"Oh my gosh, you're gorgeous in that dress Olivia!!" My friend Chloe says walking around me as she looks me up and down. My other two friends Rune and Flora nodding in agreement.
"Thank you! I... picked it based on my eye color." They all stop to get a closer look before gasping.
"It is!! How pretty!" Flora says and I smile.
My natural eye color is an emerald green and my hair a dark brown with waves. I have freckles but sometimes cover them with makeup, this time though I chose to just leave them as they are for this ball.
My parents are gathered in a circle with other parents of the prince/princesses here. They're smiling and laughing and I couldnt help but smile too.
They rarely get out and do things from how busy they are taking care of things for our estate and also helping the King with whatever he needed.
"Hey girls, do you see that prince over there?" Chloe says, her red hair swaying as she sways from side to side.
"Who, you mean Florence or Trent?" I ask.
"Ummm... both?" We all giggle. Both guys were seemingly staring at us group of girls and start walking towards us.
We all kind of hustle around trying to act cool but also like we weren't nervous.
"M'ladies." They both say before bowing and we all curtsy.
"Prince Trent and Prince Florence, it is so nice to see you here!" Rune says, her blue eyes staring directly at Trent's hazel ones. Rune is usually more quiet but tonight, maybe due to her interest in Trent she actually spoke first. She has more orange/auburn hair that is cut short and usually with ribbon/bows in it. Alongside some large glasses on her face.
Chloe on the other hand has bright red hair and brown eyes. Her hair long and wavy. And she is usually wearing fancy large dresses.
And finally, Flora is as her name suggest. Usually in florally dresses and has flowers in her hair. She has blonde hair that is long and straight but usually in a braid with flowers embedded. Her eyes are also a green but more light.
Out of all the girls, I'd say I'm the most normal looking but they always say I'm absolutely stunning and other guys too. My hair isnt that long, maybe around half of my back, with some hair that crosses my face and I have freckles. My dresses are usually simple colors in different types of dress styles.
Now besides all that, Trent is quite handsome, and same as Florence. Both in fancy and pristine suits. Trent with his black hair that was slightly longer in the back and tanned skin. And Florence with his brown hair that was a simple haircut but with hair that was gelled back, usually it was in his face somewhat.
"Ah, Princess Rune, it's nice to hear your voice. I swear, you would usually be quiet and behind your friends." Trent says lifting her hand slightly before kissing it.
Her face is flushed and she's looking down, too nervous to look at him.
"Would you allow me this dance?" He asks and she looks up shocked.
"It would be my pleasure Prince Trent!" She says trying not to sound too excited.
"Please, call me Trent." She smiles still flushed before waving goodbye.
"How cutee. My turn!! Chloe, would you care to dance?" Florence says before extending his hand to her.
She looks between me and Flora before raising her eyebrows.
"I would love to!" They then leave and both Flora and I laugh.
"How dramatic!!" Flora says giggling. "Imma go and get some food, would you like any?" She asks me.
"No but thank you Flora." I say tapping her shoulder and she smiles before leaving me alone.
I just observe everyone including my parents before someone taps my shoulder.
I turn and see Mito my childhood friend next to me. He's 3 years older than me and is from the Delyan Family. They're part of a duchy and therefore, sit at the King's Round Table where they talk about ongoing issues with other dukes/barons/etc.
His light brown hair quite messy and his suit a dark blue. His eyes can change in the light so currently they look more grey. He stares at me before saying,
"You look great!"
"Thanks Mito, I appreciate it! And you do too, I thought you'd fix up your hair a bit though?" I say roughing his hair up even more.
"Heyy!! It was meant to look that wayy!!" We both laugh before we sit down.
"I like these events for observing only, otherwise, I would rather be at home reading or working in the ledgers." I say and he chuckles.
"The ledgers? Already? Your parents let you?"
"Uhhh, yeah, I get bored at home so they let me plus I taught myself everything so I'm smart you know." I say patting my own shoulder which he just rolls his eyes.
"Whatever. Do you plan on dancing?" He asks and I shrug.
"Not really, I'm not the best at the jobs i'm supposed to be good at, dancing, sewing, all those girly stuff."
"Ah right." We then sit in silence a bit just observing. Most would ask if we thought of dating or liked one another but we never thought about that. We have more so been like siblings. And he likes someone else actually.
"Hey again Oliv-" As Flora returns, she is starting to say but stops mid-way after noticing Mito.
Annnd that is person he likes, they actually like each other but wont tell each other.
"Oh!" Mito jumps up and dusts himself off before bowing. "Princess Flora, it's a pleasure to see you again m'lady." He stands up after she curtsies and then kisses her hand. Her face flushes and she silently smiles.
"Why dont you two lovebirds go and dance or something?" I say crossing my arms after getting up.
"Ahh! Lovebirds?" Mito says slightly flustered and Flora is too.
"Just ask the girl!!" I say excitingly and he sighs.
"Would you care to dance?" And he extends his hand and she takes it without saying any other words.
"What a bunch of silly gooses." I say shaking my head before sitting back down.
A bit later in the evening, Talie, Gena and Pam show up in front of me and I sigh.
"Girls." I say before standing again not in the mood to talk.
"Ah, not even addressing us by our title? You seriously love to annoy me don't you Olivia?" Talie asks flipping her black hair in my face.
I step back a bit before sighing.
"Sorry, Princess Talie for "disrespecting" you. I had no intention of doing so. I'm just tired and contemplating going home currently." I say crossing my arms and she scoffs.
"Whatever. Well, did you notice Pam and Gena here?" She says.
"I did. But aren't we of the same title? You guys arent higher or lower than me so why must I be the only one to respect you guys while you dont respect me?" They all stare a bit shamingly before Talie stutters.
"W-well I... I need to powder my face. Girls!!" They both follow her as they speed walk away. I chuckle before going to find my parents who also seemingly would like to leave.
After saying our goodbyes we go home and I finally get the chance to bathe and rest in my bed.
.....
"What are you doing here? You can't just barge into my home like this!!" Anton yells
"I can do whatever I want Anton! Because I have someone defending me!" the voice answers back in a yell.
I wake up from the yelling before getting out of bed and sneaking downstairs without anyone noticing me.
"What do you mean? Someone?" My father, Anton, asks. My mother, Genievieve sitting on the sofa with her head in her hands.
"That is none of your concern. For the safety of your family and their reputation too, I need you to offer up your money, and that is, all of it." My mother gasps.
"What? Why? We've done nothing!!" My mother yells.
"Nothing?" he scoffs. "You both are seemingly helping this pathetic king and I am easily able to make it look like you are committing treason against him. The same king you work so hard for!" My parents both gasp before sitting down. My mother now crying.
"Baron Cartho, please! You cant do this! I have my daughter and our family already doesn't have that much! We even donate to fundraisers and orphanages! Please!" My father pleads but to no avail.
"Shut up! You do-gooders! I dont care about what you used to use your money for. If you want your family to be safe and not executed for treason, you will listen and give me what I want!" The baron shouts the loudest and my mom cries even more.
"Okay just, calm down, our daughter is sleeping and I'd rather her not hear this." My father says rubbing my mother's back.
"Good. Good." The baron sits down and my parents start grabbing the items they need.
'The Baron Cartho sits at the King's Round Table too, how could he do this to the Kingdom of Crane!' I think to myself.
I scramble back to my room, close the door softly before crying.
"We wont be left with anything, and who knows. We may just be shunned forever!" I cry out loud, hoping no one can hear me in my sorrows.