Author's Notes: My muse is being a little bit of a pain at the moment. But it isnt stopping me I have finished the next chapter and am working on the one after it. it will hopefully be 19 chapters long. and all uploaded before December first when Harry Potter 4 comes out :) (well for me anyway ;) so thank you to my reviewers:
Tychobrahe: Thank you for reviewing, you little lurker you. dont worry tis all coming along ;) enjoy the chappie
mistyqueen: i am happy you are enjoying it. thank you for reveiwing.
Gabi Web: Dancing isnt for the faint hearted ;) lol yeah if only my muse was as cooperative..
QueenTatooine: Yay i am improving :) works for me, but i still have a long way to go ;) thank you for all the encouragement.
hoolihoopergrl131: She wont be doing too much interfering but i think she will want to...
li'l bling bling: Writing more as requested.
Masked Dragonfly 0926: lol thank you for reviewing and i have sooooo happy you love my story :) :) :)
well lets see i dont own anything so dont sue me...so enjoy the chappie :)
The day of the ball dawned bright and too early for Christine who had trouble sleeping for the first time in days. She was scared, nervous and excited all at the same time.
Today was going to be one busy day. Christine had a few more last minute dancing lessons after breakfast before she was going to be abducted by Bethany after lunch, to get ready for the ball.
Christine rose and made the bed and got dressed in a simple light pink gown that Madame Porter had delivered yesterday. This one didn't require a corset and was quite comfortable.
After she did her hair in a simple plait and left her room, heading for breakfast. After staying in the palace for a few days she knew her way around, which was a relief.
Entering the Dinning room she was Travis was seated in his usual seat at the head of the table conversing with Derek. Bethany's chair was empty she mustn't be up yet.
"Morning Christine" Travis said brightly as Derek rose and pulled a chair out for her.
"Morning" Christine smiled first and Travis then Derek, in thank you.
"It is going to be a busy day" Derek said as he sat down "Are you ready for it?"
"As ready as I will ever be" Christine said, trying to sound confident
"Well make sure you don't practice dancing in the ball room" Bethany said as she entered "The servants have already began setting up, and we will be eating out on the terrace for lunch, because they will be setting up in here" Travis stood up and pulled out a chair for his wife, They kissed before Bethany sat down "There is a major clean up going on all around the palace so try to stay out of the way" She added pleasantly
"This morning is our special day" Travis said "you didn't forget did you?"
"Not at all my love" Bethany said smiling lovingly at her husband "I am all yours till after lunch" Travis smiled back, before continuing with his breakfast.
"My parents have had this tradition since as long as I can remember" Derek said once they let the dining room "Once a month, they usually spend the day together where they aren't royalty they are just a married couple"
"That is sweet" Christine said. "They love each other so much you can see it in their faces"
Derek laughed and took Christine's hand
"Now don't try changing the subject, time to dance" Christine groaned. She really liked the lessons that Derek had been giving her, she enjoyed having a reason to be close to him. But she was slightly less graceful and was positive that she had stood on Derek's foot at least a dozen times.
"Ok" She grumbled, but stopped when Derek pulled her in to his arms
"One, two, three, One, two, three" Derek counted Christine through the steps, She had improved greatly considering he only had two days to teach her a handful of dances. "It becomes easier when you have music to dance to" Derek said quietly in Christine's ear.
"I hope so" Christine said as she moved slightly forward and put her head on Derek's shoulder.
The steps went out the window then, they just enjoyed being close to one another.
After lunch Christine and Bethany were in Christine's bedroom having a "ladies afternoon" as Derek put it. Christine had her final dress fitting yesterday and her dress was currently sitting in her wardrobe.
"Now Christine the ball starts at five, the royal family, which is us, will be entering down the main stair case at six, and then we will be on the receiving line for an hour at least. Then dinner will be served in the dining room at 7:15 sharp. The dance will then be opened by Derek and you at 8:15 then the ball will end at midnight" Bethany said, making it all sound easy
"What will I be doing while you are on the receiving line?"
"You will be there with us silly" Bethany said "You will be entering with Derek down the main stair case too, I know you have only been with us for a few days Christine but I feel as if I have known you for a lot longer than that" Bethany smiled at Christine
"Thank you Bethany" Christine said as she leant forward to embrace the older lady "You will never know how much this means to me" Christine felt her eyes prick with tears. She took a deep breathe and sat back smiling.
"Now, Now no more tears, come I have a surprise for you" Bethany rose and took Christine's hand and lead her out of the room and across the palace to her private dressing chambers.
Christine looked around the room there were beautiful gowns hung up along the two walks with matching shoes under them. There was a large chest of draws up the other end of the room and a small sitting area with a mirror on top.
"Now I know that this is your first social engagement so I want to give you something, that my mother gave me on my coming out" Bethany said as she walked over a chest on the floor under a small window.
She opened the lid and produced a box. She walked back to Christine and presented it to her.
Christine looked questioning at Bethany before she took it. Lifting the lid Christine saw a small golden tiara with a diamond cut sapphire in the centre, a Sapphire pendant on a golden chain, Gold drop earrings and a small golden bracelet. Christine gasped
"I can't wear these" Christine said, trying to give the box back to Bethany
"I am not asking you to wear them, I am asking you to keep them. And if you tell me you can't again I will make it a command" Bethany said with amusement in her eyes
"I-
"Yes, you can Christine" Bethany said pushing the box gently back towards Christine's chest.
"Thank you" Bethany waved it away
"Come it is getting late, it is time to start getting dressed for the ball" Bethany said with a cheeky grin.
It was about two and a half hours later, Christine was loosing her patience. She had been washed, scrubbed, plucked, pulled, brushed, squeezed and painted and pulled all afternoon.
Bethany was dressed and ready. Her gown red with a laced bodice and flared before the hips in to a full skirt, Bethany's crown sat gracefully on her blonde hair that was woven in to an intricate up style. She wore ruby earrings and necklace. As well as several rings.
"Now let Christine have a look at her self" Bethany said at last, having arranged to have all the mirrors covered so Christine couldn't see herself till she was completely ready.
Christine came to stand in front of the mirror as Alyssa walked forward and removed the cover.
Christine saw herself wearing her purple- Blue gown. That had a square cut bodice with a gold hand stitched design, and then billowed at the hips in to a full shirt like Bethany's. The sleeves were tight till the elbows before billowing slightly. Her red hair was in a half up half down style again that sat up enough to accommodate the small golden tiara that sat there that matched the pendent, earrings and bracelet Christine also wore.
"Wow" Christine said having seen herself all dressed up before she wasn't ask shocked to see her self dressed as a lady. But it still took her breathe away.
"Christine you look beautiful" Bethany said standing up to join her "Now come on it is time to go" Bethany took her hand and lead her out of the room to the main hallway where Derek and Travis were waiting.
Travis only had eyes for his wife as she walked towards him leading Christine. Even after all these years she still could take his breathe away.
Derek was feeling something similar to his father. At that moment he knew that he was destined to be with Christine, his Cheeky, and funny Christine.
"You two ladies look beautiful" Travis said kissing his wife on the cheek.
Derek took Christine's hand and kissed it. Leaning forward to whisper in her ear
"You belong here, so do not let anyone tell you otherwise" Christine's breathe caught in her throat as he said those words; he always said the right thing. It was like he knew what Christine was feeling. When he drew back all she could do was stare. A trumpet sounding on the other side of the door shook Christine out of her stare.
"Their Highnesses of Tarlee King Travis and Queen Bethany and Their Son, Prince Derek" There was a pause "And Duchess Christine Garrett of Datson"
The doors were opened and music started playing somewhere in the hall as Travis took Bethany's arm in his and led her down the main stair case
Derek put his arm out for Christine to take:
"Here goes nothing" Christine said to Derek before taking his arm and letting him lead her through the doors and down the stairs.
Here goes nothing…
yay another chapter down and i hoped you all enjoyed it :) so dont forget to review :)
Emma Riddle