Helix

Chapter 2 - Ruby

Was I going to do this?

There was still room to go back...right?

I paced in front of the two massive golden gates. I wore a white gown that billowed at my ankles. My long hair was piled on top of my head, adorned with sparkling jewels. My maid had spent hours fashioning it with what felt like magic hands, but it was so excessive. Gingerly, I lifted the folds of my dress and readjusted my mask for a final time. I took a deep breath in and walked through the gates.

"First Princess Ruby Elaena Maxmillian!"

The loud statement rang through the ballroom, muting all conversation. I felt dozens of pairs of eyes locked on me. Studying me. I mustered a smile to no one and counted the seconds of silence before that was replaced by loud indistinct chatter again.

I never liked the masquerade balls the palace held. Too much forced extravagance and blatant showing off of wealth. Everything was so superficial and I hated the even more superficial smile I plastered on my face each time. That's why I tried with every excuse I could find to avoid coming. But I guess my luck had ran out, because there I was, wading through floor-sweeping dresses and twirling figures. Ha, thanks for the complimentary sweeping service, dresses. Eventually, I made my way to where my parents sat. Of course, they placed their golden, over-the-top thrones in the most attention-garnering spot in the ballroom. The metal was literally its own light source in the center of the ballroom.

"Father," I bowed my head and turn slightly, "Mother." Here it comes, I braced myself.

My parents nodded their heads in acknowledgement. "I see you finally decided to show up, Ruby," Father said evenly. He, unsurprisingly, matched the extravagance with glinting jewels showered all over his body, from the crown on his head to the diamond buttons trailing down his coat.

I winced, but I tried to hide it. Too unladylike, Father would say if he saw. It was also impossible to sift through the dry sarcasm in Father's words. The King and Queen exchanged glances and smiled at me, but I was only startled by the cold, toothless curls of their lips.

"Go and have some fun, Ruby. You should at least try to enjoy everything we do for you."

How ironic those two words were: For you. I've heard that phrase repeated a million times already, so much so that it has long since become an excuse and reason for everything. Please. I'd like to contend that Early Evolution of Cross-Stitching and Celery: The Creation and Cooking with Everything Celery were anything but "good" for me.

But just like every other time my father's voice dropped into that unidentifiable tone – I called it the Oh No Tone – I nodded and left with the proper poise fit of the First Princess. Even the orchestra solos didn't have its usual calming effect on me, because Father's words still rang in my head like a ticking clock.

Ooh, cake! In order to dwindle the hours I had left, I grabbed some cake – though I made sure I only had three pieces maximum, as instructed by my dietician. Even though I was taught early how to taste wine, I never liked it. But today, I felt a rebellious flame that taunted me to taste a sip. I relished the wispy feel of the rich juice as it evaporated on my tongue. A weird feeling, but strangely, I liked it.

"Would you like to dance, milady?" said a voice behind me. I flung around, seeing a boy bowing in front of me, his left arm extended invitingly. He looked about the same age as me, wearing a plain blue vest and matching pants. The only adornment on him was the piece of gold satin draped across his chest. I couldn't help but notice how the depth of his blue clothing matched the depth of his eyes. He looked up and cracked a smile. No, it was more than just a smile. A smile was the type of smile my parents spared me when they wanted to keep up with their public appearance. His smile, though, was genuine. A set of white, genuine teeth minus one front tooth and green eyes that twinkled with it.