Ascending

Chapter Two

After almost two days of revising and creating the plans for the ball, I finally have a baseline. I will need to have a meeting with the chefs and order all the decorations. Then of course I will need to make all the invitations and have them sent out. But if I have one more second of work I will scream.

So is abandon all my papers and plans to go relax. My study is attached to my bedroom, but the two rooms differ from each other highly. Where my study is cluttered my room is barren.

Washing off the day in the shower I let myself breathe for the first time in hours. I apply masks and scrubs to the patches of skin that are vying to cause me trouble. Princesses don't have bad skin.

I change into a large marron sweater that goes past my fingertips and mid-way down my thighs. It's hot so I put on black shorts that are almost invisible under my top. I then pull on my favorite baby blue socks that are fuzzy and slide across my slick floors. My hair hangs untouched down to my ribs, drying in the air.

With fifteen minutes until my dinner is to arrive I settle myself down onto of my plush comforter with a knotted quilt wrapped around me as I view movies on my television.

"Lady Kelly is requesting that you dine with her this evening, Princess," Kennedy drones from beside my television.

"No," I respond almost immediately. "I've had enough of the Elders today."

"Your food had already been delivered to the Gratitude Manor. Lady Kelly states that if you will not join her she will come to you."

"Oh for the love of the Court," I mutter angrily. "Get one of my pre-programmed outfits."

Then jamming the buttons on my remote control the television retracts itself back into the ceiling.

I stomp into the bathroom where I reluctantly repaint my face and plait my still damp hair down my back in a thick braid.

I snap my grandmother's bracelet on my wrist to please her. Then taking the outfit from Kennedy I dress while letting out a string of swear words.

The shirt is snow white with a sweeping neckline. Then a pleated skirt with a blue and red plaid pattern. I feel like a schoolgirl as I pull the grey socks on that reach over my knees.

My white ballet flats slap loudly against the concrete as I cross the place grounds to the row of mansions that reside outside the gates. The grandest mansion is the Gratitude Mansion, which stands with its windows glowing in the early twilight.

I take a long breath of the warm air before stepping inside. The passage to their dining room is lit with oil lamps and all the furniture has been dusted. All for me? Goody.

I almost gasp in relief when I see only my grandmother sitting at the table. I'm not sure how much more of my grandfather I could've handled today.

"Sit," She smiles.

I take my seat across the small table from her and see the pesto noodles I ordered.

"You did wonderfully today," she grins.

"Excuse me?" I ask sticking a mushroom with my fork.

"I think it's wrong of the others to push you to have that ball. You're to be the queen, you know the responsibilities that come with that." She speaks in a soft warm voice.

"Thank you," I say meekly.

"You speak like you already rule."

"No, I don't," I scoff. "I'm still a petty teenager that can't get over herself, Nana."

"Emmy, you know that's not true," she shakes her head.

"There is a reason I don't get coordinated until I'm twenty," I cut her off.