Once upon a time in the kingdom of Dymond, the one eye–patched king angrily called for his two sons, the princes, to join him in the throne room.
"Kevin! James! Where are those two?!" the king bellowed. "You should never keep the king waiting!"
The king wasn't usually this cranky but this was a special occasion. His eldest son, Kevin, stepped into the throne room, the doors closed behind him, and he bowed before his father, the king.
"Father you summoned me?" Kevin said.
Kevin was a young man with brunet hair and black eyes. He wears a reddish–brown jacket with a hot pink sash over his shoulder, a gold crown on his head, pale–turquoise pants and short reddish–brown boots.
"Well there you are but where is your brother?" the king said.
The doors to the throne swung open again to reveal the younger prince James.
James was a young man with thick brown hair and soft–black eyes. He wears a light–blue jacket with a yellow sash over his shoulder, a gold crown on his head, greyish–brown pants and short reddish–brown boots.
"Sorry I'm late father." Prince James said walking up to the king. "I was inspired by one of the most beautiful sights at the garden. It was a blue finch that–"
"I don't care what it was this time James." The king said, cutting off his son. "I'm too aggravated to indulge in whatever flights of fancy you have today."
"Y–yes father, I apologize." James said, bowing to the king next to his older brother. No one noticed the snicker on prince Kevin's face.
When the king was satisfied, "Chamberlain Zircon, clear the room, I wish to speak to my sons alone." At his command, all the servants in the throne room left, leaving the king alone with his sons. "Kevin, perhaps you would care to explain to me this letter I received from our neighboring kingdom in Blue–Holliland."
"I believe I have made my opinion on that kingdom's royal family quite clear Father." Kevin said, standing up. Prince James followed.
"You snuck out of the castle while the princess was waiting to dine with you in the royal dining room." The king said.
"It's not my fault that the princess and her hotheaded mother didn't meet my expectations." Kevin said.
"That's what you said about the last princess and the one before that." The king said angrily. "I've had enough of your superior attitude and it's because of you that the queen of Blue–Holliland won't even consider your brother for a suitor to her daughter. I'm sorry Jamie."
"Oh, it's alright father." Jamie said. "I still have sometime before marriage. After all, I'll be 21 tomorrow."
"Oh no you don't." the king said. "I'm tired of waiting for the both of you to get your act together and be married." He points his golden scepter at his sons. "You with your arrogance and you with your nonsense." then the king scratched his chin. "But now that you'll be 21 you will have new opportunities awaiting you. Not only will you be eligible for marriage but also for the king's crown."
"Father..." Kevin chided.
"Be quiet son. I'm still speaking." The king stated. "When I was planning your birthday ball James, I came up with a brilliant idea. Not only will we be celebrating your birth with this party... but we will also determine the future of this kingdom."
Both of the of the princes were intrigued and frightened by what was to come.
"While Kevin was away, I sent invites to the ball not only to the most eligible of princesses but also to all the most eligible young maidens in my kingdom. From noble to common alike. And at the party, you two must select a bride and whoever chooses the best girl (or in some cases) any girl, will not only have my royal blessing... but will also be the next king."
The princes gasped.
"The–the next king." Jamie stuttered. "I–I don't know what to say."
"I do." Kevin said in anger. "Father you can't be serious. It was one thing when you wanted to marry me off to one of those 3rd rated princesses but now you want me to entertain *gag* peasants. I refuse to take part."
"Do that and you'll lose your chance at being king."
"As the eldest son, I am the rightful heir to the crown!"
"And as the current king, I get the final saying!"
Kevin made no rebuff at that.
"My decision is final." The king said. "Whichever prince chooses the best bride by the end of the month shall be the next king of the realm, after my time of course. Oh and no telling anyone about this, I don't want any cheating. Now go."
The princes left the throne room and while Jamie was rather anxious by his father's secret proclamation his brother, Kevin, was enraged.
"How could he do this to me? How can that... that–" Kevin chided as he walked down the hall. Jamie caught up with his brother.
"Well Kevin, you can't blame father for being a little impatient." Jamie said. "Besides, you know I have no intention of being king."
"Well, that's a relief." Kevin said sarcastically.
"And we both know all those girls at the ball will want to be with you, not me." Jamie said.
"That is not the only problem here, Jamie." Kevin scolded. "The biggest problem now is that I have to pick some dirty present from the squalors to be my bride because I basically pissed off all the neighboring princesses and if I don't choose a bride I'll lose the crown to you." He turned and faced Jamie angrily. "Listen, you may be my brother but don't think that's going to save you if you try anything. At the party, I'll pick the best first and tell father that she will be my bride and after that, you can choose the 2nd best like always but remember that I get first pick. This way I will be king and you can live for another birthday next year." Before Jamie can respond, Kevin stomped away into a different room and slammed the door behind him.
"Oh, that temper of his." Jamie said in a worried tone. "Well, I guess I have no choice but to play along. Which shouldn't be too hard... After all, who would want to marry the second prince."
Far from the castle and the village, there was a fine country estate that belonged to Lady Jasper Beta. The woman had two daughters and one stepdaughter.
Jasper was tall and muscular in physique with plump lips, amber eyes, and thick, beige–white–colored flowing hair that was often in a ponytail.
Her eldest daughter was named Scarla but she was often nicknamed 'Skinny'. She looked a lot like her mother except Skinny's hair short and she was incredibly thin.
Then there was the second daughter, Carnelian. She had her mother's amber eyes but unlike her mother and sister, Carnelian was short and stout. She also had long burgundy colored hair.
Though Jasper and both of her daughters held a certain sense of beauty, they all seemed to pale in comparison to the stepdaughter; Lapis.
Lapis was a lovely young woman with blue chin–length hair with a fringe that covered her entire forehead, and it occasionally looked messy. She had a slim figure with lightly tanned skin and royal blue eyes.
When Lapis was only a child, she lived with her father and stepmother in the house but when her father died, Lapis' stepmother's true nature was revealed; ruthless and headstrong. Jasper hated Lapis for her charm and beauty and forced her to become a slave in her own home. Lapis' fine clothes and large bedroom were taken away and traded for tattered dresses and an attic. And so, it had been for the last thirteen years but even after all those years of cruelty, Lapis' kind heart remained and she only grew more beautiful by the time she was old enough for marriage, only angering Jasper even further.
Every day Jasper would load Lapis' day with endless chores and for the last month, Lapis' chores were extended to helping her stepfamily get ready for the prince's birthday ball. Lapis spent weeks making dresses and learning how to do perfect hairstyles for her stepmother and stepsisters.
"LAPIS!" a gruff voice shouted.
Jasper was as impatient as ever this morning. Just one more day before the ball and there was still so much to do and her 'servant' was still asleep at eight in the morning.
"LAPIS!" Jasper shouted again. "Is that brat going to keep me waiting all day!" Jasper said as she marched up the stairs to the attic where Lapis lived.
In the attic, Lapis was still sleeping on her cot and the only one who heard Jasper's yelling was Lapis' small, green kitten; Peridot.
"Oh no, she's coming." Peridot said.
The kitten went to the sleeping girl and pawed at her face.
"Lapis, wake up," Peridot said. "Your stepmother is coming."
Lapis' eyes opened from the kitten touching her face and she sat up slowly.
"Good morning," Peridot said.
Lapis rubbed her tired eyes and said. "Morning Peridot... I must have overslept."
"There's no time to worry about that!" Peridot shouted. "Jasper is coming up the sta–"
The kitten was cut off by the sound of the door slamming open.
"LAPIS!" Jasper shouted again.
Lapis jumped to her feet in fright and gave a quick curtsy with her nightgown. Peridot fled out of sight and hid under a discarded shoe box.
"Forgive me, ma'am. I just woke up and–"
"I don't care about your excuses! Just hurry up and get dressed and get to work on making our breakfast. You got a lot to do today!" Jasper said before leaving.
"Yes–" Lapis said before her angry stepmother slammed the door behind her. "Ma'am"
When Jasper was gone, Lapis quickly dressed in her usual dirty, tattered, and faded blue dress, grey apron, and black slippers. The green kitten came out of her hiding place and had a sour expression on her face.
"That mean old witch." Peridot hissed. "If I were bigger I'd claw her eyes out."
"Only if she doesn't crush you to death first." said a nasal voice.
It came from the window and both Lapis and Peridot recognized that voice belonging to a bird who was named Amethyst. Amethyst was a small Purplejay (Bluejay but purple) who had been friends with the girl and kitten for about three years now. Lapis found the little bird on the ground in the backyard with a broken wing, but thanks to Lapis' care, the purple jay was flying again and she's been with Lapis ever since.
"Har har Amethyst." Peridot said. "I didn't see you coming to Lapis' aid."
"I hate to admit it but I wouldn't have a better chance at her then you would, furball." Amethyst said.
"How many times have I told you not to call that, you flying rat." Peridot hissed.
The bird stuck her tongue out at the kitten.
"That's enough you two." Lapis said. When she was dressed for the day, Lapis stooped down, picked up the little kitten and put her in the apron pocket. "Come on." Lapis stepped out of her room but then looked at her window and said. "Amethyst, meet us downstairs at the kitchen." And she left.
"You got it, dude." Amethyst said before flying out of sight.
Lapis quickly made her way to the kitchen and cooked breakfast for her stepfamily. Lapis' friends in the meantime were having their own breakfast, Peridot had a saucer of milk and Amethyst had some grain that was in a burlap bag hanging next to the back door of the kitchen. Jasper and her daughters ate their breakfast without giving a word of thanks to Lapis for her service.
After that, Lapis went back to the kitchen, grabbed the bag of grain and went outside to feed the animals. There was a pinkish–brown hen with five little scarlet chicks, a periwinkle blue cow, two goats; one indigo and one light green–yellow, and finally, there was the white goose named Pearl.
"Lapis good morning to you." The goose greeted with a small curtsy.
"Good morning Pearl." Lapis greeted.
The goose considered herself to be the head of the barnyard animals and closest friend to the friend/feeder of the animals; Lapis.
Lapis scooped out Amethyst from the feed bag and let her fly off before spreading the feed for the animals to eat. Amethyst landed on Pearl's feathery back.
"Hey Pearl–y," Amethyst said. "What's the word from Aquamarine?"
"Get off me." Pearl said shaking off the purple jay, she then stuck her beak in the air. "I'm not obligated to tell you anything and besides Aquamarine hasn't returned from the palace yet."
"I still don't get how you got that finch to work for you." Amethyst said.
"I have my methods and Aquamarine just likes spying and filtering around their gardens. I just like to hear about what goes on in the royal palace." Pearl said.
"Whatever, Goose–y Goo." Amethyst said flying back into the house.
"Okay, that ought to do for now." Lapis said, handing down the rest of the feed at Pearl's rubber feet. "I'll see you later Pearl. Please keep an eye on things for me."
"Will do Lapis." Pearl said before eating.
Later that day, Skinny and Carnelian were having some last–minute dancing lessons from their mother (although they were still very clumsy) and Lapis was doing her chores with Peridot the cat and Amethyst the purple jay for company. Lapis was in the stepsisters' room, cleaning.
"Honestly Lapis the way they treat you." Peridot said picking up socks off the floor with her teeth. "They never thank you for everything you do for them."
"I don't mind it, really." Lapis said picking up clothes and putting them in a hamper. "They give me food to eat and place to sleep and I don't mind if her daughters don't talk to me very much. It's better than them screaming at me like Jasper does."
"Can't argue with that." Amethyst said. She was on the Carnelian's dresser putting the jewelry back in their boxes. "But Lapis, doesn't bother you that they won't let you go to the ball?" she asked.
Lapis paused in thought. "No of course not." Lapis answered not looking back at the bird.
Lapis was lying, however. All Lapis could think about recently was to go to the prince's ball. When the invitation came, she was so excited. After all, the invitation said all the young, eligible maidens of the house must attend the ball by order of the king and she wanted so much to go. Not because she wanted to meet the princes but she wanted so much to dance and go one day without feeling like a servant. But when she voiced out this wish to her stepfamily, they only gave her the following responses.
"As if anyone would want to dance with you."
"You're too dirty."
"I won't let my family be seen in public with some filthy little brat like you."
It broke Lapis' heart thinking that she would never have her dreams come true because of her family. She had heard about the palace from the blue finch, Aquamarine, and it all sounded so wonderful. Especially the palace gardens and the prince that goes there to admire the flowers. Lapis didn't know what the prince looked like but Aquamarine described him as kind and poetic. She didn't care whether she caught his attention or not, Lapis just wanted to meet someone new.
Back at the barnyard, it was late at night when the very finch that Lapis and Pearl had thought about had arrived back to the estate. She flew to the wooden box where Pearl's nest was.
"I'm here!" Aquamarine said in a loud, sing–song voice. Aquamarine was very childlike in nature and like most children it was acting first, thinking later.
"Shhhh," Pearl said. "Not so loud. Do you want to wake up the whole estate?"
"Oh alright." Aquamarine said. She landed on the ground. "But do I got news for you. Ohh wait, where's Lapis? She needs to hear this too."
"She's inside, cleaning after her stepfamily no doubt." Pearl said.
"Well, what are we waiting for, come on." Aquamarine said, flying for the open attic window.
Pearl tried to stop the finch but she was too fast. Without much thought to the consequences, Aquamarine flew into the house with Pearl flying behind her. Though not as fast as the finch, Pearl made her way to the window and found that Lapis wasn't there but Aquamarine was on Lapis' cot as if waiting. Flapping her wings, Pearl landed on the floor of the attic.
"Lapis?" Pearl squawked. "Amethyst? Peridot?" she waddled around.
A groan could be heard from up above. It was Amethyst in her nest, it was on one of the railings of the ceiling.
"What's with all the squawking?" Amethyst said, swooping down from her nest.
"I need to tell Lapis something important and I refuse to move until she arrives." Aquamarine stated. She then sat on the cot as if she owned it.
"Aquamarine," Pearl said. "You know very well that you and I are not allowed in the house. Now let's get out before we get poor Lapis in trouble."
"Oh, relax Goose–y," Amethyst said. "The big meanie and her daughters went to bed an hour ago."
Just then the door to the attic opened, it was Lapis and she looked so exhausted, and Peridot sleeping in the apron pocket. She was surprised to see all of her bird friends in her room.
"Pearl? Aquamarine? What are you doing in here?" Lapis said. "Not that I'm not happy to see you."
"Lapis! Lapis! Lapis!" the finch sang as she flew off the cot and started fluttering around Lapis at a fast speed.
"Aquamarine. Shhhh." Lapis said trying in vain to stop the spirited little finch. "My stepmother might hear you. Please hush."
The kitten yawned. "Yeah hush up." Peridot said sleepily/annoyed.
Aquamarine stopped in front of Lapis' face and continued to flap her wings. "Sorry sorry. I'm just so excited."
"Do you have any news from the palace?" Lapis asked.
"Yes, and it's big." Aquamarine said. "And I didn't want to say a word about it until I found you because it's a secret."
"Secret?" Peridot asked.
"Yes," Aquamarine said. "And I heard it from the prince himself."
"The Prince," everyone said in surprise.
Lapis cupped the finch in her hand, walked to the cot on the floor and sat down. "Okay Aquamarine, tell us everything."
"Well, today I saw the prince Jamie..."
Aquamarine was flying across the sky over the palace when she saw a down casted Prince Jamie leaning over the balcony of his room. Ever curious, the finch flew to the railing of the balcony and landed close to the prince. The prince didn't seem to notice her at first, so Aquamarine gave a little tweet and the prince finally saw her.
"Oh, hello again." Jamie said. "Have you come to lift my spirits with your song? I could sure use it."
Aquamarine said nothing but just stared at him.
"I'm in a real predicament, my little friend." Jamie said. He then turned his head from side to side as if looking out for someone. "Can you keep a secret?" he whispered to the finch.
'Maybe...' Aquamarine thought. 'What's the secret?'
"My father has told me and my brother that whichever prince finds the best bride... gets to be king."
Aquamarine inwardly gasped.
Lapis and her friends gasped at the news.
"I can't believe it." Pearl said flabbergasted.
"Prince James could be king... but he's the younger brother." Lapis said.
"Apparently it doesn't matter." Aquamarine said. "Whichever prince finds the best girl to be his bride, gets to be king. And I got so excited that I flew straight back here to tell you."
Lapis was intrigued at first but then she was sad.
"That's definitely something but it doesn't matter. Thank you for telling me Aquamarine but right now I'm very tired and would like to get some sleep." Lapis said. She put Peridot down on the ground and removed her apron.
"Glad to help." Aquamarine said. "Good night Lapis." She flew off and out the window.
"But Lapis–" Amethyst said.
"It doesn't matter because I'm not going to the ball." Lapis said. "And I don't want to anyway."
"Oh, Lapis..." Peridot said.
"Please Peri. Just let me sleep." Lapis said sadly. She then laid down on her cot and closed her eyes.
"Psst Amethyst." Pearl said. She motioned the purple jay to follow her.
Amethyst did so and so did Peridot. They followed the goose to the other side of the attic, away from Lapis.
"We can't just sit around and let Lapis' heart be broken." Pearl whispered.
"She said she didn't want to go." Amethyst said.
"Amethyst, surely you're not that naïve." Pearl said. "Lapis obviously wants very much to go to the ball."
"Yeaaaaah. I knew." Amethyst said. "I couldn't even fool myself with that. But what can we do?"
"Amethyst does have a point, goose." Peridot said.
"I–I don't know." Pearl said. "I guess all we can do is just be there for her and pray for better times."
"What we need to pray for is a miracle." Amethyst said flying for her nest.
As the birds and cat talked, Lapis tried to fall asleep despite the tears in eyes. Soon Peridot returned and came to comfort her owner by cuddling under her chin and purring.
'I want so very much to go to the ball.' Lapis thought as she finally drifted to sleep.