Once upon a time...
Would that she had been more in the mood. Maea could have attempted what magic could not accomplish. Not because she was any good at dancing herself, but simply to enjoy the dreamlike wonder of their situation. If it hadn't been for the shadows it may have been different. Alas, right now Maea found more comfort in the hilt of the sword strapped to her side, and only managed a wan smile in response to the mer-fairy's merriment.
His question had her scan the ballroom again. "No, but the king has not arrived yet either. Maybe they're making a grand entry..."
And as if her words were a prophecy, no sooner had the Knight spoken than a fanfare was blown on ringing trumpets. The dancers stopped and as one the gentry and honored guests turned to watch as grand doors opened wide to allow the royal family. The King was regal and the Queen radiant upon his arm, but when the Princess entered the room a hush fell, for her beauty was such that it stole the breath away. With a shy smile she greeted those who had come to honor her - but from her spot not far from the girl Maea could see that it did not quite reach her eyes.
In fact... there was something strange about her gaze. Ever so often the Princess's eyes shifted color, from clear to pitch black.
"Do you see what I'm seeing?" she murmured, and tugged surreptitiously at the disguised Dark Fairy's sleeve. Her stomach flopped uneasily; would they have to fight the Princess? Was that really how it was supposed to go?
His question had her scan the ballroom again. "No, but the king has not arrived yet either. Maybe they're making a grand entry..."
And as if her words were a prophecy, no sooner had the Knight spoken than a fanfare was blown on ringing trumpets. The dancers stopped and as one the gentry and honored guests turned to watch as grand doors opened wide to allow the royal family. The King was regal and the Queen radiant upon his arm, but when the Princess entered the room a hush fell, for her beauty was such that it stole the breath away. With a shy smile she greeted those who had come to honor her - but from her spot not far from the girl Maea could see that it did not quite reach her eyes.
In fact... there was something strange about her gaze. Ever so often the Princess's eyes shifted color, from clear to pitch black.
"Do you see what I'm seeing?" she murmured, and tugged surreptitiously at the disguised Dark Fairy's sleeve. Her stomach flopped uneasily; would they have to fight the Princess? Was that really how it was supposed to go?
The End
