Three Pretty Princesses

Chapter 9- Pauline

"I look ridiculous," Pauline fumed, toying with the strange lace bodice she was wearing.

"Thanks," Ava said, not even looking up from her book to accept the accidental insult.

Evalyn brushed Pauline's newly coloured blonde locks and chuckled. "When dressing up to look like someone, you generally shouldn't comment on how 'ridiculous' you look. Particularly when that person is in the room."

Pauline laughed. She quite liked the two girls. Evalyn was sweet and funny, while Ava was cool. Pauline's anger about being taken was simmering down after realising how blissful life was at the Palace. Gone were the days when Pauline had to scrub floors and make beds. She had servants to do that. Instead she could wander the Palace gardens on horseback, read books in the library, and play musical instruments that cost more money than all the girls at Kyriahall Town Orphanage would ever own. It was deeply unfair- the fact that she could live such a lavish life just because of the way she looked, while others she knew had to beg for food. Pauline promised herself that she would not forget about Madame Dingle, Veronica and all the other girls she lived with for so long.

"I heard some ladies talking about how handsome Prince Erik is," Evalyn said, as she winked at Pauline in the mirror, "Is that true, Ava?"

Ava clearly stiffened. "He's a ...pleasant-looking boy."

Evalyn gave a taunting laugh and remarked, "Easy for you to say."

"Oh but he is pleasant looking," Pauline thought to herself upon seeing Prince Erik for herself. With auburn hair and a dashing smile, all the women at the Palace were entranced within seconds of his welcome. Pauline was no exception, except she was the lucky woman who the Prince knelt to.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, your Highness," Prince Erik stated before planting a kiss on her hand.

"And you, your Maje-ighness," Pauline stammered, suddenly unsure of everything Queen Gwendoline had taught her before.

She heard a cough behind her from Evalyn that sounded suspiciously like, "Curtsey," and so she lifted her skirts, tucked her leg behind her, and bend down. This technique was entirely incorrect, but luckily she was wearing a ballgown that hid her blunder.

The two were lead to the dining room, and sat across from each other. Evalyn, wearing a green masquerade mask sat beside her, while Ava was Gods-know-where. Pauline was thankful for the support, especially when it came to the food.

Pauline had expected a great amount of food, considering it was a Royal banquet, but fifteen courses was a little excessive. By the fourth entree (warm leek and garlic soup served with toasted bread), Pauline was already passing Evalyn pieces of bread under the table. If anyone noticed how Evalyn seemed to have an endless supply of bread, they didn't comment.

"I hope they give the leftovers to unfortunates," Prince Erik commented, as his thirteenth course was taken away, barely touched, "It would be a shame to waste so much good food."

Pauline's eyes shot up, and she said, "Yes! I was thinking the exact same thing."

The Prince seemed wholly down-to-earth, which was both understandable due to his sensible parents yet shocking due to his upbringing. When the guests raised their glasses to their special guest, Prince Erik cracked jokes, sending Evalyn and Pauline into uncontrollable giggles. He was the sort of Prince that they talked about in fairytales- handsome, charming, and emotionally mature. When the party was moved from the dining hall to the parlour, Prince Erik politely offered his hand to Pauline.

The two sat side-by-side and conversed for hours. For a peasant and a Prince, they seemed to have a deep understanding in each other. Surprisingly unable to crack into the chemistry of the two's conversation, Evalyn distracted herself by playing on the grand piano in the middle of the parlour. She began to sing with a clear, soprano voice, which attracted a few guests to comment on her talent.

"She's delightful. Isn't she?" Erik remarks, looking in awe at Evalyn.

This was too much for Pauline, who after years of singing knew all the issues with Evalyn's voice.

She wanted to blurt out, " She's too quiet! She doesn't pronounce her words well enough. She uses to much breath!", but this would seem petty.

Instead, she decided to completely upstage Evalyn. When Evalyn slipped off the piano seat, Pauline strode towards it and sat down. Trying to look as nonchalant as possible, she began to play a complicated melody on the piano. She sung.

The girls at Kyriahall Orphanage often made up stories about how Pauline's parents were bards from rival courts, destined to fall in love but never to be together. It was the only way they could rationalise her beautiful singing voice. In truth, unbeknownst to Pauline, her parents were far from bards, although indeed they were destined never to be together. Her singing voice was a gift from the Gods, and everyone in the parlour knew it within a few seconds of Pauline's song. Aside from a few gasps, a silence washed over the room as they marvelled at Pauline.

When Pauline finished the song, the parlour erupted in a thunderous applause.
"I didn't know Princess Ava could sing!" a nobleman declared.
"Me neither! What a cultured young lady," another voice chimed in.

Of all the echoed compliments and praises, only one mattered to Pauline.

Prince Erik approached the grand piano and said, "That was beautiful. You simply must play another one."

Pauline beamed. "Only if you sing with me."

"Oh, look at us," Prince Erik chucked, taking a seat next to Pauline, "Heir to Frostvale and the heir to Dulcinea singing a beautiful duet. This is the stuff books are made of."

Pauline began to play a simple lullaby often performed at the orphanage. She had no doubt the Prince would know it, but she checked for a nod of recognition from Erik. Upon hearing the famous introduction, he gave a twinkling grin, and Pauline knew to start.

"Once a lass met a ladYou're a gentle one, said sheIn my heart I'd be gladIf you loved me for me."