Today is a most important day, and for some a terrifying one, for today is the day misters and misses are presented to Their Majesties, King Mickey and Queen Minnie. But! The most exciting part of all is that out of these debuts, only one will be chosen by the King and Queen to be named "The Season Debutante".
Yes, you heard that right and no it wasn't your mind playing tricks on you. You see, Mickey and Minnie decided to host a Debutante Ball at their home, the Disney Castle. However, they announce that they will be selecting a few lucky debuts to attend and be presented to the King and Queen in the throne room. But, a chance of being slim as only those would have a real shot at being selected for this event. Those who received an invitation are extremely lucky to go.
May they have mercy on their souls.
The weather was perfectly clear today in the morning, blue sky with no clouds in sight and the season was upon him. At long last. Silver is already downstairs in the dining room eating his two layers of pancake covered in syrup and a cup of coffee for breakfast, already showered about 6 am in the morning with hair rollers on his head. His two twin sisters were eating breakfast with him.
"How come we can't go?" Valentina asked her big brother, whining that she will never go and witness her brother's presentation. She has a long straight black hairstyle and wore a cream shirt with a scoop neckline, two puff sleeves with ruffle hem and a peach pant (which she tucked her shirt in) that is held up by this light brown leather belt and a matching peach flats.
"Yeah!" Amelia, rather Amy for short, agrees with her. Amelia's black below-the-ear length hair has a curl texture and she wore this pale yellow sweatshirt featuring a rounded neckline and long sleeves which she pushed up above her elbow and a pair of blue denim jeans, white socks and matching slip-on shoes.
The Fraternal twins are both the same height and share a slim body type but their skin color is different from each other, Amelia inherited her dad's deep tan skin tone while Valentina inherited her mom's neutral skin tone. But at least now everyone can tell them apart rather than being the identical twins who look like clones to each other.
"You girls are too young to go." Silver answered her back. "Besides, you two will get bored as I wait my turn to be presenting to King Mickey and Queen Minnie. And also, Your cousin Dorado and Vicky are coming over to babysit you while we're at the Castle for my presentation. The best part is that you can watch the entire presentation on tv! At least you can't miss it when it's my turn to be presented."
"Yay!" The sisters cheered.
Silver got up from the chair and headed to the kitchen after finishing his pancakes to wash his plates. "But! I want you girls to be very well-behaved while we're gone, Mama and Papa wouldn't like it if you two caused trouble oaky?"
"Yes Silver!" Both twins nodded their head, promising to be on their best behavior.
In the living room, Roberto, dressed in his dark navy suit, staring into the mirror that's hung on the wall before straightening his tie with a grunt. He tried his best to straighten it but it still looked like a knot that was strangling him rather than a tie. Stupid tie. Roberto knew he should've bought a fake tie in the first place but he never thought about it until it's too late on the day of the Debutante Presentation.
"Ugh!" He exclaimed.
"It's been more than a decade. You'd think you'd know how to tie a simple tie by now," Silver said from the doorway. He smirked as she glanced at the mess that was his dad's tie.
"At least you know how to tie a tie," Roberto groans. Silver walked to his dad, his hands reaching for the black tie he had on him. "You just have to cross over, then cross over again, then cross over again, then bring it up, then tighten it."
"Oh, that's all clear now," Roberto said sarcastically. Silver tied the tie so quickly. "There! Perfect! Good as new!"
"Next time, I'm buying a fake tie." He muttered before sitting down on the sofa. "At least now I won't have to spend an hour tieing this stupid tie."
The mother, with hair rollers on her hair, entered the room. "Ah, Silver, we better get you ready, you don't want to be late for your presentation now do you?" Paula joked.
Silver could only chuckle.
"Not at all, Mama!"
The mother and son head upstairs into his parents's primary room together to begin dressing him for the day. As the two were upstairs getting ready, the sound of a doorbell rang. Roberto got up from the sofa and went to answer the door. Standing in the entrance was none other than his wife's nephew, Dorado, and his girlfriend, and Silver's good lady-friend, Vicky.
"¡Hola Tío Roberto!" Dorado greeted his uncle. He is a slender, slightly muscular young man with broad shoulders with deep skin with neutral undertone, painted black nails, black tattoos covering his entire left arm, brown eyes, and a gold pierced left split eyebrow, and some piercings on his ears. He has curls on top with some gold blonde highlights with undercut taper fade which make the pattern of the lightning bolt and a stubble on his chin.
His entire outfit is very much a mixture of gothic and punk rock. An white plain tank top with his tuck short-sleeve button-down shirt with one button close on the bottom, black knee ripped jeans held up with a brown leather belt with thick gold chain hanging on his right side, and black leather boots with white lace. A small black choker, thin gold curb necklace and matching bracelet on his left wrist, and a gold military style "Dog Tag" necklace with his first initial "D" carved into it for accessories.
"Hola hijo!" Roberto greeted his nephew back.
"Hello Mr. Willow." Vicky smiles at him. The young woman dressed in an 1940s style attire. She wore this lavender blazer jacket featuring sharp peak lapels decorated with velvet and floral embroidered edges including another on the coat edge, a snap-in modesty panel, and single button closure. The matching below-the-knee pencil skirt closes with a metal Talon zipper and single button. She got pantyhose on her legs and a dark purple ankle-strap heel, white gloves with two buttons closer and a pair of vintage gold tone and faux pearl earrings. Last but not least, this dark purple pillbox hat with stephanotis flowers pinned to her back head area. Her afro hair gathered and waved with some curls on top, rolled under into a chignon on the bottom.
"Hola Vicky!" He hugged her as the couple walked inside the house.
"Is your son still not ready?" Vicky asked.
"Oh, Silver has only been helping him prepare himself the entire night," Mr. Willow said, resulting in the sharp eye roll while closing the door.
"You mean his entire life," Dorado said, chuckling. "From all the training the princesses taught him, I'm pretty sure he can nail it! He's pretty much an professional."
The husband looked down at his watch, it's almost time for their ride to come pick them up. The mother and son still haven't come down the stairs and are still getting ready.
"I should run upstairs and tell them to hurry up, they will be here any minute and we're going to be late if this is going to take much longer!" Roberto spoke as he was about to head for the stairs, but his daughter Valentina stopped him.
"Give them some time papa." Valentina said.
Amy groaned at her sister and dad before heading to the bottom of the stairs, yelling pretty loudly. "MAMA! SILVER! CAN YOU TWO HURRY UP ALREADY!!!! YOU MUST. MAKE. HASTE!" Then she turned back to them with a smile. "Think they could hear me?"
The mother came down the stairs wearing this exquisite a-line platinum floral lace dress with a scoop neckline featuring 3/4 sleeves with ruffle hem, floor-length floral skirt and waistband detailing. A pair of matching high velvet pumps heel, an rhinestone bracelet on her right wrist. A set of beautiful drop earrings on her ears featuring large pear and oval shaped white topaz stones surrounded by dazzling diamonds and set in white gold. Her hair was styled into lower buns and wore natural makeup. "Of course we can tell you Amy!" She groaned. "Practically everyone in the whole neighborhood can hear you."
"About time!" Roberto exclaimed. "We were waiting so long I thought my hair would turn gray already!"
"Better late than other mi amor." She replied back. "We need to make some effort for the presentation today!" Paula smiles as she taps her buns.
"Okay Silver! You can come down now!" Paula loudly exclaimed to her son upstairs. "Everyone is waiting!"
"Coming Mama!"
Silver appeared as he descended down the stairs, using his left hand to hold the railing so as not to trip and fall. He is dressed in this ivory military inspired design with 17 rows of gold buttons and trims across the front. An elegant collar & lapels with a shiny gold trim. Matching shiny gold contour trims to the sides, and unique shaped cuff panels featuring custom cast military style button detailing. Finished perfectly with buttoned epaulets to both sides of the shoulders and gold buckled and a sash with layers of bird white feather going from his right shoulder to his left waist.
Sat on his head was this gold crown with a baroque element. On his bottom was a pair of white breeches with gold cuffs, white tight, pair of gloves, pair of white polish shoes, white belt wrapped around his waist with a gold buck in the center. Lastly, a silver medieval style sword and a long 9ft mystical white cape behind him.
"Well?" Silver smiled as he finally came down to the last step of the stairway. "How do I look?"
They all smiled as they saw him. "Look at you! I can't believe you look amazing!" His father said.
"Garcia Papa," he smiled as his mother suddenly started taking pictures to capture this wonderful moment.
"Oh Silver! You look charming as an white rose!" Vicky compliments.
"Truly cuzz!" Dorado added.
Silver then looked at his sisters. "What do you think girls?"
"You look like a prince!" Valentina smiles.
"Really!" Amelia agrees with her sister. "A Prince Charming!"
DING DONG!
"Oh! It must be a driver!" Mr. Roberto exclaimed as he went to answer the door. Standing in the doorway an anthropomorphic Cocker Spaniel dog dressed in this red coat with gold filigree detailing and full lining. Inside was a white shirt with lace frill and cuffs, black vest with buttons featuring Mickey silhouette heads pattern, and black pants. He wore matching black knee breeches trim with gold satin edge and full white stocking and black polish shoes with gold buckle. For the finished touch, he has this big wide red matching tricorn hat on his head.
"Good day sir!" He tipped his hat, he looked down at the white card that he's holding in his left hand. "Is this the Willow Family residence?"
"Yes!" Mr. Roberto replied quickly. "This is the house of Willow."
The dog walked inside the house. Stopping in front of Silver, he took off his hat and bowed to the young man. "Greeting Mister Willow. Are you ready to go?"
"Yes sir," Silver let out a nervous voice, "I'm ready."
"Your ride awaits."
The driver took his hand, and led him out the front door, where the sight before him stopped him in his tracks.
"Is that…"
"Oh, Silver," his mom gasped, with the rest meeting them out on the porch that also gasps, "it's the carriage!" Mrs. Paula exclaimed. "With four horses." She added.
She was right, in front of them was a beautiful black Berlin style horse-drawn carriage in gold embellished is pulled by four white orlov trotter horses, four side windows and two on the doors, inside Silver could see cream curtains and seats for him and his parents to sit down. Two footmen, all dressed alike, stood beside the carriage door.
He never expected to be riding on the carriage on the way to the castle, he thought he would be ridden in the vehicle but never the carriage.
"So you're telling me this," Silver pointed at the majestic carriage, "is where we will be ridden to the castle!?" He exclaimed.
The driver gave him a funny look and laughed, "Of course Mister Willow. His majesty King Mickey requested all of the guests to be ridden on the carriage."
Silver accepted the footman's help as the other footman unfolded the steps and one opened the door for them. "Here goes nothing," he took a deep breath as he and his parents climbed aboard the carriage.
"Silver." Standing beside the open doorway of the carriage, Dorado looked at his cousin. "You'll do great, I know you can! We believe in you!"
Silver nodded his head as one of the footmen closed the door. "Thank you." The cousins each form a closed fist with one hand and then lightly tap the front of their fists together.
And then, the carriage started moving. Silver looks back through the window from behind and waves Dorado, Vicky, and his twin sisters goodbye as they head to the castle for the presentation.
Dorado waved. "Have a good time Silver!"
"We will be watching!!!" Vicky shouted.
"Byeeeee!!!" The twins wave at the carriage driven off.
It wasn't long for them to end up at Disney Town after entering the portal with many carriages in front of them arriving first before them. Citizens were lining up on the street behind a barricade fence with a police officer standing by in case any danger came to the debutante. Some were waving and cheering while others were waving their flags at them. Silver gave a slight smile and waved back.
Soon enough they neared the Disney Castle. Silver gasped, "Look, we're almost there!"
"What's it look like Silver?" His dad chuckled while he asked.
"It's so big and majestic! Much taller than any other castle in the park!" Silver described.
"Alright Silver! Don't get nervous!" Mr. Willows held his son's hand.
"I'm not," Silver lied.
"I know you aren't. But try not to act too confident."
"Why?" Silver asked.
"Because, acting too confident can make people think you're cocky or arrogant. Just keep it real!" Paula explained to him as the carriage continued its journey.
"I don't understand what you mean, Mama."
"Just be yourself, that's all your Papa and I ask of you." She smiled.
Silver looked out the carriage window as they approached the entrance gate to the Disney Castle. Once they came to a full stop, Silver Willow exited the first carriage, followed by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Willow and Silver entered Disney Castle along with his parents and the other male and female debutantes. All both looked so amazed dressed in their white attires.
His brown eyes met towards the large staircase in the castle entrance foyer in the neoclassical style design, covered in red carpet with gold trim and two guards standing beside at the end.
Silver's heart began pounding as they climbed the stairs, each step making it beat harder. Could his parents hear it? He'd tried so hard to walk, talk, and move like a proper gentleman tonight, but being in Disney Castle felt like everything he was trained for had been thrown out of the window.
What if Silver did something wrong and embarrassed himself? Could he ruin his presentation?
"This is where you should separate," one of the castle staff said, as the Willow Family all finally reached the top of the stairs. Roberto nodded to his son proudly, and then smiled at his wife Paula. Paula nodded and smiled back at her husband. Then the husband led Silver toward the room filled with debutantes while Paula headed to the opposite direction with the other guests.
With many ladies and gentlemen, some were at the age of 15 to 21. As he glanced around the room he discovered different types of emotions: excitement, nervosity, elation and fear. The new debuts easily stood out, the young ladies in their elegant white dresses, with beautiful tiara and long opera length gloves, white orch feathers and long veil with their small bouquet of ten flowers that almost made them all look like a bride. The gentlemen were dressed in white suit that almost looked like a military suit, their hairs were well-groom, a crown sat on their head, feathers sash and a sword at their side that made them look like a charming handsome prince. Each strikingly similar with their own personal touches and all of them are primp and ready for their presentation.
He could see most of faces of the debuts he can recognize for instance: he spotted Dolores with her mother Pepa Madrigal, Prince Henry of the Enchanted Forest with his older twin brother Henry Mills, Emma Ross with her mother Christina Ross, Carlos Rodriguez with his godmother Miss Jenn, LaCienega and her mother Sunset Boulevard, Max goof with his dad Goofy, Ethan Clade with his dad Searcher Clade, Candace Flynn and her mom Linda Flynn-Fletcher, Frederickson with his dad Mr. Frederickson, and Morgan Philip with her stepmom Giselle.
Silver then spotted two familiar people that were having a friendly chat and he immediately recognized them two. "Toren? Aline!?"
That's right, these two are none other than Toren and Aline, two of his friends.
"Silver!?" Aline let out a chuckle as she speed walked toward him and gave him a big hug with Toren following her behind who also gave him a hug too. "I can't believe you're here!"
"Neither do I!" Silver smile. "Never thought to see you both here."
"I never thought I could be here today!" Toren, in his anthro form, is dressed in this white semi formal dress shirt with classic collar, the satin cream jackets are fully lined and the peak lapel and other details are finished in gold trim. Matching bow tie around his neck along with matching cummerbund as well the sash just like the one that Silver is wearing. He's wearing tailor fitted trousers with a gold belt and what seems to be is….
"Toren, please tell me that sword is fake!?" Silver exclaimed at the sight of the sword.
"Yup!" Toren said with a pop of "p". "It's actually fake! Not real, just made out of plastic." He revealed. "Skylar and Nico wouldn't dare to allow me to have sharp weapons. Let alone me holding a sword!" He ended his explanation with a chuckle. "But I do hate to be in my anthro form, I must rather be in my regular form but Skylar and Nico said we have to be in our anthro form otherwise we wouldn't be able to fit inside the carriage."
Silver turns to face Aline. "Aline! You look beautiful!"
She was indeed beautiful in her debutante attire. Aline is dress in this strapless design white gown with an straight folden neckline, the bodice featured basque drop waistline shape and it's looked to be corseted with an three blush pink roses sat in the off center in her right side, the skirt fall into an a-line silhouette with an widen gathered skirt. She wore these pairs of elbow-length white gloves, a bouquet of ten blush pink roses in her hand, three short white ostrich feather headdresses and a long 9-ft white veil, sets of drop earrings featuring a pear-shaped rose quartz. A pretty matching mini rose quartz smooth cut teardrop pendant set in yellow gold chain.
Sat on her head was this rose gold tiara designed as a garland of ivy leaves and briar thorns, set with cushion-shaped and rose-cut diamonds and her hair was done into Ma updo.
"Thank you!" Aline smiles with a slight blush on her cheek. "Queen Leah, Aurora's mother, gifted me this tiara. And you look mightly handsome yourself!"
"Thanks." Silver blushed too. "So who is presenting you guys?" He asks.
"Skylar will be presenting to me today." Toren smiled.
"Mine is Aurora." Aline added. "She taught me everything I needed to know and helped me prepare for my debutante presentation." She said, before asking a question. "What about you? Who is presenting you?"
"My dad!" Silver answer.
"Your dad?" Toren looked at him in surprise. "I thought your cousin would be presenting to you?"
Silver laughed at him. "My cousin Dorado couldn't present to me because he and Vicky have to babysit my sisters but they will be watching the presentation together from the tv at my house."
Toren nods in understanding. "Well…. I can't wait for the ball Skylar and Nico are throwing!" Toren beams in excitement.
Silver looked at him in utter confusion. "Ball? What ball?"
"My debut ball!" Toren answered. "After I am being presented, we will be heading back to Vallestrella for my debut ball celebration, Elena grandmother is making chocolate today for all of the guests including myself to eat!"
"I'm going to have one too!" Alien looked at Toren. "Aurora's parents are hosting my debut ball at their castle today. On our way to the carriage, Flora and Merrywheather are very much arguing whether the decorations should be pink or blue." She laughed. "I bet that by the time we get back, the place isn't decorated and the two are still bittering."
"What about you Silver?" Toren looked at Silver, "Are your parents throwing you a debut ball?"
"I don't have a debut ball but King Mickey and Queen Minnie are throwing a debut ball later once the presentations are finished." He said before letting out a sigh. "But it would be a bit bumperless without you guys, there isn't anyone I know I could talk to or hangout with."
"Hey, you could come to one of our balls!" Aline offers an open invite. "I don't mind having you here, we could celebrate our debuts together! The double debuts ball!"
"Yeah!" Toren smiled. "Come to my ball! You are going to love Luisa's delicious chocolate, they are sooooo good!"
"As much as I would love to attend, it would be rude to the staff who work very hard to make your ball the bestest ball ever! Having you declare a double debut ball would be shocking to them." He explains as he declines their invite. "They never had a backup plan they prepared before in case something like this happened."
"Hmm.. that's fair." Aline shrugs, it is a very good point.
"But if this makes you guys feel any better." He cheekily looked at them. "My parents are throwing Mis 21st Años to celebrate my birthday!"
Both of them flinched in shock.
"You're gonna be 21?" Aline gasped.
"Yeah! In three days, June 21!" Silver squealed excitedly. "Didn't you guys receive the invitation?"
"Oh yeah…" Toren scratched his head. "Whoopsie, I forgot."
"In our defense," Aline giggled at Toren's forgetfulness. "The preparation of our presentation really makes us forget your birthday."
"But we're looking forward to celebrating your birthday!" Toren looked at Silver in amazement.
"Mmhmm!" Aline says with a bright smile."I can't wait to come to your birthday party!"
"Wait." Toren paused blinks for the second before looking at Silver. "Does that mean that once you turn 21… You will…. You know." Toren played with his finger. "Started…… Wellllllllll……"
"Hm?" Silver was confused of what Toren meant until realization hit him. "Oooohhhh! Oh no! Nonononono!" He exclaimed, shaking his head. "I-I don't do that and never will." He laughed. "I prefer not to. After seeing what happened to Logan three years agos, I don't think I would want to."
Toren shook his head.
A sound of what appeared to be a cowbell rang and Clarabelle came with an announcement. "The presentation is about to begin! Places everyone! Placed! Chop, chop!"
Soon, his father came up to the trio. "Well hijo! The presentation will start soon." He said to his son. "It's best to get in line otherwise we might end up going to the back of the line."
"Yes Papa!" Silver nodded at his dad. "Good luck you guys! I know you will do your best!" He wished them.
"You too!" Aline squeal.
Silver and his Papa quickly stood in line with the rest of the debutants, the boys going on the right side and the girls going on the opposite side across from them. Lucky for him, Toren stood in front of him with Skylar so at least now they can chat quietly for a bit. One by one, all of the debutants wait their turns to present once their name is called out. Silver was really nervous as the line moved up to the tall door that led to the throne room. His Papa took his hand and did his best to calm his son down from nerves. Silver could feel his heart racing as they are very close.
Only then, he could hear a commotion inside of the throne room and the loud gasp was heard. "What's happening!?" Silver wondered when he turned to face Mrs. Roberto.
Toren took a peek of the doorway, he gasped and turned to face Silver in a whisper tone. "LaCienega has fainted!"
"She fainted!" He shrieked with his mouth wide open. "In front of the King and Queen!?" Toren nodded at him before peek back at the throne room.
He saw King Mickey and Queen Minnie looked at LaCienega on the ground, looking mighty concerned for her. Mr. Felix Boulevardez quickly runs up to his wife and fainted daughter before throwing LaCienega over his shoulder like a stack of potato bags and quickly speeds off to the side with his wife trailing behind as she shields her eyes and her cheek were red in embarrassment.
"Aye dios mio! I knew I shouldn't tight laced her bodice really hard when she asked me to!" She whispers to herself.
Up next is Toren and Skylar. Silver couldn't believe that soon after them, it will be his turn to be presented.
"His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince Skylar of Vallestrella, presenting his brother, His Royal Highness, Prince Toren!"
Silver whispers good luck at him when he and Skylar walk into the throne room together. As the door closes shut before opening it again as the next girl goes and then Clarabelle signals him and his father to stand where the last debutante once stood. Roberto quickly fixed his cape before placing a good-luck kiss on his cheek.
As they stood in front of the doors, Silver nervously squeezed and unsqueezed his fists, before forcing himself to relax, taking in deep and slow breaths in an attempt to not pass out in front of the King and Queen.
"Ready, hijo?" Roberto glanced at his son with an eyebrow raised.
Silver took a deep breath before responding back to his father. He nodded his head. "Let's do it."
"Mr. Roberto Willow…" The caller looked up from his card and looked around the room with his voice boom. "…presenting his son, Mister Silver Willow."
Once again, Silver took a deep breath as the doors opened. The people in the throne room had been quiet as they had been with all the previous debuts that were presented and were again amazed by his beauty as he approached King Mickey and his Queen Minnie. Step by step Silver carefully made his way to the front with his dad behind him. Paula looked at his son with a proud smile on her face. The one thing that set him aside was his apparent confidence and lack of nervosity. Silver held his head high up, took strides that bordered on the acceptable and kept his eyes straight yet calm looking at King Mickey and Queen Minnie who smiled at him warmly. And so Silver and Roberto reached them without anyone being aware of the disorderly thoughts of the debutante.
Silver put his right hand on the center of his chest, bending his back while briefly bowing his head down without the slightest mistake in front of King Mickey and then to Queen Minnie, as was proper to the consort of the king before he went down on one knee. And with an amused smile Minnie stood up from her seat and walked towards Silver as she gently put her fingers underneath Silver's chin and lifted his head.
"Flawless, my dear." Queen Minnie said with a clear loud voice before leaning in to kiss his forehead. "Thank you, Your Majesty." Silver had a smile on his face, as did Roberto, as he was escorted off to the side before the two left and the next debuted is up.
"Did that-what just happened?" Silver stuttered as he whispered to his dad.
"Just keep smiling, Silver. Just keep smiling," Roberto whispered back as the two entered another room where Silver will be photographed before hearing the next debuts behind him out loud.
"Her Royal Highness, Princess Aurora presenting Miss Aline."
In the kingdom located in Cinderella's world, Anthony stared out the carriage window, watching the grassy fields pass by. After he bid his family farewell, they set off for the journey to the King's Castle to where he will be staying as the Prince's protege. He looked at the castle in awe and wonder, taking in every detail of its grandeur. It was beautiful, majestic and imposing. He had never seen such a sight before nor had he imagined that a castle like this existed, especially in this day and age.
He smiles once the carriage enters through the gate of the castle. The guard bowed their heads respectfully and released the horses, allowing the carriage to proceed further inside of the castle. Once they passed the gates, Anthony noticed a fountain with water cascading down into a pool surrounded by tall cone topiary and flowers.
The carriage then goes around the fountain and stops before the main entrance, where Cinderella and her Prince are there to welcome them while standing on the land step of the Castle. All eyes were on him as they watched Anthony get out of the carriage. All eyes were on him as they watched Anthony climb out of the carriage. He then started to walk up the stairs.
Cinderella and the Prince gave him an encouraging look as he walked forward towards the two who greeted him. The Prince stepped toward and greeted his protégé. "Welcome, Lord Anthony Draventon! I am so happy to see you here! You have made it all the way from your home country just for us…" The Prince said warmly, smiling at him.
Anthony smiled back at the Prince before bowing his neck. "Thank you. I am very happy to be here and ready to start my journey as your protege."
"I am glad to hear that." The Prince then turned to Cinderella who also gave him a warm smile.
"We've been waiting for you, your Grace." Cinderella said with a curtsy, "My husband and I are very excited to meet you." She then offered him her hand as she stood in front of him.
"It's nice to finally meet you too." Anthony shook her hand.
Anthony nods his head, "Of course, if that is what you prefer."
The Prince then spoke again, "Shall we all go inside and get you settled?"
Cinderella nodded her head. "Yes, let's do that."
As they entered the Castle, Anthony couldn't stop himself from looking around and taking everything in. There were many rooms decorated with beautiful tapestries, paintings and intricate designs. He was truly amazed how elegant and sophisticated it was.
"My gosh it's huge!" Anthony commented.
"Yes it is, isn't it?" Cinderella agreed. "I reacted the same way when I first came into this castle. It's so big and magnificent." She added.
During their walk down the hall, Cinderella bids her husband a goodbye before she heads up to Anthony's room to see if everything is in place.
The Prince lays out some ground rules for Anthony to follow. "As my protege, it's important that you understand the rules of the Royal House. So please, observe and follow all the guidelines and rules." He paused for a moment. "You must always keep yourself clean and neat at all times. You will be expected to be presentable and well-mannered at all times. I expect nothing less than perfection from you, my protege. Do you understand?"
Anthony nods his head, "I understand."
"Good. Now, I-"
"Ah! This must be your protege, my boy!" The voice suddenly interrupts the conversation between the Prince and Anthony.
Anthony turns to see the King, smiling and heading toward them.
"Father," The Prince said, bowing his head.
The King nodded his head once. "It's nice to meet you, My son."
Anthony bows his head to his mentor father. "Your Majesty. It is an honor to meet you."
The King then looks at his son's protege. "And you must be Anthony, right?"
Anthony smiles back at the king. "Yes, Your Majesty."
"Well, I must say, it's wonderful to finally meet you after my son announced he had found his protege." The King says cheerfully. "And I know my son will train you properly to be a fine Captain someday." The King then pats Anthony on the shoulder.
Thank you, sir," Anthony replied politely.
After the King left, the Prince began to take Anthony on a tour around the castle. They went to the dining hall, then to the ballroom, the library, the courtyard, the gardens, the chapel, the horse stables, the guards' quarters, training room, the armory, the kitchen, the throne room and then the royal dining room. Everything was absolutely breathtaking. Every room was exquisite, elegant and rich.
The Prince asks Anthony while walking in the hallway, "So, what do you think so far?"
"Everything is amazing!" Anthony exclaimed. "But I'm probably going to get lost in this huge castle."
The Prince laughed. "Don't worry. You'll get used to the layout of the castle."
"That would be good." Anthony replied.
They continued walking down the hallway until Anthony's eyes immediately caught his attention when he noticed an oil painting portrait with a gold oval frame hung on the wall. It was the figure of the beautiful young adult wearing a 1860s-style white tulle dress. Their black hair was tied in a bun atop their head. White flowers adorned their heads and their eyes were hidden behind a pair of square black glasses.
Anthony gasped in shock when he saw the portrait of a young man he met from his family ball. "Oh my gosh! I can't believe it!" He exclaimed in his mind.
The Prince, not noticing Anthony stop and look at the portrait, still continued walking. "Once you get used to the layout of this castle, you will be able to find your way around-" He stopped briefing once he turned around and saw Anthony staring at the portrait.
"Anthony?" He tried calling his name but got no response.
Anthony carefully steps closer and takes a better look at the portrait with shock. He couldn't believe his eyes, because he recognized the person in the portrait. It was the young man who he met at the ball. He was the one who was dancing with him while disgusting as Lady Golden. The one who he danced in his secret garden. The one who leaves his slipper behind.
"Who… is… that…?" Anthony asked quietly, pointing at the portrait.
The Prince slowly walked up to him and looked at the painting. "Do you recognize this person?" He asked him, judging by Anthony's expression.
Anthony shakes his head, "Yes." He whispered. "I knew him before, we met at my family ball."
The Prince stares intently at the portrait. "Really? How exactly did you meet him?"
Anthony takes a deep breath and tells the Prince about the night of his family ball. From the moment their eyes met at the garden to the moment when he and the four Disney Princesses fled the ball. "Ever since then, I couldn't forget the face of the masked man. I searched to try to find out what his real identity is, but I could never get close to him, not until now."
The Prince then looks down at Anthony. "What makes you think that he is the same one from your family's ball?"
Anthony looks back at the Prince, then back at the portrait, "I remember seeing him remove his hand from his face when I promised him I won't get upset. My mind has alway been filled with him ever since the day I first saw his face."
"My wife knows him." The Prince told him. "She has known him for a long time."
"Who is he?" Anthony asked.
The Prince smiled before he turned his face to the portrait.
"His name…… is Silver Willow."
The sun had gone down revealing the star filled night sky. After all of the debutantes were presented to King Mickey and Queen Minnie, it was time for the official debut ball to begin. While most, including Toren and Aline, had already left to go to attend their own debut celebration back home after being presented, Silver was one of those who stayed behind but was saddened that there would be no one he knew of he could talk and hang out with.
As the Willow Family waited their turn to greet King Mickey and Queen Minnie, Silver had already removed his cape with the help of his magic paintbrush that he secretly stored inside of his breech.
"Your Majesties," Silver says, falling into a deep bow like he has done back to the throne room and offering King Mickey and Queen Minnie a smile. Behind him, his father (on his left) bows his head respectfully while his mother (on his right) does the dip curtsy before standing back up and offering the royals a small smile.
"How wonderful to see you and your parents in attendance," Mickey says, "I'm glad that you have decided to stay to attend this debutante ball, Silver."
Silver, like a child getting chastised by their parents, turns a faint shade of pink and bow again. "My parents and I are gracefully glad to attend, Your Majesty."
They walked into the entrance of the ballroom to see a huge crowd of all kinds of people, at least 250 people filling up the ballroom. Handsome young gentlemen, pretty young ladies, and of course, the hovering mamas and overprotective fathers. Silver was grateful that his own parents aren't like those other parents.
The ballroom was decorated with an elegant, soft pastel blooms arrangement including hydrangeas, peonies, roses, lisianthuses, delphiniums, white wisteria, hypericum berries, and lysimachia with some lemon leaf greenery. There were couples on the floor that spun and danced beautifully to the sound of violins and violas with grand crystal chandeliers above them. Silver stares with wide eyes, everything looks absolutely beautiful, he feels like he's stepping into a romance regency novel.
The three of them head over to the round table they chose to sit down. It's covered with white tablecloth with a gold overlay on top, six white plates featuring gold trim with gold folded angled pocket napkins. Tuck inside the napkin are this shining gold spoon, fork, and knife. A glass of champagne flute and the same flower arranged in a small gold French country pot.
"Oh don't they look lovely!" Paula gushed, glancing at her husband and son as they sat down at the table. Silver smiles at her as his dad sets down the chair for him.
"I couldn't believe our son is now officially a debutante," Roberto said with pride as he placed his hand on his son's shoulder.
"It sure is!" Paula gushes before eyeing at the centerpiece. "Do you think they let us take it home with us?"
"Mama!" Silver laughs.
"What are they planning to do with all these centerpieces once the ball is over?" Paula asks, looking around.
"Our hostess will probably donate them to a local children's hospital or something," Silver replies.
"Maybe, but wouldn't it be nice to keep something like this as a memory?" Paula asks.
"Mama!"
Paula laughed with a smile, before she took in the beauty of the ballroom and the people within. She glances over to the dance floor, where couples are dancing the night away together.
"Why don't you ask someone to dance with you?" Roberto suggests.
Silver turned to look at his dad with a blink of surprise, surprised that he even suggested that.
"Me? Why would I want to dance with someone else when I can just dance with my mama?" Silver laughs.
Roberto chuckled, patting his shoulder before turning to glance at Paula. "Well?"
"Oh Silver, you know how much I love to dance, so why not?" Paula asked with a sly wink.
"No way, Mama! You should dance with Papa, since he is the one that suggested it!" Silver exclaims, feeling embarrassed.
"Don't be silly," Paula tells him with a wink. "Besides, your papa doesn't dance like me. I'm a better dancer than he is."
Silver sighed, making his mother chuckle. He then smiles at her before fixing up his suit and walks over her with his arm out. "Shall we dance Mademoiselle?" He mocks with a fake French accent.
Paula stands up from the table, dusting off her gown before smiling back at her son. "Oh we shall!" She laughed and went out to join the dance floor.
The mother and son stand about a foot apart facing each other. Silver does a bow while Paula giggles at him and does a tiny quick curtsy. Then Silver extends his hand out to her, taking hers in his. They face each other and begin to spin slowly, twirling around each other.
The mother and son share each other's smiles along with laughter. They and the dancers dance counterclockwise around the dance floor, Silver and Paula have their arms crossed in front of one another, grasping each other's hands. They then continue going counterclockwise and carefully spin clockwise around and make small steps. Silver then twirls his mother around as she giggles.
Roberto smiles as he watches his wife and their son dancing on the dance floor as the music continues playing. The song ends and both mother and son return back to the table.
"That was fun," Paula says, sipping a glass of champagne. "Who knew that doing this kind of dance would be fun! We should do this again next time!"
Silver chuckle, drinking cold water. "If the princess ever plans on throwing a ball, I might as well take you as my date."
Paula chuckled back. "You better, it would be nice getting out of the house for a bit and dancing all night."
Roberto smirks. "At least now I'm able to watch my game without having you snatch the remote from my hand just for you to watch your novela."
A trumpet sounded, getting everyone's attention in the ballroom and getting up from their seat. Suddenly King Mickey took a step forward from his seat with a smile. "Your presence is noted," King Mickey announces from his position in the middle of the room, his eyes sweeping the attendees with a warm smile, "and my sweet Minnie and I are most appreciative. Allow it to now for my Queen to be her honor to present to you The Season Debutante."
The room breaks out into a quiet hush.
Parent's eagerly reach for their kids as they all look to the Queen in anticipation who got off from her seat. Each of their eyes shining with hope that it would be their son's or daughter's name announced as the most eligible debutant of the year. "I must say." She says to her guests. "All the families today should be proud. You have raised some intelligent and accomplished sons and daughters. But… not everyone can attract the light. There can only be one The Season Debutante. And that is…."
Queen Minnie's eyes scan the room before pausing, smiling at one debut.
"Miss Dolores Madrigal."
Our second and third special guests are none other than Toren and Aline! Toren is now in his teen years since he was supposed to be a preteen back in the start of the "Living in the Magical World", Aline is what I assume to believe to be around the same age as Silver. Also Vicky made her appearance in Silver's story! In this three years future story, Vicky is dating Silver's older cousin from his maternal side, Dorado. As I stated in the beginning of the first chapter, some events that didn't happen in TheDragonKeeper or Logan stories will happen in "Days of the Magical World".
Through a portrait of the young man hanging in the castle, and the Prince revealing his identity to him, he has finally discovered the identity of the young man he fell in love with at the masked ball. Now, he has to figure out where he is going to be able to find Silver, in order to complete the quest he has set for himself. This time, Anthony is not only looking forward to being a Prince's Protege, but also hoping that he will be able to find his true love.
Next Chapter: Silver is officially 21 and we celebrate with a huge birthday celebration in a Quince-style and you're invited!