Chapter 32

"Oh, Elizabeth, It is beautiful!" her mother exclaimed when she came into the room.

Mrs Ovens was just finishing some adjustments on her ball dress.

She had originally asked for a dark red dress, but it was quickly pointed out that the day was a celebration, so perhaps a happier colour should be used. Elle didn't mind at all.

She had instead chosen a pretty blue fabric. It was soft to the touch and more beautiful than anything that she had seen before.

Her mother had been reluctant to let Mrs Ovens take the lead on the dress, but after much insistence and persuasion from Elle, she had finally given in.

And it had been worth it. The dress was so stunning, that even Elle had to admit that she would look beautiful in it.

It was close to the ball itself, with only a few days to go.

"Are you ready to come and practise walking down the staircase?" Elle cringed slightly and nodded, letting Mrs Ovens remove the dress.

The staircase was the part that Elle was dreading the most. She would have to walk down in front of everyone and be announced. She was sure that she would fall over, and everyone would be watching.

She had yet to walk down without tripping slightly, and she knew that it would be more difficult with a dress on.

They were trying it for the sixth time when Danny and Andrew walked in.

"Mother, why can't Eliza just try it on the night?" Danny asked, seeing the distressed look on her face.

"She has to get it perfect! Imagine if she falls!" her mother replied.

"If she falls, I will personally walk up the steps and fall down them too," Danny said, making Elle smile in relief. Their mother looked as if she was about to faint.

"He's just joking," Andrew said, holding in his laughter. "But seriously, mother, she will be fine. You are only scaring her more by making her practice."

"Fine, you may go, Elizabeth," she finally gave in.

Elle sighed in relief and followed the boys out.

"Thank you," she said, "I don't think I would have lasted much longer."

"You'll be fine on the night. Just remember that no one will be able to see how tight that you are gripping the hand rail."

"That's encouraging," she muttered sarcastically.

Guests were beginning to arrive, so the castle was ablaze with activity.

"Do you remember the family that we stayed with in Vriles?" Andrew asked Elle.

"Of course," she replied.

"They have arrived for the ball."

"I didn't know that they were coming!" she was excited at seeing them again. They had been so kind to her.

"And there is a lady called Rose who helped with your escape. She risked her life."

"I met her. She helped me out when I was trapped. Can we go and see them all?" Elle asked. She wanted to meet anybody who helped her and tell them how thankful she is.

"Of course, we can go and see them straight away."

They walked through the maze of corridors that Elle still didn't know, and arrived at the guest quarters.

"There is a room for the guests to socialise, so we can check if they are there."

Sure enough, both the family and Rose were sat talking in there.

They all got up when Elle, Andrew and Danny walked in. Elle quickly waved for them to sit back down. She would ever get used to having people stand for her.

"Princess, it's nice to see you in better circumstances," Rose began.

"It's nice to be in better circumstances," Elle answered, smiling at her. "I'd like to thank you for everything that you did for me whilst I was trapped. I can't tell you quite how much it meant to me."

"It was no problem. Besides, I am free now as well." The bright smile on her face and the glow of her skin showed how happy she was.

"Well, I'm glad you have come for the party."

"Thank you for the invitation."

"Ah, Eliza, you are beginning to sound like a princess!" Danny laughed from behind. The rest of the room joined in, and Elle blushed slightly in embarrassment.

A servant knocked on the door, and after a quick and muffled conversation with Andrew, he turned back to speak to them.

"Eliza, I think that Delilah Trivilla has arrived. Perhaps you would like to welcome her?" he said.

Elle quickly shook away the nerves in her body. "Of course," she smiled and followed Andrew out of the room.

She was beyond nervous to see Delilah again, but she couldn't quite figure out why. Delilah had always been harmless. It was just her mother that was not.

"Elle?" Delilah asked, in slight shock, when the princess walked into the room. She couldn't quite believe that Elle was here to greet her.

"It's Princess Elizabeth to you," Andrew said, rather patronisingly.

"There is no need for that," Elle laughed. "Welcome to the castle, Delilah."

"Listen, Elle, I'm really sorry. I should have said something before. I had no idea that my mother would go to such an extreme. I just didn't know what to do!" Delilah started rambling on.

"Delilah," Elle began quietly. When she received no answer, she spoke louder, "Delilah!"

Delilah looked up from the floor that she had been starting at.

"It's okay. I forgive you. Besides, it is all in the past now." Elle smiled at that thought.

"Thank you!"

Elle gave her a quick hug.

"Do you know when Gemma is coming?" Elle asked her.

"She said that she would be travelling with James. I don't know when, though. She didn't really want to speak to me," Delilah frowned slightly.

"I'll talk to her about it when she arrives. In the meantime, perhaps I could show you your chambers."

"That would be wonderful!" Delilah smiled more brightly that Elle had ever seen before.

Elle linked arms with her guest, and they began walking the length of the castle. If Elle was honest, she had no idea where she was going.

After a long while of wandering around, Delilah finally asked Elle the dreaded question.

"Where on earth are we?"

"Erm, I'm not too sure," was the reply. It was followed by a series of giggles from both girls.

They were deep in the castle, in an area with no outside light and very little light from the torches.

"So, what do we do?" Delilah asked, looking around.

"Scream and shout for help?" was Elle's suggestion.

"That isn't particularly ladylike," Delilah giggled.

"Help!" Elle shouted, laughing at Delilah's shocked face.

"Come on, I can't be the only one yelling!" Elle said.

"Fine. Help!" Delilah joined in.

Several minutes later, and quite a few shouts later, they could hear footsteps. Andrew and Danny came rushing around the corner.

"Eliza!" Danny shouted when he saw her. "Are you okay?"

Elle laughed at his expression. "Of course, but we got lost."

Danny approached her and gripped her shoulders. "Don't ever do that again. You scared us!"

"Sorry, we just needed help to get out."

"We found them!" Andrew yelled. "Let's get out of here."

He began to lead the way to the main castle area, Elle and Delilah giggling as silently as they could behind him.

A/N- So she is friends with Delilah now :) No James yet, though!

My friend @Katie577 has begun publishing a book  on wattpad called  'To break a curse'.  It is really great. It would be awesome if you could check it out.

Thanks people :)

Xx