(Not Edited, Credits to the owner of the pictures above, source; pinterest.)

Chapter 8: Birthday Ball

Henriethasia was gazing outside at the window of her royal chamber. Her platinum white hair was fixed into a ponytail with a braided style in the front, leaving a strand of curled locks in front with her slanted bangs.

She's wearing her fabulous pale azure gown as her mother's birthday theme is blue and white. She's also carrying a diamond tiara on her head, giving her the appearance of a princess she is.

She keeps herself occupied gazing at the celestial evening sky outside while waiting for the royal attendants to request her. Then Henriethasia heard rackets below, an arriving carriage, whining of the horses, and chattering voices as she glances down, her hair sways forward to her shoulders as she seeks to peak at the people entering the palace ground.

"Oh my goodness, your highness, you might fall," Lise exclaims from her back, holding to the hem of her dress, trying to get Henriethasia to stand up properly. Henriethasia looked at her and smiled brightly at her maid, "Don't worry too much, Lise, I won't fall," She continued peeking at the people below while Lise still held on to her in case she might fall.

Several are wearing dazzling outfits for this party; the gentlemen are wearing white or black tuxedos and suits, while ladies are wearing all varieties of blue and white-colored gowns and dresses. Most of them are nobles from an influential family in Azalia.

People are gracefully entering the palace ballroom. 'Must be the people who are invited to the party,' She believed. As soon as the guests accessed the palace ballroom, a knock was heard on Henriethasia's bedroom.

The servants outside waited for the princess to answer, "Come in," before entering the room. Two royal attendants come in, and two knights on the corner stand on the guard and bowed before Henriethasia, "Good evening, your highness," they acknowledged as Henriethasia nodded and greeted back. They stand straight.

One of the attendants spoke, "Princess, his majesty the king is waiting for you at the waiting hall," they notified. Henriethasia smiled and nodded, "Yes, kindly accompany me there," As the servants nodded, they presented their hands at the doorway for the princess to go ahead.

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Henriethasia walked in the corridor to the waiting hall, and the two servants and knights accompanied her quietly. Lise is right beside her as well. As they were almost on their way to the room where her father was, she noticed a figure of a man standing beside the waiting hall's entrance.

When she adjusted her sight to the lighting of the place. She smiled as she saw the orange hair of the young man; it was no doubt Sir Robert Fort, the king's knight. As soon as Robert's greyish eyes gaze at the princess, he instantly bowed, "Good evening, Princess Henriethasia."

"Good evening as well to you, Sir Robert," Henriethasia greeted him back with the brightest smile. Robert nodded on the greeting, "His majesty is in this hall waiting for your presence," He said, opening the waiting hall's double door.

She nodded, "Thank you," she thanked him before coming inside.

As the light shines on her sapphire blue eyes, she averted it and saw her father, the King of Azalia, prince of the Olpheus Kingdom, standing beside a large glass panel window. He is wearing the royal garments fit for a King as well as the red royal mantle.

Dulcan glances behind as he heard the creaking sound of the door opening and saw his only daughter looking delightful on her blue dress. Henriethasia courtesy before her father and addressed, "Good evening, father," she shot a smile.

Dulcan bowed before saying back his greeting, "Good evening as well to you, dear Elize," and examined her gown, "You look remarkable on that blue dress of yours; it matches your eyes."

The latter smiled brightly, "Same as you, father."

Dulcan narrowly smiles and nods. He constantly thought about where his only daughter's sapphire blue eyes came from. As it wasn't inherited from his Olpheus royal household's green eyes, neither thus the Seacia royal family have pink or reddish eyes.

He reckons that may be due to her supernatural power that turns her eyes to this kind of unique color. The jeweled eye color is rare to the kingdom. But her magical potential is still a mystery to everyone.

They heard the trumpet sound requesting for their audience in the ballroom, "Are you ready, Elize?" Dulcan asked Henriethasia to reach for her hand as he stood before the grand double door directing to the ballroom. She happily accepted her father's hand and nodded, "Yes, I am father."

The vast doors gradually open, and a glint of light has shown before them, "His majesty, King Dulcan de Olpheus of Azalia, third prince of Olpheus kingdom and her royal highness, Crown Princess Henriethasia Elize de Seacia of Azalia." The sovereign butler declared as they stride forth to the ballroom's terrace, where everyone gazes up at them in astonishment, the gentlemen bowed and the ladies courtesy before them.

They walk their way down to the staircase of the terrace while Henriethasia politely places her hand on the king. The nobles and aristocrats chatter as they watch the two pearls of Azalia.

"It's been a long time since I last saw the Princess and the King together."

"It's Princess Henriethasia. Have you heard the rumors that the princess uses mysterious powers?"

"Impossible, the Azalia's royal family does not contribute to one of the enchanted people around the continent."

"Well, I also heard it's black magic."

Henriethasia's hold tightens on the king's hand; Dulcan peeks at her, seemingly hearing through the murmurs.

"Look how gorgeous she is, oh how the pearl of Azalia grown."

"She's elegant, kind, and heart-warming, not a surprise people adore and cherish her."

"Do you think the rumors are too abundant? It is not like the dear princess at all."

"Would you look at that jeweled eyes? It's beautiful alright but isn't it a bit odd,"

"Well, yes, both Her Majesty and His majesty don't have such kind of unique eyes."

"And to think they let her as the crown princess with black magic? How ironic."

"We're not for sure it's true; besides, it's a rumor."

"Isn't she a beauty, just like the fairy queen? I say the rumors did not pay much attention."

"She's like a fallen angel."

As they arrived at the ballroom and bowed, the people clapped for their entrance. They move their way to the small platform where their throne has been placed. Henriethasia sighed; Dulcan noticed this and whispered, "Everything alright, sweetie?"

She looked up and saw the king's worried face; she shook her head and smiled, "No, everything's fine, father just a little bit cold," She wasn't lying about that. She is feeling a bit dizzy and cold. She assumed the impact of the fall made her a little fuzzy. She did take a warm bath, but she guessed it didn't work.

"Cold?" Dulcan curiously asked as he watched Henriethasia take her seat before he took his, "The air is warm, are you sure you're alright?"

"I'm sure," She assured him and smiled at her father. She didn't want him to worry or ask any more questions that led to the accident earlier. She's avoiding that. She was more worried that she was not able to go out again than her fuzzy feeling. 'Although I hope Sir Robert keep his promise on not telling father about it,' She finger-crossed to that.

She moves her eyes to the crowd, looking for Robert. The people enjoyed the party as they waited for the prominent hostess, the Queen. They conversed with other nobles and laughed; some enjoyed the food while others danced to the melody.

Henriethasia finally saw Robert through the busy crowd; he was talking to one of the knights of Azalia; she knows this knight. Must be to keep the security. The knight made his way to them, and he was followed by a young lady; they bowed and courtesy before them, "Blessing upon the sea of Azalia, I greeted the two pearls of this kingdom."

"Blessings upon Duke Shane and Lady Skyler of Calaine's household," Dulcan greeted back with a smile. Henriethasia smiled and nodded too. The knight was a noble duke of one of the highest-ranking noble households of Azalia and the Captain of Azalia's royal knight. The two gentlemen made their way to the corner for private conversations, leaving the two young ladies on their own.

Henriethasia stood up and smiled at the young lady of the Calaine's, "Greetings, Lady Skyler," She greeted politely.

"Greetings, princess," Lady Skyler slightly bowed and smiled at the princess. They're acquainted because of the same group of invites to the tea parties they held and attended.

They both have a small conversation, but the lady of Calaine had to excuse herself as she was requested by a dance of a young lad that Henriethasia doesn't recognize but looks like Lady Skyler is familiar with him seeing her surprise reaction when she saw the youth, "Please excuse us, your highness," Lady Skyler said and smiled to her, courtesy, the young boy did bow as well.

As Henriethasia granted their excuse and a smile to go, Lady Calaine quickly grabbed the boy by the arm while smiling awkwardly, dragging the boy away with her; she heard her whispering to him, "What are you doing here?" Henriethasia waves a little goodbye to them while smiling politely. 'That was weird,' She thought; the young lad doesn't seem to be one of the noble or aristocrats, ha.

She left that thought out while she headed back to her chair and was about to sit down when she felt a presence in the back of the thrones and instantly glanced to the open balcony, where it was behind the throne. She stared at it; she was sure she felt something or someone there. Then, in an instant, a shadow of men quickly passed by; it was quick like a speed of light. She narrowed her eyebrows, wondering what it was when she was about to step forward to the balcony when someone tapped on her shoulder, startling her a bit; she looked back and saw her father worriedly looking at her, "Are you sure you're okay, Elize?"

"Ah, father, yes I am," She said with a smile and glanced back at the balcony, which must be her imagination, "By the way, father, is the security tight during Mom's birthday?"

"Well, of course, sweetie, why you ask?" He said.

Henriethasia smiled and shook her head, "Nothing, just curious because you're talking to Duke Calaine earlier," she made up the excuse, but the truth is she just wanna make sure that no one can sabotage her mother's birthday. Her father patted her head and slightly smiled, "Don't worry, sweetie, the knights and I will take care of everything when something bad happens," Henriethasia nodded politely and smiled.

Then another loud noise of the trumpets was heard, this made them look up at the terrace, and to the announcer, they were about to announce the hostess, everyone in the ballroom halts on their position and waits for the Queen to arrive. Henriethasia excitedly looked up and waited for the royal butler to announce, "Her Majesty, the pearl of Azalia, Queen Anasthasia Lily de Seacia Azalia!" Everyone applause as Anasthasia showed herself in front of the people on the balcony, standing elegantly; everyone was in awe of her beauty that never gets old. She then slightly smiled and bowed before them.

The people in the ballroom bowed, and courtesy after her, so did Henriethasia and the King; after, the king excused himself from Henriethasia, went to the end of the staircase where he would escort the Queen. As Anasthasia walked down the stairs, her long straight, platinum white hair swayed in the back along with her wonderous designed blue gown; she's also wearing the diamond crown representing her as the Queen of this kingdom that matches her dress.

A smile was placed on Henriethasia's face when she saw the necklace she gift around Anasthasia's neck, the blue-heart shape pendant shown that suits her best. The nobbles whisper around how elegant and beautiful their Queen is, although it's not new to receive also badmouths.

"Oh my goodness!" She heard a faint exclaim in the distance; Henriethasia curiously glanced at the corner where she saw the tailor of the gown that her mother is wearing and saw the surprised expression of his as he watches the dress that her mother's wearing, this makes her bite her lips, she knows why he's so surprised like that, "Who did this to my design?!" He exclaims but tries to refrain from making a commotion.

His assistants supporting him from side to side, Henriethasia can't tell if he's angry or something else, she avoided eye contact and reminisced herself to what she had done earlier.

Earlier that afternoon...

After giving her gift to her mother, Henriethasia leaves herself from her mother's room while the maids escort her back to her room with the towel around her neck that her mother wraps around her, but she halted on her footstep when the room next door to her mother's caught her attention. It was slightly open, and her eyes caught a glimpse of a beautiful blue dress. So this was her mother's changing room when it comes to parties and festive, "Princess?" The maid called her.

Henriethasia looks at her, "Can you all wait here for a while?" Then, she said to the maids, "I need to do something,"

"But princess, we were instructed to get you to your chamber immediately because you're all soaked up," One maid said; she sweetly smiled at them, making them caught off guard. Her smile was the key to making everyone agree with her.

"Pretty please," Along with her puppy round eyes since the color of her eyes are rare, they are astonished by it, and to add it up with her ethereal beauty, surely everyone will agree with her if she flashes her best features, "And my clothes it's all dried up now although my hair is still a little soggy but don't worry, I won't take long so pretty please," She puts on her puppy eyes again.

She was right though, her dress is all dried up, but her hair is still a little wet; the maids hesitate and look at Henriethasia's beaming eyes. Finally, everyone sweats drop, they all look at each other and back at Henriethasia, flashing them a big smile, one maid sighed, the oldest of all of them, "Fine, your highness but please don't take long, we don't wanna get ourselves trouble" She finally said.

Henriethasia grinned grew more significant, "Promise I won't! I'll be back in a jiffy," She said before entering the changing room and closing the door behind; she scanned the whole place, convinced that she was alone, she excitedly went near to the dress where it was placed in the center of the room and examined it in astonishment.

"Certainly, the tailor did well with the dress, but it missing something," She looks carefully at the dress and encircles it while thinking hard, "It needs a little flair," she gazed at the bottom, top to bottom, then halts in front of it and claps brightly, "Aha! I got it!" She touched the hem of the dress and smiled, "I'm sure Mr. Tailor won't mind, right?" She asked herself, and a glow came from her hands covering all of the dress; she gleamed.

Minutes passed, the maids patiently waited outside, then the changing room door opened, they were met by a smiling princess, "I'm done, let's go?" Henritethasia stepped out, leaving the door a little open, and went on ahead to the halls while a trail of pink dust followed her behind. She was excitedly humming.

The maids wonder and take a peek inside the room and were amazed by what they saw, "Wow, incredible!" One exclaim, "As expected of our princess." They were all still in awe of the gown they were looking at. The design was the same but different. It was the same, but it had more structure and flair; the princess outdid herself today; she just used her power for her mother's dress. It was now more defined as elegant and beautiful.

"Ms. Sophie, Julie, everyone?" They heard their princess call. They'll look at Henriethasia up ahead, "What are you guys doing? C'mon, I don't wanna be late on mothers birthday. Certainly, you won't let me, right?" She grinned and motioned the maids to come.

"Oh, right, princess," Ms. Sophie, the eldest, clapped her hands, "Now, everyone, back to your duties," She said and quickly shut the changing room. The maids complain because they were still admiring the princess' abilities, "Quit complaining, you still see it every day, now let's go!" Henriethasia smiled at that.

Back to the banquet...

Henriethasia was the one who changed a little to the gown's design, maybe not just a little, but she didn't think the tailor won't like it. She looks back at the tailor again, still shocked at the dress he maid, "Who? Who did such a thing?" He said in dismay; Henriethasia shut her eyes close, expecting him to shout but "Who did such wonderful upgrade to my design?" But, instead, he suddenly gasps in shock.

What? Henriethasia opened her eyes and saw the tailor admiring the gown her mother's wearing, "Such wonderful sight I'm seeing," He said. So he doesn't like it but loves it? Eh? "Whoever made such excellent upgrade to my design has such wonderful taste," He said, still admiring the gown and how beautiful their Queen is. So at least he's not mad about it but admires it. Henriethasia blew an air knowing that he was okay with it and smiled.

Henriethasia watched Dulcan, the king, reach the end of the staircase and extended his hand to escort Anasthasia, the queen. Anasthasia took a second before accepting Dulcan's hand and slightly smiled at him, she then looked in front, and they bowed in front of the people; nobles and aristocrats bowed before them as well.

Anastasia smiled once again to him, but her eyes were seemingly broken. Dulcan might be an independent and strong king, but he's dense when it comes to emotions, so he didn't realize Anasthasia's true feelings; from his perspective, she's happy.

"You look astoundingly beautiful tonight, my queen," Dulcan complimented and kissed the back of her hands. Anasthasia nodded and smiled, "Thank you," she mumbled. Although he is dense on some things, he always felt something unwanted around Anasthasia that he couldn't explain every time she was with him.

Everyone around them thinks the queen loves the king as well, but in reality, when they're alone, it's not like that. She always seems to doze off somewhere, though, throughout the years, Anasthasia has been kind and caring towards him. So it doesn't come up that they didn't even spend a single time together.

Dulcan always thought that maybe Anasthasia was tired of being the queen, but she didn't look happy ever since their wedding day. Well, except for the fact that Henriethasia came into their life, she's changed; she seems happy but still has that hint of the longing for something or someone.

To be continued...