❄️ Six Months Later ❄️
THE PRINCESS | OPHELIA'S POV

"Come now, dearie, you mustn't fuss," Mrs. Higgins told me sternly. Her patience is clearly lost today.

"But-" I tried desperately to protest but it was no use.

There was a royal ball today in honor of the neighboring kingdoms visiting for supper to celebrate the coming of the new year and as such it was Mrs. Higgins job as head housekeep of the main palace that everything (and everyone) is perfectly in order.

"Victoria, your presence is necessary in the princess's chambers! NOW!" Mrs. Higgins shouted. "And Calliope, don't just stand there like a dunce! Make yourself useful for once!"

This was strange, even for her, but the stress of the event seemed to be getting to everyone.

Everyone except Calliope.

I cannot seem to figure out just how but she was as calm as the drafty January breeze that the maidservants had worked so hard to chase out of the palace these last few weeks.

I stood in front of the grand mirror in my chambers, feeling like a doll in a beautiful but stiff dress. My hair was tied up in a fancy bun with tiny sparkles that twinkled like the stars on a clear night. Mrs. Higgins, the head housekeeper, was fussing over every detail, making sure I looked perfect for the royal ball.

"Stand still, Princess," she said, adjusting the hem of my sapphire gown. "We can't have you tripping in front of all those important guests."

I sighed, feeling a bit trapped. "Mrs. Higgins, I can walk just fine."

She gave me a stern look. "Not tonight, dearie. Tonight, you represent the kingdom."

Just then, a soft knock came from the door. It was Calliope, my lady-in-waiting and best friend. She looked lovely in her pale lavender dress, her dark curls bouncing as she moved.

"You look like a real princess," she said with a smile.

I smiled back, feeling a bit better. "Thanks, Calliope. You look nice too."

Calliope came closer and took my hands. "Don't worry, Ophelia. You'll be amazing. Just be yourself."

Mrs. Higgins clapped her hands. "Lady Calliope! Help the princess with her tiara, please."

Calliope nodded and gently placed the tiara on my head. "There, perfect," she said.

As soon as Mrs. Higgins left the room, Calliope whispered, "I'm glad she's gone. Now, let's have some fun!"

I giggled. "But we have to be good at the ball."

Calliope grinned mischievously. "We can be good and have fun too. Let's go show everyone how brave and kind you are."

I took her arm, feeling braver with her by my side. Together, we walked toward the ballroom, ready to face whatever the night might bring. And with Calliope there, I knew everything would be okay.

After the initial greetings and introductions, the evening progressed to the grand dining hall. The room was filled with long tables laden with silverware and fine china, each setting sparkling under the candlelight. The air was thick with the aroma of roasting meats and fresh bread, making my stomach growl with anticipation.

Calliope and I took our places at the head table, flanked by my parents, the king and queen, and several visiting dignitaries. Lord Alden, with whom I had danced earlier, sat to my right, while Calliope took her seat beside me, her presence a comforting reminder that I wasn’t alone.

As the meal began, I tried to remember all the etiquette lessons Mrs. Higgins had drilled into me. I used the correct fork for each course, though my mind wandered to the stories Calliope had whispered to me earlier about the cooks in the palace kitchen. Apparently, they had been up since dawn preparing the feast.

The dinner conversation was a mix of formal discussions about trade agreements and lighter topics like the upcoming spring festivals. Calliope helped me navigate the conversations, occasionally interjecting with witty remarks that made everyone laugh.

At one point, Lord Alden asked me about my favorite pastimes. I hesitated, unsure how much of my love for exploring the palace gardens or reading in the library would be considered suitable for a princess. Calliope, sensing my uncertainty, chimed in with a smile.

"Her Highness is quite the adventurer," she said. "She loves exploring the gardens and discovering hidden paths."

I shot her a grateful glance. Her words made me sound far more interesting than I felt.

As the main course was served—a magnificent roasted boar with golden-brown skin—Calliope leaned over and whispered, "Don’t worry if you make a mistake. They’re all just people, even if they do wear fancier clothes."

Her words were a balm to my nerves. I took a deep breath and joined in the conversation more freely, laughing along with the others and even managing to tell a joke that made the lords and ladies of both Kaerim, Xaria, and Tervin chuckle.

By the time dessert arrived—a towering masterpiece of sugar and cream—dinner had become more enjoyable than I had expected. The company was pleasant, and with Calliope by my side, I felt like I could handle anything the evening threw my way.

As we finished our meal and the tables were cleared, the guests began to rise from their seats. The king stood, his voice booming through the hall as he proposed a toast to the visiting kingdoms and the coming year.

I raised my glass along with everyone else, feeling a sense of pride and belonging. For the first time, I realized that being a princess wasn’t just about duty; it was also about connecting with people and making them feel welcome.

As the toast ended and the room erupted in applause, Calliope nudged me playfully. "You did great," she whispered.

I smiled, feeling a warmth in my heart that had nothing to do with the fire crackling in the hearth. "Thanks to you," I replied softly. "a lady is nothing without her maidservants."

Together, we left the dining hall, ready to face the rest of the evening with renewed confidence and a sense of camaraderie that made even the most formal of events feel a little less daunting.

Calliope and I stepped into the grand corridor leading to the ballroom, the soft rustle of my gown blending with the faint echo of music drifting through the palace. My heart pounded in my chest, but Calliope’s steady presence beside me was like a warm blanket against the chill of nerves.

"Do you think they’ll like me?" I whispered, clutching her arm tightly.

Calliope tilted her head, her dark curls bouncing as she gave me a reassuring smile. "Ophelia, they already do. Didn't you see Lord Alden's smile this evening? I think he's smitten! And I'll bet his father would approve!"

Her words made me feel brave, even if I didn’t quite believe them. Though the idea of being someone's object of desire felt heavy, like a crown too big for my head, this is my duty. It's what I was born to do.

As we reached the towering double doors of the ballroom, two footmen bowed and pulled them open. The sight before me was dazzling: chandeliers dripping with crystal sparkled like frozen waterfalls, and the room was alive with color—golden gowns, crimson coats, and emerald jewels glittering under the candlelight. The hum of conversation quieted as heads turned toward us.

I froze for a moment, overwhelmed by all the eyes on me. My hands tightened around Calliope’s arm. She leaned closer and whispered, "Just smile and wave. You’ve got this."

I forced a smile, though my cheeks felt stiff from nerves. Calliope gave me a little nudge forward, and together we descended the staircase into the ballroom.

The guests parted like waves as we approached, bowing and curtsying in greeting. I did my best to remember Mrs. Higgins’s lessons: chin up, shoulders back, curtsy low but not too low. Calliope stayed close, introducing me to nobles I didn’t recognize and whispering little jokes in my ear when no one was looking.

"Lady Marwick has feathers in her hair," she murmured at one point, her voice barely audible over the music. "Do you suppose she’s planning to fly away after the evening is done?"

I stifled a giggle and shot her a look that said behave, though I couldn’t help but feel lighter for her humor.

As the evening went on, I began to relax. The music swirled around us as couples took to the dance floor in graceful waltzes. Calliope guided me through conversations with visiting dignitaries and neighboring royals, always knowing just what to say when my words faltered.

When it came time for me to dance with Lord Alden—a young noble from one of the visiting kingdoms—I hesitated, glancing at Calliope for reassurance. She gave me an encouraging nod and whispered, "You’ll be fine."

Taking Lord Alden’s offered hand, I stepped onto the dance floor. My feet moved cautiously at first, but as we glided across the polished marble floor, I found myself smiling genuinely for the first time that evening.

The ball continued late into the night, filled with laughter and music that seemed to echo through every corner of the palace. By the end of it all, I felt tired but proud—like maybe I had lived up to being "the brightest star," if only for a little while.

As Calliope helped me back to my chambers later that night, she grinned and said softly, "See? You were amazing."

I smiled sleepily at her as she adjusted my nightgown one last time before bed and removed the elaborate loops and whorls of my hair before unclasping my antique pearl necklace. "Only because you were there."

She laughed lightly and climbed into bed with me to keep warm like she always did when Mrs. Higgins wasn’t watching. And as I lie awake listening to her tell me a story, I knew that no matter how big or scary my role as a princess might be, Calliope would always be there to make it feel just a little less lonely—and a lot more fun.

"Goodnight, Lady Lia,"

"Goodnight."

"Farewell," Calliope called out in a faint whisper.

And with that I drifted off to sleep as she drifted down the hall to her quarters.