[ E D I T E D ]

♕✿~♕✿~Chapter 20//: Planning and embarrassments♕✿~♕✿~

A knock comes from my door. I look up from where I am sitting on my bed, having been thinking about what I saw with Rose and Nick, and look at the clock resting on my nightstand. 11:30 a.m.

Perhaps it's Addaline and Tara, I think as I walk up to the bedroom door. I grasp the bronze handle and pull it inward. Outside, Tara and Addaline wait outside dressed in casual clothing.

"Hey Madison." Tara gives me a small wave. She gestures inside my room. "Can we come in?"

I nod. "Of course." I open my door wider and watch as Tara and Addaline enter my room, sitting down at the small table I have in my room. I close the door behind them and take a seat next to them.

"So, I looked through this packet a bit, and I have an idea of what we could possibly do," Tara says. She places the white packet we got from Caroline on the desk top.

"I was thinking we just do a traditional ball," Addaline comments. Tara and I glance at her.

"Well, I was thinking we go for the masquerade ball. I think it would be fun to wear extravagant gowns and wear masks. Kind of a mysterious feel to it, you know?" Tara puts in as she flips through the packet. "What about you, Madison?"

I start when she asks for my opinion. I wasn't exactly thinking about the type of ball we should throw during the time we had departed from the Lessons room.

"Um." I drag the word out, quickly trying to choose one of the choices. "The masquerade ball sounds pretty fun."

Addaline sits up tall as she crosses her arms across her chest. "But wouldn't it be safe to go with the traditional ball? We don't exactly know what the Piedmont royals will like. Well, at least Madison and I don't know." Addaline adds the last part quickly while looking at Tara pointedly.

Tara blushes silver. "Well, I have met them once. But it was just a gathering I went to, not an alliance ball or anything like that."

We all stay silent at this. An idea pops in my head, but I keep silent for a bit before deciding to speak up.

"How about we ask Ahren? Shouldn't he know all about them?" I suggest. Tara and Addaline stare at me wide-eyed as if I grew a second head.

"What?" I ask with a confused tone.

Tara looks away. "I don't exactly feel comfortable going to His Highness's room just like that," Tara admits. Addaline nods her agreement.

I sigh. "Well, do you have another idea of how we could figure out what type of ball the Piedmont princes will like?"

They have nothing. "Why don't you go, Madison? You can go ask and Tara and I will stay here to discuss the invitation styles," Addaline says. I purse my lips.

"Ok. I guess so," I mumble as I stand up from the desk. Tara and Addaline immediately flip through the packet, already discussing the invitations. I sigh as I walk out of the room and up the stairs to the third floor where the royal family's rooms were located.

Coming to a stop in front of Ahren's mahogany doors, I compose myself before gently knocking on the door.

It swings open and my eyes widen at the sight that greets me. Ahren stands there with armor on. I wouldn't have been so shocked except that Ahren has half of the armor stripped off. His muscled upper body is exposed and he doesn't look up and notice it's me. I feel my cheeks heat up as I try to look anywhere else but at his chest.

He continues to take off his armor, making me gulp. "Don't worry father, I'll be out in a minute for the meet-" He finally looks up and sees that it's me. His cheeks go silver.

"M-madison. How-why-" He stutters, not able to speak coherent sentences.

I clear my throat, trying to move on from this embarrassing scene. "Hey, Ahren. I, um, just had a question I wanted to ask you." He nods at me to go on.

"Do you know if the Piedmont princes like masquerade balls?" I ask in a rush. Ahren's brow furrows.

"Yeah. That's one of the only balls they have." Before he is completely finished though, I have already turned away from him and left.

Gosh, that was embarrassing! I think, wincing as I think back to what had happened. I never want to be in that situation again.

I rush into my room and close the door, leaning against it.

"Is everything okay, Madison?" I hear Tara ask. I jump, forgetting in that moment that Tara and Addaline are in my room. I nod, unable to answer with words.

I walk over to where Addaline and Tara are. I slump into my chair.

"Ahren...said that the Piedmont princes...like masquerade balls," I huff out, out of breath from my quick walk back.

Tara nods as she marks it in the packet. "Ok. Now that that's decided, we have to tell the girls in charge of decorations the theme so that they can start picking the decorations out. The maids will have to start making the dresses and masks for the ball as well," Tara says matter-of-factly.

Addaline nods in agreement. "Also, Tara and I have figured out the style of invitations we want to send out. We'll do those tomorrow and we can meet in my room after lunch," Addaline tells me. I nod in understanding.

Tara and Addaline stand up and I stand up with them.

"Well, see you guys at lunch. We can tell the other girls about the theme then," I say as they stop by my door.

Tara nods. "And we need to make sure to tell the maids so that they can start designing and making the outfits. Alright, that's all we have to do." Tara sighs in relief. "I hope this ball pays off. Especially since it's an alliance ball." Tara lowers her voice to a hushed whisper so that Addaline and I have to lean in closer to hear.

"If all goes well, maybe Piedmont will become our ally," Tara says. Addaline's eyebrows furrow.

"But won't they want something in return? Usually alliances are done through marriage," Addaline points out. Immediately, I think of Juliet. Would she have to marry one of the Piedmont princes then? It makes me feel sorry for her and angry at this. Princesses were just seen as pawns, passed around for alliances with other countries. How disgusting.

"Yes. I heard this ball is so that the princess can meet the princes and they can discuss a possible marriage alliance. If all goes well, of course," Tara tells us matter-of-factly.

Soon, Tara and Addaline wave good-bye at me as I wave at them as well. I close the door after they leave, thinking of what Tara had said.

For centuries, daughters of the royal family were not considered significant except for when it was time for them to marry off to some other royal member of another country. They're seen as objects, things that can be used and thrown away.

Nobody has done anything about this, but it didn't mean it was right in any sort of way. Juliet was 17; she should have the same opportunity as her brother. She should marry for love, not just because she has to in order to secure an alliance.

Although I didn't know Juliet that well, I didn't want that fate to be hers. Nobody deserved to have that choice be taken away from them, even someone like Alexis. Juliet is kind, energetic, and should have the opportunity to fall in love.

And I think I have just the idea on how to show my dissent on forced marriage.

♕✿~♕✿~♕✿~♕✿~♕✿~

Some awkward moments here and there 😂

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Until the next update!

Glass_Sword