Hey guys! Sorry for not uploading in a few days, but I was kind of all written out after uploading four times last week. Never fear! I shall attempt to upload every Wednesday from this day forth! Also, sorry that this chapter is so short, but I just couldn't get into it. I promise the next chapter will be amazing. ;)
I love you guys! Keep up the comments and the votes! Feedback is MUCH appreciated in all shapes and forms. I love getting input from all of you. Stay happy and message me if I don't upload in a week. School starts for me next Tuesday. Sophomore year! Wish me luck and comment telling me what YOUR favorite thing is about school! (I like it cause it gives me something to do)
~xoxo Britt <3
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I awoke in the morning to the smell of cut wood and fresh flowers. Throwing the silken sheets off of me, I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and let my feet make contact with the smooth wooden floor. All the heavy blankets and coverings were bunched up at the foot of the bed. Stretching my arms and yawning, I stood and made my way into the dressing room.
The racks had been socked and dresses hung on either side of the compact room. I quickly found a dress to suit my mood, although I would've preferred jeans. It was a beige color with a thick black striped pattern running vertically from v-neck, short sleeved top to floor length, full skirted bottom. I stood in front of the full-length mirror on the back of the door and tied my brown hair behind my back with a blue ribbon. I missed elastic bands. They were so much simpler.
I slowly made my way into the lounge room and saw a vase full of large, white... weeds? They would be tiny to any human and I recognized them as the little white and purple flowered weeds my Aunt hated. They were placed on the smooth stone coffee table, which was really just a flattened, ordinary rock placed in between the plush, red couches. A note was tied around the stem of the plant. It read:
"Dear Nadia,
I was wondering if I could take you for a walk today and show you around. Knock on my door when and if you're ready to go.
Your's truly,
Prince Westley
P.S. The Prince had me bring this in here this morning. If you don't go, I might just have to hurt you. Have fun!
~Eliza"
I rolled my eyes and walked to the door that separated Westley's chambers from mine. Figuring there was no way Eliza would let me get out of this, I knocked. The door opened instantly, as if Westley had been waiting anxiously just on the other side. I gave him a questioning look, one eyebrow raised.
"What?" he asked, self-conciously smoothing his loose, white shirt and running a hand through his curly blond locks. I shook my head and smiled, looking at the floor. Sometimes guys could be so dense.
"Are we going to go?" I asked, looking into his bright blue eyes. I noticed that he looked more rested than I had seen him in a whole and I wondered if it had to do with the change of scenery?
"Oh, yeah," he said, offering me his arm and giving me a dazzling smile. I accepted it and wrapped my hand around his bicep. With no further ado, we exited into the corridor through my chamber door. Eliza was sitting on a bench just outside reading a book. She stood and curtsied as we walked by, giving me a sly smile. I rolled my eyes at her.
"Eliza is a nice girl," Westley commented once we'd made it out of her range of hearing.
I nodded in agreement. "Yes she is. She's probably my best friend here."
"I'm sorry my parents forced you from your home and everyone you love. You must miss your mom, your Aunt, and Tonia." Westley sighed. I smiled bleakly up at him, touched that he apologized for something that he didn't do, but sad that he had brought up my past.
"There's nothing to apologize for," I decided, giving him a side hug. "I made my choice."
"Yes, but you were pretty much forced into it. You didn't really have much of a choice," Westley argued.
"Let's not talk about this now," I croaked, swallowing back the lump that was beginning to form in my throat. Westley nodded and we continued walking in silence for a while.
The long hallways in the castle were lit by glowing orbs placed atop pedestals. They were placed at even intervals and made the smooth, wooden walls shine. The whole palace smelled like wood, not surprising since it was carved out of a tree.
Every so often, the walls were adorned with beautiful tapestry and I wondered if the Queen had made any. Soon enough, we turned a corner onto a maroon carpeted corridor which led to a tall staircase. I groaned at the sight of them and Westley laughed at me.
"Would you like me to carry you, Princess? Its much faster if we fly to the top," he suggested, preforming a perfect bow, causing me to laugh.
"That would be lovely," I smiled, attempting a curtsy. He grimaced at my sad try.
"You're not very good at that. You should have Eliza teach you how to do it properly," he said seriously. I rolled my eyes and threw my arms around his neck.
"Just shut up and fly," I commanded him. He cocked an eyebrow, placed his arms around my waist, and lifted me off the ground.
"So, do you like the palace so far?" asked Westley as we ascended the stairs, his wings flapping powerfully behind him.
"I haven't seen much of it yet, but from what I have seen, its impressive," I replied, nodding my head.
"Well since we came in on a balcony, I'm guessing you haven't seen the roof gardens yet?"
"Is that where we are headed?" I wondered aloud. Westley nodded and set me down as we made it to the top of he staircase. I smoothed my dress as we came to the top of the staircase. I smoothed my dress and took his arm again when he offered it. Then I realized that we hadn't seen any people. "Where is everybody?"
"Probably preparing for the ball."
"What ball?" I asked, my curiosity perking up. To my friends back home I hardly ever showed my girlie side, but everything ladylike was beginning to wear off on me here.
"No one has told you about the ball yet?" Westley asked incredelously. "Well, I guess everyone is so used to knowing about it that they forgot. You see, we host a three day ball once a year and end it with a harvest festival exactly a week after we move into this place."
Just as we made it to a large set of doors, which In assumed led to the great outdoors, we were met with a resounding plea for us to stop. I turned and saw Ester racing towards us, her wings pumping furiously as she strived to catch up with us. Once she made it to us she stood on the ground and curtsied.
"I'm sorry Highnesses. I know you were looking forward to a nice long walk, but I'm afraid I have to cut it short. Nadia needs to begin her dress fittings. Eliza was supposed to tell you this dear! My apologies, Prince Westley. Come along, Princess," Ester said in a rush. Westley frowned, but didn't protest when Ester began to lead me away. I gave him a pouting look, silently begging for him to save me, but I guess he knew better than to argue with the mighty Ester.
The rest of my week leading up to the ball was filled with needles, thread, pins, ribbons, bows, fabric, and just about every color of the rainbow. I couldn't even begin to comprehende why I needed so many dresses until Eliza finally sat me down and lectured me on morning gowns, luncheon gowns, afternoon gowns, dinner gowns, evening gowns, and outing dresses.
It all seemed like too much effort and all I wanted to do was stay in my room and sleep or take a walk to the still unseen roof. Conversations with Westley were short and surprisingly few in between, considering we were next door neighbors. Somehow, I still found myself growing closer to him (much to Eliza's delight), but nothing could prepare me for my first Autumn Ball...
