Adelaide hasn't been close to her sisters, and so she wasn't just about to bring them to her wonderful underground world just quite yet. She would bring them later, when she was sure that they would not go tell anyone.
Her studies that day were impossibly long, so she faked illness to get out of them a few hours early. Skipping dinner, she locked the door to her room, staring through her gowns.
Running her fingers along the fabrics of her dresses, she pursed her lips as it seemed impossible to choose. She settled on a sea-green dress, one of her most elegant.
Adelaide was giddy as she dressed, for once, not having a servant in to help her. She couldn't risk anyone knowing, she didn't want to lose her perfect world.
She hurried, determined that Prince Virion would see her finest. The urge, the desire to see him had rooted itself deep within her being. She knew that she needed to do this, she knew that it would be alright.
When all things were well and done, the crown princess made her way into the Underground World. Settling into the boat, which she took no time to reach, she stared eagerly across the water, her hands idly smoothing out her dress in nervousness.
A smile reached across her lips, as the sight of Virion reached her eyes. She forced herself to take her time as she stepped off the boat, determined to be the most elegant and graceful thing that he had ever seen. Apparently, Adelaide's ideas were working. He seemed very impressed with her as he approached, taking her hand as she got off the boat.
"My lady, I hadn't dare hoped you would return, but it is obvious I have underestimated you." The way his lips moved entranced the princess, and she forced herself to stop staring.
"Prince Virion, I could dare not refuse your wonderful invitation." She was afraid her words would sound rushed, nervous, but if they did, Virion did not notice.
Gently taking her arm without another word, he escorted her to the table. She hid a gasp at the foods, so wonderful that she could hardly wait to taste them. Her stomach chose that moment to rumble, as if reminding the princess that she had indeed not eaten yet.
Virion laughed a little as he pulled out her chair, sitting her down. "Princess, do they not feed you at your palace? Please, I must insist. Eat! There is plenty, and I do not want anything to trouble you."
Adelaide smiled, watching as a footman served the food to them. Heaped with food, the plates seemed like they held so much more than they should. With a nod from Virion, the footman took the trays away, and left them to eat.
The food was amazing. Each bite seemed more delicious than the next, and she could not help but shut her eyes as she savored the food. After dinner, they danced.
Her heart raced, and her mind became blurred, her memories fading. The next thing she knew, she was hurrying back to her room, her dancing slippers worn out completely. Tossing them by the door, she fell into bed, completely exhausted.
For the next week, her pattern continued. However, her father grew very suspicious of her worn dancing slippers. Every night, after having bought her a new pair, he would find them worn in the morning.
Knowing that Adelaide would be overly cautious, he turned to his second oldest. Beliarosa was very close to her father, and despite her older sister's loathing of her, she very much respected Adelaide. She agreed to her father's wishes, but she was not about to hurt her sister.
For the next few days, Beliarosa acted her normal self, save for the fact that she watched her older sister closely. She was puzzled as to what Adelaide was doing. Her eating patterns began to change, she noticed. In the evenings, she would usually have a very light dinner, or no dinner at all, and breakfasts were light as well.
"My sister must be eating somewhere... But where?" Belia couldn't understand. "The only way. It's the only way. I have to follow her. I have to watch her."
The younger one did not realize what exactly she was getting into. As night drew around, Belia excused herself from dinner a little early, earlier than Adelaide. Creeping into her sister's room, she glanced at the new pair of dancing slippers their father had left at the door. Her gaze shifted about the room until it settled on the closet. Moving quickly, she tucked herself into the closet with the door slightly ajar so she could watch for her sister.
The minutes seemed like eternity for her, but finally, Belia saw the crown princess enter her bed chambers. Adelaide locked the door behind her quickly, and ran directly for the bath. Belia found herself sighing.
Great. She thought. Now this'll take forever. But I suppose she does have to get ready for wherever it is she's sneaking off to. Father won't be happy. I wish I didn't have to tell him.
Another eternity passed before Adelaide emerged in a robe, her hair slightly damp. Scurrying for the closet, she flung the door open. Belia had barely enough time to shrink back so she wasn't seen.
Her heart pounded in her chest, and she was sure her sister would spot her. Belia could barely breath, and her only hope now was not to be seen. She didn't know how she'd explain this to her sister.
Adelaide moved through the dresses, frowning. "This'll never do. I need a new one. I'm getting tired of all these old ones..." Finally, the young woman settled on a silvery-gray silk dress, and proceeded to take it out. As she stepped away from the closet, Belia muffled her sigh of relief.
Adelaide's preparations continued until she had made herself as elegant as was possible at the moment. Belia grew quite impatient, but continued to watch from her hiding spot. Finally, Adelaide headed to her bedpost. Pressing the sequence of designs, the door in the floor opened for her. Beliarosa's eyes widened in surprise at this, and she leaned forward to get a better look.
Unfortunately, her balance was off. With a thump, the second oldest tumbled out of the closet. Adelaide looked up sharply, and stared at the intruding younger sister.
"Beliarosa!! What are you doing here?" The heir questioned in her most authoritative tone. But the younger one of the two sisters mustered up her courage.
"No, Adelaide. The more important question is what are you doing."