The Documents of Teen Royalty and Troublemakers

Chapter 32/ The Royal Ball

Each of the royal families had a specific time to walk down the grand staircase. In this case, Whitney's family was the last to come down.

Deep breath Camryn kept telling herself. It will be over soon.

Most things didn't scare her. Heights bothered her slightly but what really bothered her was judgy people. A cold icy feeling rushed down her spine. She can do this. Look on the bright side. At least she wasn't the famous long-lost son of King William and Queen Ebony. Camryn followed behind Whitney with Ransom by her side. Even though he was technically a prince he refused to let her walk behind him. Camryn was secretly very thankful not to have to face the scorn all by herself. A short man in a funny-colored shirt that made him look even shorter called out the king and queen's names. Then Whitney joined her parents on the staircase waving like this didn't bother her a bit. Camryn watched the short man re-read the list he held in his hand. The other royal families began to whisper to themselves. They all stood around the ballroom waiting for the next name to be called. Even all the children looked interested in the unexpected person. Ransom squeezed Camryn's hand. He must be so nervous. Ransom was the sort of guy who was very used to being shown about like a trophy and had an amazing fake smile. But it was just that fake.

At last, the short man called out Ransom's name. "Uh and Ransom, long lost son of King William and Queen Ebony."

When the words registered in their brains a soft chattering started among them. Long lost son. Is it really? Camryn could tell that everyone wanted to rush over to Queen Ebony to ask her about the latest news. Ransom didn't budge when his name was called. If he was going to face the crowds then he was going to do it with Camryn.

"And with him is Camryn uh there is no family name or title." That was their cue. Raising her head high Camryn grasped Ransom's hand harder. They walked out into the light with confidence and power. They didn't even flinch when a few of the other kingdom's guards made a move to get them. Even when a few of the kings began to shout at them they didn't look their way. About halfway down the winding marble staircase, Whitney rushed up to them. She stood proud with her friends and joined them in their march down the stairs. If they were going to do this she wanted to show that she was with them. Even more whispers started to swarm around the ballroom when Whitney joined the troublemakers.

It was brave of Whitney to join her friends on their walk of shame. Camryn smiled for her and held out her hand. Whitney reached out for it and held their clasped hands high in the air. No matter what, they were in this together. At the bottom, they joined the king and queen standing to one side. Both parents had wide smiles across their faces. They were so proud of their son and daughter not worrying about what others thought.

The loud voice of the announcer rang out. "And let the eighteenth Royal Ball begin." It took a few moments before people seemed to forget about the unexpected turn of events and went to enjoy themselves. Bright vases of freshly cut flowers were placed all around the ballroom. A few musicians started to play music. Some couples went to dance, some to eat. Most of the women crowded around Queen Ebony. They bombarded her with questions about Ransom and the other one cause no one bothered to remember Camryn's name. Queen Ebony's sisters-in-law asked the most questions because this rebel boy was related to them and that was hard to swallow.

"Come on." Whitney dragged them away from her mother and over to a corner. Where ever they went people flooded out of their way.

"We're officially monsters," Camryn wined and disappeared without even thinking about it.

"They will think you are if you keep disappearing and reappearing."

"Sorry." She became visible again. "I didn't relies I let it slip." Camryn nervously glanced around noticing that Ella, Cinderella's daughter, was staring right at her. Her face was as white as a ghost. Whatever. She didn't care if everyone avoided them like the black death. Camryn preferred it like that. If they weren't truly going to accept them why would she want them to fake it?

"Whitney." Kyle marched up to them. "You three are creating a scene. How about trying to lay low and what's this about him being your lost brother?"

Whitney shyly stared at the ground. "You missed a lot when you left."

He threw his hand up in the air. "Tell me about it. Is he the long-lost prince?"

She nodded. "Yes. Mother and Father finally found him. And we have more to tell you." Whitney shoved Kyle farther away from the other guests as politely as she could. "The Evil Queen and a few other people are planning something big at midnight tonight."

"What?" Kyle looked so confused which, for him, was not a regular occurrence. "How do you know this?"

Camryn stepped up. "I overheard a woman talking to the Evil Queen with a mirror. Don't ask about the woman because I've never seen her before."

Confusion switched to annoyance. "I don't know if I trust you Camryn."

Ransom pushed Kyle back away from Camryn. "I told you he wouldn't help us besides we don't need him."

"Camryn are you absolutely sure of what you heard? It couldn't have been a mistake?"

"No Kyle. I heard what I heard and the lives of all the royal families are at stake."

Kyle sighed. "I need to stop helping you two. This is going to hurt my reputation and my mother is truly going to kill me this time. Helping you goes against everything I believe in."

Camryn grinned despite all the tension and worry.

Fifteen minutes before the tall grandfather clock strikes midnight all the friends regrouped at the base of the staircase.

"Has anyone seen or noticed anything out of the ordinary?" Whitney asked the boys.

Kyle stopped her. "Where's Camryn?"

Ransom and Whitney rolled their eyes. "She forgot she was still invisible." Ransom waved his arms around. His hand slid down an arm and grasped Camryn's invisible hand turning him invisible as well.

"Sorry, I sometimes forget you can't see me." With that Camryn appeared by Ransom's side.

Kyle shook his head and glanced around them with a worried look on his face. "We have absolutely no idea of what's to come and it is going to happen in ten minutes?"

"Pretty much."

"Yes."

"That sums it up."

Kyle lifted his eyebrow. "You two are so weird."

"Not me." Whitney looked fake offended that he hadn't included her in his weird spectrum.

"No Whitney you're not weird. You're perfect." To give Whitney some credit she handled that bomb shell very well. She didn't faint or start to droop all over Kyle. Instead, she spun around on her heel and grasped Camryn's hand. Camryn knew exactly what she wanted her to do. Without missing a beat Camryn turned them both invisible.

"We'll have to talk after this," Camryn whispered to her friend.

"Only if we survive it." Even invisible Whitney looked very embarrassed. Kyle looked no better. He's not the sort of guy to give out his feelings like a broken ATM. Obviously, he hadn't planned on saying that and was turning bright red.

Ransom shook his head in disgust. "Seriously you don't just spill everything like that to a girl right before a big plan. That makes it harder for them to pay attention. Get it right."

He was right about that. They learned the hard way. Once right before sneaking out of the Enchantress's castle Ransom told her that he was glad that she was his friend. They got caught. Back then that was a big deal that they were friends. They were each other's first friends.