The morning began with birds chirping, as they do most of the days. I would like to think it's because of Snow White's contagious positivity, which can definitely be a good thing. However, when all i want is sleep, it makes me regret sharing a room with her. Don't get me wrong, I love my sister, but I am most definitely not a morning person.

"Good morning, sunshine! The early bird gets the worm!"

"The early bird can get the worm."

"Don't be ridiculous, the late bird will starve then."

"I don't think she will complain, because she values sleep more."

Snow White rolls her eyes before yanking my blanket off.

"I really don't need that."

"Well, unfortunately, today is not the day to be a late birdie. We will be busy tonight. Step-mother has been making preparations, and there will be a ball tonight. You know that the day of the ball means that you and I will have no rest."

Then I began to roll my eyes. Honestly, I never understood why our step-mother went through this hassle. It's an open secret that she hates both Snow White and me. Well, me more than Snow White. The glares as we leave the room. The snickers behind her fan when I make a small mistake. The spark of joy in her eyes when other nobles make their disagreements and complaints whenever I voice my opinion, the council meetings that she would mention at the last minute, or the lack of communication over the agenda for each one.

I begrudgingly sat up in my bed watching Snow White as she rushed from one corner to the next in our room, almost using it so my eyes could get adjusted to the sunlight. I kept blinking slowly before getting up and going through my closet. The door had opened and a flurry of maids rushed in.

"Good morning, your highnesses!" they said in unison.

As Snow White was telling the maids which dresses and accessories that she had wanted to wear, and which ones she had also wanted me to wear, I took the opportunity to sneak away. Basically sprinting, I weaved through the servants' pathways and quarters, and into a room that was basically being used as a spare supply closet. And in a box in the corner of the room, was where I had hidden some trousers, shirt, and a cap that was commonly worn by commoners. I quickly changed before emerging from the room, and sneaking into the kitchen with the chaos all around. I spotted the common bread basket and grabbed a couple before leaving the castle by using one of the servant exits.

I am sure that Snow White and our step-mother will throw a fit when they both figure out that I had snuck out of the castle again, but the best part of sneaking out of the castle on the day of a ball, is that they can't openly scold me in the middle of the ball. There's a certain image that they would have to maintain, and its harder to do that when other kingdoms and their nobility are involved. On second thought, would step-mother really be that mad, because she could just be secretly overjoyed instead, since she wouldn't have to deal with me.

I shrugged. Whatever she was feeling, as long as I wasn't going to deal with it. As I was walking through the city, I walked through the common plaza, greeting most of the vendor sellers.

"Good morning, Mrs. Vener! Good to see you well today! I was worried yesterday, when I didn't see you!"

"Lena, you know better than to sneak out the castle," Mrs. Vener goes, giving me that motherly look.

"Mrs. Vener, you know that castle is not meant for me. And besides, I think you appreciate all the bread I bring," I responded, raising an eyebrow while showing her the bread I had taken earlier.

"Lena, today is a day that I should be giving you something. Happy Birthday, Lena. I do have a sweet cake for you today. I know it's nothing compared to the head chef at the castle but, " She smiled finally while pulling out a small strawberry cake. I can feel my eyes tear up a little before taking it.

"Thank you," I whispered.

"No, thank you, Lena. And you better make sure you get back to the castle. I did hear that tonight might be more crowded than normal. I had heard that the queen had invited quite a number of guests. And just a reminder, not everyone knows that you're our princess, so keep your head down"

That comment had made me roll my eyes.

"But, thank you again, Mrs. Vener," I said as I waved to her.

I had managed to leave the city gate. It was never really guarded well. The guards at the gate were too busy laughing and joking around with each other. A quick glance at some poorly dressed little boy was met with a wave of a hand, approving for me to go through the gate. It wasn't much further until I had reached the woods that were outside the city limit. Going towards a specifically marked tree, I reached into its carved out and hidden truck to grab my training bow and arrow, and a small knife.

I smiled as I watched it glimmer in the sunlight. "Time to practice," I whisper to myself. My dad was a big hunter. Despite being a king and responsibilities, he always found some time to go hunting, saying it was a good way to stretch and keep you in shape, while maintaining some survival instinct. Ironically, it didn't do much to keep him alive for a long time. However, hunting allowed me to stay close to him despite everything. I was never formally trained to hunt, so everything I had done, the way I moved and looked at tracks was based on what I had remembered what my dad said and did. I wasn't too bad. I had gotten a few animals here and there, always enough to enjoy my own lunch with my prey.

And before long, it was time for me to head back. I still had about 4 hours before the start of the ball anyways, so I had to sneak back into the castle through the same servant headquarters.

Sneaking into my room, I was met with 2 angry faces. Thankfully, they were two faces that I quite enjoyed.

"And where have you been?" started Snow White.

"Unbelievable, this is unbelievable. Every year, you do this, can we not have just one year where you participate in this like a normal girl?"

"Well, normal girls join the ball so that they can find a husband. I have no interest like that," I started only to be met with a glare.

"Mira, please help my sister get ready, before I lose it."

"Yes, your highness."

"I have to meet with the queen to finalize some details, so please behave."

"Yes ma'am. I will try my best," I responded, giving her my best smile.

Snow White gives me one more glance, but I can see the doubt on her face. I tried to give her a reassuring wave, and Snow White leaves and closes the door behind her. I smile again and turned towards Mira, "I did say I will try, Mira."

Mira doesn't smile, "Your highness, I can smell you, and not in a good way. You will begin with a bath."

Since Snow White was stressed out, I had decided to be more amiable about the whole ball prep and did not complain to Mira.

However, I did not budge on the topic of wearing flats vs heels. Honestly, I didn't have time to really practice wearing them, and I don't think falling flat on my face is better than wearing heels to a ball.

But eventually, Mira had finally finished, and had collapsed in exhaustion in the corner. I looked in the mirror.

"Not bad," I said to myself. Mira had really outdone herself. She had put my silver hair in a low bun with my bands slightly curled and framing my face. Snow White had also decided on a royal blue color gown that had pearl accents. Mira jumps up once she hears me.

"Right, I am a miracle worker," she goes with her eyes shining.

I laughed, "yes, Mira. You most definitely are."

"Now, let's have you make your way to the ball. You are one of the main events today."

I could barely swallow hearing that.

"Yes, here we go," I said as I started to make my way to the door that led to the ballroom.