Once Upon A Drunken Mistake

11. Winter Ball

The song came to a slow stop for the third time that afternoon. Benjamin kisses Flora's hand and in return she courtesies. Guilia and Madam Greer applauded as they stood up from their seats. Guilia walked over to Flora and took her hands.

       "We prepare you as much as time has allowed us to, now the rest is up to you." Guilia said and Flora gave her a grateful smile.

       "Thank you," she replied before turning to Madam Greer. "Both of you."

"You have the makings of a princess." Madam Greer answered, a genuine smile accompanying her statement. "Now we shall let you get ready for your big day."

"You remember the plan we discussed, right?" Guilia asked.

Flora nodded before repeating the plan to Guilia. "I will enter the hall as a representative for Glitz and Glam Magazine, mingle for a few minutes and by seven meet Benjamin outside the ballroom so he can escort me to my royal suite where you will be waiting alongside Antoni to get me ready." Flora said and Guilia nodded.

"Very well, I shall start heading to the ballroom. Hayden and his parents must already be there." Guilia commented. "You will do amazing my darling."

"Thank you," Flora said once again before waving Madam Greer and Guilia goodbye. Flora walked over to the main staircase and headed to her room.

"You got this," she whispered to herself, trying to gain the confidence to go through with the plan. Flora walked over to her bathroom and adjusted the water to her liking. She quickly undressed herself and entered the shower, letting the warm water relief her stress. "You got this."

After washing her body, she rinsed the soap out and stepped out into the steam-filled bathroom. She put some lotion on and began blow drying her dark locks. Once they were dry enough, she brushed through her hair and untangled it. She placed on her undergarments and walked out with a white cotton robe draped over her body.

"Are you ready your highness?" Indiana asked with a teasing smile.

Indiana wore a nude gown with flower decorations on the top and a sequence belt. He blonde locks were picked up into a high ponytail, with a few strands sticking out to frame her face.

"You were able to make it." Flora sighed happily as she walked over to hug her friend.

"I wouldn't miss this for the world." Indiana replied as she stared at her friend proudly. "Let's get you ready."

Flora walked over to the black garment bag laying on her bed and unzipped it to reveal the baby blue silk gown the company had chose for her. Indiana scrunched her nose in disapproval.

"I guess we will have to work with this." Indiana mumbled as she pulled out the dress. Flora took of the white robe she wore and Indiana helped her get into the gown. She zipped it up and adjusted the silver strap. "Now for the hair and makeup."

"Let's do something simple," Flora said. "It's going to come off anyway."

Indiana nodded and began with Flora's hair. The blonde decided to do a simple side-part low bun. She made sure the hair was slicked down and no hair was out of place.

"Are you ready for the whole world to know the truth?" Indiana asked. "Well, the partial truth."

Flora shook her head before replying, "I'm scared of what happens after, especially after the annulment."

"The reporters will create drama at first, but it will subside and it'll all just be a memory from the past." Indiana replied as she began Flora's makeup. "It'll be a fun story to tell your grandkids."