The day of the Royal Ball has arrived.

Or should I say morning?

Lona tugged at my hair, "Stop resisting. I have to get you ready... Are you asleep?!"

I snorted, "Huh? What?"

She frowned, "Stop falling asleep. Didn't I tell you to go to sleep early last night?"

I yawned, "Yeah. Yeah."

"And did you?"

"Mhm."

I didn't. I stayed up to my usual time. I didn't know Lona would wake me up before the sun even rose. When I laid my head down to sleep, she came into my room and forced me out of bed.

Lona lectured me, "I don't believe you. It looks like you didn't sleep at all."

I forced a smile, "What do you mean? I definitely slept like a baby."

"Don't lie to me. I know you stayed up late again. You have bags under your eyes."

I sat listening to her lecture me and felt my eyes closing again. "Why do I have to get ready so early? The ball isn't until tonight."

"You have to travel there first. It's in the Imperial City."

My face dropped, "I have to go back there?!"

She nodded, "Yes. This time it will be short. You will leave the next day." She kept fiddling with my hair and groaned in frustration, "You and your hair are very similar. Neither one will listen to me."

She put my hair into simple curls and went over to the closet. She pulled out a dress and hat. I looked at the dress and was impressed. It was a dark purple with lace sleeves. When the light hit it, it would shine. The hat she chose had a ribbon around it, perfectly matching the dress.

Lona smiled at my look of appreciation, "It was sent over by Queen Luna."

Of course it was. I only had two types of dresses. The lolita dresses my father buys, and the high end fancy dresses that Queen Luna buys.

Lona put me in the dress and placed the hat delicately on my head. I looked in the mirror. The girl looking back at me was almost unrecognizable.

I nodded in approval, "Not bad."

Lona nodded, "Alright. Now let's go. Your parents are already waiting for you."

Lona shuffled me out and I wasn't even able to have a bite to eat before I was shoved onto the carriage.

My father picked me up and placed me on his lap, "My darling daughter can ride on my lap. I know how much you enjoy it."

My face twitched and I forced a smile.

Yupp. I totally love it. Woohoo.

My mother sat across from us. She wore a dark red dress with long sleeves and a tall collar. I always thought she would dress more flashy, but she's actually quite modest. I don't think I've ever seen her in a dress with cleavage.

I hate to admit it, but she does look good like this. How could I be blessed with such good looking parents and yet turn out so plain?!

The carriage started moving and I already regretted ever making my mother that promise.

I really just want to stay home!

When we arrived, I could barely move a muscle. My father carried me while whistling with joy. When we got to the door, I was no longer so nauseous from the ride.

He put me down and I looked at the building in front of us. It wasn't the palace that I visited. It must be on the palace grounds somewhere.

My father knocked on the door and a well dressed butler answered, "Greetings treasured guests. Do you have an invitation?"

My father handed over a fancy looking letter with the Royal seal on it. He looked at it carefully before nodding.

"Excellent. Please follow me." We followed him throughout the halls and I could hear the sound of music getting louder and louder. He opened large wooden doors and shouted, "Now entering.. Lord Kane, Lady Sharon, and daughter Seri."

I frowned at his booming voice. Great. We have another shouty pants over here. I followed my father and mother who elegantly walked down the winding staircase. I, on the other hand, strolled down them quite crudely.

I was too tired to keep up appearances. I didn't even get to sleep on the carriage ride here due to all of the bumps and my father's constant coddling.

I followed my parents since Lona instructed me too. She had tried telling me proper etiquette, but knew it wouldn't make a difference.

Since this was a Royal function, she wasn't allowed to attend. They didn't want Bertram to attend either, but he already blended into the crowd. There was no way he would leave my side, so they made an exception.

They stopped I'm front of the throne and bowed. I yawned and bowed sleepily.

My father spoke, "Greetings your majesty."

We stood back up and I looked over. The King and Queen were sitting next to each other. I looked over and noticed William sitting on a throne seat as well. His face lit up when he saw me. I gave him a small wave.

I've never seen him in his princely outfit, but it was exactly how it was described in the novel. He wore a white button up undershirt with sleeves that looked frilly at the end. Over this, he wore a red and gold cape adorned with gold chains.

I hate to admit it, but he looked quite handsome.

I quickly scanned around him and noticed Dante wasn't standing by him. He was probably hiding in some corner bored out of his mind.

I also didn't notice Simon around. I felt a prickly sense of caution from this. It's similar to finding a massive spider web that has no spider. It's not that you want to see a spider, but rather if you don't see it, then that means it's crawling around somewhere ready to pounce on you.

The King smiled, "Greetings! Why are you looking around so suspiciously Kane? If you're looking for Simon, he's working security tonight."

My father sighed in relief and the King laughed haughtily at this. He looked at me, "You don't look as high energy as you usually do. Don't worry, after we are done greeting everyone Prince William will come play with you."

I forced a smile, "Excellent. I look forward to that."

But I really just want a nap...

We bowed once more to them and left. As we were walking away, a big breasted lady came over to us. My eyes almost fell out of my head at the sight of her. She wore a black and red dress that complimented her curves nicely. She had dark brown hair that was pulled back and adorned with red jewels. Her smile emphasized her round green eyes.

She spoke in a sultry tone, "Lord Kane. It's been a while."

My father chuckled happily and blushed slightly, "It has been."

She pouted, "Have you forgotten about me?"

He shook his head quickly, "No! Of course not... I've just been rather busy lately."

She looked up at him with sad eyes, "I've been lonely you know..."

He chuckled nervously, "Yes I know. I've been staying home with my daughter since her accident. She has such a weak body I feared she would fall ill again."

I looked at my father with distaste. Why the hell is he acting so strange?! He's usually very disinterested in people. Yet for some reason he seems to be very interested in this woman.

My eyes moved to her chest and I realized immediately.

This b*tch is the mistress.

Looking at my mother's glaring face, I realized I was right. I checked her out carefully.

So this is the homewrecker. I didn't think I'd ever meet her. I can't blame him though. She does look pretty enticing.

But d*mn! The nerve of this woman. Openly coming over to my father to flirt in front of his wife and child!

Usually I don't hate the other woman if she doesn't know the man is cheating. However... It's a different story if she does.

I felt my father's hand on my shoulder. He pushed me forward. He spoke with a dumb look on his face, "This is my daughter Seri. Seri, say hello to Lady Laura."

She smiled down at me sweetly, "Hello Seri. Your father has told me a lot about you."

Disgusting.

I looked at her, "Ah! So you're my Daddy's mistress."

Her face twitched. Both my mother and father were so shocked they couldn't even speak.

I looked her up and down, "I don't understand why my father would choose someone like you. You don't look special to me. Oh~ I bet it's cuz you're easy."

Her face twitched wanting to scowl but knew she shouldn't. Her voice came out strained, "Kane... Your daughter sure is interesting."

I chuckled, "I'm surprised you can tell what's interesting and what's not. Judging by your appearance, you're clearly the type of person who only has good looks going for her. No one in their right mind would want to stay with you permanently. They'd probably be bored to death. If they could even last that long."

She looked at my father with a trembling lip, "Kane..."

My father looked at me sternly, "Seri! Where are your manners?!"

On the contrary to my father, my mother was sneering and silently cheering me on.

I ignored him and continued to insult her, "You're so dull. Do all you know what to do is bat your eyes and pout your lips? I bet you go around flaunting that disgusting chest of yours just for men's attention. It seems to be the only thing you're good at. That's what is called a floozy. Do you even know how to spell that? Hah. I doubt it. It doesn't even look like you can read."

Her eyebrow twitched as I continued to insult her. I could tell she put way too much effort into that pretty face of hers. It was clearly her source of pride. All I need to do is destroy it.

I noticed a wedding ring on her finger and smiled malevolently. "I bet your husband doesn't even give you a second of his time. He probably goes through extraordinary lengths just to avoid you. After all, you're just a boring slut-"

"SHUT UP YOU LITTLE B*TCH!"

I smirked at her outburst. Hoho~ She lasted longer than I thought she would.

My father stopped staring at me sternly and instead glared at her with heightened levels of ferocity. "What did you just say to my daughter?"

She held a hand over her mouth completely taken aback. She looked at him with tearful eyes, "Kane... How could you let your daughter talk to me like that?"

He growled, "Who the hell cares how she talks to you?! She's a child and you're an adult!"

She whimpered, "B-but Kane..."

He stared at her with hateful eyes, "I can't believe it. You really are a disgusting lady."

My mother snickered at the scene in front of her. I looked over at her and held out my hand, "Mother, I think I noticed Queen Luna finish greeting people. Shall we go speak with her?"

My mother took my hand smiling. She was in a strangely happy mood, "We shall."

We left behind my father who continued to scream at the poor Laura.

That's what you get for cheating so openly.

My mother looked at me attentively, "What was that?"

I smirked, "Mother. My father can be very hot headed, but there's only one sure way to make him hate someone."

That's if they insult his daughter.

My mother knew this more than anyone. She chuckled, "Just where did you get that sharp tongue from?"

My face grew serious, "Now I'm making good on my promise to you. But it's very important that you follow my lead. That means actually acting like a mother. Compliment me when I look at you and always make sure to smile lovingly. Even if you have to lie, you need to do it. After all, they hate you because of your attitude towards me."

She looked at me with a complicated face. She nodded in response. We walked over to Queen Luna and her group of high ranking nobel ladies.

Queen Luna noticed this and smiled. When she saw me holding hands with my mother, her smile faltered.

I smiled at her, "Hello Queen Luna. You look so beautiful today."

She looked at my face closely. She grabbed my cheeks, "Seri! Why do you look so tired?! Did your mother do something again?!"

She glared at my mother who looked away in dejection. I giggled, "Queen Luna! Why would you think that? Actually guess what! My mother let me keep two kittens! To tell you the truth, my mommy told me to go to sleep early last night, but I was naughty and stayed up all night playing with them. I've never been so happy~"

Queen Luna glanced at my mother, "Is that right..."

I turned to my mother, "Isn't that right mother?"

Remembering our previous conversation she smiled warmly at me, "That's right. How could I say no to that adorable face?"

Queen Luna looked at her cautiously, "I see. I seem to recall William asking me for two kittens as well."

I grabbed her hands, "Oh you have to let him have them! He fell in love with two kittens when he visited so I had to let him have them. You'll let him keep them, right?"

She looked surprised, "I'm not sure. Isn't he a bit afraid-"

I interrupted her, "If you keep them I will have to come over much more to check on them!"

Her face lit up, "Well. It will be good for Prince William to have a pet. He needs to have more responsibility anyways."

I giggled, "Yaay! Me and William have the best mommies in the world!"

She giggled, "I suppose so."

I looked at my mother and motioned towards my dress. Her eyes lit up in understanding.

She smiled at Luna, "Queen Luna. Please forgive my rudeness, but the dress you bought my daughter looks so good on her. You definitely have good style. I should learn from you so I can also buy my daughter such adorable clothes."

Queen Luna lightened up from this, "Right? I saw this and just knew she'd look so adorable in it.." She paused. She looked at my mother and smiled, "Lady Sharon, perhaps you would like to join us? We were just chatting."

My mother tried to hide her surprise. She nodded politely, "I would love to."

Queen Luna looked at me, "Prince William is over by the far window. You should go find him and dance with him."

I forced a smile, "I will find him right away."

As I walked away I rolled my eyes.

Yeah right. Now that I'm free from my parents, I'm going to find a nice place to nap.

As I walked through the groups of people, Dante and William suddenly burst into view. I stopped abruptly and looked at them.

Why do they have to look so handsome?!

Dante stretched out his hand, "Would you like to dance?"

William also stretched out his hand simultaneously, "I wouldn't mind it if we danced."

They both turned and glared at each other.

Dante spoke coldly, "I asked her first."

William clicked his tongue, "So? I'm the Prince."

They continued to argue back and forth. I just stared at them in disbelief.

F*ck that. I want a nap.

Besides, I don't even know how to dance. The only dances I know would definitely not be considered appropriate.

I quickly snuck away as they continued to argue.

____

Dante looked back at the open spot, "She's gone."

William looked too, "Ugh! Dante! Why would you let her get away?!"

He glared at William, "It was you who wanted to argue when I was the first to ask her."

He clicked his tongue in annoyance, "Why are you being so stubborn? I thought you hated dancing and these kind of events?!"

Truthfully, Dante abhorred these formal events with a passion. Usually he wouldn't attend. It's not like he had to, unlike William. However, this time was different. Seri was coming after all.

Dante walked off abruptly, leaving behind the irritated William. He didn't feel like hanging around him tonight. No, tonight he was going to find Seri.

But no matter where he searched, she was no where to be found. Why is she so good at hiding? It's almost disturbing.

He walked outside and sighed. He decided to take a stroll and passed by a bench. He noticed someone laying down. He paused and walked back. He looked down at the bench to see Seri sleeping peacefully.

He bent down and looked into her face. He could see the bags under her eyes. She must have been too tired to dance. He should have realized that sooner before putting her in such an awkward position.

He heard her mumble and looked back at her. Whatever she was dreaming about didn't appear to be pleasant. Her face was scrunched up, almost as if she was in pain.

He reached his hand out and hesitated. He gently lowered his hand and began to stroke her long curly hair. Each stroke made the controlled curl fall apart. He couldn't help but think it was cute.

Her face slowly grew softer with each stroke until she was smiling softly. He paused at that smile.

Something in his chest tightened.