Cynosure

Dance With Me

Today's the day. Eden and I's 16th birthday. Also the day we'll be announced as official members of the royal family. Today is the day I come out of the shadows.

I know I should be more excited, to watch myself in the mirror get dolled up. To finally have people pay attention to my appearance and show gentle care to my body. But I can't get this foreboding feeling in my gut. After so many years of being in constant dread and suspicion I can't help but to think something will go wrong.

I sit quietly as the maids assigned to me brush me hair. My eyes had already been decorated with soft hues of pinks and browns and small gems glued around them. I look like Eden. Starting to anyways.

Hair tied loosely at the top and put down over my shoulders. Face impeccably flawless, as if I've just come out of a painting.

In my reflection I can see the gown chosen for me hung at the back.

"You'll love the dress Princess. The King had it imported from Leerye a few weeks back." One of the maids looked at the other.

"Leerye is famous for their artisans and seamstresses. It's absolutely exquisite."

Exquisite indeed. The dress was obviously custom made. Instead of the traditional two piece worn in these types of public affairs, it was a one piece dress with two cuts on the side going from the middle of my rib cage to my hip. The navel, obviously covered. The skirt was long and flowing, the trail extending several feet out. The ash grey color made my skin look brighter. The signature Leeryan red embroidery stood out against the fabric. Intricate twists and turns danced throughout the trail of the skirt. When examined closely, it looked as if a dragon erupted from my waist.

What the maids saw was nothing but a beautiful dress fit for a member of the Purcallidus family. What I saw, was Father's silent message. You are royalty, the dragon seemed to say.

I had always liked Father more. He was silent, stern, and liked mind over matter. He approved of my studies, acknowledged my ability to comprehend complex military theories.
Although Father was constantly busy with the court, I never missed his silent nods and small gestures of gifts every now and then.

Seeing myself in the dress made me look like an actual member of the family. Regal and proper.

"Princess, the ball is starting soon." One of the maids said to me as the other started to gather up the trail.

"Call me Gwen. Gwendolyn if you feel it's to improper." They both stop and looked at me.
"Princess, we wouldn't dare. We are merely servants."

I frown. Being called princess or your highness was something Eden and Mother loved. They basked in the fact that they were a level higher and I didn't want that.

"Please, call me by my name. Don't be so formal, it's stifling." I offer them both a smile.

"And tell me your names. I feel it's quite rude to keep calling the two people I'll be spending most of my time with now, 'you' and 'maid'."

One of them sputters out incoherent noises, not knowing what to say. The other drops the trail in her arms.

"Um. Prin- Gwendolyn. You're much different than I expected." The other states wide-eyes at her as if asking why she's speaking so familiarly with me.

"My name is Chitose." Looking behind me, she address the other maid. "Her name is Dia."
"Chitose. Is that Frovonian?"

"Yes it is. My family fled from Frovona a generation back during its famine."

"That would explain your features. There aren't many Frovonians here. I must say, your eyes are beautiful." Chitose blushed slightly.

"I've been told I look quite weird. Small eyes, light skin." Dia had seemed to come out of her shocked state, coming to stand next to Chitose.