Perfect Life. Perfect Lie.

Royals & Aristocrats

"Now do remember what I've told you Regina. Be polite - but firm, don't let anyone push you around simply because you're younger, be present - no more day dreaming or wondering off! And lastly be proud - you're representing me. Don't throw away all that I've done to get you here!" Cora had instructed her young 16 year old daughter upon their arrival in L'Amour De Tous. The small independent kingdom lying on the edge of the Enchanted Forest over looking The Endless Ocean that was playing host to The Annual Royal Peace Ball this year. Regina's desire to stay in the elegant bed chamber she and her mother had been assigned for their few day journey there, had proved no match for the pressure Cora placed on her young shoulders to be the perfect image.

So Regina attended the ball and tried to search out a place where she would find most comfortable. The lights of the main ball room shone brightly, twinkling in the darkness that wanted to make it's way into the rich party. Few men lined the promenade to meet with late lady's in exquisite dresses, before leading them to seats or the dance floor, which were almost full already by guests that were on time. Other aristocrats, Kings and Queens joined in polite small talk as they made their way around the room, so they would clearly engage with everyone before the night was over. The orchestra had already commenced in playing a slow soft string piece, that set the mood and French like atmosphere. The ball had been running for a few hours and Regina's feet were beginning to feel the burn of her soles. All night she had casually been trying to keep her head flat & balanced so the awkward up-do her mother had done didn't fall around her face. The dress she wore was a size to big and for that reason she remained away from the centre of everyone, and the dance floor. Not that she would have someone here to dance with anyway, she clearly was the youngest among the royals and affluent. More than anything she wished she could escape this place and return to her bed chamber, to read or maybe study her languages - surely even that would be more fun than this party of snobbish wealthy people who certainly did not care about her. Cora was no where to be seen, very easily in the over-flowing ball room, Regina would just tell her mother that she been unable to find her and that's why she had retired to her room. That was a perfectly good excuse wasn't it?

Sneakily the young teenager made her way to the snack table after having to manoeuvre her flexible body through that of towering esteemed guests. She would grab a few snacks to take back to her room, only now did she comprehend how hungry she truly was. No one had served dinner tonight as everyone would be eating at the ball. Regina thought about how these people don't seem to eat very much, how could they not? Regina had noticed it was like this at every ball she had unfortunately had to attended with her mother dragging her the whole way. Surely they can afford it. Canapés and hor d'oeurves filled up the long tables that stretched the length of the hall. Waiters came back and forth swapping platters to serve around the room. Near the end Regina had approached tea pots and china tea cups clumped the edge of the tables before the little nibbles. Regina didn't care for tea, but she couldn't find any other cups, so as she cautiously placed the little miniature food in a napkin, she poured some sweet sugary punch into the china.

"-the hospital was finally completed last week and the official opening in a few days. Which she helped re-build it as well as staring in 'The Portrait of a Lady' at the kingdoms theatre." Regina overhead some rich aristocrats joining in conversation behind her. She gracefully picked up the tea cup after placing the napkin of treats tucked in her thick blue ribbon belt, and tried to once again find her way through a maze of people. "Did you hear that she dyed her hair for the part in that play? She dyed it dark brown did you see? Although tonight somehow she's got it right back to that golden blonde - I do doubt it's real though! She should really get some sun shouldn't she? Far too pale! And those eyes! The piercing blue - someone in the theatre told me - that they're not even real! They're contacts! Can you believe it? I sure can" Remarked some old snobbish woman with her uptight posh accent, and obviously fake looking wig to her fellow companions. Regina could partially see the huge double doors acting as the entrance - and exit - to the grand occasion through the small gaps left in between guests. "I think it's rather un-thoughtful of her to be continuing this pathetic acting thing of hers, when she has all her royal duties and her people to think about first!" Scoffed an old man dressed in a suit that hugged his body so tight it seem as if he were to take one more breath all the bottons would pop off and hit the other guests. A younger woman who had selected a light blue ball gown that matched the interior decorating of the room replied defencley, "Why can't she? She's been doing marvellously at balancing both her passion and the kingdoms needs. I heard, she was the one who stood up and pressured the advisors and the council to stop spending the kingdoms money on un-nesacery projects and instead focus on the old hospital that needed restructuring after the fire!" The blue gown lady's friend chipped in with absolute adoration to the person of subject, "She really can do it all! Rule this kingdom, act like a star on that stage - I journeyed here a few months back just to she her on opening night, and she didn't disappoint-, and I've never heard anything about her husband complaining" The girls winked at each other and giggled like teenagers while the old man rolled his eyes disapprovingly at the younger generations opinions and naughty comments. "And she always looks gorgeous doing it!," Added the blue gowned lady, "In those attired personally designed for her by, what's his name - Micheal? Mike? No, Mark-?" "Marco!" Corrected her friend. "Yes Marco! Aghhhh I wish I had a royal designer like him...... Did you see that dress she's wearing tonight that he designed for her? The gold is divine it really does make her look like an angel, she is certainly the bell of the ball tonight! Not that she isn't always anyway, with the slim tall figure and beautiful features! In a few years I hope to look just like her!"