"Oh, don't worry so much, Princess," Duchess Karina comforted.

"Most of these nobles grew up in the academy with your father, and I'll tell you, every time a fight between Lennon and Victor broke out, no dress would be spared from the flying foods," giggled Countess Thalia.

"Isn't that the truth?" Laughed Countess Amelia who skillfully dodged a flying roast turkey.

"T-This was... Normal? In the academy?" Snow asked, confused.

"Yes! It became a tradition of our generation you know," Marchioness Annabelle giggled.

"What wild times that must have been," Snow laughed.

"Oh, they were--, oof!" Baroness Gail was suddenly hit by the third tier of the cake.

"Excuse me for a moment, princess," she smiled as Snow nodded.

"VERDY! I know that was you! You coward! Come out here and pay for this dress, you animal!" Baroness Gail screamed.

"Let me help, Princess," Sierra offered, grabbing a silver platter and shielding Snow.

"Well, this was unexpected," Leonard deadpanned, holding a silver platter to shield himself from the projectile whipped cream.

"Watch your flank, kitty," Renèe grinned, holding up another silver platter to save Leonard from a stray piece of pork.

"You better not be referring to me, snake," Sierra rolled her eyes.

"I wasn't," Renèe responded, unbothered.

"Don't get cocky, Ren, I don't want to keep leaving my face open for shots because you're too slow to save your own-- ham!" Reinel, Leo, Ren, Sierra and Snow all ducked out of the way in time.

But Dean wasn't as lucky. The three boys snickered as Snow quickly got a napkin and wiped his face.

"Sister... You know they're my friends... But can I really not spill red wine all over them?" Dean said seriously.

"No, because you are my darling brother, and I love you," Snow laughed and hugged Dean.

Dean turned a slight red, "Okay, so white wine then?" he asked as Snow laughed.

"Happy birthday!" Alexa tackled Snow.

"Alexa! I'm glad you made it through the chaos without so much as a stain!" Snow exclaimed, twirling her around.

"Happy birthday, Snow," Elliot greeted, kissing the back of her hand.

"Off! Off!" Leonard interrupted.

"Let the puppy have his fun, Leo, we don't start till the academy anyway," Rei smirked pulling Leonard back.

"Start what? Rei?" Snow raised a brow.

"Nothing, Snow," he smiled.

"As if I didn't hear, Rei," Snow laughed as a whole cake was thrown their way.

With one big effort and 8 silver platters, the eight of them managed to stay spotless.

"My heart stopped for a second," Snow sighed.

"Gah! What is with these people!" Arian exclaimed, flicking off the cake on his armor.

"Jeez, and they call me a pig," Vinny chuckled.

"Hi, Princess! We're late but we finally finished our gift!" Mary panted tiredly.

She handed Snow a white stuffed toy, with light blue bead eyes, that looked like a Fenrir.

"Aww, it's adorable!" Snow hugged it happily.

"Watch out, prince!" Hero exclaimed, taking a face of icing.

"Oh, thank you," Leonard laughed lightly.

"Oh, dear," Snow laughed and helped Hero wipe his face.

"You can even change its color," Arian explained, tapping the small collar on the toy as it changed from white to peach.

"I love it! Thank you so much," Snow gushed.

Suddenly a rain of red wine was thrown their way and everyone dodged it except one person.

"..." everyone held their breath, seeing the Nine-tailed princess's white hair doused in red wine.

"Red? Red wine on my dress? And my hair?" Snow asked herself in a silent fury.

Not even the twins could utter a word as Snow made her way up the grand staircase.

"Before I do anything. Who was playing with the red wine?" she asked calmly.

Everyone looked at Duchess Bellatrix as she sheepishly hid the bottle behind her back.

Snow took a deep breath in and snapped her fingers.

The room was filled with a turquoise sparkle as everyone looked in amazement.

The ballroom was clean, everyone was clean, the foods were all intact, perfectly organized on the buffet table with a spotless white tablecloth.

Everyone oohed and ahhed as Snow smiled.

"No more food fights please," she said gracefully.

Everything went back to normal as Victor worriedly helped Snow down the staircase.

"You're too pale, Snowflake... I thought we agreed that you wouldn't use time magic?" Victor said gently.

Snow didn't want to cough out blood and tasted the copper like liquid coat her tongue.

But her nose started to bleed as well.

"I'm fine, father... It was just a bit of cleaning," Snow smiled weakly.

"You should head up to your room, Snowflake. You still have to travel tomorrow," Victor said concerned.

He helped her to the white sofa next to Dean and Alexa.

"Time magic isn't a joke, Snow, you're as pale as paper," Renèe lectured worriedly.

"I agree with Ren, sister... You can't just use time magic so recklessly and needlessly," Dean joined in.

"Not you guys too," Snow groaned.

"... We just want what's best for you, Snow," Alexa and Sierra said worriedly.

"Alright, alright, I'll head up to my room... I'll see you guys..." Snow said getting up.

"Hello, Princess," greeted another familiar friend.

"Alzek! I thought you wouldn't be able to make it!" Snow hugged the old man as he laughed.

"That was very irresponsible of you," Alzek lectured as Snow pouted.

"But impressive nonetheless," he whispered as Snow brightened up.

"I heard that you'll be heading to Slade tomorrow, oh, that means I won't be able to tutor you anymore," Alzek stroked his beard sadly.

"Nonsense, Alzek! It's just for a week! We'll continue after," Snow giggled.

"Yes, but you'll be attending the academy soon as well..." Alzek sighed.

"Snow? Didn't I tell you to go to your room?" Victor asked gently.

"Ah, your majesty," Alzek bowed.

"Alzek, always a pleasure, Snow will have to retire early for now, but I would love to talk to you more about her power," Victor offered happily.

He always took every chance he gets to show off his daughter's potential, but only to those close to him.

"I see then, I would love to," Alzek smiled as Snow went up to her room.

-------------------

"Tik, tok, Spirits... It's almost time," I smiled.

I changed my outfit from a gown to black pants, blouse, and cloak.

"Right, the Heroine will be near the tavern in Fantasia in 80 minutes," Flare reported, looking at the clock.

"Then we better head out," I smiled jumping out my window, using the wind to fall safely down.

I quickly hid behind a tree to avoid being seen by the rotating gaurds.

'There are a lot more gaurds than we anticipated...' Glade sighed.

'We'll have to go deep into the forest before we call Nightmare,' I reasoned and walked away into the forest.

I was careful not to step on any leaves and branches.

I remember last time I snuck out, the guards heard me running into the forest and I was quickly caught by father...

After a little while I decided to go full sprint and seemed to be a good distance away from the palace.

"Nightmare," I called, gripping my necklace as I heard the clouds thunder and he came down from them.

"Is there a way to make your entrances less dramatic?" I laughed.

"To simply put it. No." Nightmare deadpanned.

"Alright, Alright, to Fantasia we go," I smiled as we set off into the skies.

"Remind me again why you couldn't just fly there on your own? I was busy enough," Nightmare complained.

"After my little stunt, I'm low on magic right now. And as you know, you're much faster than I am," I said with a smile, stroking his mane as he neighed happily.

"That's all you needed to say," he neighed as I laughed.

"I didn't need to say anything, you were the one fishing for compliments,"

After a few more minutes, we arrived at our destination.

Nightmare excused himself as I sat on the rooftops, near the clock tower of Fantasia with a good view of a small alleyway near Esther Ale tavern.

"Let the game begin,"

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°and cut!°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°