Acacia in Wonderland

Unexpected Visit

It's been a 4 days since the first royal dinner and I've started to get a little to comfortable here. I actually started to enjoy living in the castle other than cleaning up after the queen. I'd gotten into a pretty solid routine and I had pretty a good amount of privacy. Don't get me wrong I'm was always busy but the queen never really supervised my work. I hadn't seen Clyde in a while so I was shocked when he came knocking on my door. On Sundays the queen was out taking part in flamingo crocheting tournaments, so I was pretty much free to do what I wanted today.

"Come in." I said. I'm incredibly bored and the conversations I have with him always seem to amuse me so what could it hurt.

"I've come bearing an invitation to the palace ball tonight." Clyde declared in a royal manner and bowed.

"A ball is being held without the queen I am simply appalled by this notion." I said jokingly, while buying myself some time to think.

"Well it is my coming of age party, and she finds her tournaments much more amusing then me." I saw a hint of sadness in his eye but I couldn't tell if it was a figment of my imagination or if he actually cared.

"You have no one else to go with you to this ball?"

"Well there are plenty of ladies that would love to, but you looked dreadfully bored and I thought being in my presence would bring you joy."

"Huh, so you care about my joy." I said questioningly.

"Sort of."

"Yea okay I'll go but don't take this as a gesture of friendship I am only saying yes cause there's nothing better to do."

"Anyways, because you are attending the ball with me you must look dazzling." He said looking me up and down. "Don't wear anything close to what you wore to dinner last night. You looked terrible. Red is sexy though so maybe stick with that."

I wanted to wipe that smug look off his face but knew there was no point in fighting with him. He is relentless.

"Okay, when does it start?"

"Around 7. So I'll knock on your door at about 6:30."

"Alright see you then."

He waltzed out of the room looking happier then ever. And even though I hate to admit it, the fact he chose me made my confidence soar. My feelings don't matter anymore. Even if I liked and forgave Clyde, I can't stay in this castle. Living in constant fear of my head being chopped off is not how I want to live the rest of my life. The sooner I leave the better. The longer I stay, the more it will hurt to leave.

***
He sent up a seamstress and it seemed she had more fashion sense than the other. The dress she made was red, not exactly my style but the sweet heart corset top, surrounded by sparkling crystals was dazzling and the puffy bottom of the gown truly made me feel like a princess. I decided to do my makeup just to be safe and chose a darker crease with a shimmering gold on the lid, along with a dark red lip to compliment the dress. I looked at myself in the mirror over and over but the darkness just wasn't me. Yes, I looked gorgeous but I didn't really feel it. Apparently I had been looking at my self for over and hour and Clyde came knocking on the door. I went to answer it but the seamstress Lilliana insisted on presenting her work. I stood nervously in anticipation of his reaction hoping he liked how I looked, even though I knew it didn't matter. As she opened the door I kept my eyes on his face trying to capture every facial expression I could. His dark black eyes grew wider, his lips parted into a wide smile instead of his usual smirk and his cheeks started to warm.

"You look okay and making the poor girl open the door for you was a tad to dramatic for you Acacia. Don't you think?" He said plainly, trying to hide his original reaction.

"Oh please I know I look dazzling." I replied smiling. Knowing well that he loved every second of drama.

"Now whose confident. Are you coming or do you want me to carry you down to the ballroom?"

"I'm far to weak to walk myself, I'm just a little girl." I said pretending to faint but preceding to fall back to far. As if he anticipated this action he swiftly moved to my rescue and picked me up in his arms.

"Ruining the moment as always my dear. And fine if you insist that I carry you I will but don't get used to it."

Little did he know are adventure would soon come to an end. As I was planning to leave by Wednesday but I decided to make the last few days extraordinary.

Xoxo TweedleKara