Ariadne's POV

We cleaned up Bell as Charities asked dozens of questions about their ball and soon we were all giggling about the different gents that would ask the girls to dance. Then a maid brought up some cold soup and apologized for it not being hot, but since we missed lunch and Chef Jacque was busy cooking for tonight's festivities there wasn't anything else. We ate the soup and talked some more, then got started on Bell's hair, finishing an hour before the ball was about to start. I sent the inseparable twins down to the ballroom to help with the finishing touches.

I then went to my room to put on my evening dress for tonight. This one was burgundy and had golden lining; it was simple compared to last night's gown and the twins' gowns for tonight, but it was still remarkable. I got dressed with the help of two maids, who quickly put my hair into a French braid and I thanked them, then went down to see if my father needed any help.

I walked down the staircase and found myself standing in our grand hall, but it was completely different now. It had many tables set up for pottery and clay projects. It had easels set up with canvases for painting, and many other things that I had never seen, but assumed they were for the competition for Charities. Charities was named after the goddess of charm, beauty, and human creativity, so each year there was an art contest to see who got the last dance with her.

I walked through the unfamiliar room and went into the ballroom, which hadn't changed much since last night, except the colors matched Bell and Charities gowns better. I looked around the room and found my sisters and father talking and quickly went over to them.

"-must report back to me, okay darlings?" My father told my sisters and they nodded. Then he saw where their gaze was and turned to me. "Ariadne! You startled me, how long have you been there?"

"I just got here."

"Alright, well what is it that you wanted, dearest?"

"Um... I was just wondering what I could do to help?"

"I think we're just about done. But we do need a judge since I can't be at two places at once."

"Which contest do you want me to judge?" I asked.

He scratched his beard. "It's up to you."

"I'll do art," I said. I did want to keep my eye on Bell, but my father could do an even better job at that, and I assumed he would like to watch Bell's competition more than Charities.

"Then it's settled," he said happily. "Now, you two come with me to greet our guests, they should be arriving soon."

I watched them walk away, "I guess I'll just stay here then," I said to myself then turned around, nearly running into a maid who looked so frightened that I was afraid she would faint right on the spot.

"Slow down," I said chuckling, but her paler didn't return to a normal state. "What's wrong? Let me help you?"

She shook her head, looking distracted. "I need to get more flour for the chef, and make sure the plants all have enough water but not too much so they drown, and I need to see if there's enough room for the art displays-"

I cut her off with a wave of my hand. "I'm sure the plants have plenty of water for tonight. As for the art displays, you go check that and I will get the flour for Chef." I wanted to do something to keep busy anyway, and talking to Chef Jacque was always a pleasure.

"But-"

"No buts, I am the crown princess, and you will do as I say."

She nodded and quickly scurried off.

I smiled a little to myself. That was probably the first time I had thoroughly enjoyed ordering someone to do something for me. Most times I barely gave any thought to what I told people to do. I opened the door to the kitchen storage closet and stopped mid-step.

"Who are you?"

A man, standing in what looked like an old royalty's suit with blond hair, was in the kitchen storage closet. He was very handsome, but he did not look like a person I wanted to be alone with. Then all a sudden, the storage closets door slammed shut and I fell forward, right into the man's arms.

dun dun dunnnnnn 

Who could it be????