Fairy lights and large flower arrangements decorated the walls, tables of food and drinks littered across the ballroom hall. It was a tradition every year for the royal family to host a ball for all of the young ladies and gentlemen of the kingdom, giving a chance for anybody too mingle as they please no matter the family they come from. With beautiful some of the most influential families gathered in one room, rumors and hostility run amok sparing nobody from it's wicked tongue.
for now, the ballroom was calm. but who knew what would happen between the two princes who often seemed to have it out for each other, or the evil lurking in the dark ready too pounce at any given moment unbeknownst to the crowd. it was definitely going too be a night to remember for the kingdom of Parlton.
"Are you sure you're fine too go? You just got cleared after the accident."
Adelaide glanced at her younger brother through the mirror, nodding her head with a gentle smile thrown in his direction. It had only been a few days since she had been brought too this world, and she was still getting used to everything. She had been absolutely erratic when she had woken up, and it had taken four different people to hold her back. She was confused and terrified, and she almost felt like it was a dream until her brother thumped her hard on the forehead, the pain feeling too real for it to have just been a dream. From what she understood, Adelaide had went missing one night and had fallen into the ocean and been saved by a few fishermen who had found her struggling, but her memories of her real life were still fuzzy. She just knew she didn't belong here, and that she was just some imposter filling in the role of a villainess, but one thing was for sure, she was not getting the bad ending.
"I'm fine, Noah."
She finished fiddling with her earring, straightening up too stare at herself in the mirror. The dress was gorgeous, littered with gold roses and small yellow butterflies, and a beautiful ribbon filling in for a corset on her waist. The heart opening was a bit scandalous for the church in her opinion, but nobody had said a thing since she had put it on. As her hand raised, she glanced down at the thin scar running from her wrist too the crook of her elbow, just barely hidden by the sleeves of the dress. Virgil. The scar she had gotten when they were younger and she had tried healing his arm. Her fingers gently ran over it, a small smile playing on her lips as she remembered she'd be seeing him that night.
"Are you two almost ready?"
Adelaide's face dropped at the voice, but she quickly replaced it with a small smile. Her mother walked into the room, gown dragging across the floor as she passed her son. Her fingers reached for the ribbon around Adelaide's waist and she gave it a strong yank, tightening it in a single motion. Adelaide winced at the feeling, but refused too meet her gaze.
"Yes, mother."
Adelaide mumbled softly, and her face was yanked up forcefully by the chin her eyes meeting her mother's. It was like staring into the eyes of a serpent ready too strike. Devoid of any emotion but malice, not a hint of affection too be found.
"Speak properly. Do not make a fool of us tonight in front of the prince. Do you understand me?"
It was a threat and Adelaide knew better then too challenge it. Though, the person she truly was inside was running thin on patience for the vile woman in front of her.
"Yes, mother. We should get going so we're not late."
Noah quickly interrupted, grabbing at his sister's wrist and pulling her back from his mother's grip.
"I'll take care of her tonight, don't worry."
He assured giving Adelaide a gentle nudge. She nodded quickly, and he led her from the room.
"Relax, you're glowing."
Adelaide had barely noticed that she was emitting the warm glow due to her nerves, and she quickly willed it to stop giving him a thankful smile.
"I look like a glowstick."
She mumbled, and Noah turned towards her with a confused expression.
"What is a glowstick?"
-=-
They had arrived just as the ball started, and as they entered the room a few eyes were trained on them. It hadn't taken long for the rumors of Adelaide's recent accident too spread, but a lot of it had come with a lot of strange rumors. That she was meeting a secret lover she had been hiding from the Crown Prince was probably the most common one, but she had never been one too care about rumors. Her heart thumped at the thought of meeting him, and her eyes nervously flickered over the crowd, looking for him. Adelaide had dropped off a cute patterned ball she had found for Varik one day, but hadn't heard anything back since. Despite it not actually being her who sent it, she could feel herself aching for a response. It felt weird, whenever she looked at him she felt nothing but love, but she wasn't actually Adelaide. It felt like she was tricking him in a way, but she knew she had too do something to make sure she survived.
Without thinking, her fingers reached for the nearest glass and she downed it, hearing a few gasps. The drink was bitter, the faint taste of alcohol on her tongue as she sat it down. Noah stared at her like she had grown a second head, and a few of the nobles nearby were also staring at her in shock.
"I thought it was juice. That was gross."
She instantly lied, a small frown on her lips as she stared up at her brother. In all fairness, it did look a lot like the nonalcoholic juice sitting right beside it, but she had definitely picked up the wine with a purpose.
"Maybe mother is right. I think you've gone mad."
Noah shook his head, pinching the bridge of his nose in exasperation and she grinned, gently pushing him forward.
"Go enjoy your night, Noah. I'll go and mingle."
Noah hesitated for a second, but she motioned him away again and he nodded, giving her a small wave as he disappeared into the crowd, leaving the young woman too lean against the wall, eyes scanning the room once again.
