So after nearly 6 months, I have at last returned. Sorry it took so long but I lost all inspiration for this story, so hopefully what I have written meets up to your expectations after waiting for so long to find out what happens next. As always read and review :)
Irena, unlike her parents, was reflecting on the gravity of her decision and what she had promised to do. She, of course, was glad that she had been able to reunite her parents, however she knew how difficult it would be to rule a kingdom.
As she was thinking, there was a knock at the door which opened to reveal Mrs Potts who had come to tell Irena that breakfast was being served in the small dining room.
Irena made her way to the dining room still thinking about what her life would be like in the future. She opened the door to the dining room to find her parents talking as they ate, as if nothing had happened.
"Irena, it is nice to see you. Did you have a nice time with Chip yesterday?" Belle asked with a smile.
"Yes, mama, I did." Irena said returning the smile as she nodded her head, as she sat in her normal seat facing her father.
"Irena, I wanted to let you know that I am proud of what you did for me and I think that it was very brave." Adam said, his eyes glistening with unshed tears of gratitude, as he attempted to reassure his daughter that everything would be fine now that they were together as a family.
Talk then turned to the upcoming harvest ball which all of the villagers and select members of royalty from the surrounding kingdoms would be invited to.
The servants were busy decorating the grand ballroom on the eve before the harvest ball. Decorations featuring flowers and earthy tones were selected to represent the end of the harvest season and the growth of the new season's crops which were soon to be planted.
Belle and Irena walked through the ballroom together to see the preparations that were being made and Irena smiled in glee, excited for a chance to see what a ball looked like as she had never seen one and her mother had spoken fondly of the first time that she and Adam had danced together during his first enchantment. Belle, too, was excited to be hosting a ball once more as she had deeply missed being with her husband despite the memories that she had held onto.
The day of the ball dawned with an air of excitement and anticipation amongst the servants and members of the household. Even Adam was looking forward to the occasion as he had been miserable during his months of isolation and longed to be amongst people once more.
As the evening approached, Irena was becoming increasingly excited as she would be able to dance with her friend,Chip, as all of the servants had also been invited to attend the festivities.
The maid adjusted Irena's gown slightly and then deemed her ready for the ball with a slight nod of her head.
The dress was pale yellow, almost the colour of candlelight, and had sheer sleeves that ended at her slender wrists. The bodice hugged her figure , flaring out from her waist into the full skirt that floated around her feet. All in all, Irena exuded the confidence and style that befitted her title and rank.
Down in the servant's quarters, Chip was busy putting the finishing touches to his best outfit which consisted of faded black pants and boots that came to his knees. His outfit was completed with a freshly pressed white shirt which was tucked into the black pants. He gave his reflection a self assured grin which, for a fifteen year old, seemed cheeky and made him seem older than he really was.
By the time Irena was ready to go down to the ballroom, the ball had begun. She could hear the joyful music floating up the stairs, causing her to smile to herself.
The doors leading into the ballroom were already open and Irena went straight in, much to the surprise of the ushers whose job it was to announce the arrival of all the royals and other members of nobility who had accepted the invitation to join in the celebrations. This was a great many people due to the fact that the palace had not been visited in over a decade due to the enchantment.
Irena made her way to her parents who were talking to a man, woman and their son who seemed to be a little bit older than Irena. She glanced at the crowns that the man and woman were wearing and deduced that they were visiting royals from a neighbouring kingdom.
"Ah, there you are Irena. May I introduce you to Prince Raoul. He is here with his family at the special invitation of Cogsworth." Adam said, frowning slightly as he was well aware that Cogsworth would be speaking to him soon about the expectation for his daughter to marry in the near future.
Irena politely curtsied and smiled at the young prince before she began to look around the room in search of Chip. Unfortunately, Prince Raoul had other ideas.
"Princess Irena, would you honour me with a dance?" he asked with the grace of someone at least twice his age.
Irena nodded, slightly disappointed that she would have to wait to dance with Chip.
Raoul did not attempt to make conversation with Irena as they danced which made Irena decide that she would rather never dance with this prince ever again. Thankfully, the dance ended quickly and she was returned to the security of her parents.
Belle smiled at her daughter before she asked, "did you enjoy your dance with the prince?"
Irena nodded however her facial expression contradicted this gesture. Belle frowned before smiling once more as she noticed Chip walking up behind Irena.
Hearing footsteps behind her, Irena turned around and found Chip standing there grinning at her. She smiled and dropped into a shallow curtsy as Chip held out his hand for her to take. She accepted and they walked into the middle of the ballroom as the music began.
As they danced, Chip made polite conversation but inevitably the conversation turned to Irena's other dance partner.
"Irena, who were you dancing with before?" Chip asked curiously.
"I was dancing with a rather unpleasant prince who would not speak to me as we danced." Irena replied with a frown.
Chip sighed. He felt jealous that Irena was receiving attention from princes despite the fact that he had no right to such feelings as he would be nothing more than a servant for the rest of his life.
The dance ended and Chip was tasked with returning Irena to her parents who were smiling happily at them, clearly glad to be together once more.