Ever After

☾Chapter Twelve☽

Ever admired herself in the mirror. As much as she hated wearing these fancy dresses, she looked beautiful. Her ball gown was a dark violet, attached to the skirt was a ruffled magenta bustle. The sleeves of the dress draped off her shoulders in a bell shape.

Why was she going to the ball? She wasn't Cinderella or anything, she was Ever. A witch, a thief, a- ...

Ever sighed.

She didn't even want to go to the ball. Why was she again? To pretend she was someone she's not and never will be? Everyone would be showing up in fancy gold carriages or nice sports cars, and all Ever had was her truck. Maybe this was Wylls form of a joke? He wouldn't be that cruel, would he?

Ever faced her fears and grabbed her truck keys off the counter. Her first challenge of the night: fitting her dress through the car door and driving in heels.

Ever didn't completely feel out of place, she definitely wasn't the most extravagant here, but she also had a more expensive looking dress than some ladies. Then again, her dress was paid for by the prince.

Ever stepped through the French doors leading to the ballroom. She passed by it every time she came here but seeing the room like this took her breath away. There was a large table overloaded with different types of desserts and finger foods. Conversation tables were darted around the outside edge of the dance floor and sitting on top of them were fresh yellow roses in glass vases. The ballroom was completely packed, from people dancing, talking, and laughing. Ever had to shove her way through the crowd just to get a look at the dance floor.

There, Wyll was dancing with a fake blonde heiress of some sort. They glided smoothly across the floor like graceful snowflakes.

"Excuse me?" Someone tapped her shoulder, and she shuddered at the familiar voice.

Ever turned around and smiled.

"Why, Prince June. It's been forever hasn't it?" Ever giggled jokingly.

Prince June's face didn't change to show any emotion.

"Would you care to dance?" He asked suddenly, and Ever felt like she didn't have a choice.

June held out his hand to her.

"Of course." Ever laid her hand on top of his and he led her towards the dance floor.

Wyll glanced over at her and June in curiosity.

June then guided Ever's hand into a dancing position and they swept across the floor in harmony.

"You're a lovely dancer." June remarked.

"Thank you. I honestly don't remember ever learning." Ever was somewhat confused by his small talk. Was he just being polite, or did he actually know what happened, and just enjoyed watching her writhe in confusion?

"Ah then you must be naturally this graceful." June smirked.

Ever laughed. "I wish."

"You know," June leaned in to whisper in Ever's ear.

"A couple days ago I found my pendant missing. Isn't that strange?"

She was in trouble. Her heart stopped and she felt like she couldn't breathe.

"That seems... unfortunate."

"Yes, especially after I recall the guards telling me you were acting quite strange the day you left. Not to mention the peculiar events that seemed to take place as well. " Ever stifled a nervous smile.