CHAPTER TEN- Time for the Ball (Colette's Point of View)
Colette made her way around the castle to meet her mother by the front entrance. She knew that in order to keep up appearances, she had to enter with her mother and grandfather and bow to the royal family, thank them for the invitation, etc.
But what if something goes wrong? She couldn't stop the doubts swirling around her head as she searched for her mother in the crowd of guests. The charm might wear off, and then someone will recognize them, and then they can't get back, and then…
"Colette! There you are! I was wondering if Kendra had just stolen you away to a deserted island just so that she could avoid going to the ball." Belle pushed through the crowd to her daughter, and once she had hugged her tightly. Her mother was dressed to match her daughter in her favorite gown, a large golden yellow one that rippled to the floor and just so slightly came off the shoulder. "Really, I'm completely fine with you disappearing all day, but could you at least send me a note or something? You're usually very good about that sort of thing."
"I know, mother, I won't forget again" Considering I don't think our parents from the past will come back twice, she added silently in her head.
"Come, my darlings." Maurice embraced his daughter and granddaughter, and with each of them taking an arm, they made their way into the palace.
"Snow has outdone herself again." Belle commented as they made their way through the line to greet the assembly of royals at the front. "Then again, she always does. And look! The Royal Family of Arendelle is here!"
Colette looked up, and indeed, there was Queen Elsa, Lord Kristoff and Princess Anna, and their eldest son, Prince Leif. Colette couldn't help but smile as she watched Kendra become flustered at the sight of Leif. Her friend had fallen for him ages ago, but couldn't stand to let anyone know, including him. As Kendra curtsied back, Colette saw Leif smile at her, to which Kendra turned her head away to hide her blush.
It was their turn. The herald announced them to the hall, and they bowed or curtsied to the Royal Family. Snow then embraced Belle, and while Maurice and David shook hands, Colette quietly but urgently asked "Is everything going as planned?"
"Yes," Kendra replied, still blushing slightly after encountering Leif, "they have entered the ball, and as soon as I can escape this torture, we'll make our excuses and lead them to the secret passage."
"Don't worry, Colette, we have this all taken care of. Can you get away to the library now?" Liam asked.
Colette nodded. It was her turn to blush now. Even though they had been "dating" as Emma called it for quite some time now, she still got the same butterflies-in-her-stomach feeling every single time she was around him.
"Good. We'll meet you there soon." Liam said, and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. Colette curtsied once more, blushing furiously, greeted the rest of the royal family, and made her way back to her own family.
"Mother, I believe I left my purse in the library earlier today. May I go fetch it?" Colette tried to keep her voice steady.
She wasn't accustomed to lying to her mother, and she did not like the way it felt one bit. It wasn't as if it was a huge lie though, she did tend to forget things often while perusing the castle library. In fact, she thought, did I leave it there today? I think I actually did.
"Of course, dear. But please try to be back for the first waltz or two. You don't want to miss dancing with Liam, would you?" Her mother smiled.
"No. I'll be back as quick as I can." With that, Colette made her way to the Library, trying to appear as natural as possible. Following the well-lit corridor, she opened the large wooden doors to the Library. Instantly she felt more relaxed. Books had that sort of effect on her, as well as her mother. She made her way through the shelves, and once she found her purse hidden between a volume of Poultices and Potions for Everyday Use and Pixie Folklore, she went to the section dealing with magic and time.
Once there, she grabbed the entire stack (which consisted of only a few tomes, since time travel was still relatively new) and made herself at home in one of the many chairs spread around the room. This one was actually reserved for her, since she came here so often. As she opened the first book in search of an answer, a voice in front of her startled her out of her research.
"Now whatever do you want to read that for, dearie?"