Chapter 4: Princess Lessons
Rose gasped in pain as Belle tied her corset laces before looking at her apologetically,
"I'm sorry, Rose. Don't worry, you'll get used to it" she assured,
"No she won't" Regina added and all Robin, Rumple and Killian could do was snicker like three 5 years olds' cause both Belle and Regina to pop their heads out from behind the dressing screen with warning glares on their faces which soon shut the three prince's up,
"Is this really necessary?" Rose asked painfully,
"The court would have a field day if any one saw you in a dress with no corset" Regina told her glumly,
"Field days are supposed to be peaceful" Rose groaned,
"Plus I look ridiculous" she added with a moan causing Belle to giggle,
"You're lucky its not a masquerade" Rumple's wife pointed out and Killian chuckled,
"Don't tempt me to ask my father to change the theme" he called out to the ladies in a teasing manner,
"Remind me what the hell is happening?" Rose called out to Killian for nearly the hundredth time,
"Tonight is the celebration of the winter solstice. Every year the royal family and court celebrate with a ball here at the castle. It gets bigger and better every year" he told her as Rose emerged from behind the screen with Belle and Regina and Killian's mouth dropped at the sight of her,
"What is it with men and the size of their balls?" she asked confused causing Regina to snort in amusement and Belle unpinned Rose's hair, allowing her curls to fall and it was only then that Rose noticed the way Killian was looking at her and she held an expression of confusion,
"What?" she pressed and both Robin and Rumple had to smack the back of their brother's head at the same time in order to bring him back to reality and he stood quickly, nearly causing Rose to fall over,
"Nothing!... I... You look... Good" he faltered and his brother's put their heads in their hands, hopelessly,
"Good good or... Bad good?" Rose asked uncertainly,
"Is there a bad good?" Killian asked confused,
"I'm sure if there was then I would find a away to look like it" she replied and Killian shook his head with a chuckle,
"You look fine" he assured but Rose was still not convinced,
"Why do I have to go? No one will notice if i'm not there" she pointed out but Killian shook his head once more,
"All guests in the castle have to attend events held within the castle. It's a custom" he explained and Rose didn't see both Regina and Belle look at each other with confused expressions on their faces,
"Alright, We'll see you ladies tonight. Even prince's need to get ready" he grumbled before leaving, followed by his brothers but both Belle and Regina came after the three men,
"Killian, why did you tell Rose that its custom she attend the ball tonight?" Belle asked quietly,
"It's not my place to tell her tale but I will say this... She's been through a lot and I believe tonight's event will cheer her up... Plus I still feel awful for the way I treated her when we first met" he added and the two women nodded in understanding,
"Don't worry, Killian. We'll make sure our future sister is law knows exactly what to do and what not to do" Regina assured before both women rushed back to Rose's room,
"Hey, who said she's going to be your future sister in law?" Killian quietly hissed after them but it was hopeless and his brothers chuckled.
Rose would secretly pass carrot sticks off her plate to Killian the pig whom sat in her satchel, hidden under the table by the silk tablecloth; It was a miracle she had been able to sneak her snorting friend into the ball without being noticed by the other guests but she simply kept herself to herself so as not to draw any attention.
Killian was far from happy when he saw Princess Milah enter the ball but his blood boiled even more to see her on the arm of some handsome lord by the name of Graham,
"What is she doing here?" Killian growled, going to stand but his father made him sit back down,
"Don't let her aggravate you, my son. A prince shall hold his head high even in the presence of pure annoyance" the king reminded him but Killian could only glare as he watched Milah dance with her new gentleman friend and he soon stood before heading over to Rose's table and lent down so he could whisper,
"I need your help" he told her in a firm but quiet tone,
"With what?" she asked just as quietly,
"I need you to dance with me" he told her,
"You've got to be kidding me" she said with a humorless scoff but Killian looked at her seriously,
"Do this for me and I owe you a horse" he said and Rose looked up at him thoughtfully,
"Prized mare?" she asked causing the prince to roll his eyes,
"Deal" he grumbled and Rose smiled before nodding,
"Alright... Give me a sec" she said before lifting the table cloth slightly but dropped it as if she had been burned,
"Ohhhhh noooooo" she murmured to herself,
"What's wrong?" Killian asked her quietly and she pulled him down more by his cloak clasp,
"I may have lost Killian Jr" she mumbled innocently and Killian closed his eyes,
"You brought the pig?" he asked calmly,
"I couldn't leave him in my room he would have been lonely" she defended quickly and Killian helped her to stand,
"Find the pig... Quickly" he instructed before heading away to search one side of the room whilst Rose went to search the other.
It was five minuets later that Killian and Rose came to stand by each other again,
"Did you find it?" Killian asked desperately,
"He is a he, Killian. Not an it" she corrected firmly but they both looked up quickly when Princess Milah ran out of the ballroom being chased by a baby piglet as she screamed in terror,
"Found him" Killian and Rose chorused before running after Killian Jr.
It was the next morning that both Killian and Rose stood before the king as little Killian Jr sat by Rose's side whilst on a leash,
"I am only going to ask this once... Who is responsible for the pig getting loose?" the king demanded firmly,
"Well... Technically he's a piglet..." Rose tried but the King gave her a warning expression and she quickly pointed at his son,
"It was his fault. I was keeping an eye on him and he distracted me" she said quickly,
"Are you kidding me?! He's your pig!" Killian yelled at her in defense,
"He's a pigLET!" she yelled in correction,
"ENOUGH!" the king yelled causing the two to fall silent like stubborn children who had just been scolded,
I don't care how it happened but it is not to happen again. Am I clear?" he asked firmly and both Rose and Killian nodded before Rose picked up Killian Jr and they both left the throne room; The doors closed and they both burst out laughing after looking at each other,
"I never knew pigs could be quite so scary" Rose said laughing,
"Are we talking about Killian Jr or Milah?" Killian asked and they both began laughing harder as they went off towards the grounds to take Killian Jr for a walk.
Killian's father waved his hand and his adviser quickly came to his side,
"Send for Dorian... I have a question for him regarding Lady Rose" the king murmured and the adviser nodded before heading off quickly as the king held a curious expression on his face.
To Grace5231973, thank you for your review but I'm sorry to say that I didn't actually base this story on a particular fairy tale. I got the whole silver arrow idea for a game I played recently called "Spirits Of Mystery: The Silver Arrow" It's a great game and I recommend it to all.
Thank you to all my other reviewers. Please review in order to unlock chapter 5!
Kind Regards,
TheAuthor1996
