(A/N) Hi. Thanks for the reviews. I'm feeling nice and a little bored. I was going to update this tomorrow, but I had a break today because my English teacher canceled class so I had not much to do. Well, here's the next chapter. I hope you like it!

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or New Moon...I wish I did, but I don't, so don't assume that I did because I didn't...did I confuse you yet? lol

Chapter 4

I stared into his eyes, feeling a calm spread throughout me. I nodded slowly, almost unsure of how to respond. "Yes. Yes. It would be such a joy to adventure, to see something else besides this secluded world that I live in." I shook my head. "But that cannot be in this lifetime. Nothing would happen."

I briefly wondered if he knew of my curse and my death sentence. That thought was fleeting. As I continued to stare into those beautiful golden eyes, I saw many emotions play there. Pain and sympathy were the most prominent. Then, there was an underlying guilt and sadness. Reluctantly, I broke contact with those orbs and sighed, no longer wanting to think about my soon-to-come death.

As if sensing my wish to change the subject, he said, "Now, what would bring a princess to the garden at this time in the morning?"

"I don't know," I mocked. "Maybe a breath of fresh air or a want for mischief. Or, even better, a chance to see if there's some beautiful princes happening to be touring the gardens, too."

He chuckled, a most wonderful sound, and I felt a blush coming to my cheeks. I do not often mock people. In fact, I do not recall any time in my life when I was so free with myself.

"Yes, the last reason would be good," he replied, sounding very amused. "Did you ever think that maybe some of the princes would want to see if there are any gorgeous princesses wandering about the gardens, too?"

"No, I had no idea!" I giggled, feeling very pleased with myself. "I thought the princes were here because they wanted to release some…I don't know…cows to annoy the princesses!"

I looked into his eyes. Without warning, we were laughing so hard that we were leaning on each other for support and gasping for air.

After catching our breaths, Edward stood up, offering me a hand, which I took. His touch was cold, yet comforting, but he released me as soon as I was on my feet. "May I escort the Princess back to her castle?"

I giggled. "Yes, you may." I do not recall ever being as carefree as when I was with Prince Edward in the garden. I decided that I might as well enjoy all the time that I spend with him now. They may be the only time I will ever be so lighthearted.

When we arrived in my wing of the palace, a flustered Sophie immediately appeared out of nowhere. "Dear God! Princess, never go off like that. Do you know what day it is? Do you know how worried the Queen and the other ladies-in-waiting are?" She then noticed that Prince Edward was at my side. She nodded a quick greeting before resuming scanning me over for any injuries I may have sustained. Seeing none, she visibly relaxed. I was almost very proud of myself. I had not yet fallen today although I would have, three times, if Prince Edward was not there to catch me on the way back from the gardens.

Without any warning, Sophie dragged me unceremoniously away from Prince Edward, down the corridor, and into my room. Mother ordered the ladies-in-waiting about, some to gather this herb, some to mend this part of this dress, some to bring tubs of water to the bathroom in the central wing.

While everyone was busy with their orders, I made my way to the bed and got out of the light summer dress that I had put on this morning and stepped into the robe that was laid out for me, careful not to get anything tangled around my feet.

Minutes later, Mother and Sophie pulled and dragged me away to the big bathroom in the central wing where way too much bathroom supplies were laid out. Sophie undressed me carefully as I stepped into the steaming water. Several ladies-in-waiting sprinkled fresh rose petals into my bath while others began to wash my hair with my favorite strawberry-scented shampoo and scrub my arms and back with powdered jasmine soap.

When they deemed me clean enough, I was handed a towel and then dressed myself in a plain laced dressing gown. Mother handed me a robe for decency before half carrying, half dragging me back to my room. There, I waited patiently for three hours as the ladies-in-waiting and Sophie tugged on my hair, trying to make me look my best.

Then came the worst part: make-up. Sophie was in charge, and I do not think there would be anyone who could apply make-up longer than she. One and a half hours of powdering my already pale complexion, reddening my naturally red lips, and using some of the most expensive French eye shadow on me, she considered me "adequate enough for now."

By now, lunch was served. The food was served in my room, since most of the cooks and maids were too busy preparing for tonight's ball to serve a proper lunch. It was exquisite, nonetheless. Fresh peaches and stewed rice were such a delicacy, even if their names sound very plain.

When lunch was cleared, I was given one hour of relaxation time during which the only thing I could possibly do is read. And read I did. I fished out a book titled "1001 Arabian Nights" and began to read.

All too soon, my book was taken out of my hands when my break was over. I was submitted to another hour of jewelry-fixing and shoe-picking before I was finally shown to my dress.

No need to say, my dress was magnificent. It was icy-blue with pale yellow flowers embroidered near the hems. The dress was in two layers. The outer layer parted to reveal a midnight-blue underskirt. The pale yellow belt was tied into a small, yet delicate bow at the small of my back. The straps were thick, yet slightly off the shoulders. I was thankful that it does not have any gems embedded within. It must be about ten pounds of fabric already.

Sophie tightened my midnight blue corset before helping me into the dress. I was also thankful that I only had to wear three layers of petticoats instead of the usual ten. When she was done, Mother came in, bringing a floor-length mirror with her. I looked into it and I almost fell.

The girl in the mirror was pale, yet not the sickly pale that I tend to look like without proper make-up. Her brown hair was curled and put half up, half down. A beautiful sapphire tiara was set in her hair to signify her status. Small curls framed her face, heightening her full, red, lips and dark brown eyes. Small sapphire earrings hung from her ears and a necklace with a periwinkle-shaped sapphire pendant hung delicately from her neck.

Her dress matched the blue theme. The corset matched the dress perfectly, and the straps revealed a bust that made her look more…alluring. There was no other word to describe it: she was beautiful. I gasped. I was beautiful.

Sophie led me to my shoes: they seemed to be made from blue-tinted glass, yet they bend and do not break. They heels were not high – only one inch tall, just enough to boost my height without causing a hazard.

I was dressed just in time. The bell rung to signify that the guests were arriving for my birthday. I was finally fifteen.

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