Azia

I dismiss my maids and add the finishing touches to my hair just before I hear a knock on my door. I look at the clock – Five forty-five on the dot. I gather the sides of my dress in my gloved hands and push up from my vanity chair. I walk to the door, stopping first at my mirror to make sure everything is perfect – which it is. The emerald green ball gown makes my eyes pop in a way that makes the little hints of gold in them more noticeable. With emerald earrings and my hair tied up in a complicated knot above my head, I have the look of royalty. All that's left is a crown. But before I make it to my closet I hear a knock again. I still, waiting to hear who it is.

"Miss Azia?"

"Yes, Alfred?" I pick up my steps again

"If I may, I would like to remind you that the Queen would like to leave in three minutes?"

"I know, I am just finding a crown. I will be ready shortly." I say from deep inside my closet. I look at my tiaras. The gold one would work fine seeing as my eyes would match with it but I feel as though I already have enough gold. I want something sliver but which one? I ended up selecting a sliver tiara that swoops upward in an elegant way. It should look beautiful with my hair. I walk out to the mirror and put it on, along with a few diamond pins. I put them in the braids that wrap along my bun.

I open my bedroom door to find Alfred our butler waiting patiently for me.

"Alfred, do you know if Em's already ready?"

"Yes, Miss Azia. Miss Emris is already sitting in the car out front."

"All right. Thank you, Alfred." I walk down the small staircase to one of the main hallways. From there I make my way to the main staircase which leads me directly to the front door into the courtyard. There the car is waiting for me.

Mr. Anderson, the chauffeur opens the door for me and I join Mother and Emris inside. Mother is seated with her back to the diver in an elegant cream-colored dress. It has a form-fitted top with a square neckline. It has long sleeves with jewels sewn into the shoulders and the bottom of the dress is a bit looser with just the right amount of silky fabric. Emris is seated opposite of Mother. She is wearing a royal blue dress with a sweetheart neckline and her waist is decorated with thousands of small gems with one large sapphire set in the middle. And to pull it all together a deep blue glitter makes its way from the bottom of her dress and up, fading before her waist.

I pick up my dress and step into the car, "Hey Em," I sit beside her "Hello Mother."

"Hello Azia," She sighs "Is a lovely night isn't it?" Not even bothering to mention that I'm late Mother just skips to the weather

"Yes, Mother." She and Emris get into a conversation about flowers but I'm not paying attention. I watch the spaces in between the trees for the ocean. We're so close I can smell the salt air.

Emris turns to me. They must have asked me something.

"My apologies, will you please repeat yourself?"

"I was just wondering which flowers you prefer for the Christmas charity gala?"

"It's only September."

"Azia," Mother says in that one tone that tells me I better stop

"Well I thought the Roses would go nicely with the napkins," Emris says shyly

"Yeah, I think I liked the Roses too," I say looking out the window again. Mother sighs.

I watch as we drive through the capital city. The car stops by a large building made of marble with a glass dome roof. The sign above the main entrance says "Clarton City Museum"

Our driver gets out to open the door for us. Mother exits first then me and Emris. I follow her up the large staircase lined by security guards to the big glass doors that some guy in a tux holds open for us. The party has already started. I see waiters walking through the crowds of people carrying drink trays. There are some smaller tables near the left and a minibar to the right. Straight ahead there is a large balcony overseeing all the action below. There, Mother will make a speech with me and Emris standing behind her. A security guard leads us through a door that takes of through a small hallway. From there we make our way up the stairs to the balcony. Mother walks up and stands behind a podium. I make my way to her left, Emris staying on her right. I fold my hands and make sure my posture is straight. I look directly forward trying not to make any awkward eye contact with listeners.

"Good evening," Mother starts her speech and the crowd falls silent. I've heard too many of these welcoming speeches to pay attention but I'm guessing it's just the usual "Welcome to Claraton we are pleased to have you, we hope you are comfortable and enjoy your stay..." Yada Yada Yada. Mother must be nervous because I see her fiddling with her wedding band. I do understand why though. Tonight's Gala is to welcome other royal families from neighboring kingdoms. Looking into the crowd I can make out a few familiar faces but most of them I'm sure I've never seen before.

"I hope you've had a good night so far and that it only gets better," Mother ends the speech with a dazzling smile then turns and walks so elegantly it looks as though she's gliding. Me and Emris follow her back down the stairs and into the party. Earlier today she told us that tonight we are to be friendly and introduce ourselves to other families. She also told us to try and make friends with princes and princesses our age. I will try to be friendly and make them feel welcome but I'm not planning on making friends tonight.

"Cerelia," Emris waves greeting her friend. I naturally follow Em over to Cerelia and her family

"Hello Emris," Mr. Castling smiles at her. Then nods to me, "Hello Azia."

"Good evening Mr. Castling."

"How have you girls been?" Mrs. Castling asks from her husband's side

"We've been doing fine."

"I'm glad. Well, I'm sure you have other people to greet," She looks over at Emris already giggling with Cerelia "Not that this one's going to be much help," She smiles a warm smile that reaches her eyes. I smile too. I've always liked her even though Cerelia and I have never gotten along.

"Yes, well it was nice seeing you," And I move on to the next family and then the next and then the next. I greet so many stuck-up kings and queens who think they're better than everyone because of their titles. I've welcomed so many snotty princesses gossiping about other's dresses and don't even get me started on all the princes. I get to the point where I'm worried I'll lose control and say something I'll regret or Mother will regret so I make my way over to the mini bar. I take a seat in the far corner by the start of one of the side hallways.

"One raspberry lemonade please," after a few seconds the bartender slides the drink over to me. I sip on it enjoying a little bit of peace when I hear a voice behind me.

"Hiding?"

"Maybe," I answer without looking. I hear a chuckle, then see him lean on the counter beside me and I find myself staring. He is gorgeous to put it lightly. Probable around 6'3, 6'4 feet tall with light brown hair. He is tan and fills out his tux perfectly.

"I'll take a shirly temple," he orders then turns to me. His eyes are a blazing blue "I'm Hayden. What's your name darling?"

"Azia," I narrow my eyes "And don't call me darling."

"Why not? You just look so naive and innocent sitting over here all by yourself," He says with overdone sarcasm.

I scoff "Well then clearly you don't know me."

"Okay sweetheart then how about you give me a chance," When I don't say anything he adds a please

"Why? Give me one good reason." He's finished his drink and has stood up. He walks closer to me leaving about a foot of space between us. My heartbeat quickens, and I can feel his breath on my forehead as he looks down at me, meeting my eyes with his gorgeous ones.

"Because I said please," and with that he walks down the hall and turns the corner. I'm too stunned to say anything. Then without thinking I find myself following his path. But when I round the corner he's not there. It's like he's just disappeared.