"How come I've never seen you before?" I said, finally racking up the nerve to ask.
Suddenly, he changed moods, changed attitudes, personality. He leaned into me, just far enough that his lips were beside my ear. He shushed me, softly, almost... gr...
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It was the night of the annual spring ball, and I had to get ready. I had to be prepared to find my husband; the man I would love and be happy with for the rest of my life.
After I had soaked in the tub, gotten myself clean, and my maid had dried my hair and put it up in a braided up-do, curly strands loose on both sides of my head.
I picked out my dress, a raspberry gown with a fitting bodice and a tulle skirt that came out, poofy like most of my other dresses.
Living in a castle and being a princess meant gowns and tight, fancy garments everyday. Sweatpants and a t-shirt looked nice, but that was banned where I lived. Comfort. That was a thing I'd never experienced before, not even in my eighteen years of life.
As I worked the dress up past my hips and pulled it all the way up, my maid, Ruth, came behind me and zipped up the back, then smoothing out my skirt to complete my look.
Father wanted my look to be simple tonight, so my husband-to-be would see the "true me." I thought it was rubbish.
What if I didn't want a husband? What if I wasn't ready for one? I wasn't even sure of myself yet.
I turned to look in the mirror behind me, staring back at my natural reflection. The only makeup that covered my face was a bit of blush and clear gloss on my lips.
I sighed, smoothing my skirt once more.
"Are you ready, m'lady?" Ruth asked softly, and I replied with a faint nod.
I wasn't as ready as my father would hope I was, but I was ready as I would ever be for finding a husband.
~
As I stepped into the grand ballroom, through the large steel doors, every guest stopped to stare at me.
I ducked my head and put on a small smile as I strode down the path the guests had parted for me. The path that lead to my father's throne.
Once I had reached him, I curtsied. "Alice," he announced in his booming voice. "Dear, you look beautiful tonight."
"Thank you, Father," I replied, looking up at him and holding my head high.
He looked out into the crowd of guests. "Let's feast!"
~
I didn't eat much during the feast. Eating in front of guests, including kings and queens from other countries and districts, was difficult to do properly, with grace.
Once the ball began, a man immediately grabbed my hand and spun me around. Manners! I thought.
Definitely not considering him as a choice for my new husband.
He was a short man, with blonde, slicked back hair and a powder blue bow tie.
"Princess Alice Winston," he breathed. "I'd never thought I'd meet you."
