First Dance
Spring was my favorite season. Flowers were blooming, baby animals were everywhere looking for snuggles, but most of all, I loved Cotillion. It was an annual grand ball where princes presented their ladies of the court. It was basically announcing your future engagement since it would so humiliating to have to announce a new lady.
I had gone to ever Cotillion since I was born. When I was ten, Momma let me pick out my own dress. I had never more royal then that night with my pink bell-shaped skirt and golden tiara on.
The dance that year was held under a large pavilion with fairies lighting the surrounding gardens. I spent most of the night waltzing in Daddy's arms, watching the stars above. At one point, Ben and I found our way to the desert table.
"Here, Benny, your favorite," I said, handing him a peanut butter and strawberry macaron.
"Punch?" Jane offered us. She'd gotten roped into serving it with her mom again.
"Thanks, Jane." Ben took a big gulp, leaving sherbet on his upper lip. I giggled and wiped it off with a nearby napkin.
"You two are just oh so cute!" Fairy Godmother cooed as she joined Jane behind the punch table.
I curtsied (perfectly, I might add). "Thank, Ms. Godmother."
"You two would make just the most perfect couple," she giggled. "Don't you think so, Jane?"
She nodded, staring at her punch ladle. Her cheeks were pink.
Another slow song started playing and I beamed when I recognized the tune.
"I know you, I walked with you once upon a dream," I sang along.
Suddenly, Ben took my hand and led me to the dance floor. I stared into his hazel eyes, following his lead during the dance as any true princess should. As he spun me, I realized nearly everyone had stopped to watch us. I was used to people doing that (I was a princess, after all). But now they looked at me with something more then awe. Now there was respect.
I turned back to Ben and we finished our dance. As we bowed and curtsied to each other after the song finished, some people began to clap.
"You know," a woman remarked. "She'd make an excellent queen one day."
I couldn't stop smiling for the rest of the night.