I left the meeting as soon as I can. It was basically instructions meeting for new Trainees which was of no use to me and Esme’s continuous glaring at me was not helping. I know she was upset because I had done ‘utter disrespect shown to a Royal’, her words not mine, and I was supposed to go and apologize to the Prince who by the way had left for somewhere after smirking at me. I was pretty sure that he can hear the dressing down which Esme gave to me.
With nothing to do till lunch, I went exploring. It was a very old but well-maintained castle that overlooked St. George’s Channel. The castle itself was nestled in the mountain on one side and surrounded by lush greenery on two sides which made for some excellent views. Inside the castle was bustling with trainees of all kinds of races while the staff was mainly pixies. I had never seen a pixie before and it was like a cultural shock to see so many dwarf-sized purple bodies dashing here and there to get the work done.
Outside in the clearing, there were large trees with multicolored flowers native to the place and many sets of chairs and sofas placed artfully in the shade. I laid down on one comfortable-looking sofa and looked up to the sky. It was a lovely bright day with a gentle cool breeze flowing which made it seem like the wisteria tree above me with purple flowers was swaying. I kept watching and watching.......
The girl was sitting in front of a mirror powdering her lovely face. Her reddish brown hair was in an intricate half updo with loose curls cascading down to her mid-back. She had pale skin which shone like glass with rouge on her cheeks and nude pink lipstick on her full lips. She wore a floor-length silk organza gown which had a sweetheart neckline creating a nice decolletage. The bodice was wrapped in corset style with a bow at back, clinched at the waist, and then flowing to a full skirt. The flowy fabric was in different hues of pink and the print gave an illusion of crossing ribbons on the dress.
A knock sounded on her door and another young girl entered the room.
“Are you ready Miss Ella? Do you need any help?”
“Almost ready Lida, Just a Few more minutes.”
“The ceremony is about to start Miss and your mother has instructed me to fetch you immediately.”
“Do not worry and come help me in clasping this necklace. After that, we shall depart.”
The young maid moved to her mistress and swept her hair aside gently on one shoulder. She took the pink ruby necklace and gently clasped it around her mistress’s neck.
“Are you nervous Lida? You are turning 12 today your runes will be formed by midnight. Do you want me to be there with you? I can help if you require.”
“Thank you very much for offering miss but I must decline. You know it is not proper”.
“Don’t worry about propriety Lida. Had your mother been here I would be at peace that you will be taken care of but I doubt Mr. Lune will be of much help.”
“My aunt will be coming by the end of the night Miss so I am not worried but I am excited about you. You will be ascending today. I only hope you remember our promise.”
Ella turned and clasped the young girl’s hand in hers “Offcorse Lida, I will never leave you here. Once I ascend and fully achieve vládce I will send for you. I have already accepted you as my apprentice and I will personally see to your ascension. You are my friend, my little sister and I will be there for you till the end.”
The young girl had tears of gratitude in her eyes and she nodded. “let us go miss, Most of the guests have already arrived save for the Royal family and Mrs. Doireann was already impatient for your arrival by the time I left to fetch you.”
Ella smiled and got up. Lida helped her straighten her gown and they left the room together. Soon they reached a closed door where two footmen were standing on either side. They bowed to Ella and were about to open the doors when a voice echoed from back and startled the guards
“Wait!!!!”
Everyone turned to see a lady walking swiftly toward them. The guards and Lida instantly bowed and kept their heads down but Ella merely tilted her head and watched her approach.
She was dressed in an intricate pale green gown that had crystal beadings and a high neck. Her brown hair was piled high on the crown of her head and her high cheekbones were sitting on a perfectly flawless face.
“You are late Ella, the Royals have already arrived. Would it have hurt you to get ready a little early as I had impressed again and again in the past few days? You cannot be announced now and everyone has already noticed your absence.”
“Calm down mother there is no reason to fret. I can always sneak in and no one will know.”
“For the love of Circe Ella, Please give this situation a little consideration. Today is a very important day and I want the Royal Family to notice you. You will not get another chance like this.”
“yes, mother I am sorry. Come now let us go through the back door.” Ella then turned and spoke, ” Lida will you be leaving now?”
“Yes Miss Ella, My father is ready and waiting for me. I will leave after you.”
“I wish you good luck dear. If you need anything you know what to do. You can go now. Farewell”.
Lida nodded and bowed again to her two mistresses and left.
The mother and daughter went down the hall and opened a small door on the corner. It opened to a staircase that led them to the first floor of the mansion. They went through another door on the right and stepped into a balcony that overlooked the brightly lit ballroom.
Ella watched the crowd below silently while her mother waved her hand and summoned a middle-aged lady. “Aoinetta, lead Ella to the main floor and ensure she is at the right place at the right time.”
“Yes Madam, I will make sure all your instructions are followed and you will not be disappointed.”
“Come Ella, l will announce you to the Royal family, Come.”
Ella followed her mother down the elaborate stairs to the main floor of the ballroom. The hall was swathed in golden lights and drapes. The chandelier in the middle was also emitting a bright golden hue with strings of pearls and ribbons of net emanating from the crystals and spreading to all corners of the hall. The hall was packed with people dressed in nines with elaborate gowns, heavy pieces of jewelry, dress suits and robes. All the elites of supernatural communities were present to celebrate the ascension of the High Priestess’s only daughter.
They were nearing the raised dias where 3 sets of Royals were sitting conversing with each other when her mother halted and turned to her “Wait here Ella while I go and drag your father from whichever corner he is hiding in. I shan’t be long”.
Ella watched her mother go and was swallowed by the crowd. She decided to head to the drinks table and have some water as she was parched. Aoinetta trailed behind her carrying her dress from behind.
Ella was wondering about the choice of drink when she heard the master of ceremonies called the crowd’s attention “ Ladies and gentlemen, The Royal Prince and Princess have arrived and they will be choosing a partner for the first dance. All of you pretty ladies are requested to please gather on the left side of the hall and all the gents to the right. We shall hereby officially commence the ceremony”.
Everyone clapped and shuffled to their designated side of the hall.
Ella turned to her drinks again for had no interest in the first dance as she was still not announced or introduced to any of the Royals present. The vampire Princes had declined the invitation citing some personal reasons and only the prince and princess of Fae and Werewolves were present today.
“Oh, we missed the first dance, Miss. Madam will not like this, she wanted you to dance with either of the princes in the First Dance. We must find her and Sir and immediately go and introduce you...“.
Ella tuned out Aoinetta and continued pondering over her drinks.
They were joined by her father who softly smiled at her and nodded. “You are looking beautiful my dear.”
“Thank you papa. I am sorry I am late”.
“It’s quite alright dear. Though I must say your mother was so agitated that she almost teleported to your room in a rush and dropped her Ro’se tarte on her dress. Almost but not quite.”
They both laughed while her mother huffed “ I most certainly did not. Ella mind your manners, please. You are about to be presented to Royalties and It would not do good to chortle in such a manner. Come now. We are already very late and it would simply not do to miss the first dance”.
The father and daughter shared a glance and suppressed their smile. They were about to follow her mother when suddenly she heard a twinkling voice behind her “May I have this First Dance My Lady?”
Her parents turned and when they saw the speaker, her father bowed slightly while her mother curtsied “ Your Royal Highness”.
Ella turned and tilted her head to gaze into the light blue eyes of The Prince who was looking back at her expectantly while a soft smile played on his lips.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxggG7fePz
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Hie everyone, thankyou for reading. I would love to have some feedback/review on the story so far. If you like it please like and comment.
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