The Elusive Prince

Merideth Being a princess in this modern day is very peaceful and great but if you expect it to be all sunshine and rainbows I’ll tell you otherwise. The sound of abrupt and sharp knocks came into the door. I opened my eyes groggily as I looked out the big glass windows of my room as I was once again awaken in my deep slumber by my aide. I groaned as I saw the sun just recently grace the earth with its presence. What I don’t understand is why I need to be up the same time as the sun was but here we are.  The knocking persisted and I just about growled and tell my aide to go away but remembered that that’s not very ladylike and even if I do so, the knocking won’t stop until I decide to wake up so instead I opted for groaning rather loudly which was all the response my aide needed to open the door along with the other helpers trailing behind her, ready to do their job in this early morning. “Good morning your highness.” My aide and best friend, Hailey greeted me with a teasing smile. Hailey has been my aide ever since I was very young so we kind of grew up together and thus by default making her one of my dear friends.  I scowled at her, knowing full well that she knows how much I hate being up so early in the morning. She answered me with a small giggle which made me roll my eyes at her.  “What’s the schedule for today Hailey?” I asked her as I was getting out of bed and allowing the other helpers to fix my bed, of course such menial tasks are done by helpers, after all I was the princess, my job was to be pretty and smile, not fix the bed.  “You are expected to join his royal highness and the Queen for breakfast and then you will have to attend classes as per usual.” I continued into the bathroom at the side of the room where the other helpers have already prepared my bath just the way I like it. Hailey was trailing behind me as I slowly got into the bath tub.  “Anything special for today?” I asked as one of the helpers put shampoo on my hair. Yes I have helpers for that. It’s not like I need them but it was tradition for royals to have helpers and even if times had change, this was still done by almost every kingdom, so really I have got no choice but to comply. It also doesn’t hurt since I was always a little lazy in the morning and having someone massage your scalp early in the morning is oddly therapeutic. “You are excused for class early because you will be needed here in the palace.” Hailey added. I turned my head slightly to the side so now I was facing her. I can’t seem to remember why I am needed in the castle so I gave her a look. Seeing my look, Hailey snorted at me. “You can’t have possibly forgotten about the ball that’s going to be held by the Kingdom of Trost that you have to attend tonight now have you?” Hailey snorted once again as she notices at my dumbfounded face. Wait there was a ball? How come I’ve forgotten about this?  “A ball? Why can’t I remember anything about a ball? And in the first place, why do I even need to go to school? Don’t these things take up a lot of time to prepare?” I asked as the other helper poured the water over my hair, cleansing the shampoo off.  “Why I have informed you about this already your highness but it seems you have forgotten all about it. Anyways, you just need to go to school until lunch time seeing as people also need to prepare for the ball and you as well is needed for fitting outfits and such.” Hailey said while tapping on the Ipad that she had been carrying around, possibly looking at my schedule. “What is the ball even for. I don’t remember anything special happening on Trost today so why did they hold a ball?.” I said a minute later when the helpers rinsed my hair for the last time and I got out of the tub with a bathrobe on, heading straight into my walk in closet to change into my uniform. “Ah that must be why you have forgotten about it. The ball was planned rather abruptly seeing as the neighboring kingdom, Trost's King, decided to hold a ball so suddenly and just sent out invitations to the neighboring kingdoms a week prior to the ball itself.” Hailey continued to inform me as I got dressed in my school’s uniform.  “Really? Why has father not mentioned this once to me?” I said as I dismissed my helpers and decided to head to the dining room which was quite a long walk from my room. “It seems that His Highness didn’t think it was of importance seeing as you have also a lot of stuff going on in school so the information was withdrawn and maybe because he was also busy with the court and stuff and maybe have forgotten to mention it to you. And well, it’s not like you’ll be doing anything rather than to smile and be pretty so really you don’t need to be informed on time.” She added the last sentence with a teasing smile that made my slap her arm. Well what she said was true. Its not like I actually do a lot during balls seeing as I wasn’t the crown princess or anything, those stuff is what my brother has to deal with himself so really all I really do at balls is greet the guests and maybe dance with those that invite me to the dance floor. Still, why am I only knowing this half a day prior to the event? As Hailey continued to chat with me about what my schedule is for the day and little bits of information regarding this ball, which was supposedly a masquerade ball which was fun, we finally reached the dining room where my father and mother, as well as my elder brother are all seated.  “Good morning Father as well as to you my dearest mother.” I greeted them all the while kissing them on the cheek which they returned the favor as well. Hailey bowed down to my father and proceeded to nod at me and went out the dining room. After all, aides like her had their own breakfast in the staff room.  As I sat down and waited for my other sister to come along as well as the food to arrive, because we always ate together, my mother smiled at me as she asked me about my monthly visits home.  “How was your visit dear? I hope you had fun and took a little time to relax from school. After all, you’re all going to be busy soon with exams coming up.” My mom asked with her gentle voice.  “It was enjoyable mother as usual, I feel a little better now after just relaxing and spending time with you guys that I think exams will be smooth and breezy.” I beamed at her which just made her chuckle as well as my brother and father who were both currently reading newspapers as usual. I turned to look at my father who was sipping his cup of tea at his chair.  “That reminds me, Father, why is Trost holding a ball tonight and why was it so sudden?” I asked as my little sister came into view along with her own attendant that led her into her into her seat before going out the same way as Hailey had.  “Oh that, I assume you were surprised as well Mori. The neighboring kingdom’s, King Philip decided to suddenly send out invitations for a ball just last week. Imagine my shock when it said that it was to be held today. I have been trying to figure out why they decided to hold the ball so suddenly, seeing as there were no additional information to the invitation other than the date and what type of ball it was going to be. I got so busy trying to figure it out that I forgot I haven’t mentioned it to you. Oh well, I hope Hailey at least informed you about it now, seeing as we are going tonight after all. ” Father answered me as he sipped on his cup of coffee the same time as the food was delivered on the table. I reached out for the croissants as the helper poured me my cup of tea.  “Is that so? Is everyone invited or is it a private and exclusive ball for just royals?” I asked as we began eating our breakfast. “Probably a semi-private one seeing as it only said for people of noble status are invited and seeing as they decided to hold it so suddenly, I doubt they can plan a ball for the public in such a short amount of time.” My father just smiled as he continued eating and seeing as he already answered my questions, I decided to just nod at him and continue eating. The table then fell into comfortable silence after our little conversation about this sudden ball.  “Oh by the way, Merideth, I hope Hailey has informed you that your school is only half day today and you are needed to be home after lunch to choose your outfit and mask later.” My mother suddenly said and I just nodded at her direction already understanding what she means. “You as well, Frida and Hunter.” My mom added and they both just nodded for confirmation. “Mommy mommy, is big sister Arcane coming tonight?” Frida piped up at her seat. That had me wondering about it too. Our big sister, Arcane, who was now a queen after she had tied the knot with the love of her life and also the King of Kreider, has been busy managing her own kingdom to come visit us.  “She probably will dear, after all his husband is also rather close to King Philip and seeing as invitations were meant for people of noble status, I’m pretty sure Arcane and her Kingdom are invited too.” Mother replied with a smile which made Frida giggle and us smile as well. Really, this ball is just one big surprise and a load of mystery waiting to unfold.