THE BALL was tonight. The castle was alive with activity. Everyone was putting in extra effort to get ready for the long night ahead.

Banners were being hung, food was being prepared, floors were being cleaned, plants and other decorations were being arranged, and the royal family was getting ready. The maids scrubbed the whole castle, not leaving a single hair untouched.

There was a palpable sense of nervous stress in the air. You wouldn't have noticed it if you weren't looking for it. It radiated from everyone you came into contact with. Only the castle's occupants were aware that the king had been taken. Hundreds of people were being welcomed to the royal family's house. They are jeopardizing not just their secret, but also their lives. Whoever kidnapped the king is still on the road, and may make an appearance tonight.

I was more cautious than necessary, but I couldn't afford to take any risks. Tonight was supposed to be enjoyable, allowing everyone to unwind, but instead, it will be a night filled with agitated sensations and fake smiles.

In my room, I paced back and forth. I twirl my dagger between my fingers. The lightweight weapon rocked back and forth between my knuckles. The dagger has a long double-edged blade forged from silver. The blade is fixed on a rich hilt of shinning gold metal with a smooth grip made of bluish crystal. A set of strange runes are carved into the blade near the spine. The blade appears brand new.

The corners of my mouth twitched upwards at the memories. My father gave me the dagger as my first present. I was seven years old at the time, and I've treasured this gift ever since.

I stilled my movements and held my breath at the sound of clicking walking up to my bedroom door. As I suspected, a gentle knock hummed through the air.

"Yes?" I called out.

"May I enter?" Princess Senara's buoyant voice came through the door.

I nodded, then remembering she couldn't see me I yelled, "You may."

A sprightly princess practically skipped into the room as the doors swung open, a draft blowing across the floor. A colossal smile reached from ear to ear on her face. I couldn't help but smile as well.

"Hello!" She beamed. She shut the doors behind her and walked over to my bed. She plopped down on the edge and smiled up at me.

"Hi." I chuckled, "Are you excited for tonight?" I placed my dagger on the bedside table gracefully.

"I am! The ball is always so beautiful and so are the people. The flashy dresses and suits, the food, the atmosphere, it's all such a rare opportunity to have and witness. Even though we have one every year, it still feels like the first time."

"It sounds amazing." I mused.

Her smile fell slowly, "Are you not excited?"

I shook my head, "I am sure that it will be just as amazing as you say, but I am more concerned about it than excited."

"What do you mean?" She asked genuinely curious as she relaxed on my bed. I stared at her for a few moments. She was so excited about the ball I didn't want to ruin it for her. She noticed my hesitation and smiled at me, "It's okay to tell me, you know."

I sighed and began to explain, "It could be very dangerous. Not just for you all but everyone in the castle. The kidnapper is still out there and the ball is just brought unwanted attention to ourselves. The kidnapper might even show up tonight. So I am just going to be more alert tonight."

She listened attentively as I told her my thoughts. She understood how I was feeling and why. Despite her excitement, she had the same feeling of worry too. Everyone did.

After a moment of silence, she spoke, "I am nervous too. We don't know where he is yet or what's happing to him, but that is why we have you. I trust that you'll find him, and until then I just have to look on the bright side. For me, this ball is a break. All of this is stressful."

I sympathized, "Yeah it is. I am sorry. This isn't something any fifth-teen-year-old should go through."

She shrugged and gave me a small smile. She began to fiddle with her fingers, "I wish this wasn't happening to me, to us. But it is. All I can do is stay strong, for Papa." When she looked back at me, her eyes were brimmed with unshed tears, the smile still attached to her face.

She needed something I didn't know how to give. Comfort.

Even though I only knew her for a short time, I knew she didn't deserve any of this. She was still young, she had her whole life ahead of her. I took a short inhale and hugged her. I was tense. I never knew how to comfort someone, but I knew that a hug was the best I could offer.

She let out a forced laugh and wiped her eyes, "I am okay. It's the stress that's all." She patted my arms that wrapped around her as a sign to let her go. When I did, she just stared at me with a thankful gaze before she changed the subject, "Would you like to see the outfit I had made for you tonight?"

I nodded and offered her a smile of my own, "Sure. I would love to."

•••••

"Do you like it?" She asked as I looked at myself in the mirror. The outfit she had made for me made me feel confident. It was like a second skin.

The white tailored fabric smoothly hugged my body. The gold rods and belt emphasized the crisp, clean aspect of my appearance, making me appear clean. The white pants I wore were not only stylish but also comfortable. My daggers were able to fit inside the white and gold knee-high boots.

The princess walked up behind me, "So I had it made where it looks fitted but has enough room for your weapons." She took the back of my collar and pulled it back, then grabbed my sheath-covered sword that was lying on the bed. She ran the wrapped sword down my spine and my back. A slight clicking sound was heard. She backed away slowly, "Are you able to reach it okay?"

I reached back and the tips of my fingers grazed the leather handle. I pulled the sword out of its sheath.

Its grip is formed like a minotaur holding a skull with amethysts for eyes. The blade itself is unadorned. No markings, no decorations, and no engravings. While the hilt is as elegant as its owners, the blade has to be as strong as its owner. The sheathed sword has a hidden blade and a sword in use will be dirty and bloody, so only the hilt needs decorations.

This weapon is used by higher-ranked warriors. None deserve this weapon more than the greatest fighters of all.

Senara walked over to my right side and lifted the small fabric flap. I placed the sword back in its sheath and followed her gaze.

"On both sides, under this flap is a dagger holder, and I am sure you noticed the room left in the boots for daggers as well." She explained.

I have to admit I was impressed. I was grateful to her that she thought about the smallest details, such as all the room for hidden blades. I plastered a smile on my face.

"Thank you." Looking down at her, I sincerely thanked her. When I had changed into my outfit, she changed into her dress. Her light cocoa skin was revealed by a dark crimson red dress that hung off her shoulders and ran down to her elbow. Her chest and forearms were decorated with silk ruffles that looked like roses. Every step she took, her deep red gown gracefully brushed the floor. The long slit on the side of the fabric gave a sneak peek of long milk chocolate-skinned legs.

She smiled, "Of course! Now, I don't know how many Daggers you brought with you, but if you need any, I have some you may use."

I chuckled at her innocent look, "Oh trust me, I have more than enough."

××××××××××××

Author Note!

Hi Cuties, Mickey Here!

CHAPTER 18!! We are almost at 3k isn't that insane!!

Thoughts >

Predictions >

Feelings >

Random >

How is your day today? Was it bad? Good? In between?

I was checking my stats for Aislin last night and 5% of my readers are male..

WHO ARE yOu?

I HAVE NEVERRR SEEN A DUDE ON WATTPAD BEFORE AND I JUST GOTTA KNOW WHO YOU ARE MAN!! I DO!

QOTD: What's your biggest fear?

Spiders.

Hands down.

But not the small ones, I'm talking the big big ones. I can do the tiny ones, just not the ones that are the size of your hand.

No Ma'Am, I don't like them. *Shudders*

~Our girls outfits ~





- Mickey ✨