The stars twinkled brightly in the night sky above her, her white silk dress shining in the moons glow. She had always admired the stars - their beautiful blue-like glow had always reminded her of its eyes. The stag with the beautiful blue orbs that glowed immensely.

A cough came from behind her, causing the girl to tear her eyes away from the night sky.

"It's almost time child." Loraine said as she stood beside the balcony doorway. The raven haired women took notice in her daughters saddened state and stepped further out onto the balcony.

"Do you think he will come this year?" Y/n asked. She held a hopeful tone in her voice when she spoke. Loraines face softened and a small smile spread across her lips - she knew not to give the girl too much hope when it came to the Ashford Prince coming to the winter ball.

"I'm sure he will. In the mean time, you must get ready." Loraine replied, taking a hold of her daughters arm and guiding her back into her room where her lady's maid was waiting.

Y/n glanced at the stars one last time before her mother shut the balcony doors. She really hoped that Minho and Newt did a good job of convincing Thomas to come to tonight's ball.

"Brenda," her mother spoke to her lady's maid. "Is the dress ready?" Brenda nodded and walked to the trunk that sat at the end of Y/n's bed. She gently lifted the trunks heavy lid and dug out the beautiful gown that she had sown for the princess.

Y/n gasped and walked over to the older brunette girl. She reached her hands out carefully and gently ran her finger tips over the suede material and embroidered gold leaf patterns. It looked absolutely beautiful - a dress fit for a queen.

"Brenda, it's-it's beautiful." Y/n whispered as she continued to admire the beautiful creation that Brenda had made. Brenda smiled at her and ushered her behind the changing doors and waited with Loraine on the other side.

Y/n quickly slipped on the dress and emerged from behind the doors with a wide grin plastered on her face. The two women in front of her put their hands over their mouths in astonishment.

Thomas huffed as Newt helped him fix his collar. The brunette had a million thoughts running through his head, was Y/n going to be happy to see him? Was him going even a good idea? Doubt filled Thomas and Newt could tell by the way Thomas shook his head slightly.

Newt sighed and smacked Thomas on the back of his head, a sharp thunk echoing in the room. "Ow! What the hell was that for?" Thomas asked as he rubbed the spot that Newt had hit.

The blonde haired boy gave his friend a sharp look and moved away from Thomas. "You know what it was for!" Minho walked into the room and smirked when he saw Thomas rubbing his head and Newt walking away from him. "Is he thinking about not going again?" Minho asked, a nod coming from Newt in confirmation.

Minho chuckled and took a seat in one of the chairs that sat in the corner. He lifted his feet and rested them on a small table, only for Newt to walk by and kick his feet off of it.

"It's been 11 years and you still talk about her like she put the stars in the sky, she really means something to you. You're going, Thomas." Newt said and took a seat in the armchair next to Minho. Thomas sighed once more and stood in front of the other two princes.

"We better get going then. The winter ball has already started." Thomas said.

Piano and beautiful violins played throughout the hall as kings, queens, princes and princesses entered the grand castle. Y/n watched as hundreds of royals piled into the throne room and bowed before her mother and father - their eyes roaming over to her and her soon to be husband.

Everyone fawned over Elyas, it was no secret that the prince was handsome. Y/n could tell that he absolutely loved the attention he got when events like these happened - the way everyone gave him doe eyed glances and wides smiles. They adored him. They wanted him.

A bored look found it's way to her face as she sat tiredly on one of the thrones. She felt socially drained and the night had barely begun.

"Someone kill me now." She whispered under her breath.

"That would be a shame if someone did." A male voice said from behind the throne she sat on.

Y/n turned quickly at the sudden voice and smiled when she saw the familiar tall tan man with almond shaped eyes.

"Minho!" She exclaimed, engulfing the man in a bear hug and smiled into the friendly embrace. "It's so good to see you. Where's Newt?" Minho smiled and pulled away from the girl.

"He's coming he just needed to get your present ready." Minho said. Y/n scrunched her eye brows in wonderment at the man's words.

"Present? What for?"

Before Minho could answer, the heavy throne room doors opened and Y/n and Minho turned around and faced the people that were coming in.

The world seemed to stop and suddenly she couldn't hear a thing. The music that echoed through the castle seemed to fade away and it was like it was just her and him. The floor below her seemed to swim under her feet when their eyes locked.

She sucked in a breath and watched as the two princes walked towards her - his brown eyes never left hers. God, those brown eyes - they were the most beautiful pair of brown eyes that she had ever seen. She could get lost in them - in fact she had.

The clearing of Elyas's throat caused Y/n to tear her attention away from the Snowbrooke Prince. It wasn't until she looked at Elyas that she noticed how fast her heart had been racing - it sounded like a drum.

"It's time for a dance." Elyas said. He looked at Minho and sneered. "Ah, prince Minho. Always a pleasure." Minho scoffed and returned the nasty look that Elyas had been giving him. "I would say the same, but every time I see your face I vomit just a little in my mouth."

The two princes never got a long. In fact, Newt didn't like Elyas either - which was perfectly fine with Y/n because she hated Elyas too.

Y/n opened her mouth to tell Elyas that she would rather drink poison than dance with him, but the look her father gave her made her swallow her words and gave the annoying prince a fake smile and grab his hand. She let him lead her to the middle of the ball room and let him take the lead.

As they danced, Y/n couldn't help but look at the people around them - she couldn't help but look for those brown eyes she had missed so dearly. Elyas noticed her absent look and rolled his eyes at her.

"So, I see your little pets have brought you a gift." Elyas said. Y/n could tell that by the way he was talking, he knew that Thomas was there. Granted, the man didn't know what Thomas looked like but he knew that he was around by the way Y/n had been looking for someone since the moment Minho and Newt had arrived.

"If you say another bad thing about my friends again tonight just know that I will end everything that our families have worked for when it comes to this marriage." She threatened and pulled away from his hold. "I will make sure that you will never be a king."

Elyas stared coldly at her and watched as she walked away from him. He took notice in how peoples eyes were on them and smiled at them, showing his pearly whites that seemed to capture the love of those around him.

It was going to be a long night for the Raven Princess.