Oops

Chapter 5- Dinner

"Spin around! How does it feel?"

"Bizarre. The last time I wore a dress was three months ago, and never one like this," I answered Maddy.

I spun around, examining myself in the full length mirror. It was a beautiful dress. A delicate silvery blue with intricate beading along the upper bodice, the silhouette was breathtaking, making me jealous of my own reflection.

The material seemed like magic. Though the dress covered most of my skin, it seemed not to be there. The effect left me with a dress that wouldn't fry me in the warm weather. Maddy had curled my hair, and it fell in pretty corkscrews, much looser than her fiery tangle of curls. She had changed out of the pants I had met her in, and into a dress like my own. It looked even prettier on her.

"It looks great on you, right Nicholaus?"

He glanced up briefly from a heavy book in his lap.

"Huh? Oh. Yes. You both look like angels."

Maddy smiled at me and raised her eyebrows.

"I have one more thing for you, Anna. I know you're going to be very excited about it, I just hope they fit."

I grinned, holding out my hands. Maddy looked up and a quiet servant brought her a bundle of cloth. She unwrapped it and placed its contents in my hands.

"Shoes," she said, handing me a pair of flats. They were simple, pretty shoes with a pale grey outside that matched the color of my dress. I sat on the edge of an ottoman that crouched in front of Maddy's fireplace. We were in her living quarters, because my rooms were still being prepared. Holding my breath with anticipation, I slipped the shoes over my feet. To my surprise they fit wonderfully.

I sighed. "That's so much better Maddy. Thank you."

Three hours of toil had gone into making me look this good. I don't know how she found clothes and shoes that fit me so well.

"It's the least I can do Anna. Besides, you want to look your best when you meet the King and Queen."

I looked away from her, nerves constricting my chest into an anxious laugh.

"I hope they like me better than the prince. No offense," I offered dimly.

Nicholaus looked up from his book, suddenly aware of the conversation going on in front of him.

"Don't worry about that. He'll warm up to you eventually, he's just feeling a lot of pressure right now. And the King and Queen will like you very much. Have faith, Lady Anna," he offered.

I smiled at him, gratitude warming my face.

"Thank you," I replied. I could see how these two got along. They were adorable together. Maddy took a step back, taking me in from every angle.

"Mm. I can't wait to get more dresses made for you. This was the first one I found that would work. You look great, but you're going to need something exceptional for the Prince's nineteenth birthday. There's going to be a huge ball, and everyone's going to turn out."

My eyes practically bulged out of my head. A ball? The last time I went to ball, I was six. And sleeping. Because it was a dream.

"How long do you plan on keeping me here?" I cried, a little more hostile than I'd meant to. It had just occurred to me that I would need all these clothes for a long-term stay. Still, I had thought only a day or two. Tops. What am I supposed to tell my family? I couldn't turn this adventure away, but I couldn't abandon my parents. Maddy seemed taken aback.

"As long as you need," she replied.

"Need for what?"

Her lips pursed.