I'll try to update as often as possible. This is my first fanfic, so I'm still figuring things out. Constructive criticism is happily welcome, and I would love it if you guys gave me some reviews. :) Thank you so much for reading and enjoy.

It was the day of the ball, and all of the foreign princes were coming to the kingdom. The only excitement was coming from the servants, they always got excited about these kinds of parties. Ebony and I, on the other hand, did not. We both knew what prince we wanted to sweep us off our feet. We both knew we would never get him. It was not possible, because she wanted a commoner and I wanted a prince. Her family had always urged her to pay attention, because her next husband could be in attendance. I would constantly try to cheer her up, especially right beforehand. "So, I heard there is a prince coming that no one has seen before." I started.

"Mysterious," Ebony said sarcastically.

"You need to cheer up! Look, I know you have no interest in any of these princes but you need to give them a break. They want to be at the ball about as much as you do." Ebony rolled her eyes, "I know, I just wish I could go into the village. I want to see what else is out there. Who else is out there. So help me, I will not stay cooped up here my whole life. Oh, I forgot to tell you, I asked father if you could come to the ball. He said he would be pleased to have you."

My shock left me speechless. "There is less than three hours until the ball! You're telling me this now?!"

Ebony sighed, "Three hours is more than enough time. Don't be so dramatic."

"Beauty takes time. I don't even have a suitable dress." I said.

" Now that is where you are wrong."

I groaned, "I can't possibly use one of your fancy dresses. I am merely a handmaiden." No matter how unfortunate that was, I will not take someone's charity dress.

"I simply cannot go." I sighed sadly. "But thank you so much for the offer. It was nice to imagine."

She smiled, "Well, stop imagining silly. I have notified our current predicament to the seamstress, and you have yourself a new dress." There was a loud knock at the door, and I felt my excitement growing.

A young ginger haired woman peeked her head through Ebony's large bedchamber. "I have 2 ballroom gowns?"

"That would be us." Ebony said. The seamstress made her way inside, with two servants trailing behind her holding our dresses. She explained the details of our dresses to us, and we were about to burst with excitement. The servants still had them covered up by a black sheet and the suspense was killing me. I didn't even care what they looked like, It was more than enough that I was getting my own dress. The seamstress kept talking, mainly to ebony. "I chose yellow and navy as the colors for you, princess. I thought they would compliment your brown eyes and dark hair, and for your handmaiden-"

"My name is Rose." I stated with my arms crossed.

"Oh, well then… Rose, I chose a dark red for your dress. It should do well with your pale skin and blond hair. I didn't think to incorporate the color of your eyes, though. Now that I think more about it, your green eyes would have gone very well with a darker blue."

I smiled, "That's fine, it's more than I could ever ask for already."

"Alright then. Here are your dresses," she pulled the black sheets off the dresses in a mystical fashion. I gasped, my dress had a sleeveless dark red top, with golden jewels embroidered in a swirly fashion around the waist. It fell out into a huge red and golden tulle skirt, with different golden jewels set around it. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever laid eyes on, and it was all mine.

Ebony's dress had a short sleeved yellow lace top, with a navy blue waistband. Her skirt was yellow, with navy swirls embroidered into it. "Let's put them on and see how they look!" Ebony said excitedly. Overcome with eagerness, we quickly dispersed to different rooms to try on our dresses. My dress fit like a glove, and I still couldn't believe I got to go to a ball. Usually I would stay in the princess' room until the ball was over, and she would tell me all about it. This would be my first opportunity to attend a ball. That reminded me, "Ebony!" I shouted in a panicked voice. "What is it?! Does the dress not fit? I was so sure-" I cut her off, "No, the fit is perfect! I have no idea how to dance!" It wasn't like I had any real desire to learn before now. I had seen Ebony dance at her lessons, but I was only watching. I had never tried it for myself. I heard Ebony sigh loudly on the other side of the wall, "Alright. Let me think." she paused and I waited in anticipation for the next 5 minutes. "Okay, Rachel!" she called to one of the servants who had held our dresses moments before. "Tell christophor we require his assistance immediately!" Christophor is the stable hand, but he is known throughout the castle for his waltzing. If anyone ever had a desire to learn to dance, Christophor would be the person to teach you. I heard the maid scurry off to fulfill Ebony's wishes. In the meantime, Ebony met me in her bedchambers' sitting room, and I could see that someone had brought in an extra vanity for me. Ebony and I sat side by side while the maid's swarmed around us. They pulled my long blond hair into a braided crown across the top of my head, and laced red roses with golden tips into different parts of the braid. I looked over to ebony, and her mid-length brown hair was put into an elaborate braid falling over her shoulder. A tiara made of small blue diamonds was placed carefully on top of her head. I have to admit, I longed to have a crown of my own.

Apparently, there was a lot that had to be done makeup wise. Usually I just wore mascara and occasionally lip gloss. The maids had to match my skin tone to the varied concealers and foundations. Once that was done, they put dark red blush on my cheeks, and another shiny makeup I didn't know the name of. I got golden eyeshadow and thick black eyeliner, and the mascara had specks of gold in it. The finishing touch was dark red lipstick that was soon glossed over with lip gloss that was even more red, If that was possible. I shined brighter than the morning sun.