The Princess Awakens

A Fairy and a Prince

When we get back to my rooms, there is a small lunch waiting for us there. We eat it quickly, and then I go to take my bath. Ruth has sprinkled rose petals into the water and it smells absolutely divine. I lay back in the water and try to relax my muscles, but they are wound tight with anticipation of this evening. I close my eyes and take a few deep breaths. What if this evening changes my life forever? Does it ever frighten you that you might bump into a person, and not know how intertwined your lives will become? Life can change so quickly, and in ways we never foresaw.

Miranda wanders over to me, and taps lightly on the side of the copper bath, bringing me back to earth.

“That water must be almost cold by now,” she laughs. “Are you ever getting out? Your skin will look like a prune if you stay there much longer!”

I look down at my fingers, and she’s right. My fingertips are all shrivelled. I laugh and reach out for her hand to help me out of the bath.

“Oh well, there’s still plenty of time before the ball.” I tell her with a sigh. I think the bath has done me good. I certainly feel calmer.

Just then, Ruth walks over with my undergarments and a large towel. I am cocooned up in it, and dry myself, before beginning to dress.

“Alright,” I announce. “I’m ready for the dress.”

The dress is pink silk, and lots of it too. It balloons out from my waist, and has a beautiful sheen. It will look absolutely beautiful in the candlelight once the sun has set. The neck and cuffs are trimmed with delicate lace. I also have some matching silk shoes, although no one is likely to spot them since the dress sweeps to the floor.

It takes a good half an hour to get all the corseting laced and the dress on. It’s a fiddly business and takes two maids and Matilda’s full attention to get everything in just the right place. Then Matilda promises she’ll be right back but she has to get herself ready too.

“You look beautiful,” she says, as she skips from the room.

Next my hair has to be twisted and pinned and plaited and embellished and goodness only knows what else. I sit in from of the mirror at my dressing table as my maids work away. The light is starting to fade from the sky now, and the clouds have a pink tinge to them.

Miranda arrives back in the room looking stunning herself. She has her hair in a much simpler style than mine, but her black hair shines beautifully. Her dress is a pale golden colour, and the whole effect is wonderful. I smile as her in the mirror, scared to move my head while it is being pinned. But a few seconds later my head is released, as the masterpiece is finished.

“You look incredible Miranda! I wouldn’t be surprised if you don’t meet a Prince Charming yourself! What do you think of my hair? I can’t see the back.”

“It’s perfect, honestly. Only missing one thing though... where has that tiara gone?”

Ruth hurries forward with the box in her hands.

“You’re very lucky princess, what a present! I’ve never seen the like. You’ll dazzle everyone this evening, no doubt about it.” Ruth says, as she opens the box and gently lifts the glittering tiara and places it upon my head.

I study my reflection in the mirror, lifting my chin in my most regal manner. The pink blush of my dress, the flush of my cheeks, and the delicate pink stones in the tiara create a dreamlike beauty. I feel like a princess, like I’ve finally come of age. I’m ready for my life to begin.

I stand and my skirts swish as I turn to face the room.

“I’m ready.” I walk towards Miranda and take her arm as we head towards the door.

“We’re in good time too, for once,” Miranda says, with relief in her voice. “Not that anyone would be upset today, of course. As the birthday girl, I’m sure you’re allowed to be late!”

I laugh at this nervously. “Still, better to be on time when you can. It’s a big day, I want to be there before all the guests arrive. Can you imagine how much scarier it would be to arrive into a room full of guests. I don’t even know half of them! People have come from so far and wide.”

“True, at least you’ll be standing with your parents. It’s hard to be intimidated when you’re standing alongside the King and Queen.”

We’ve reached the ball room. My parents are standing by their thrones, and we head towards them. They beam at us.

“Oh my dears, you look like angels,” my mother coos. My father just nods along, but his face is full of pride. I spot my brother, Prince Gerald, across the room. He’s standing with some friends, laughing merrily with a drink in his hand. His crown is slightly off-centre. Well, at least he’s having fun, I think.

“The first official guests should be arriving any moment,” my father says, glancing at the doors with anticipation. They took their thrones, and me and Miranda sat to the side of them. Guests would be announced and then come to greet us, before joining the party. I see my brother notice that my parents have taken their seats and he starts to make his way over to take his place beside them.

“You need to straighten your crown, son,” my father laughs. Gerald quickly pushes it into position.

At that moment, the doors open wide.

“Lord and Lady Callaghan of Overbrook,” booms the announcer.

The Lord and Lady are dressed beautifully in matching grey silks, and walk purposefully towards us before bowing in the most respectful manner.

“Felicitations, princess, on your 18th birthday. We present you with knife. It is bewitched and cuts through any material known on Earth.” My eyebrows shoot upwards, now that is an interesting present. Miranda walks forward to collect the gift, and gives me an impressed look as she brings it back to me. I thank their Lord and Ladyship, before they turned away. Although the room still looks fairly empty, I know it will soon fill up. A line of guests is already waiting at the door.

Over the course of the next hour more guests than I could remember were announced. They had each wished me happy birthday, and given me the most fascinating gifts. I was excited just by the thought of sorting through them in the following days. There were beautiful silks, jewellery, precious stones, silver knives, and most exciting of all, magical charms. 

I almost jump out of my chair with excitement when Fontaine, the most powerful and wise fairy in all the Kingdom arrives. She is always spoken of with such reverence, and I have always, always wanted to meet her. Although she is not beautiful, she exudes power, and commands respect.

She almost marches over to where we are seated, and although she wishes me happy birthday most sincerely, she seems distracted and looks around the room repeatedly. 

“I’m sorry princess, I will have to give you your gift later in the evening. I’m afraid at present there are people that I need to speak with.”

At first, I'm not sure if she's being rude or not. But then I decide to trust her. What she needs to do must be important, after all, she is Fontaine.

“Is everything alright, Fontaine?” My mother asks, worry in her voice. My father looks over at me, concerned.

“I very much hope so, ma’am. But it is always best to be on alert when there is any small alarm.”

I feel a small frown crease my brow, her words feel like a riddle. I see my own confusion reflected in Miranda’s face. But maybe fairies are just like this? They are known for riddles and rhymes. Maybe they're a bit paranoid too?

Fontaine hurries away into the crowds and disappears. Thankfully, the queue at the door has almost dispersed, and soon we will all move into the dining room for dinner. My stomach is rumbling a little now, receiving presents is hungry work! I can see Gerald growing restless too. He clearly wants to get back to his friends. But he’d better get used to this, I think. He’ll be King one day.

And just then, I catch someone’s eyes by the door.

“Prince Ewan of Spaldaton,” the announcer cries.

He has come from so far away. Spaldaton is another kingdom entirely, miles and miles over the mountains. He's looking straight at me, his eyes a very dark brown. The top of his head is covered in dark curls, and he is dressed very well in dark blue silk. He walks slowly towards us, towards me. When his eyes turn to my parents and brother to pay his respects, my heart almost breaks with disappointment. Look back at me, I think. Please.

And as if he can hear my thoughts, his eyes return to mine.

“Happy birthday, Princess.” He says to me in a low voice.

“Thank you,” I half-whisper back. My eyes are wide and my heart is beating fast in my chest.

Could this be him? My Prince Charming?

I know it's too soon. I know absolutely nothing about the man standing in front of me. But somehow, I feel connected to him. His eyes are bewitching. I'm clearly physically attracted to him, who wouldn't be, but I have no ideas what he's actually like. I can only hope to get the chance to find out. 

He presents me with the most beautiful gift. An everlasting rose which shimmers and changes colour from white to gold depending on how it catches the light. I have received so many beautiful gifts today, but somehow this one touches my heart. It is living, unlike the many objects I had been given.

When Miranda takes the rose from him, instead of letting her add it to the pile I reach out my hand. She passes it to me, a knowing smile hovering on her lips. There is excitement in her eyes, she must suspect that I like him. I hold the delicate stem between my fingers. When I look back up at Prince Ewan he is smiling at me, clearly pleased that I like his gift.

“Your Majesties,” he says as he bows again to my parents. But then he turns, and disappears into the crowd. I want to get up and follow him, but I am a Princess, and I know that is out of the question. 

There are still had a handful of guests still to greet, and I don't want to appear rude. I try to give them my fullest attention, but even so, I can't help my eyes from occasionally scanning the busy ballroom now and again, hoping to catch a glimpse of those deep dark eyes.