A/N: Once again, thanks a bunch to all those who read my story! Especially DaughterOfNoOne and Ilikemutemath for reviewing! You guys really made my day! Although, I feel like that those compliments are too good for me... But perhaps that is just me being too pessimistic again... Anyway, on with the story!
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Joy's Unhappiness
Chapter Three
Because Father always sits in his bedchamber alone, staring at a portrait of Mother, all day and everyday, he is neglecting his kingly duties. So the elders end up doing all of his work for him.
However, since I have just about recovered from my own depression, I decided to take over for them. It is the responsibility of a queen. Even if I don't feel like I am one yet...
Every afternoon, I spend the rest of my day signing papers and making decisions that should benefit the kingdom. It's not hard, but it's not easy either. At least I have been raised with the assumption that I would become queen of some kingdom – not necessarily my own – someday.
Occasionally, there are meetings that needed the presence of royalty. Of course, Father wasn't bothered by these and the news passed by his ears like how a bee would pass a pebble on the ground. I always took his place during these meetings, but I did not often make any contributions.
Today, I was looking over the last paper for the day in Father's study when Clarence burst into the room so suddenly. I jumped in surprise. Hee, hee... I suppose he got his revenge from the other day now.
"Your Majesty! I have come with very good news!" He has never looked this excited as this since Father put that super rare book in the library. That made me really curious.
"Ah! Mr Clarence." But however curious I may be... "Sorry, could you let me finish off this paper first?"
He reluctantly agreed and stood by the door, tapping his foot while waiting. I read over the paper, but Clarence's tapping made me feel uneasy. I finished the last stroke in my name with the feather quill when I felt my arm being tugged away.
"C'mon! Let's hurry!" I got dragged to the open door.
"To what Mr Clarence?" This was rather unusually rude of him. Now I let my curiosity run free.
"You'll see. In a moment." Well, I suppose there was no point in asking if I was going to find out soon anyway. I let him lead me to my room where an attendant was waiting.
I was pushed in with the attendant and the doors closed with Clarence standing behind them. The attendant opened my wardrobe.
"Which dress would you like to wear tonight, Your Majesty?"
"Dress?" I was completely and utterly confused. "What for?"
The attendant gasped softly. "Oh, I forgot that you weren't supposed to know yet. Hmm."
I was starting to get a little impatient. "Just choose any dress. I don't mind."
She looked at me through slightly narrowed eyes. "Are you sure? Okay then." She proceeded to look through my large collection of dresses. It was large because I loved parties and I loved to dance. Thus, the reason I was attracted to Father's ball in the first place...
Her gaze lingered on the dress that glittered like the stars. I reeled back. Please... Pick any dress but that one. Please... It triggers bad memories...
To my immense relief she took out the gold dress that I wore to Father's first ball. That one wasn't so bad. It gives me better memories, even though, now I know Father was only acting...
I undressed and put it on. The dress was made entirely of gold. I have not a clue how the seamstresses managed to use a metal to make a dress as silky and soft as this one, but I suspect that they had asked a fairy for help.
I sat down in front of my dresser while the attendant brushed my hair until it shone brightly. She completed her task by placing a tiara on my head.
"Queens can still wear tiaras right?" She was surprisingly uncertain about it. Surprising because most attendants knew beforehand. I waved it off, thinking that she was just new.
I confirmed that it was okay and headed for the door. When my hand reached the handle, the attendant said one last thing.
"Enjoy yourself, Princess!"
I turned around in surprise. The attendant wasn't there anymore. But her tone and voice sounded familiar. Was she Arryn?
Before I could dwell on it any further, the door was opened by Clarence and I was dragged away again.
Clarence lead me to a door that I knew very well...
"Just what is going on Clarence?" I asked him cautiously.
The elder grinned excitedly in response and pushed open the doors.
I was greeted by lively and happy music. A man at the side yelled my name and title. The people on the dance floor, cheered and applauded. Then they went on to dance merrily.
I didn't bother trying to hide the shock that inevitably, and blatantly showed on my face when I stood at the top of the ballroom's staircase.
Clarence finally decided to fill me in on what was happening. "It's a celebration! A congratulation! For recovering from your... Well, you know what."
"My state of depression?" I finished. "Was it really that much of a big deal to throw a party about?"
"Yes of course it is! Our beloved Joy has become her sunny self again after all! We all missed you so this our welcome back party!"
They did all this for me? My eyes teared up. I couldn't help it.
"Now go ahead and dance with the others!" Clarence urged. "By the way, there is no need to fear for the King. He doesn't know about this."
I was hesitantly moving forward. But if Father wasn't here then...
I stared at the dancing figures in confusion. How on earth did they manage to invite royalty from other kingdoms to this ball, without informing Father?
There was my friend, Princess Lilah dancing with Prince Caelan. King Tobias standing by the pillar with his wife, Queen Ida watching their children, little Prince Finn and little Princess Elina play with other children.
And yet, there were people from the village too – only dressed in their finest clothing. I could see Mirabel with who I presumed was her husband. The mayor of the village and his daughter sat at a table, eating the luxurious food that the castle never fails to provide. As I should already know very well...
As I descended down the stairs, princes and young kings approached me and offered their hands. I blushed awkwardly at the attention. A couple of months ago, I would have accepted gratefully with a smile and dance as merrily as the other girls are right now. I used to admire them and I too, had my crushes. Just like any other girl does.
But things are a little different now. I have a husband – even if I hate the said husband – and I cannot change that. It is too late...
However, Clarence did tell me to dance. And Aryll told me to enjoy myself. Maybe it was okay. Maybe I should loosen up and forget my troubles for the moment...
I was looking over the men feeling quite pressured since there was so many of them. Choosing one over the other could lead to many bad things.
I started wondering if accepting King Quinn's hand first was the best choice, because I had already danced with him in the past and he had the highest status so it wouldn't look too conspicuous. If I remember correctly he was a pretty good dancer too...
xxxxx A Tardy Prince's POV xxxxx
Oh, this is just brilliant. How idiotic I must look when I arrive late to this ball. Everybody will laugh, and I can imagine Caelan teasing me for weeks about it!
But being late is much better than not showing up at all. I guess I'll need to man up and deal with it.
I walked briskly to the doors to the ballroom. I'm almost there. Almost there!
I opened the door slowly and hesitantly. Nobody noticed my entrance, as they were too busy dancing or eating. Thank goodness! I am spared from the humility...
But I thought too soon because the announcer guy at the side decided it was his duty to disappoint me.
"Prince Darwin of Fairadore!"
Heads turned to look at me. The musicians halted and the dancing stopped. I kept my face calm and stoic as I could but on the inside I was panicked and wanting to hide in a hole.
Some looked at me in amusement and – to my relief – most continued on dancing after the music started up again.
I went down the stairs and Caelan came to greet me. "You are very late you know." he stated.
Yeah. A very encouraging friend I have. "It couldn't be helped! Bandits attacked our carriage on the way here so I was delayed!" I defended.
"What? Bandits? Are you okay?" At least he was concerned.
I grinned. "Of course! Who do you think I am! Look at me, I am unharmed see! We were able to fight them off, no problem at all!"
Caelan grinned back at me. "Oh good. Your kingdom is the second strongest after all... After mine!"
He got a frown in response. "Right. You know very well that my kingdom is far stronger than yours. Don't kid yourself."
"Ah, is that so? Do you wanna bet on it?" So he is asking for a duel, eh?
"Oh, sure. But I promise you that you'll come running to your mother, crying for help, ever so pathetically."
Then we started a battle that consisted of sarcastic retorts, attempts to ruin each other's reputations and throwing in evidence of past victories against each other.
Our bickering was soon interrupted. "Caelan, darling!"
The one who spoke was his fiancée, Princess Lilah. She rushed over to him to embrace him. Caelan welcomed her with open arms. "Lilah, my sweet!"
Normally I would have grimaced at their disgusting lovey-dovey activity. But my attention was drawn to the princess who followed after Lilah.
I could tell she was a princess because she had a tiara on her head and she looked about my age. She wore a golden dress that nobody could take their eyes off. However, her long, shiny hair was even more golden than the dress if that were ever possible.
She drew closer and she stopped walking when our eyes met. Time stopped for me right there and then. I couldn't hear the music anymore and my eyes were only focused on her. I couldn't stop staring at her... Simply because she looked like an angel descended from the heavens in my eyes.
Her eyes were a bright, energetic blue colour that outshined her golden dress or hair. I saw a hint of sadness too, that I wanted to personally drive off whatever was the cause, so that she can still shine radiantly.
Those feelings confused me. I couldn't have possibly fallen in love just from a glance, could I? But my heart wouldn't stop beating.
What I didn't notice at the time was Caelan and Lilah regarding me with pity beside me.
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AN: This time there is no preview for the next chapter. Sorry! Although, I'm glad that I can have a character that adds a little bit of humour into the story. I feel a little better now. By the way, Darwin's kingdom, Fairadore, is pronounced 'fai-ra-dor'. If it happens to resemble or be the same name as anything then it is purely a coincidence. I made it up out the top of my head. Still, I get the feeling that heard it somewhere before...
The romance... I'm hesitating here since I actually have no real experience in that area. I can only pray that I didn't get it wrong... I was actually considering reading 'Romeo and Juliet' to try and get some inspiration. But have another long book that is compulsory for me to read as homework so there wouldn't time for that...
I am perfectly aware that the last part sounded so cliché but I like clichés. And yes, Darwin fell in love at first sight. Poor guy. I hope you already can guess who the 'princess' is. We will see if his feelings are mutual or not in the next chapter.
