At last, their eighteen years of waiting were over. Vanessa woke up the morning of July nineteenth and looked out the window. The sun was shining, the townsfolk were preparing for that day`s celebrations, and the pane of the window was warm to the touch. She took a deep breath through the nose and smelled the cake the chefs were baking. She looked way off in the distance, and saw the carriages of her best friends, rolling in to finally meet Vanessa's daughter. Moments later, the thick oaken door to her room burst open, and there was Connie, with a huge grin on her face. Neither one said a word, but a lump grew in their throats, their eyes teared up, and they wrapped each other in hugs. Connie inhaled the delightful coconut smell of her mother's hair and felt elated. Today, she'd finally meet her sister. Today, her father would finally come out of his room. Today, the entire kingdom would rejoice in the presence of their long-awaited princess.
"She's finally coming home," said Connie, pulling away to meet her mother's eyes. They shone with tears, the same tears that ran down her cheeks. Vanessa swiped her thumb over Connie's cheek, smudging away her tears. "I won't have to be alone anymore, Mom."
"No," said Vanessa, pulling Connie close again. She ran her hand over Connie's long, silky hair and smiled. "We won't have to be alone anymore."
A few minutes later, Vanessa sent Connie away to get dressed and get fixed up for the ball. Inside, Connie was a little bit jealous. What if they decided they didn't need Connie anymore? The only reason they had taken her in at all was because they needed a daughter. Connie sat on her bed, still in her purple nightgown, hair pulled back in a ponytail, wondering if she would get to be queen, or if it would be Diana. It hardly seemed fair. Connie had been the one to take all of the long boring history, geography, and etiquette lessons. It seemed ridiculous, to just hand the throne to someone who likely wasn't trained to run a kingdom. Connie sighed and flopped down on her bed. She popped up when she heard a knock on her door.
"I'm not ready yet, Lotte. Give me another twenty minutes," said Connie, flopping back down. She peeked up when she heard the door open. Instead of the mane of curly blonde hair that she was expecting, she saw a boyish crop of brown hair, kind green eyes, and a mischievous smile. She sat up and smiled. "Lyle!"
"Hey, Princess," said Lyle, stepping into the room. He shut the door behind him and walked over to the bed. "What's troublin' ya?"
"Diana," said Connie, wrapping her arms around Lyle's neck and pulling his head down for a kiss. When she pulled away, she scoffed at his expression. He laughed in response and sat next to her. He took her hand. His hands were rough from all the tilling and digging he did all day. Lyle was the humble son of one of the farmer's that grew crops and raised cattle and poultry for the royal court. He worked as Ziggy's apprentice for money. He was bound to take over the tailor shop soon, due to Ziggy's failing health. Connie hadn't wanted to get mixed up in all the suitors that Vanessa had lined up for her, so she'd gotten engaged to her only childhood friend instead. They'd only been engaged for two years, but she couldn't wait to be off the market officially. "I want to meet her, but I don't know if I want her barging in and taking my place. I know she will. Dad hasn't left his room in thirteen years because of her. He loves her so much, looking at me or Mom kills him inside. It sucks."
"Hey, it doesn't matter why Jack wouldn't leave his room," said Lyle, pulling Connie in for a hug. "Diana could never replace you. You were the one that drew up the treaty between Frosteria and the hobogoblins, you were the one that amassed all the books for the library, you're the one that built the orphanage, and the swimming pool. You're the one that took up arms against the werewolf armada, and you're the one that saw victory at the end of that battle. Diana has been hidden away in a castle, doing nothing for her whole life. So, if I had to choose a queen, I'd choose you in a heartbeat."
"You're my fiancée, you're supposed to choose me over my sister," said Connie, pulling back. "Now, get out of here before Ziggy starts to assume things. Don't want him starting another rumor. I'll see you at the ball."
"See you then," said Lyle, standing and heading for the door. He stopped with his hand on the knob. "I love you, Princess."
"I love you too, Lyle," said Connie. "Now, go!"
Lyle laughed and left the room, closing the door behind him. Connie stood and went to her dresser. Now, for her bigger problem. What to wear?
Meanwhile, off in another wing of the castle, Vanessa walked up to Jack's door and knocked. Before she could even start the begging bit, the door swung open. There he was, her ever-absent husband, smiling, wearing a formal coat instead of his usual hoodie. Vanessa looked him over. He was a bit thinner, and his eyes were a little sunk in, but otherwise, he was the same old Jack. Vanessa didn't know whether to feel miserable or elated, to laugh or cry. Only one thing was certain. Anger. So much anger. When Jack leaned down to hug her, she stepped back and slapped him as hard as she could. He stumbled back a few steps, a hand on his cheek and a look of disbelief on his face.
"Uh… Hello to you too," said Jack rubbing his jaw. "What the hell, Nessie?"
"Oh, don't even start with the 'Nessie'. You know perfectly well what you did to deserve that slap. I'm feeling like doing a lot worse, but it's not in my nature to beat my husband," said Vanessa, hands clenched at her sides. "You ABANDONED me, Jack. You sat behind that door for thirteen years when I needed you most. You left me to run a school rule a kingdom and raise a daughter all on my own. Do you think that was fair? Do you think just because I'm the Guardian of Strength that I'm invincible? That I'll never need help? We're supposed to be partners, but you left me."
Vanessa would have continued, but Jack wrapped her in his arms. She meant to pull away, but she laced her arms around his neck and sighed. Jack had missed her. He was already questioning his choice to sit in his room for thirteen years. It had seemed so rational up until today, but now he understood her anger. Vanessa kissed his cheek and pulled back.
"You know, you make it impossible to stay mad at you," said Vanessa. Jack laughed and Vanessa knew he was back. "You look nice, Blizzard Boy. Better than you did on our wedding day. Now, I have to go get ready. Just wait with the others. Go greet Hiccup and Eugene and the rest of them. Stay out of trouble."
"I'm not making any promises," said Jack. Vanessa rolled her eyes and started back to her room. Jack called after her. "I love you, Nessie."
"I'm not saying it," said Vanessa. "Get downstairs."
Far over the hills, high up in the clouds, at the top of the tallest mountain in the kingdom, there sat an ivory palace, one that couldn't be reached any way but flight. This palace was nothing fancy, more like a stone mansion than an actual palace. On the third floor of this palace, in the fourth room to the right, Diana Frost lay fast asleep on her bed bunched up in her red blanket. Her pillow was on the floor, and she herself was inches away from joining it. A clump of her strawberry blonde hair was in her mouth, and a river of drool was pouring from the left corner of her mouth. She shifted a few millimetres and she tumbled out of bed and onto the floor. She popped up and looked around. After figuring out what had happened, she ran her sleeve over the cheek, wiping away the drool. She picked the hair out of her mouth and yawned. She scratched her collarbone and looked down at her feet. After a second she looked at the door.
"Solaris!?" called Diana. She waited for a response. When she didn't get a response she stood up and stretched. "Solaris, what day is it!?"
"It's July nineteenth, Diana!" replied Solaris. Diana nodded blearily. "Hurry up, get dressed! We only have an hour to get ready!"
"July nineteenth…" said Diana. She looked in the mirror of her dressing table and laughed at the ridiculous state of her hair. A flash of aqua and ice blue from the corner of the room caught her eye. She walked over to the dress and ran her hand over the skirt. Then she remembered why that dress in particular was laid out for her. "It's my birthday!" Diana ran to her door, threw it open, and laughed. "It's my birthday!"
Back in Frosteria, Vanessa walked down the halls, all ready for that night's ball. She wore the necklace and earrings from her wedding, and her hair was plaited behind her head. On her head was the decorated tiara that Mickey had put on her head the day she'd been coronated. She looked down at the frilly ball gown that she wore. The skirt was made of tulle, rows and rows of it, all in coils. From the waist down in was ice blue, but towards the bottom of the skirt, the tulle was bruise purple. The bodice tied with a thick ribbon in the back and was had silver gems here and there, same as the skirt. On her hands were white silk gloves, going up to her elbows. Her shoes were the same as the ones she'd worn for her wedding, but bigger, to fit her twenty-year-old feet.
She looked over at the maids, opening the windows, and throwing open the doors to balconies she'd forgotten all about. She felt a tune creep up into her mind, and burst into a song.
The window is open, so's that door. I didn't know we did that anymore. Who knew we owned eight thousand salad plates? For years, I've roamed these empty halls. Why have a ballroom with no balls? Finally, we're opening up the gates!
Up in Manny's ivory castle, Diana burst from her room, hair pinned up in an elegant updo, donning her brand new dress. It was short, only coming down to her knees. There were no straps. The skirt had two layers. The under-layer was blue silk; the over-layer was black tulle with flowers embroidered on it. The waist was defined by a black sash, tied in a bow on the right side. She wore simple black t-strap high heels, and no jewelry. She had only the barest touches of orangey-pink lipstick and blue eye shadow. Even from far away, she struck up her mother's song.
There'll be actual, real, live people. It'll be totally strange. But, wow, am I so ready for this change.
Far from each other, they sang as one for the chorus.
'Cause for the first time in forever, there'll be music, there'll be light. For the first time in forever, I'll be dancing through the night.
On her own, Vanessa sang the next bit.
Don't know if I'm elated, or gassy, but I'm somewhere in that zone. 'Cause for the first time in forever, I won't be alone.
Diana ran through the halls until she nearly slammed into Manny and Solaris. They both laughed at Diana's rush. Solaris wore a skin-tight halter dress that appeared to be made from woven sunlight. It shone and shimmered, but it hurt if you looked at it for too long. Her blonde curls were pinned back in a half-up, half-down manner. She looked commanding, bur friendly. Manny wore a simple white suit, the same he wore every day. His bleach blonde hair was trimmed and neatly combed.
"I can't wait to meet everyone," said Diana, beaming. She stopped and gasped. "What if I meet the one?"
Diana dashed off between the two arriving at the portrait room.
Tonight, imagine me, gown and all fetchingly draped against the wall. The picture of sophisticated grace. Ooh! I suddenly see him standing there, a beautiful stranger, tall and fair. I wanna stuff some chocolate in my face.
Diana reached for the box of chocolates she'd left on the chaise and stuffed three caramel-filled into her mouth.
Then we laugh and talk all evening, which is totally bizarre. Nothing like the life I've led so far.
Vanessa joined in from her home.
For the first time in forever, there'll be magic, there'll be fun. For the first time in forever…
Diana alone sang.
I could be noticed by someone. And I know it is totally crazy to dream I'd find romance. But for the first time in forever, at least I've got a chance.
About an hour later, Connie sat in front of her vanity, applying her finishing touch of purple lipstick. She looked at her reflection and could hardly believe she was seeing herself. Her long ombre hair was swept onto her right shoulder, and curled up in corkscrews. She wore a strapless gown. The tulle over the white was lavender with metallic lavender swirls from neckline to hem. There was a violet sash as the waist, cinching her figure into an hourglass shape. She slipped her feet into the eggplant heels and her feet and sighed. Her purple eyes met the reflection of themselves.
Don't let them in. Don't let them see. Be the good girl you always have to be. Conceal. Don't feel. Put on a show. Make one wrong move and everyone will know. But it's only for today.
Vanessa opened the door to Connie's room and smiled.
It's only for today.
Diana was waiting outside the gates to Frosteria, standing between Manny and Solaris. She knew once she walked through those doors, her life was never going to be the same. But she was ready. She sang then.
It's agony to wait.
Connie sang then as she rushed with her Mother and Father to the front gates of the palace.
It's agony to wait.
Vanessa piped up in her commanding, queen voice.
Tell the guards to open up the gates.
Diana felt the anticipation rise in her chest as she saw the gates being pulled slowly open.
The gates…
Diana and Vanessa sang together, as mother and daughter walked between the parted crowds towards each other.
For the first time in forever,
Connie sang quietly to herself while Diana and Vanessa went on in their duet.
Don't let them in, don't let them see.
Duet:
I'm getting what I'm dreaming of.
Connie:
Be the good girl you always have to be.
Vanessa:
A chance to change my lonely world.
Connie:
Conceal.
Diana:
A chance to find true love.
Connie:
Conceal, don't feel, don't let them know.
Diana and Vanessa sang in one voice, while Connie fell silent.
I know it all ends tomorrow, so it has to be today. 'Cause for the first time in forever. For the first time in forever. Nothing's in my way!
Now, maybe this next part was out of sheer irony, but no sooner had the words left her mouth than Diana tripped over a foot she hadn't seen was in her way. She fell to her knees. When she looked up, she saw her beautiful stranger, tall, and fair. Could this boy be the key to her romance?
