Tony and I stopped on the door that leads to the mini ballroom. I didn't know why but my heart pounded. I guess it was out of excitement or anxiousness. Tony said that the teacher would be the best. Maybe it would be Rin, the instructor who taught us the dance for the engagement party. But maybe it was someone I didn't know.

"Ready?" He asked.

I nodded and let him open the door. I closed my eyes and dreaded the moment. Tony nudged me and told me to open my eyes. When I did, my eyes widened, my mouth went ajar. I gasped and dropped to a curtsy.

The girl laughed, "Is she always this courteous?"

Tony chuckled, "To nobles, yes. To the people she's close with, no."

"Rise, darling. I don't bite." She said.

Another guy snickered, "Right. You don't bite. You swallow immediately."

I rose from the curtsy with a small smile. The girl rolled his eyes and punched her brother at the shoulder, "Shut it, Fidel." She taunted, "Or I'll poke your eye again."

Fidel raised his arms up in surrender, "You win, and please trim those nails. They're dangerous."

Eldora put her tongue out, "It's the only thing that can control you, brother."

Tony cleared his throat, "Let's start now, shall we?"

He entered the room with me behind him. I looked at him curiously, "Why are you still here? From what I can recall, you said that I had a lesson. Not you and me." I told him.

He smiled, "But I must be here."

"Woah," Fidel muttered, "You do look like my sister. But you're not as fat as her, I guess."

I blushed and just smiled at the crowned prince. Eldora, however, didn't seem pleased. She pinched her older brother's ear and fixed him with a glare, "What did you just say?" She asked with her voice dripping venom.

Fidel gulped, "I-I said you're prettier than her, sis."

She released him with a contented smile. Then she turned to me and motioned for me to approach, "I do admit, we have some similarities."

Tony smirked, "You should see her with brown hair. She'd look like Celestiana."

Eldora raised an eyebrow at this, "Really? Oh I must see this sometime."

"She also has a friend that looks like her. She has darker brown hair. Her name is Julianne." Tony stated.

"Well then I believe she has fine DNA to look like three people, not to mention that two of those three are princesses." Eldora said, "But it's quite ah . . . disappointing to share an image with a lot of people, huh? It makes you feel . . . not special."

I hid my annoyance with a smile, "Not really. It comes in handy sometimes."

Eldora smiled, "What's your real hair color, darling?"

"Blonde," Tony answered.

Eldora glared at him but showed a sweet smile, "I believe I wasn't talking to you, hon. Now, dear Haidee, what is your real hair color?"

I smiled, "Champagne blonde, your highness. I have brown eyes. Nothing special unlike your gray eyes."

She gleamed with pride, "Yes, I have been complimented over and over about my eyes. Quite rare isn't it? My poor brother has green eyes. Such a shame if you ask me. He isn't very special like me."

"But I'm the crown prince, Eldora. Our features mean nothing." Fidel said with an exasperated sigh.

"I think his green eyes are nice," I said, "Forest green. I believe he got it from his father?"

Eldora nodded, "Yes, our father has green eyes. Our mother however has gray ones and I thank the lord for blessing me with her eyes."

Eldora and Fidel both were redheads, although Fidel's was fading to brown. They both looked and eminated royalty. But of course, Tony looked the same way. With his dark charcoal hair and his striking blue eyes, you'd never mistake him for a child on the streets. I felt like an outcast with these royals. All of them had an air of power and I was a mere puppet who always acted like a princess she never was.

"Let's stop talking about eyes now. It's too boring. Let's discuss the dance first." Fidel commanded.

"What exactly is this dance for?" I asked.

"You haven't told her, have you?" Eldora asked pointedly to Tony as if he commited a crime.

Tony smiled, "I haven't."

Fidel had a smirk, "Then I guess it'll be a surprise."

My eyebrows furrowed,"Why can't you just tell me the reason? I mean, it's not really important right? Just a dance."

Eldora glanced at Tony then smiled at me, "That's where you're wrong, darling."

"This dance is a dance only danced byㅡOw!" Fidel stopped and rubbed his shoulder which was slapped by Eldora.

"Stop saying dance. It's irritating." She complained.

"Let's just get on with it, okay?" Tony said, "No one tells her what it's for or what it is. Just how to do it."

"So how do we do the partners?" Fidel asked.

"I certainly do not want to dance with you, dear brother. So I'll be with Zeke today." Eldora rushed to Tony and linked her arm with his.

The funny thing was that, I didn't feel jealous. I even chuckled a little. She certainly did not get along with her brother well, "Then I suppose I'd be with Prince Fidel today."

He smirked, "It's my pleasure, Lady Haidee. And please, drop the honorifics."

I smiled, "Alright, Fidel."

"Let's start with step number one." Eldora said with a smile.

After practicing, We were on lunch break and we were free to eat at the dining hall or just have it in our rooms. I decided to eat in my room so Eldora can eat freely. On my way to room, a voice called.

"Princess Eldora!"

I stopped in my tracks and saw Madame Lourdes in front of me. I smiled at her and nodded.

"What can I do for you, Madame?" I asked in a thick accent.

"Ah, Eldora. Still polite, aren't we?" She said with a smile.

I returned her smile. Now that I met the Spanish princess, I've caught on more with her attitude. She's polite and princess-like but like what they say, she's a diva. She likes to be in control and she certainly hates being ignored. She loves her brother dearly even if they don't get along very well. One time, I stepped on his brother's toes because the tempo was too fast. She said that we should exchange because 'she was getting tired of Tony' nut I knew she was just concerned about her beloved brother.

"Will you accompany me in my office? I have something I need you to do." She said.

I nodded, "Of course."

I followed her to her office. It was my first time coming inside in the span of six months. Her office was in a navy blue color and was accentuated with white and gold. It looked elegant and it totally screamed 'Madame Lourdes'.

"Sit down, Eldora." She said and motioned to the chair in front of her table.

I obliged and sat down on the chair. My hands were placed on my lap like any lady would do. She sat herself on the chair behind the table. She took her reading glasses and got a paper and looked through it.

"So Eldora . . ." She began, "How is your stay at the palace so far?"

"Solo llevo aquí unos días, pero fue agradable." I answered. (I've only been here for a few days, but it was nice)

"Are you aware of the ball happening on the 10th of February?"

I nodded my head, "Yes. It's in nine days, right?"

"Yes and all of the previous selected are invited."

I know. It was just announced earlier.

I nodded, "¿Cómo estoy relacionado con esta pelota de la que hablas?" (How am I related to this ball you speak of?)

She leaned back on her chair and sighed, "Several of the former selected are not . . . nice to the others. I'm afraid a fight is bound to happen."

I was pretty sure she was talking about Beatrice, Diamond, Violet, Natalie, Margarette, and Harmonia. But still, what did Eldora have to do with this?

She must have seen my questioning expression so she answered, "The prince is going to announce something . . . surprising."

My heart dropped. Is he choosing his wife already?

I pursed my lips and looked at the floor while I spoke, "And what is this announcement?"

"I'm afraid I cannot tell you."

My head snapped to her in confusion, "Si no me vas a decir, dime cómo estoy relacionado con todo esto." (If you're not going to tell me, tell me how I'm related to all this)

"Well, this ball is actually for you."

"For me?" My eyebrows furrowed, creating creases on my forehead. I don't understand anything.

She nodded, "Yes, you."

"What?" I asked incredulously, "Why?"

"Well, Lady Haidee. I reckon the prince will explain everything to you."

I nodded and my gaze turned to my lap. Then it snapped back up to her smiling face. My eyes were wide and my mouth was agape, "W-What did you call me?"

"I know it's you, Lady Haidee."

I slumped into my chair but my gaze never left her face, "Did he tell you?"

She shook her head, "I observed. I admit, when I first saw you, I was convinced you really were the Princess. The resemblance is magnificent. But when I observed you these days, I've been getting the feel that maybe it was you. When you taught the elite, your style of teaching, it made me convinced you were her."

I nodded, "Does anyone else know?"

She shook her head, "I believe only I noticed. Now back to our real topic, I need you to wear white and gold."

"What? I thought we were supposed to wear black and gold?" I countered, "Tony announced it this morning, right?"

She nodded, "Yes, but these are orders. Lady Louise and Lady Claire are also going to wear different colors. I believe Lady Louise is going for sky blue and gold. Lady Claire is going to wear pink and gold. And I was informed that some of the other selected were instructed to wear another color too. For instance, Lady Julianne will be wearing red and gold. I think only the four of you are instructed to wear another color."

"What is it for?" I asked, "Louise and Claire, I understand. They are Elites. But me and Julianne? I have no idea why we have to wear something different."

She smiled, "It's related to the announcement that the prince is going to make. Just wait, Lady Haidee. You'll find out soon."

"Are there men who are told to wear another color too?" I asked.

She thought for a moment as if debating whether she should tell me or not, "Men? I only know some but I was sworn to secrecy."

I sighed, "I won't be getting answers from you either, aren't I?"

She smiled, "I apologize, Lady Haidee. But we've been instructed to keep it secret."

I shook my head and smiled, " You don't need to apologize, I understand," I rose from my seat, "Now I think I should eat lunch and tell my maids about the dress."

Madame Lourdes smiled and nodded, "I'll see you on the ball, Lady Haidee."

I did a curtsy then went on my way. I walked to my roomㅡthe one on the third floorㅡand heard voices inside. I opened the door slightly to hear what they were talking about.

"Is she really her?" A girl asked. I think Hannah was talking.

"That can't be true. We're her maids! I mean if there are two of them shouldn't we be notified?" Another voice asked. Vivianne's.

"Hush," Hannah said. "I think someone's outside."

I tensed. I didn't know if I should come in.

What are you talking about, Haidee? You're Eldora.

I straightened my dress then made my way inside. They looked at me with horrified expressions but they tried to hide it with a smile. Their backs were stiff and their hands were shaking as if I was going to hurt them. Georgia wasn't inside the room.

Should I tell them?

They deserve to know. They've been with me for half a year. I guess they should. Besides, the threats were gone. I smiled at them to make them at ease. It worked a little but their backs were still as straight as a needle.

I sighed and plopped on the bed, "C'mon, guys. You use to be so relaxed with me."

They stared at me with confusion. They glanced at each other warily. I think they were thinking about how I've lost my mind.

"I beg your pardon, miss?" Vivianne said.

I laid down on the bed, "I said you aren't this polite with me. We've been together for half a year. I've told you a lot of times to not call me with any honorifics."

They still had confused expression so I sighed and sat up. I took the contacts of my eyes and placed them in their containers. I looked at them with my brown eyes, "Better?" I asked.

Hannah gasped, "Miss, you have brown eyes?"

"I've always had brown eyes." I told them. They didn't seem to get that it was me.

"You were faking having gray eyes?" Vivianne asked.

I groaned, "Don't you guys get it?"

"Get what, miss?" Hannah asked.

"What ever do you mean, Princess?" Vivianne questioned.

"I'm not a princess!" I exclaimed. "I'm just a girl in Eldora's clothes. Pretending to be her to hide. To survive."

Their eyes widened and they seemed to have a mental conversation. I tried to guess their conversation. I thought it would be like this:

Survive? Hannah would ask.

She isn't royalty? Vivianne would ask.

Maybe she isn't, I mean look at her. Hannah would answer.

Vivianne would agree, Yeah, she doesn't look like much.

But of course, that's just me backstabbing myself. They'd just probably ask each other about the things I've said.

Vivianne looked at me with uncertainty, "Haidee?"

I grinned and rose from my bed. I spread my arms and they got the signal. They ran to my arms and enclosed ourselves in a tight group hug.

"Oh my god! Is this really you?" Hannah asked and I could hear her voice quivering.

I rubbed her back, tears of my own breaching my eyes, "Yeah. It's me. I'm sorry I kept it from the two of you."

Vivianne sniffled, "I can't believe I didn't recognize you sooner!"

"I needed to hide," I told them and pulled them tighter, "Gabriel wanted me dead. He-He killed my family."

They pulled me closer and I couldn't help but feel gracious for their comfort.

"We understand." Hannah said, "We may not know the whole reason, but what's important is you're safe."

Then the door opened. Our heads snapped to look at the door. Georgia entered holding a notebook and a pencil. She stared at us as if figuring out what happened. Then she saw me in tears and a smile spread on her face.

"You finally told them, huh?" She said with a hand on her hip.

I smiled but the two other girls stared at her. We separated from the group hug.

"You knew?" Hannah asked with her arms flailing about which expressed her frustration. "And you didn't tell us?!"

Georgia smiled sheepishly, "It was a secret. I was told to not tell anyone."

Vivianne sighed, "At least we all know now."

"And now, Illèa needs to know too." Georgia said.

I stared at her with a brow raised, "What do you mean?"

She smiled and showed me the notebook, "We need to sketch your gown for the ball."

I snapped my fingers, "Right." I wiped my tear stained cheeks, "Madame Lourdes said that I should wear a white and gold one."

The three of them exchanged looks and broke into huge grins. I just stared at them in confusion. Why did they look like they won the lottery?

I bugged them about their expressions but they just ignored me and mept asking about the dress. The dress turned out beautifully and I almost forgot their grins. Almost.