[A/N this is chapter one, this also acts as a prologue type chapter, but much importance]

I've been waiting for this time forever. In just a week, I'll finally perform at the royal high status ball. I thought as I continue stretching my limbs, leaning on my training bar, I take deep breaths as I start to practice my ballet routine with the soft music in the background. Still, I try to stay calm, keeping my eye on the prize: the moment when I finally take the stage.

But if I said I wasn't nervous I'd be lying. The high-status nature of the ball and the eyes of society that will be on me that night is certainly daunting... But at the same time, this is the moment I've dreamt of since I was a kid. And this is the week leading to the day that I've worked so hard towards, the mini performances, and every stretch, every practice, every single movement up to this point has all been to reach this moment.

It was always just me and my mother, struggling with money issues but despite that we were closer then ever.
I giggled as I remembered how I would always rant to her about how I was going to show everyone that people like us could still dance and look just as beautiful and elegant, that our poverty didn't define us or our abilities. She was the one person who never doubted me, always encouraged my passion, even during our hardest times when we had nothing and nothing seemed to go our way.

She would always say that "I'd blow them all away,"and I'll surely try, no, I will.
But she also always told me that the most important thing was to enjoy my performance, to dance like there was no one else in the room, just me and the music. She was right. I can't let the pressure of such a high-status party get to me, I have to remember my mother's words and dance like I always have... like no one else is watching.

Finishing my practice and feeling the exhaustion and hunger weigh on me, I change out of my leotard into my silk peach dress, with white linings and lace. A gorgeous corset matches the dress, with sewn-in white flower designs, puffy sleeves that cut into lace. After fixing my hair I set out for the cafe, a place I've visited many times and know pretty much everyone who works there, basically.

I walk down the bricked street of New York, my heels clicking as I did so, My dress flowing behind me. I walk into the cafe doors with the ding of the bell, but not before running into something... someone.
"Ah! Sorry!" I bow my head slightly out of respect and smile brightly im so dumb.. I thought, quickly walking by them without looking to see who it was. All I know was that they were tall. I heard a chuckle behind me before they spoke "do not worry, chérie" in a slightly thick smooth French accent.

I recognized that voice somewhere.. OH SHIT! It was the PRINCE.

I quickly turn to apologize profusely before realizing that he was gone, uh oh.. I thought as I look out the glass doors to see if he was near, he in fact, wasn't.
Gosh I'm so stupid! I sighed and went to the cafe counter, the women behind the it smiled and greeted me, "Ah Y/n! My favourite customer" she said with a teasing tone. I smiled and chuckled at her before responding "cmon I've known you for like 3 or more years now," I giggled as I teased and joked back sharing a laugh with her, before she asked what I wanted to order, I gave it to her before I sat down at a table waiting.

I got my food after waiting at the table, eating it on my way home.
Over the next three days I practiced and practiced, non stop. It was now two days until the day I perform... the day I'd been dreaming about since I was a kid... I began to feel nervous all over again, a constant wave of anticipation and anxiety.

...But I couldn't let the anxiety take over me. I'd been practicing for this moment for too long, and I couldn't let those feelings sabotage all of my hard work. I took deep breaths to try to calm my nerves, trying to remember my mother's soothing words.

Remembering that my performance was just two days away, I decided to go back to the tailor I had visited previously to make sure my ballet outfit was in top shape. The tailor was just as excited as I was about the upcoming performance, asking me if I was ready for the big event and offering to make any last-minute adjustments to my outfit.

"Hey! Y/n, looking as beautiful as ever, have you come to make any adjustments?" The man exclaimed cheerfully with his usual flirty tone and his smirk as well, "It looked great as it is Hercules, I've just got by to pick it up if it's ready?" I smiled brightly at my good best friend I've known awhile, before he nodded and went into the back to get it.

He then came out with the most gorgeous elegant ballet dress I've ever laid my eyes on.
It was all I could have dreamed of, it was silk white-on the top of dress area, with black and pink flowers sewn on with lace textures. It was beautifully textured. With loose silky mesh elegant straps that loosely fit on my shoulders nearly my arm. The bottom part transitioning from the top half, it looked like vines and the pink flowers spreading down. Under the top layers of everything was black, with more sharp edges and black flowers, like the black swan.

I got kicked out of my thoughts as Hercules questioned me "soo do you like it y/n?" He asked,
I smiled brightly and hugged him, nodding profusely, "yes! I don't just like it, I love it! Thank you do much, Hercules!" He smiled at me before nodding. I pull out my money bag before he interrupted "take it, for free, just promise to tell me how it goes"
he said with a warm smile and fake commanding tone. I squealed slightly before running and hugging him "are you sure Hercules?" I say excitedly pulling away from the hug. He nodded before I jumped in happiness as I grabbed the dress and ran out, turning to yell a thank you to him, then hearing him chuckle. us both leaving the interaction in smiles.

I arrived home, jumping into my bed in glee as I giggled. I had a white mask mother had given to me before she had gotten sick, she's with someone who could care for her mainly at the moment, she's bedridden.

I frowned at the thought but then smiled at the thought of the mask, it was gorgeous.
A masquerade mask, It was pure white with mesh patterns in swirls and had the most stunning pearls.

The day past quickly, as she was in bed with all these thoughts in her head. She shook them from her mind before slowly drifting off to sleep, the next morning would be one day till she would preform. The day after tomorrow.