The room was packed with people pushing and shoving each other to get through. Waiters circled the room with trays balanced precariously on their hands carrying drinks and appetisers of beautiful colours and smells. Delicately laid tables filled the room but hardly anyone was sat at them. All in all it was a bit of a frenzy, as it always was, but as soon as Yvaine and Tristan walked into the room everything went deadly silent and you could probably hear a pin drop if anyone dared to drop one. It wasn't that either of the royals were strict about the behaviour of their subjects, it was just that everyone loved and respected them so much that they would do anything for them. It was a great place to live and Stormhold had the best rulers it had had for centuries.
Even when the royal couple were seated, the congregation stayed standing; they were still waiting for the main guest. When Imelda walked in a gasp ran through the room, she looked like a princess, she was, but at that moment she looked like one that had just jumped out of a fairytale book. She was beautiful and it was clear from their faces that all the men in the room were appreciative. But that was okay, because that was what she was there for.
The evening was a tradition in Stormhold, it was what some cultures might called a coming out party, where the guest is seen to become an adult in the eyes of those present. It meant that she was of marriageable age and that she was ready to take on the world. Every girl of Imelda's age had to go through it, but it was slightly different for a royal. All eyes were glued to her as she moved to take her place in front of the crowd. She curtsied and a roar of clapping rose from the audience.
King Tristan stood and showed his daughter to her seat, a throne of purple with golden leaves carved around the top. He introduced her and then presented her with a crown.
It was only a small one, but it was the most beautiful that Imelda had ever seen, a shining silver ring dotted with diamonds and rubies that bounced the light around the room as he moved it in his hands. Imelda had prayed that she got this crown, it had been her great great grandmother's crown and she had admired it ever since the day her grandmother, Una, had shown it to her. It felt right on her head, like it was almost meant for her to wear, like it had been made for her. She loved it and she almost didn't hear her father announce the start of the dinner because she was so happy and engrossed in her crown.
Waiters buzzed from table to table carrying chicken and beef and some gooey vegetarian dish. The excitement and cheer was contagious and everyone wore a bright smile on their face. It was a joyous atmosphere and Imelda was more happy than most, she had finally outgrown the title of child and could now do things differently, she already felt more mature and with the crown on her head she felt like true royalty.
Sat above the crowd she could hear titbits of conversation as they floated through the room.
"Yes, well last week I was in Tryca Square, it was wonderful, of course." Imelda had always dreamt of travelling and hearing the lords and ladies of the kingdom retell their tales it made her yearn for a new place, a change of scenery. Maybe she could go, now that she was an adult , but of course she had to stay and find a suitor, or she could just not. Imelda was surprised by her own rebellious feelings; she had never felt like disobeying tradition or her parents' wishes before. It must be adulthood, she thought, I'm a new person now, a women. I can do what I want, when I want.
Why not?