Light-Years Away

Chapter 5

*Caitlyn's POV*
5 days until the ball.
I'd say my first day was successful. Apart from the fact that everyone seems to be avoiding me, I enjoyed myself. Although if that hadn't happened, I probably wouldn't know Amy, the cook, as well as I do now. Apparently, she's struggling a little, keeping up with all the usual meals and now the added ones for the ball.

4 days until the ball.
I offered to help Amy with the cooking, but she declined, saying I have enough to do as it is. I then go about my usual jobs, washing clothes, cleaning the princess' room, and making her tea (I managed to convince Amy to let me do that).

3 days until the ball.
I start thinking about what I'm going to wear. I haven't been paid yet, as seeing as it's barely been a week of my being here, so I figure I'll remake some of my clothes. I sit myself down and try to sketch an outfit. Secré walks in and sees what I'm doing.

"Oh no no no no! That's my job. Think of it as an early birthday gift."

She winks and begins to read her book.

2 days until the ball.
I realise that I haven't seen Lumière since we had that snowball fight last week. When I woke up Secré wasn't there, I presume she's in town because of the dress. I spent all my free time with Amy, which seemed to calm her down funnily enough.

1 day until the ball.
I start to panic. The ball's tomorrow, and Secré hasn't pulled through. I bring it up the next time I see her.

"It's meant to come tomorrow."

"Will it be here in time?"

"Should be. Look at you getting all worked up about this," Secré laughs.

"The only other thing I have is this!" I defend, pointing at my dress.

"Ok, fair."

She excuses herself, and we head off in different directions. I turn around after a second.

"By the way -"

But she's gone.

The day of the ball.
The busyness of the past week is nothing compared to today. Although the ball only starts at seven in the evening, everyone's running around as if they are on fire.

"Hey, I hate to do this, but could you help me with the cake?" Amy asks when we bump into each other in the corridor.

"No problem, I've just got to get Tetia's dress to her, and I'm done."

"How early did you get up?" Amy raises her eyebrows.

"5-ish. I figured other people would need more help than the prince and princess."

"That's so kind of you!" Amy remarks before running back to the kitchen.

I glance at a clock. Gosh, the time crunch was really starting. 4pm. I have to finish here quickly, help Amy, and then still get ready myself. I hurry to Tetia's room and go in.
"I've got your dress."

"Oh, thank goodness you're here, Caitlyn! I'm having trouble with my hair."

"Wouldn't it be smarter to put the dress on first?"

"Well, I had to do something while I was waiting."

"I'm sorry, I was as quick as I could be," I apologise, gently shoving Tetia in the direction of the screen.

"I didn't mean it like that, I'm sorry!" Tetia goes behind the screen and throws her nightgown over the top, which I take, fold and place on a nearby chair.

"Why do you have to be ready so soon? I mean the ball's not for another four hours."

"Mum and Dad want us to practice. They're acting like this our first ball," she emerges from behind the screen, rolls her eyes, and takes her seat in front of the vanity.

I start by opening the plait she usually has, sitting on top of her head and brushing her hair.

"By the way, what are you wearing?" Tetia looks at me through the mirror.

"I don't know yet, I don't think my dress has been delivered yet, but I've barely been in my room today."

"Do you have much to do after this?"

"Well, I told Amy that I'd help with the cake, but I don't know how long that will take."

About half an hour later, I'm finally done with the hairdo. It took absolutely ages, but it looks gorgeous. Tetia, thanks and hugs me, then we both rush off. She rushes towards the ballroom, and I rush towards the kitchen.

"Amy, I'm sorry, I thought I'd be quicker," I look around. The kitchen's empty, apart from the odd servant passing through.
"Hey, do you know where Amy is?" I ask one of them. A green haired girl.

"Uhh, she finished and delivered the cake after you didn't show," she replies coldly.
"I would've done a better job," she says, bumping my shoulder on the way out.

What the hell?

"Caity, you're here!" Secré pulls me out of my thoughts and pulls me into our room.

"Who was that?"

"Oh, that's Grace. She was meant to be Tetia's handmaid, but then she found you."

"Yikes."

"Anyway, your dress is here."

I step further into the room, and my dress is indeed standing there in the middle of the room on a mannequin.

"Come on then, let's get you dressed up, darling."

"It's still a couple hours until the ball?"

"Exactly, two hours, that's not a lot,"

Secré starts fussing about my hair as soon as I return in the dress.

7pm. Guests are already milling around the room, and I'm standing in a door frame in a kind of creepy way. I take a deep breath and step out into the room. Everyone falls silent and stares at me. I blink like a deer surrounded by hunters and try to say something to make this whole situation less awkward, but my mouth has run dry. A fanfare plays, and everyone's view goes from me to the centre of the room in a second. There he is. The birthday boy.

Lumière Silvamillion Clover.

AN: Happy New Yeaaar, guuyyys! So sorry for the massive gap, I just honestly forgot every Sunday.
But here's the new chapter! New character introduced oooh~ and we're at the baaall