In the last chapter, Olive (The main character) woke up in a strange castle with no memory of her former life. Slowly she is getting small memories back. The party had just begun when we last left off.
“Hurry up! No time to dawdle. The party of the new year begins shortly.” I stood upon a pedestal and a lady slipped of my dress. She tugged on a corset so tightly, I couldn’t breath. A big hoop was pulled over my head. I felt like a puppet, my arms being guided by the strings of the dress maker’s hands. Petty coat after petty coat was added. Finally, a light green skirt was tied in front, exposing the front most petty coat. A darker green top was laced up behind me and a train added.
“My! Don’t you look dahling?” The dress maker exclaimed, examining her work. My cheeks were rosy with heat.
“Come on now, show me a smile then,” She declared. I gave a week smile, to the mirror showing my dimples. I sat on a little stool as she pulled and twisted my hair into a bun. Flowers were intertwined into the huge mass sitting upon my head. Bracelets, necklaces and rings were added to me and I slipped on a pair of high heeled slippers.
Powder made my face look white, and unnecessary red circles were painted on my cheeks. Not until the crown was added did I truly feel like a princess though.
“What time is it?” Madeline asked, entering the room.
“Quarter to two!” She exclaimed, glancing at the large looming grandfather clock. I was whisked off again. Dragged to the kitchen, stumbling slightly on my shoes. Spoons and forks were shoved in front of me, asking my opinion.
Olive ran up and down the halls, wearing her mom’s high heeled slippers. She had had her dress maker, only 25 at the time, paint circles on her cheeks like her moms. She dashed into the kitchen. The chefs played along, kneeling on one knee for her to make the ‘big decision’ of what would be eaten at the party that night. What she chose wasn’t important; it was her mom who really made the choice. The chefs all loved the little break, where they could play a little instead of slaving over the hot ovens, pots, and pans.
I took bites and sips of food and told the eager chefs weather they were good or not. Then they were off, again, to the dining room. The table had been set with plates, bowls, spoons, forks, knifes, napkins and glasses. They were all green. I was starting to notice a theme.
“Why so much green?” I asked Madeline.
“Because you are the owner of the castle, it's only fair we dedicate one small thing to you.” It made sense, all the green went along with my name, Olive. Small dishes with appetizers were being brought out and placed on the table. Everything was going so fast, I didn’t have time to think about my last memory. Off once more, we walked into the ball room. I could see people getting their instruments ready, tuning them and making sure they sounded good. A large red chair was placed in the center of a small stage, the one I had seen in my memory. I could picture my mom and dad sitting there, watching over the setting. People weaved in and out of the room, carrying flowers and trays and all sorts of things. Everyone was frantic; maids dusted one last time, butlers fixing their suits.
“Stop!” I finally shouted. Everyone froze in place and looked to their princess.
“This is madness!” I continued. “A party should be fun…Right?” I didn’t know where I was going with this. I was just winging it. “Now I don’t know much, but I do know that you shouldn’t be working so hard. The place looks beautiful! Maids, why don’t you stop dusting, because I don’t think it's doing anything. Butlers, stop fixing your ties and suits, because you look handsome. And chefs…well keep up the good work! This doesn’t have to be perfect.” I was about to say something motivational, but there was a knock at the door.
No one moved. They were still in shock I told them not to do what they had been trained to.
“Well? Answer it!” Madeline barked. A butler glided across the floor and regally announced that Madam Estelle and Sir John had arrived. They were dressed up fancily and had their arms linked. Estelle curtsied low to me, and John bowed. A butler came and escorted them to the table. There were more. Lots more. Soon people were flooding in through the ball room, curtsying and bowing, then taking a seat at the table.
“It's an honor to have you,” I said as Madeline told me too for the hundredth time. Finally a butler announced that everyone had arrived. I stood from my throne and walked slowly down the table. Keep in mind I had no idea what I was doing. I just found out I was a princess, then I was whisked away to attend some fancy ball in a dress that was strangling me.
“Shoulders back Ma’am.” Madeline scolded. I stood I little straighter and sat back down at the head of the table. As soon as I sat, chefs came flooding in through the kitchen doors with plates of food. We all ate merrily, well almost all. I sat quietly, still letting my new memory settle in. I pushed the food around on my plate, not eating much, even though the steak was perfectly cooked and the soup fantastic. I did sip a little champagne though.
When everyone was done eating, we migrated to the ballroom. Waiters wandered around, holding plates of wine and food for people to munch on. In the dining room, I could see the maids cleaning up.
“May I have this dance?” Came a voice from behind me.
