Angelica looked over her shoulder at her hair in her mirror. She had requested her maids’ services for the first time in many months to braid her hair in a fancy fashion that looked like it had taken hours. And in fact, it practically had, even with both Janna and Beth working on it. Her request had surprised them, but they launched into it without complaint, and even seemed to be enjoying themselves when they were able to convince her to allow them to apply some hints of makeup to her face.
An elegant royal blue dress hung on the door of her wardrobe. Once her hair was done, she had Janna and Beth help her into the dress. As they tightened and tied, Angelica’s thoughts drifted back to her father’s visit two hours ago.
“I am expecting your presence at the dinner tonight,” he had said.
“Of course, Father,” Angelica replied with a charming smile.
She knew the look in his eye as he nodded his approval and left her room. He thought he had her figured out. He assumed that she always did the opposite of what he wanted her to do, but were that always the case, it would make her just as predictable as Penelope. Her father had assumed that by telling her that he wanted her to be there, that she would disappear into the stables or the forest for the remainder of the night, unseen to his distinguished guests. But Angelica wanted to see Kenneth again.
The dining hall fell silent as Angelica floated in. There had been no announcement for her entrance, but every eye was on her. She smiled at her father, as she approached the table, curtseying as was customary, and then nodded to her mother, who was looking both beautiful and murderous.
Kenneth caught her eyes as she moved around the table, and sat in the seat that was always left vacant for her next to her sister. Penelope smiled as Angelica sat down. She was served her meal, and she sat eating, talking happily with her sister.
She ignored the eyes staring at her; all except for Kenneth’s. Every time she looked at him, she was greeted with a smile. Angelica was used to attention, and to the stares she received, but it was the first time she could remember having positive attention from a man. The princess figured she should enjoy his presence as much as possible.
The ball after dinner was pleasant enough. Angelica stood out of the way, but in a place where she could still see the activity on the floor. She accepted a drink from one of the servants, and had just sipped it when her mother floated up. Her blonde hair was piled tall on her head, and a low cut green dress spilled out over her body, just barely brushing the floor. It had probably taken her hours to be laced tight enough for it to fit.
“I suppose even the lowest mutt can be dressed up for occasion.” Her voice was low, but carried all of the venom Angelica had come to expect from the queen.
“Your visage would prove otherwise.” She responded smoothly.
Her mother colored, though it was barely noticeable under the makeup caked on her face. With a sound of annoyance, she turned and glided away.
“Quite a splendid evening.” Angelica glanced at the man who move up beside her.
“Good evening, Jeffery.” The princess said with a smile, curtseying.
The king’s advisor bowed in response. “Princess Angelica.”
“It is indeed, and my sister seems to be enjoying herself.”
“As she should be. They make such a fine pair, and it will do well to bring Houses Millian and Hethal together.”
Penelope and Kenneth were the main attraction of the night. Angelica had to admit her sister looked stunning, a purely happy look on her face.
“Is that your professional opinion?”
“As much of one as I can give with such an odd monarchy,” Jeffery replied. “People are starting to make decisions based on your father, the Elder of House Millian, as the King for an indefinite period. Long enough that your sister could very well inherit the throne. The fact that an Elder has never held the monarchy for more than a year or two in the past has quite a few people confused.”
“You can hardly blame them. Everyone expected another Heir to be born by now, but I suppose Lucinia works in mysterious ways.”
The song picked up tempo, and Angelica saw that her sister was looking quite tired. She had danced quite a few dances already, but of course the ball was just starting.
“If you would excuse me.” Angelica handed her drink to Jeffery, who nodded. She crossed the floor, weaving in and out of the other dancers, to where Penelope and Kenneth were dancing. “May I cut in?” Penelope studied her sister for a moment, and then nodded. Angelica took Kenneth’s hand, and continued with the dance. She floated across the dance floor, matching her movements perfectly in time with the music.
“You are an excellent dancer,” Kenneth commented after a moment.
“You could use some work,” Angelica replied.
That earned a chuckle from the Elder’s son. “I suppose I shouldn’t have forgotten who it was I was talking to underneath all of that finery; though I have to admit you look as comfortable in that dress as you did in your tunic earlier today.”
“They’re only clothes.” Angelica spun, her dress flaring out beautifully, in time with the song’s ending crescendo.
Kenneth clapped along with the other guests until the band struck up the next song. The young man then offered his hand to her and Angelica took it with a smile and they began to dance again.
“So what are your plans for tomorrow?”
“Doing what I normally do, not that you care. You will be spending the day with my sister, preparing for your wedding.”
“The wedding has not yet been decided upon.”
“You know well enough that this is all just fluff.” Angelica smirked.
“I suppose.” Kenneth smiled.
Angelica launched into the next song with just as much fervor as the first. Kenneth did his best to keep up with her quick steps, and she watched him with mild amusement. After the next song had ended, she excused herself. She gave her sister a quick kiss on the cheek before leaving the ballroom and heading back to her room.
As soon as she arrived back in her own quarters, Angelica flicked on her radio. A quintet was playing a famous piece by Mayer entitled ‘Moonlight Secrets’. She called in Janna to help her out of the dress, and then dismissed her for the night.
Angelica turned the dial, honing in on another station, and a man’s voice came through the radio almost immediately. “Earlier today the esteemed Elder Gareth Hethal arrived at
Angelica caught herself smiling at the thought of the handsome young man. He had not been the best dancer she had ever seen, but he had tried his hardest to impress her.
“Reports of the humanoid demon, Naresrom the Terrible, are becoming more frequent in the
Angelica paused, putting her full attention on the radio.
“The Choir has been called in to investigate but have not released any information on their findings but assure us that they are doing everything in their power to quell this uprising as soon as possible. It is known that Naresrom uses highly destructive fire magic, so if there are any odd outbreaks of fire, or if anyone happens to see Naresrom, or any other humanoid demon for that matter, we would like to remind you to run as far and fast as possible before reporting the incident.”
The princess nodded at that. Ever since she had been young, every tutor had been adamant that if she ever met a humanoid demon, she does just as the announcer had said. It was something that all children were taught as young as possible. Humanoid demons, though rare, were extremely powerful. Even the Choir treated them with caution.
Nothing else nearly as interesting as the humanoid demon rampage was mentioned, and as Angelica picked up her hairbrush, she switched back to the music station. Music floated around her as she lovingly brushed out every knot and tangle from her hair, until it lay down her back in soft waves, shimmering teal in the crystals’ light.
Angelica turned off the radio and knelt next to her bed for her nightly prayers. She made the sign of the Heaven. “Thank you for the beautiful and happy day, Great Goddess Lucinia. Your blessings were appreciated and I pray you continue to honor me as such.” And then she made the sign of the Earth. “Thank you for your blessings of the earth today, Great God Terranok. It was thanks to you that I was able to evade my watchers without having to harm them in any way. And thank you for your child who allowed me to meet Kenneth.”
The princess climbed to her feet, turning the crystals off before climbing into bed. She could still picture Kenneth’s beautiful blue eyes in her mind and his handsome face as she danced with him. It had been a pleasant day to say the least.