Minnie stood in front of her mirror, double checking her attire. Her golden gown seemed to shimmer in the light, a ruby-studded gold tiara on her head that matched her necklace and earrings. She certainly looked royal enough. The sound of footsteps made her turn to see Clarabelle enter. The maid looked her up and down before clapping her hands.
"Beautiful, my Lady! You look positively ravishing!"
Minnie smiled humbly.
"Thank you, Clarabelle." Her face then grew more serious. "Now, you remember the plan?"
Clarabelle gave an enthusiastic nod.
"Indeed I do, Your Highness. You, Donald, and Daisy will get the ball rolling with the nobles tonight while I do it with the rest of the staff."
Minnie nodded as well.
"Yes. But remember, don't be too obvious."
The maid gave her a jokingly offended look.
"Why, Your Highness, when have I ever done otherwise?"
That got a giggle out of Minnie as she shook her head in amusement.
"Of course… how could I think that? Though there was the whole incident with Lord Harold last spring."
Her teasing voice made Clarabelle smile sheepishly.
"Well, if I knew it wasn't true, of course I never would have spread it around."
"Oh, don't worry about it," Minnie replied. "If you ask me, he deserved the embarrassment of all the pointing and whispering."
Clarabelle snorted in amusement.
"He certainly did. Now then, it's time to go!"
Minnie took one more glance at the mirror to check her hair and makeup one more time, then turned and clasped her hands in front of her.
"All right, I'm ready."
Clarabelle followed behind her as they left the bedroom and crossed the sitting room. When they reached the main doors, Minnie raised her hand and gave it three quick knocks. The guards outside responded right away, opening them, and moving to let her through.
"My Princess," one said. Minnie acknowledged them with a gracious nod, then her smile grew when she saw Daisy waiting. In keeping with the autumn season, she wore a simple but fine orange and gold gown. As her lady in waiting, she would accompany Minnie to the ballroom entrance, but the Princess would enter alone. Smiling in return, the duck dipped a curtsy.
"Your Highness. You look lovely."
"Thank you, Daisy," Minnie said. "You look beautiful too."
She then lowered her voice to a whisper.
"So, are you and Donald ready?"
Daisy nodded, her own voice just as quiet when she replied.
"Of course. Don't worry, we'll do our part."
Minnie gave an acknowledging nod.
"All right. And Daisy… thank you."
Her friend's smile widened, and she reached out to give Minnie's hand a quick, gentle squeeze.
"Of course, my Lady. We're glad to help."
After giving another nod, Minnie lifted her head and strode down the castle hall, Daisy falling into step behind her. Most of the nobles were already assembled in the ballroom, so the only ones they met on the way were servants, each of which bowed or curtsied as they murmured their acknowledgments. Minnie nodded in return with a cordial smile, and before long she and Daisy had reached the main ballroom entrance. Turning to face Minnie, she curtsied again.
"Your Highness."
Minnie smiled.
"Thank you, Daisy."
Her friend smiled in return before heading for one of the side entrances. As the herald called her introduction, Minnie drew herself up tall and strode forward. All eyes were on her as she entered, and all the nobles immediately bowed or curtsied. She smiled, but her eyes quickly moved to the dais on the far end of the room, where her father was already seated. She felt a swirl of nerves at his cool, almost indifferent look, but kept her face fixed in a calm mask as she crossed the large room and dropped an elegant curtsy. His face impassive, her father gestured to the seat beside his throne. Right away, Minnie moved to obey his silent command. Once she was seated, the King rose to his feet and a guard called for silence. Once the room was quiet, King Marcus spoke in a clear, imposing voice.
"Welcome, friends, as we celebrate a successful harvest."
Despite his genial words, there was no discernable warmth in his voice. Indeed, the way his suspicious eyes scanned the crowd gave the distinct impression of a threat.
"On behalf of the royal family," Marcus went on. "We ask that all enjoy themselves and the celebration of yet another successful year. Glory to Anaheim!"
"Glory to Anaheim!" the crowd chorused, each bowing his or her head. Marcus gave an indifferent nod, then raised a hand before seating himself once again. Right away, the musicians began playing and lords and ladies started pairing off on the floor. Minnie watched as she sat straight and proper beside her father, a smile coming to her face when she saw Donald and Daisy in the crowd. Both smiled and Daisy gave a little wave. Then both their smiles faltered, and Minnie soon saw why. She swallowed a groan at the sight of Mortimer striding across the room with that smug, imperious smile.
Again, rather than wear his own kingdom's colors, he was in a splendid deep blue coat with elaborate gold embroidery. Apparently, he believed currying favor with Anaheim was more important than keeping with the theme of the season. Minnie willed someone else to reach her before him, but it seemed fate wasn't willing to be kind tonight. She kept her polite smile on as Mortimer quickly reached her and swept a bow.
"Your Royal Highness… what a pleasure it is to see you. You look radiant as always."
Coming from anyone else, it would have been flattering. But from him, it just sounded smarmy and insincere. But the Princess made herself keep smiling as she nodded in return.
"My thanks, Prince Mortimer."
He gave her what was obviously supposed to be a flirtatious grin, but it only came across as leering.
"I assume you'll be willing to spare me a dance this evening?"
His presumption set Minnie's teeth on edge, but she kept her face schooled with an effort.
"I'd be delighted," she said sweetly. "But right now, I see some friends I'd like to speak with. If you'll excuse me."
Just managing to hold back a derisive snort at Mortimer's impatient look, she stood and swept past him. Finding Donald and Daisy standing nearby, waiting, she walked over to them with a much more genuine smile. Her friends returned her smile with a bow and curtsy.
"Your Highness," both said. Minnie nodded in return.
"My Lord and Lady."
Daisy glanced behind Minnie; her face gave no outward sign of it, but the Princess could see her distaste.
"So His Royal Haughtiness is already after you?"
Minnie resisted the urge to roll her eyes.
"Yes." Her smile grew somewhat mischievous. "Though if our plan works, he won't have much to say before long."
Her friends both nodded, each with a similar grin.
"No worries, my Lady," Daisy said. "We're ready to do our part.
Minnie nodded in return, still smiling.
"Then let's do it."
The duck couple returned her sly look, then the trio separated. Minnie resigned herself to an unwanted dance with Mortimer, determined it would be the only one he got, while Donald and Daisy began moving through the glittering crowd with no less amount of determination.
It was high time that pompous windbag learned that abusing his power would have consequences.