The sun streamed in through my thin white curtains as I slowly opened my eyes. Dread filled me as I remember today was the day of the ball. The one night I had been dreading for the past week. And it just got a whole lot worse.

"The dress!" I remembered, bolting upright, giving myself a headrush in the process.

Scrambling out of bed, I quickly checked the small clock that hung on my wall. Eleven Forty-Seven it read. I had slept in. Mother would be coming to check on me in any minute and force me into the hideous orange dress.

"Aurora, it's almost midday. Are you awake darling?" I heard her call through my closed bedroom door. Speak of the devil.

"Yes, mother." I said, feeling the same nerves and panic that I had felt last night crash through me like a tsunami.

"We must start preparing, I have Ashlyn here to help draw your bath and get you into your corset." Mother said, and our only maid poked her head in. I felt bad for her, my mother was too harsh on the poor girl. Though she was harsh on practically everyone, it was Ashlyn who received an unnecessary amount of it.

"Of course." I said, following my mother as she pushed Ashlyn towards the washroom.

The bath felt warm against my dry skin, I could stay here forever. Suds floated around me, creating a sort of cover on top of my body. My mother was waiting impatiently outside, she still seemed upset from the events of last night and so did I. Though I wasn't angry at my mother or my father. No, I was angry at myself. How could I have been so forgetful, to leave the most gorgeous dress I had ever seen behind. I knew that my mother wouldn't allow me to leave, we didn't have much time before we had to leave, and cursed myself for sleeping in.

"Miss Aurora, it's time for your hair and make-up. Then I'll help you with your corset." Ashlyn said as I stepped out of the bath and wrapped myself in a towel that she had handed me. I quietly nodded and went back to my room.

Ten minutes later.

I sat at my vanity, while Ashlyn neatly brushed my hair. I hadn't brushed it last night so it seemed to be a struggle for her. I had tried to tell Ashlyn that I could brush my own hair, but my mother had frightened her into doing it. Eventually, after ten minutes of destroying my hair, Ashlyn had finished and had placed my hair gently into a loose braid. Now it was on to the make-up. I was grateful for Ashlyn, since we saw eye to eye on things, she made sure my face wasn't pilledged by make-up. Despite my mothers harsh comments.

Soon she was finished, though I wished she would have gone slower. Now it was time for the corset, the one piece of clothing I had been dreading.

Fifteen Minutes later.

"Mother!" I yelled, though it was more of a breathless sob as Ashlyn pulled on the corset laces. I couldn't breath, the world spun around me as I propped my hands on my bed frame, to keep from falling over. It didn't help much, my knees still felt as if they would buckle at any minute.

"Aurora, you have to suck in your stomach. Your waist must be the size of an orange. And don't you dare think of eating anything tonight." She snapped and started to pace behind me.

"But mother, I can't breath." I wheezed as Ashlyn pulled tighter. My mother didn't respond and I felt as if I would break in half from the corset. Why must every woman insist on wearing these? They are excruciatingly painful.

"Mrs. Whitmore." I heard Daphne's voice through the other side of the door.

"Daphne!" I sighed in relief.

"Aurora?" Daphne asked as she peaked through the opening in the door. "I brought your dress."

I almost ran over to her right then and there to give her a bone crushing hug, but I didn't, since I could barely move.

"Daphne get in here." I said, swatting Ashlyns hands away from the corset laces. I wasn't trying to be rude, I just got bratty when I couldn't breath.

"Daphne, what do you mean by dress?" Mother asked her as Daphne entered my room. She was carrying a large box. "Aurora already has a dress."

"Well I had just thought that I would make Aurora a special dress for the ball. All expenses paid of course." Daphne added, she knew my mother would never pay for another dress, especially a dress like this. "Since you are one of my main supporters, I just wanted to say thank you."

"Well, I guess we can see how it looks." My mother agreed. "Though, I don't see why she needs another one. Even if it is a thank you gift."

"First we must loosen the corset. Or else the dress won't fit Aurora's figure." Daphne said, and I was so glad she was here.

I gave her a thankful nod as Ashlyn loosened the laces. I took in a deep breath, I will never take air for granted again.

Daphne opened the box and pulled out the dress. I couldn't help but gasp at the dress. Though I had seen it already, it's gorgeous designs still left me speechless. I snuck a peak at my mother and could tell that she was also breathless.

"Are you sure this dress is for free?" My mother asked, as if she thought Daphne was trying to scam us.

"I assure you Mrs Whitmore this dress is completely free." Daphne answered. Giving me a small smile, as if the actual price of the dress was her secret and hers alone. I quietly returned the smile.

"What about the other dress? All the girls there will be wearing this colour." Mother said like she suddenly didn't want the dress. It was strange, I had done the same thing when I had first seen the dress. It was as if we both didn't think I was worthy of wearing a dress such as this one.

"Mrs. Whitmore, I can assure you that none of the girls will be wearing this colour. I know, because I have designed countless dresses all the same as that one." She stated, pointing to the orange dress that hung up on my wardrobe.

"I still don't believe-"

"Mother, please just listen to Daphne, she knows what she's talking about." I interrupted. That seemed to shut her up.

I walked over to where Daphne stood, she now had the dress out of the box and held it up, showing off the designs on the skirt. My smile brightened as Daphne slipped the dress over my head and perfected the look by handing me white dancing shoes. Slipping them onto my feet I stood up and let my mother take in my look.

"Darling." She said, as if she was speechless. My mother was never speechless. "Good idea giving her minimal make-up, Ashlyn. Very good job."

Ashlyn's eyes flashed pride from my mother's compliment as if she had been waiting for it all day. I sighed away from her ignorance, she shouldn't crave my mother's compliments. Turning away I stared at the clock, one thirty. We should be leaving now if we were to make it to the castle on time.

My mother noticed the time and quickly marched out of my room to get dressed in her own. We followed her, though turned when we reached the stairs and went to the parlour.

"You really do look stunning in that dress." Daphne said, sitting down on a sofa while I sat on the one across from her.

"Thank you." I said, then suddenly thought of something that I was meaning to ask her. "Are you going to the ball?"

"No, no I can't. I wasn't invited." She admitted a glint of disappointment flashed across her face.

"They invited every girl in the kingdom, except you. That's not right." I said, my hatred towards the royals grew.

"Don't worry about it. You must have fun tonight, even though I'm not there." Daphne said, leaning closer to me and taking my hands in hers. "I know it's hard for you to have fun without me."

This brought a smile to my face, Daphne was the kind of person who could bring a smile to your face even if you didn't want to.

"I can have fun without you. Just last week I had a bit of fun." I grinned, thinking of the kiss with Cas. I felt blush bloom on my cheeks and it seemed Daphne had caught it too.

"You kissed someone and you didn't tell me!" She practically yelled.

"Shut it." I hushed her and quickly looked at the doorway for any sign of my parents.

"Who? When? Where? Why on earth didn't you tell me?" She asked her previous question, though this time in a quieter tone.

"Well I-"

"So, how do I look?" My mother interrupted from the doorway. She stood there wearing the exact same dress I was supposed to wear.

"Mother." I gasped, she looked so different.

"Yes I know, I wanted us to be matching. So everyone would know that you were my daughter." She confessed. That seemed to pull a bit at my heart string. She didn't want me to be the only one wearing orange, she wanted us to match.

"No, mother it's not that. You look... amazing." I half-lied, the dress did nothing for her, but her make-up and hairdo made her look ten years younger.

"Well, thank you darling." She said, twirling around as if she was my age again.

"Shall we get going?" My father asked as he walked down the stairs, but stopped when he saw us.

"My, Lady Whitmore, you look ravishing." My father said, walking towards my mother and took her hand, brushing a light kiss against the back of it. I heard my mother giggle and I almost gagged. It was odd to see my parents showing this much affection towards each other.

"You too should get a room." I laughed, though my parents gave each other a knowing look. "Ew."

"Don't you look beautiful." My father said, taking the attention off of himself and mother.

"I do, don't I." I agreed, spinning around. He took my hand and brushed a kiss over the back of it. I smiled up at my father. For fifty-two he looked fairly young. Most men's hair when they reached my fathers age would have gone grey or would have completely disappeared. But my fathers dark brown hair still held its colour and still covered his head. His blue eyes seemed to still have life left in them and they only spoke for my mother.

In a way I envied my mother and fathers relationship. Twenty years ago they had married for love and happiness, though now it seemed their love had died down a bit, but they still only loved each other and would stay together until they died.

"We should get going." My mother said, interrupting my thoughts. My father let go of my hand that I had forgotten he had been holding and went to put on his coat. My mother handed me a white fur shawl and directed me towards the door.

"Yes I believe we should, if we ought to get there at a reasonable hour." My father agreed and opened the door for us ladies. I nodded a quiet thank you and walked out into the brisk evening. Though it was only two o'clock in the afternoon I felt a slight chill in the air that could only be achieved by late summer.

"I'll see you when I get back Daphne." I called to her as my father stepped out of the house and shut the door.

When I turned around, I saw our carriage parked in front of us, with Cas in the driver's seat, I saw him sneak a quick peek at me, but couldn't look away after that. His jaw looked as if it would've hit the floor if it could.

"Cassian, come and help my daughter into the carriage." Father snapped helping my mother into the carriage then proceeding to get in, by my father's use of Cas's full name it seemed he had thought of Cas as a threat for talking to me last night. Though my fathers tone seemed to bring him out of his gazing.

Seeing him walking towards me, I felt a warm blush spread across my cheeks. When Cas reached me I gently placed my hand in his and he helped me in, though not before bringing his lips close to whisper into my ear.

"You look beautiful."

My heart leapt in my chest as the door closed behind me and Cas went to sit in the driver's seat. The carriage started to move, the slight rocking did nothing to quiet the butterflies in my stomach.

"No turning back now." My father laughed, though he did not know the complexity around his sentence. If I could turn back, I would be leaping out of the carriage and taking the reins from Cas just so that I could go back home. But I didn't.

I thought of Daphne and how much time she had spent on this dress, all of the delicate designs and patterns that must have taken days. And not to mention the cost of the materials. I would disappoint her if I were to turn back now. Mother as well.

I had been debating in my mind for about thirty minutes when I saw my fathers eyes flutter close and his soft snores begin to fill the carriage. I was left with my extremely conscious mother. She seemed to be bouncing with excitement.

"Are you excited?" My mother asked, her voice buzzing with anticipation.

"More nervous than excited." I confessed as she took my hand in hers.

"Just remember, if the prince doesn't choose you, I will stop harassing." She said, as if I would forget.

"I know mother." I said and stared out the window. The blue sky seemed to be calling me as we drove through a small village.

I could see children playing around in the grass and a part of me wished that I was one of them. Having no cares in the world. Not having to deal with life just yet, having the freedom to do whatever I please.

The children quickly passed by and I was left to stare out into open fields of grass, which turned into forests, then towns. An hour passed in what seemed like a minute and my eyes began to grow tired. My father had woken up just moments ago which left someone to keep my mother busy, allowing the carriage to lule me slowly into a deep sleep.