Royally Falling

~ 15 ~

"So I'm gonna give all my secrets away
This time
Don't need another perfect lie
Don't care if critics ever jump in line
I'm gonna give all my secrets away"
Secrets - One Republic

oOoOo

On Saturday morning, I wake up in our suite at the Ritz-Carlton in New York City. Yesterday, Marc, Blair, and I made the five-hour drive to New York City. We met up with Xander and went out for a late dinner and got drinks at a club.

Amanda, Claire, and a few makeup artists are due to fly in this morning. They're attending the gala and bringing my dress. We need to be there by four o'clock to walk the carpet, so the majority of the morning and afternoon are spent getting ready.

You wouldn't think that it requires five hours to put on a dress and do hair and makeup, but it does.

The stylists have to make last-minute adjustments to my dress. It takes an hour to pick out jewelry, shoes, and a purse to match.

Then, we have to figure out a hairstyle and makeup look. I end up sitting in an uncomfortable chair in the bathroom for a few hours. They work on my face and get my hair to perfection.

I finally finish getting ready as we need to leave. Xander and I are ushered into a town car driven by Marc. Blair, Amanda, and Claire get in the car behind us.

"You look beautiful," Xander compliments me as he looks at my dress. It's the black satin one with the leg slit I picked out in October.

"Thank you. You look handsome," I respond. He is wearing a suit. The coloring matches my dress. His dirty blond hair is styled carefully.

oOoOo

The car rolls up to the venue. The street is blocked off by the police, and a red carpet is rolled out by the entrance. There are many reporters gathered by the carpet with cameras.

Marc swiftly puts the car in park and opens the door on Xander's side. Xander slides out of the car and helps me out. I stand up carefully, so I don't end up flashing anyone.

We proceed to the start of the carpet, followed by Blair, Amanda, and Claire. A few of Xander's bodyguards and team members are in front of us.

"Princess Katherine, Prince Alexander, over here!"

"Your Highnesses!"

"Princess Katherine, who are you wearing?"

Xander and I continue down the red carpet. The photographers yell to get our attention. It's a sensory overload, with all of the screaming and flashing bulbs. I almost go blind from looking into all the lights.

We make it inside, and I can finally see again. Xander leads me to our table. Our group has its own table near the front of the ballroom.

I look around the room. Most of the people are already here. There are some prominent celebrities, wealthy businessmen, and a few royals in attendance. The ballroom is decorated stylishly with glittering chandeliers and white carnation centerpieces on the tables.

People are slow dancing to the melodious music on the dance floor.

"Let's go dance," Xander leans down to whisper in my ear. He must have observed me looking in that direction.

I nod and he whisks me to the dance floor. We expertly sway to the music. The ballroom dancing lessons our parents forced us to take as kids have surely paid off.

"Welcome to the 30th Annual Make-A-Wish Fundraising Gala," A dark-skinned woman says from the podium on the stage. "If everyone would take a seat, we can get started."