I hadn't lied when I felt my hands begin to shake with fear, or more so, nervousness. Would they recognize me? Would I have to force myself into a ridiculous disguise? All these over thinking thoughts corrupted my head, not allowing me to think for myself. It wasn't enough to drive me to insanity, but the likeliness was possible. Theoretically of course. I had built enough inner strength to force myself in a presentable manner. In a baby pink dress, I gazed at myself in the full length mirror leaning against the mocha coloured brown wall of my room. It was an acceptable length, ending just above my knee. The bust consisted of white laced ruffles around the sweetheart neckline, alongside a cute bow wrapped around my waist to emphasize the flow at the bottom of the dress. Somehow, the elegance made me able to smile at myself.

"Viola...are you ready dear?" My mother softly knocked on my half closed bedroom door, peering into my room. She appeared concerned, as if to question if I truly did wish to attend. I couldn't refuse. It was not my wishes to go tonight, instead, out of respect for my sister. She must have read my facial expression through my thoughts, soon showing a soft smile through her ruby coloured lips.

"Yes. Let's go, shall we?" I approached her, my hand placing itself momentarily on her shoulder before passing her by to approach the front door. She followed shortly behind me, alongside my father whom was dressed quite formal. A soft grey blazer with a white dress shirt, he almost looked like royalty. In my opinion anyway.

The sound of the house door closing behind us somehow caused an ache in my stomach. My hands began to sweat while my heartbeat suddenly grew and grew rapidly. Of course, I had my reasons for feeling such a way. Who wouldn't after being gone for 15 years? No one knew if I was alive or dead. It made me feel odd to know that. Gazing at my reflection in the car window from the backseat, I examined myself. I really hadn't known who I was, or who I was meant to be. Viola. Your regular commoner who lives with her parents. Or Princess Viola. In line for the throne, only never to receive. I hadn't worried about my status, though it made you wonder. What path would suit my life to how I wanted?

It was only until we reached the palace closer and closer to where my worries grew. I could see people dressed to the nines head to toe, laughing and smiling with one another as they made their way to the front doors. Limo's pulling up to the very front, I had assumed they were royals from other parts. When the car stopped, I could only brace myself as I watched a palace guard approach our car right when we stopped. He was kind enough to open the doors for us, even though it had been our car. Good impressions mean a lot these days I suppose.

All three of us stepped out, but I was hesitant. My eyes studied the palace head to toe. It was in front of me, after all these years. My feet felt glued to the pavement, unable to even reach the stairs leading up to the tall, gold encrusted doors that I knew so well. My fathers touch brought me back to reality, looking at me with concern.

"Are you alright Viola? If this is too much, we can-"

"No." I immediately interrupted. "I have to do this. I'll be fine." I looked back at him with a forced look of relaxation. It seemed to be enough to believe. "Let's go in, together. Okay?"

He nodded, holding out his arm to me. My mother peered over at us cheerfully, as all three of us walked towards the entrance, no hesitation left in me. We would approach the ballroom with ease, or more so, I would try my hardest. I squeezed tightly onto my fathers arm, finally making our way into the palace. Voices soon grew louder the closer we had gotten to the main area, until my feet stopped in place, causing my parents to stop. They looked back at me puzzled, until I spit out words that I hadn't expected to hear myself say so suddenly.

"...I'm going to go on my own. It's better if I let myself get used it by myself anyway. I'll see you soon alright?" I assured them as best as I could, not even awaiting for their answer. My ignorance somehow came through, making my way secretly up the staircase I hadn't known whether it was restricted or not. I heard my mother shout my name, but it didn't stop me. I let my feet carry me up the stairs, knowing where exactly I was headed. My curiosity had struck, knowing how quick I had to be in order to not let myself get caught.

I had to be wary of my presence, seeing no one had been in the corridors. It was empty, almost as if a word you spoke could echo all the way down the hall. I kept my breath quiet yet steady, able to still remember where my room had been. I could spot the pink coloured door from a mile away, standing out from the rest. I was a stubborn child, even remembering how I begged my parents to paint it such a colour. Now, I only wish I hadn't. But it wasn't like it was my room anymore. I had no reason to feel such a way.

My hand hesitantly reached for the doorknob, clinging onto it harder than I thought. I took a deep breath before I opened the door all the way. It took a moment before I stepped inside fully, seeing everything as I remember it. But the air was almost painful. You could tell no one had been inside it. The sheets on my large bed still had a clean scent to them, folded perfectly. I approached my vanity which was now much too small for me. There was no evident signs of dust anywhere. Had they cleaned my room even though I was gone? And why were my curtains still wide open? I hadn't understood any of it.

But one thing caught my eye. My unicorn had still sat on my bed, not moved. I took small steps back over to my bed, sitting on the mattress, still comfy to the touch. It was if I had never left. Everything still remained so similar. Both of my hands reaching out to the stuffed animal, I hugged it tightly into my chest. The scent was much like my mothers. The tighter I hugged her, the more I remembered things. It was painful enough to be in here, now, only to remember things I hadn't wanted to. I had to make my leave before anyone noticed. But it was already too late.

The door swung open, and I immediately stood up, placing my unicorn back onto the bed. I was thrown back by shock, backing up into the nightstand. But the face I looked back at was familiar. I could recognize her from a mile away. A diamond encrusted tiara sat elegantly atop her brown curly locks, while her eyes, much like mine, stared at me with shock. Her eyebrows were furrowed, as her eyes were drawn to the unicorn which was thrown out of my arms.

"...V...Viola...?" She murmured while gazing back at me. "No. It can't be."

"S-Sorry, I'll leave." I spoke suddenly while attempting to swing past her. But it was no use. Her hand immediately grasped onto my wrist, pulling me back towards her. It was forced eye contact for me, but for her, it was momentous.

"You're..You're alive?! You're here in front of me right? It's really you Viola?! Please-"

"S-Shut up! You always announce things more than needed." I burst out suddenly, seeing her eyes fill with tears. I had supposed that was the giveaway. I was pulled into my older sisters arms tightly, almost as if I couldn't breathe.

"Why did you leave me? Why? Please don't ever do that again!" She cried into my shoulder, as if i was the older sibling. I had no choice but to hold her back, running my hand down the small of her back.

"I heard the news and came. Prince Wilfred huh?" I spoke to her, until she pulled away, looking back at me with a strong gaze. She was hiding something. By that look, I always knew. She had something that she had to tell me.

"It was originally supposed to be you. It was decided since we were kids. But since you left, I was the forced option. This is an arranged marriage Viola." Her sniffles stifled for a moment, while my eyes grew with shock. She said it as if it meant nothing to her. Of course it was a big deal. Hadn't she wished to marry someone she loved. Unless, it was a different story if she really did love him.

"Anyway, who cares about that. Let's go tell Mother and Father!" She exclaimed, pulling my arm out of the room immediately, which caused my stomach to fill with nerves. I hadn't wished for this. What were the chances of this even happening?

"No, no no! Stop Jessica!" We stopped in the middle of the hallway, only to be met by another individual walking up the stairs. It was her fiancee, who's eyes immediately met mine with puzzlement. Jessica immediately ran up to him, pulling me alongside her. I seemed to have forgotten how annoying she had been. But love still existed.

"Prince Wilfred...this is my sister. Viola." Her formality came out suddenly, introducing me to Prince Wilfred. I watched as his face grew with surprise and of course, astonishment. I could only avert my eyes around to avoid the awkward situation.

"Princess Viola..." He said to me, now, fixing himself to now stand in front of me. It somehow made my heart start pounding at his strong, indifferent gaze. "It is an honour to finally meet you. I'm Prince Wilfred." He held out his hand for me to take. By using such a title in front of my name, it made me feel more awkward than I originally had felt.

But slowly, I took his hand. He shook it gently, soon bringing it up to his lips. Kissing my hand, I only wished I could pull my hand away from him. But instead, I let it happen. I hadn't known if it was his gaze that made me refrain from doing so.

But for some odd reason, I felt very envious of my sister.