to the figure sitting down in front of me.