Young Writers Society

"Rise and shine, Princess Rachael. Your ball is today. I wouldn’t want to deprive you of your beauty sleep, but it's already half past twelve and you have much to do," Laurie said opening the curtains in Rachael's room.

"Already?" she yawned, "I didn't finish my dream."

"Time waits for no man—or woman."

"Well, we best not keep mother waiting. She'll be worried I've come down with something."

"Right, miss. I'll get you dressed now."

While Laurie laced Rachael's corset, Rachael wondered who her mother was going to invite to this special occasion. They hadn't had one in such a long time. Maybe it was what she needed after all—some change.

Will I really meet my future husband at this ball? It seems like a dream—something that would happen in a fairy tale. I guess I'll have to find out. No one can see the future, but I fear my marriage isn't far off. Oh, how I wish I didn't have to leave mother. We need change desperately but not this kind. She'll be so heart-broken when we can't spend time together anymore or maybe I'll be heart-broken. I'm afraid the decision won't be mine to make in the end.

All this was running through Rachael's mind like a hurricane. She couldn’t keep from thinking about it. Her mind was soon taken off of the subject, however, once Laurie finished pinning her hair.

"There you are, miss," she said with a satisfied air.

"Thank you ever so much, Laurie. I should ask mother to promote you. My hair looks absolutely beautiful."

"Oh, ma'am I'm just doing my job. It looks so plain compared to your beauty," she blushed.

"And you are very humble for someone who's been working here for so long. Trust me your presence is greatly appreciated. I know mother adores you and finds your company comforting... I wish there was something I could do for her. I know she's hiding her pain. I can feel it when walks by, hear it when she speaks, and see it when I look in her eyes. She's such a strong woman my mother. I look up to her. I think I've even placed her on a pedestal. She will fall one day and it shall be my fault. . ." Rachael said as she stared at herself in the mirror in front of her.

Laurie left the room when she saw a tear trail down Rachael's face. She didn't know how to comfort people and her presence just felt out of place when these sort of things happened. Rachael didn't think of herself as pretty or beautiful she felt like a horrid being. Why was she so cold? Why did she feel no emotion when her mother hugged or kissed her?

What's wrong with me? Will I ever find happiness again? I should be happy! My whole life is ahead of me. I have many adventures to come. I'll have children and marry a wonderful man. But why can't I get a hold of happiness? Rachael wondered as while walking down the marble stairs.

Her mother was talking to some men at the bottom. The room was a very wide open space. There were tapestries hanging on the walls, a crimson rug covered the floor, and valiant knights guarded the halls to the left and right. The castle was almost a maze because one could easy lose their way if not familiar with the layout.

"Ah, Rachael. We will be inviting princes from all over the lands. We shall definitely find a man for you this time. I suggest you go into town and try out some new gowns—no you know what. I found the most beautiful one there the other day. I think I'll have a servant pick it up for me," she said then gave her daughter a peck on the cheek.

"Thank you, mother. Might I ask--"

"Oh no you may not! I want it to be a surprise. Now, go read something or daydream like normal girls your age do while I talk with these servants about the arrangements."

Rachael smirked and walked off to the library. There many books were just calling out to her. It was filled with fairy tales, maps, and many more selections. The decision was a hard one to make but she soon found a book that stood out to her. She picked up the well decorated book and began flipping through the pages.

Maybe all I need right now is some mushy fairy tale story with a perfect ending after all. Ah, this is the one father used to read to me when I was a little girl, Sleeping Beauty.

Suddenly Rachael became engrossed in the story. All of it was so real. She even wished she had some fairy godmothers to direct her path. Aurora hardly listened to their advice though. She was sure if she had one her godmother would not be taken for granted. Well, time seemed to be running away from Rachael. She was lying on the floor on her stomach reading the wonderful story. To her disappointment, a servant came into the library. He told her that guests were soon to arrive. Rachael gasped and looked outside. It was sunset. She rose to her feet almost instantly, handed the book to the servant, and dashed up the stairs. When she arrived in her room, Laurie was waiting to dress her.

"I thought you had forgotten all about the ball. . . Your dress is so majestic, ma'am. I was almost tempted to try in on myself. Though I'd fit into such a small thing."

Rachael marveled at the dress. It was royal blue, white gems were neatly placed across the front, and white gloves went along with it. A man would be lucky to get a chance to dance with her and she'd be lucky if she ever caught a break. It wasn't too revealing just enough to make a man stare at her chest rather than her eyes.

"Here's the necklace ma'am," Laurie said about to take off Rachael's locket.

"No, don’t! . . . I like this one better. I think it matches perfectly. Thank you, Laurie you are dismissed."

"Yes, ma'am," she said bowing.

I can't seem to part with this gift. I've become so attached to it. It's almost as if the necklace is my father. How silly I am.

Well, the guests arrive in a timely fashion and all were greeted cordially by servants and what not. The queen walked down the stairs by herself in a forest green grown with her crown placed perfectly on her head. She held her head up high as the visitors stood in awe. They all greeted her and her name was announced as she came down the steps after reaching the bottom she turned and waited for her daughter.

Rachael looked rather intimidated by all the strange faces but her mother's presence comforted her so she smiled, raised her head, and walked down the stairs with her hands folded. Once she reached the bottom, she was greeted also but she felt rather intimidated and wanted to hide herself. She was an awkward person to be around in social events. Her mother knew that when she became queen, however, she'd be able to attend these events with ease and not faint during a speech.

They all assembled in the ballroom. Chandeliers were hanging from the ceiling, the floor looked polished, and candles were lit to make a dim and romantic lighting. There were musicians on a higher platform playing violins and many other instruments at the front of the room. Everything was as it should be and all of the princesses and princes seemed to be having a wonderful time talking with each other and dancing about—all but Rachael of course. She was off in the distance standing by a guard at the entrance. She was planning on staying there, but she was almost instantly greeted by a young prince. He wasn't handsome at all, but Rachael didn't mind this since she didn’t have to impress him.

"Good evening, Princess Rachael of Vindel. Would you be so kind as to dance with me?" he asked with a bow and out-stretched arm.

"I would be delighted," she said lying through her teeth and curtsying.

They took the floor and did a waltz to a song that went like this:

Oh, tonight the air is sweet,

But you are what I desire.

Tell me when again we will meet.

I long for your warm embrace.

It was all too romantic for Rachael's taste. It made her feel uncomfortable.

After the song ended, she danced with another prince even less attractive than the other man she just danced with. He was good at dancing though, but he was quite the flirt. Rachael had seen him with many other girls. He would tickle them, blow on their necks, or wink at them as he passed by. This wasn't at all the proper behavior Rachael thought. He flirted with her as they danced which was actually flattering to Rachael but never in her life would she dream of marrying such a heady young man.

However, she soon found relief when another prince danced with her. He was striking and his hands were strong and masculine looking. His hair was neatly combed back and his outfit was just tight enough for her to tell he had rippling muscles. Dashing—in fact was the word Rachael would use to describe him—flamboyant even.

They danced to a song similar to the one mentioned earlier but it was much prettier. And didn’t have any words. It focused mainly on the violin, which always seemed to make Rachael's heart ache. It gave such a romantic air to the atmosphere. Rachael found herself lost in the eyes of the man in front of her. He was almost shy but his gaze was intimidating. When he held her, she felt chills running down her back but her hands were beginning to sweat. Luckily she was wearing gloves.

After the dance was over, he bowed to her and she curtseyed.

"I was a such a privilege to dance with a woman of your skill. . . Don't tell them I said this, but the women from Trent tend to step on my toes," the prince said looking over at the girls engaged in conversation in the corner of the room.

"Haha, well I will try my best to not crush your feet beneath me," Rachael said with a giggle.

"I must be off, your majesty, but I feel we will meet again," the prince said kissing her hand.

"Oh, but you have not given me your name yet!" Rachael said gaining his attention once more.

"Prince Frederick of Saetrum," he replied turning back to her.

"Princess Rachael of Vindel," she said with a nod and smile.

"My pleasure. Now you mustn't keep the hungry wolves waiting, princess. I'm afraid you have a waiting list," he said walking off for the last time.

Oh my goodness! Here comes another one. I shalln't have it. My feet are killing me. I don’t have to engage him. I'll just sneak off somewhere before he gets here.

With that in mind, Rachael slipped off tip toeing behind some of the girl dancers. The man followed her but when he was where he last saw her, she couldn’t been seen anywhere. She took off to the castle grounds. There she sat on a stone bench watching the fountain. She sighed in relief. Finally she could have some peace. The night was young and the stars seemed brighter than ever. She looked up and wondered which star was her father. Was he really watching her? Or was he laid to rest by himself nothing more than a corpse taking up space in the ground? She couldn’t bare thinking all he was just died that day but rather he was with her or watching her from afar.

Father, I know you probably guessed this already but I miss you dearly. If there was anything I could do to bring you back then I wouldn’t think twice. I just wish you were here to guide me. I feel so out of place like a black sheep. I don’t fit in and I've come to realize when you died you took part of me. Now I will never see you smile again; now I will never feel your touch; and now I will never hear your voice calling out to me. I just wish I had the chance to know you better before you left me to be somewhere else. . .

"I see someone else wasn't enjoying the party," said a mysterious voice from behind Rachael.