The next morning, I woke up in my bed. The sun was just rising and it was still dark outside. I slipped to my feet from my bed and raised my arms above my head, going into a long stretch. I walked to my now tidied up vanity desk. Beth must have put all my creams and essences away when I fell asleep. I pulled out a piece of paper, a fountain pen, and some ink to begin writing my letter to the prince.

I should express excitement for his visit, I thought. I shouldn’t show the fear that hid in me. And so, that morning, while the sun was slowly rising, I began my next letter.

“My Dearest Fiance,

Oh, how wonderful! I’m so delighted to hear that you will be attending my sister’s coronation. The day that I finally get to dive into your embrace is soon, my prince. It hasn't been long since we first got engaged, and we finally get to see each other. There must be much luck for both of us.

The sunrise is bright as I write, I imagine, the moment our eyes meet, there will be spark incomparable to the fire of the sun.

Awaiting your arrival,

Princess Azulia Del Saphare Bellerose - Of Hydrangea.”

I melted wax on my envelope and pressed the seal firmly into the wax. After it hardened I slowly lifted the seal revealing a beautiful hydrangea imprinted in the wax. I called Beth to deliver the letter and went about my day normally.

That was the last letter before our faithful meeting. Well, almost.

°－°✿－°✿－°✿－°✿－°✿－°✿－°✿－°✿－°✿－°

The weeks that went by were filled with a blur of big dresses and party invitations. The castle was bustling and there were plenty of people rushing around the castle at any given time. My sister Garnet on the other hand wasn’t at all bothered that tomorrow was her big day. She was way more concerned with her sleep. I really wonder what kind of dreams she must be having to sleep 13 hours straight. She has been sleeping so much recently, she missed morning tea today.

Ever since that last letter I sent 2 weeks ago, I haven’t heard from the prince. With Garnet’s coronation coming, there had been many things occupying my mind, so much that I forgot about the prince. Not completely though, at night when my mind and body relax for sleep, I think of him, I think of those weird dreams and reflections. Nothing so abnormal has happened recently that I was starting to think they were just hallucinations and make believe daydreams.

“First Princess!” a voice shouts from behind me. I turn to see the designer, hands on his knees, panting.

Mother has put me in charge of organizing the ball room for the dance and I currently was occupied by overlooking the workers. Though watching people work is quite uneventful so I forgive him for showing up so abruptly.

"Are you alright, sir?" I ask, my brow slightly raised. I turn to the closest worker I could spot. "Excuse me! But could you please fetch this man some water?"

"It's," he starts, panting, "alright." I watched as sweat ran down his forehead and down his face. He was wearing a white collared shirt and some black pants, fitted with a nice leather belt. His armpits were all wet and shown through his white shirt. I wrinkled my nose as the scent of sweat slowly started to find its way into my nostrils.

"What's the matter? Is something wrong with Garnet's dress again? How selfish can she get! Her coronation is tomorrow!" I said, agitated, rubbing my temples with my fingers.

"No," he pants. "Gar- garnet… likes the dress… she's… just… she… needs you in her room right now." He manages to say between large gulps of air.

The worker that I had called to get water rushes back with a glass and a whole pitcher. He hands the glass to the designer and immediately, with a hand on his waist, Sir Designer chugs the glass.

"Alright, I shall be going then," I say, turning to the door.

Why was the designer in such a mess? This has to be Garnet's doing. Garnet and her carefree ways. One day it's all gonna come back to her.

I knock on Garnet's bedroom and her maid, Eve, opens the door for me. I smile at her and she leads me to where Garnet stands, in front of her full size mirror.

She was wearing her new dress. I couldn't say if it was better or worse then the first, but it was gorgeous. The front of the skirt was cut to the knee so it revealed Garnet's legs, while the back had a long flowy train that brushed the floor. The color was a pastel purple, with small sparkling stars scattered along the ends of the dress. The collar was a heart shape that showed off her shoulders and had lace sleeves to her elbows. It was absolutely stunning with the skirt starting at her natural waistline.

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"Wow," I mumble, walking behind Garnet. I look into the mirror and then, our eyes meet.

She smiles at my small word, and says, "I know, Azulia. Isn't it beautiful."

"Mhm," I nod, "absolutely stunning."

Garnet turns around and grabs my hands in hers. "Tomorrow, I'm finally set free." She stares at our hands, intertwined.

"Well, not really. You still have to do the jobs of a vassal." I giggle.

Garnet groans at my words. "Azu, you don't even let me have a happy moment without reminding me of work!!!" She looks up at my face and frowns.

I shrug. "Princess duties before your greedy needs."

"Have you got a dress for tomorrow, Azulia?" Garnet asks, doing a little swirl in her dress.

"Yep. But of course never as beautiful as yours," I reply.

Garnet stops and crosses her arms. "No, tomorrow is your big day too! You'll be meeting the prince," she pouts.

I giggle. "I do have a beautiful dress, but it may not be of your taste."

"Don't worry, Azu. As long as you love it, and it looks beautiful on you. My opinion doesn't matter, as long as you feel happy."

I pull Garnet into my arms and give her a big embrace. She sighs. "Tomorrow may be the last day we see each other on the daily."

"Yeah, I'll miss going to your room and hanging around." I kiss her cheek. "You're so grown now."

"Stop, Azu. You're beginning to sound like mother when she was here a few moments ago."

"It's how I really feel sister. Don't be so stubborn. Oh, and I have been meaning to ask…" I pause, thinking of the man that was drenched in sweat who had he come panting up to me, "Why was the designer um… sweating… so much?"

Garnet's face starts to whiten as I bring it up. "Ah, heh… heh…"

"Garnet…?"

She turns away so she doesn't face me. "Well, I may or may not have made him run a few laps around the corridors."

I gasp. "How could you? That's evil!"

I walk over to her sofa and plop myself down. She shouldn't be mistreating a worker in the castle like that! Especially since he's one of mother's favorite designers.

"Azu, I was bored," she groans.

"Well, that doesn't give you the right to torture him like that! He made you such a beautiful dress!"

"Well, these days I've just been so stressed with all this coronation stuff… I needed to take it out on someone! Plus, he gave that butt itch dress to Rosali."

"You're saying just because he gave away the dress that you rejected to Rosali, you made him run laps around the castle?"

"Rosali, doesn't deserve that dress! You should have gotten it!" She pouts.

I roll my eyes. "Garnet, you're… insane. I swear, gosh."

She runs up to me and stares at me with her puppy dog eyes. "I'm sorry!"

"Don't say sorry to me! Say sorry to your designer!"

"Fine," she goans and turns to Eve. "Eve, let's go say sorry to that good for nothing."

"Hey!" I shout, hearing them calling him mean words.

"I'm sorry, gosh, Azu. So bossy. You really are the next empress." She glares at me, grabbing Eve and making her way to the door.

I leave after them a few moments later to head back to my work in the ballroom, when I suddenly hear voices near the castle entrance. The stair case was right near the door downstairs so the voices could echo up to the third floor. I stop in my tracks and look out the corridor windows. A golden carriage is parked outside behind the fountain and 2 handsome men step out.

I can barely see them from the third floor where the Princesses corridors were. My Father was there though, his head high and giving embraces to the men. On the carriage, I noticed something that none of the people of Hydrangea would have. The crest of Lefort.

I could feel the beat of my heart speed up as excitement ran across my body. I squinted and attempted to catch a glimpse of the men. One had dark black hair and the other was a sun colored golden blonde. They were both well built and tall. They wore white togas that revealed a lot of skin, something that would be called a sin in Hydrangea. The cloth only wrapped around one shoulder, making their bodies exposed.

I watched as they walked towards the entrance, and due to my stupid curiousity, I ran down another flight of stairs to take a look. As I run down, I hear my Father speak, "Welcome to Hydrangea Prince Reynaldus, Prince Andreas."

So it really was him. Which one though? Which?

As I got to the second floor corridor window, I looked out again. From the second floor the view was clearer. I could still barely see their faces since I was above them. I knew though, just from their aura, that they were handsome. Then, I noticed something strange. One of the men, the blonde one specifically had strange red markings that were displayed on his body. They were like patterns drawn on him, and he made no effort to hide them. I could also see that they wore golden necklaces and chains. Gold wrapped around their waists and wrists. And one thing crossed my mind, money.

This confirmed my speculation then. My family had chosen to alliance with Lefort, for their money.

Suddenly, the black haired man looked up. His eyes met mine. He had been smiling, but once he saw me, his look changed into wonder. He looked curious. I know I've never met them but, why? Why does he look so familiar. A chilling fear ran through me.

He smirked, and I ran behind the window curtain. Who is he? Prince Reynuldus?

I shook my head. I'm going to meet him tomorrow, don't get too curious. This is unladylike, Azulia! I should be getting back to the ballroom.

I went down the last flight. As I neared the entrance to the castle I lowered the volume of my steps, just so they wouldn't notice me. It's a struggle to be silent when you're wearing heels.

I walk pass the door and I catch a few words a prince says.

"Your daughter really has a way with words."

I blush. Oh gosh, why am I suddenly boy crazy. Just because they look good? Azulia, what has gotten into you!

They enter the castle and I continue walking to the ballroom. The ballroom isn't far at all from the entrance. It's the easiest room in the castle to find.

I open the door, and immediately Garnet shouts, "Hey Azulia! Mother is here! Come!"

As she says my name, I feel eyes stare daggers at my back. One of the Princes has spotted me.

"Ok! Coming!" I shout back to Garnet.

Before I walk in, I turn around and our eyes meet. His tan skin, his dark hair, the shape of his eyes, they filled me with a sense of familiarity. Why was he looking at me? How did he notice me?

I turn away and walk into the ballroom. There was something off. His eyes.

From the second floor, I clearly saw they were black. Yet, when our eyes met again, they were golden?