The ballroom is lively with people walking in, noblemen, lords and ladies, even some clergy and merchants. Anyone with wealth seems to show up, ready to celebrate their beloved princess.

King Phosphorus stands at the front of them all, River off to the side through an open doorway.

King Phosphorus
(Happy)
Welcome one and all, fine citizens of this prosperous kingdom! I am quite happy to see so many have shown up in celebration of my daughter, the one day queen to lead you all to further prosperity.

He glances over at River with a warm smile before looking back at the crowd.

King Phosphorous
Today is a momentous day, the day she steps into womanhood. If any of you know, her birthday has not yet come officially. We originally planned this event to happen that day, but had to hasten it for diplomatic reasons. For a prince is among us.

He motions the prince, who is in the crowd, who waves to the surrounding citizens as they look at him. His hair is a light blonde, eyes jade green, and he wears a fancy garb.

King Phosphorus
Prince Haden Holstein, we are forever grateful you would grace us with your presence today.

Haden
(Humble)
No, the honor is all mine, your majesty.

Prince Haden bows politely and the crowd claps.

River sneaks a peak at Haden from around the corner of the door, no one in the crowd noticing.

River
(Thoughts)
So... That's him.

King Phosphorus
Now, without further ado, I'd like to present to you all, my daughter, Princess River Lucrece!

With a motion to the open door, he signals River to step out. After taking a breath, she does so nervously, stepping up beside her father and looking at the cheering crowd and Haden.

King Phosphorus
(Happy)
Please everyone, enjoy today's celebrations. Enjoy the meals, enjoy the music, and enjoy each other.

With a bow of his own, he looks at his daughter.

King Phosphorus
That goes for you as well, my girl. But keep in mind what today is really for. Hm?

He pats her back and walks off, leaving River with this task.

River
(Nervous)
G-Great.

Through the open door, Stace walks out as well with a nice purple dress and her hair in a neat, fancy formation.

Stace
So, this is it. The party.

River
(Nervous)
Yeah. It is. But it's terrifying...!

Stace
I wasn't even gonna come at first, so imagine how I feel.

Haden is seen walking towards them.

Stace
(Whispering)
Judging by his attire, is that the prince?

River nods nervously, not being able to summon words.

Haden
Hello, Princess River.

He grabs River's hand and pulls up to his mouth, kissing it.

Haden
You look beautiful today.

To both girls, this is kind of forward and sudden.

River
(Uncomfortable laugh)
T-Thanks...

River withdraws her hand from his grasp, pulling it close to her chest.

Stace and River look at one another and back at him.

Haden
Oh. Uh, who's she?

He asks, pointing at Stace.

Stace
I'm her lady-in-waiting. And even if you are a prince, learn the meaning of boundaries please.

River
...

Haden notices how River is uncomfortable.

Haden
I apologize. I was just trying to give a formal greeting to a ravishing lady.

This makes River's heart flutter.

River
(Embarrassed)
Ravi-Ravishing?

Haden
But of course. I wouldn't lie to a maiden such as you.

He gives an alluring smile.

River
(Blush)
"Maiden?" You think I'm a maiden...?

Haden
I do.

Haden steps closer and grabs her hand again.

Haden
I'd like to get to know you better. I honestly wasn't expecting you to be such a beautiful woman.

River
I-I don't know... I just... Don't think I'm ready quite yet.

River pulls her hand away again.

Haden
Ah, I see...

Clearly wasn't expecting to be rejected.

Stace
You heard her.

Stace steps in front of River.

Haden
Very well. I won't push it. But Princess River, just know... My mother is pressuring me to do this. If it were up to me, I wouldn't be your partner. Just your friend.

On that note, Haden turns and walks away, rubbing the back of his neck.

River
Thanks...

She looks around Stace to watch Haden leave.

Stace turns to River.

Stace
Seriously, creeps like that who don't know boundaries are the worst type of people.

River
(Unsure)
Yeah. They are...

Stace
Sorry he wasn't all he was cracked up to be. If he was, it probably wouldn't be such an issue to marry him, right?

River nods.

River
You're right. He's definitely no Prince Charming.

Stace
(Laughs)
I've never met a Haden who wasn't a creep, funnily enough.

River
(Laughs)
Yeah.

River looks around the room and sees the food table where many sweet confections can be eaten.

River
Hey, can we go to the table and get something to eat? Food isn't being served in the dining room thanks to the event.

Stace
Yeah, of course. Let's go.

The two walk to the table on the far left side of the room.

Arriving at the table, they hear the door on the opposite end open with a creak, and in walks another man.

With his radiant black hair with bangs brushed to the left and his hazel eyes, River can't help but look at him. He wears nobleman clothing, making it clear what his status is.

Stace quickly notices her eyes fixated on something that isn't food.

Stace
(Curious)
Hm? What is it?

She looks where River is looking and sees him closing the door.

Stace
Oh, a guy.

River
(Gulp)
Y-Yeah, a guy.

Stace
(Laugh)
Wow, you're acting like you're dehydrated, if you get what I'm saying.

She smirks as she pokes fun.

They both notice him being a bit of a loner, having arrived alone unlike most.

Stace
Looks deep in thought.

River
Yeah... He does.

Stace
(Sigh)
If you're in need of a sip that badly, go over to him.

She nudges River by her back.

River
(Nervous)
O-Okay.

After taking another breath, she walks through the crowd and to the door.

River
H-Hi.

He looks at her as she approaches.

Elias
Hey. A pretty nice party, right?

River
Yeah, uh... My father organized it.

Elias
(Realization)
Wait, your father? Are you Princess River?

River nods.

River
(Nervous laugh)
Yeah. That's... That's me.

Elias
Wow. I uh... Didn't expect to actually speak to the Princess. I wanted to, back when my dad brought me to an event here when I was little. But you were nowhere to be seen.

River
(Blush)
Oh, really?

She wipes her bangs from out of her eyes.

River
Yeah... My father was particular about letting me meet the public back then. Very protective, so I usually wasn't at events. Even if they were at the castle.

Elias
Ah, it all makes sense why now. Wondered that for literal years.

He says "literal years" with an arm motion going outward at either side.

River smiles.

River
So, who are you?

Elias
Oh, Elias Homings. But you can just call me Elias.

River
Okay then, mister Elias. My name's River Lucrece. But you already knew that.

Elias
That I did.

Chatter can be heard in the room as some people start looking at Elias.

Citizen 1
(Whisper)
That's the son of Xavier Homings...! The usurper!

Citizen 2
(Whisper)
Untelling what he's planning!

Citizen 3
(Whisper)
Is he with the princess?

Citizen 4
(Whisper)
Yeah! Do you think it might've been an inside job?

Hearing this, Elias looks uncomfortable, and River does as well.

Elias
Hey, let's go somewhere quieter. We have people listening in.

River
Y-Yeah.

River's mind races with thoughts, the people's words seeping into her mind. Then she thinks of Haden again.

River
I...

Elias
Let's go.

As Elias reaches his hand out for her, she steps back.

River
I-I'm sorry. This isn't going to work out.

She turns away and walks hastily back towards Stace.

All the while, citizens continue gossiping.

Elias
What...?

Elias watches her walk away before lowering his hand.

Camera stays on his defeated expression from a distant angle before cutting.