Arabella Dimitri

The ball was quickly approaching, and the castle was buzzing with activity. Of course, I know that each full moon is always celebrated, in every werewolf pack all over the world, but I never realised the extent that some people go to. Usually Jason and I just shift into our wolf forms, go for a hunt during the day, howl at the moon at night, and finish the day off with some beers around the fire, or no fire if it is in the middle of the scorching summer.

The Kingdom itself was buzzing too. This was one of the most important full moons, because it was the first full moon of the year. The Wolf Moon is named that was because the Hungry Wolf packs howl at night, and so incorporated into the festival is a hunt during the day, led by the Alpha King, a whole load of food, and a lot of howling.

Somehow I ended up in the castle's kitchens. I tried to help where I could, but I felt like more of a hinderance. The kitchen staff were too kind to kick me out, and of course given my ranking they would never dare, so I had a lot of fun cooking various different meals and getting my hands dirty.

"You are a mess," chuckled Nicholas, walking into the kitchen. He was wearing a casual suit, with a pin of the royal crest on his lapel. The whole kitchen stopped and bowed to him, but he waved them off, and they carried on. "Here, let me," he said, taking out his pocket square and trying to rub some of the flour off my face. When I tried to pull away because he was being annoying, he grabbed my head to hold me still.

"I feel like I am being cleaned up by my mother," I grumbled.

"Looking after you feels like I am looking after a child."

"Shut up," I stuck my tongue out at him.

"See what I mean," he rolled his eyes. "Now, what have you been making?"

So, I showed him. Just as he walked in, we were making dough for the various breads that would be served tomorrow, which would prove overnight before being cooked first thing in the morning, to keep them fresh. Nicholas rolled up his sleeves and began kneading one of the balls of dough, copying myself, who was copying the head chef.

Occasionally various people in the kitchen would look over at us and smile, then continue with their tasks. It was sweet. I guess we looked like proper mates, with all the flirtatious teasing. Although, I doubt we looked like a proper King and Queen, completely covered in flour and just giggling to ourselves.

As we were leaving the kitchen, one of the head housekeepers grabbed both of my hands with hers, pulled me in close and said to me, "this is the happiest I have ever seen him, thank you for bringing his true self out." She smiled brightly at me, kissing both of my hands and letting me go. I felt a bit awestruck, and I didn't know what to say. I just smiled back and continued on my way.

Thinking about it now, I'm not surprised I make his day, I am an incredibly wonderful person and to have me in your life is pretty cool. I am also hilarious. I was glad I could bring his true self out, although I wasn't really trying to. I did feel bad that I would have made such an impact and then just left his life, but, like I said, I make an impact on everyone's life, however I cannot spread myself so thinly between everyone on this earth.

***

On the day of the ball I was kind of excited. Emphasis on the 'kind of'. Last time I went to a ball, which also happened to be the first ball I had ever been to, it kind of changed my life, drastically. You all know what happened, I met my mate, I ran away, he dragged me kicking and screaming to the Kingdom, yada yada yada. Okay, he carried my hungover, unconscious self back to the Kingdom, with my consent. But still, I felt like playing the pity card.

I took a shower in our room, whist Nicholas showered in one of the guest rooms. After my shower I sat in a pair of joggers and a sweatshirt, my wet hair up in a towel, wondering whether or not I actually needed to go. Hearing Nicholas walk in to his side of the walk-in wardrobe, I posed him the question, "do I actually have to go to this thing?"

"What?" he asked, poking his head around the archway that separates our two wardrobes. I repeated my question for him. "Oh, well, yeah, obviously," he answered.

"How annoyed would you be if I didn't turn up?"

"Extremely," he answered. "What's wrong?"

"Can't be bothered," I shrugged my shoulders.

"Right, well I am going to call downstairs to get you a coffee, and you better get ready or I will dress you myself and carry you to the ballroom on my shoulder," he said, before turning and going back into his side of the walk-in.

Getting ready was super boring. I needed to get a speaker ASAP so that I could blast music and dance along whilst getting ready in the future. Hold up, why am I talking about the future? I am getting way to comfortable here.

Eventually I was completely dressed. Nicholas had left a while ago, as he was already ready, saying he needed to be downstairs to greet guests and make sure everything was sorted.

Of course, I was late, super late, but that wasn't really that much of an issue, because I looked as hot as hell, maybe even hotter. I was wearing a silver dress, with a cowl neckline, that hugged my body tightly, showing off my curves, then loosening and flowing down my legs. There was a slit a couple of inches above my left knee, which was sexy, but also annoying because I had to shave my legs. The diamond like crystals that were embedded all of the dress shimmered and shone, and I kind of looked like a disco ball, but a super sexy one. I had tied up my midnight black hair into a sleek, high ponytail, and did some winged eyeliner. I finished the look with the pearl jewellery I had bought the other day in the market, as well as a deep pink lip, for a pop of colour.

I walked to the ballroom, which was on the other side of the castle, barefoot, because I couldn't be bothered to walk all that way in heels. Just outside one of the various entrances to the ballroom, this one from the inside of the castle (as oppose to the other ones for the guests coming from outside of the castle) I sat down on the floor and put on my heels.

"My Queen," one of the various butlers addressed me, bowing his head towards me, "do you need a hand?"

"Oh, yeah please," I said. He pulled me up off the floor, and I brushed myself down. "How do I look?" I asked.

"Divine," he answered.

"Why thank you..." I left a pause for his name.

"Edwin, your majesty."

"Thank you Edwin," I smiled brightly at him. He gave me a nod, and then opened the door for me.

It was like stepping into a different world. Yes, the ball that I had gone to before was pretty cool, but this was on another level, this was exquisite.

I had never been in the ballroom until now, so I wasn't sure exactly what was always there, and what were decorations purely for this event, but it was gorgeous nonetheless. The ceiling curved upwards, like an upside down boat, and it was painted gold, with different panels that had intricate designs and carvings on. From the ceiling hung one large chandelier in the middle, as well as other smaller ones on each side, giving a warm glow to the room. One of the walls was mostly made of large French doors and windows, that were wide open, allowing in the crisp air, various guests, and the light of the full moon, that could be seen from any angle of the room. The other walls were intricately decorated, much like the ceiling, but had more colour, a splash of red here, a dip of royal blue there. It was adorned with little in-pockets that held marble statues and vases, as well as paintings of different monarchs of the past. There was a marble fireplace too, with a vase or two on top, as well as a golden clock, but there was no fire in it. The floor was a polished oak wood, I wouldn't be surprised if I could see my reflection in it.

Dotted around the room were various butlers, with white towels draped over their arms, standing so still they could be mistaken for a statue. Around the room were large tables, just as finely decorated, filled to the brim with mouth wateringly, good looking food, with chairs all around them that had gold rims and red fabrics. Most of the food would have been caught in the huge hunt this morning, which Nicholas took part in. I decided not to because I was still unsure about people accepting me, and I didn't really want any weird looks.

On a little stage on one side of the room were two large thrones, as well as two smaller chairs, which would be for the ex-Monarchs. Sat on one of the thrones, all dressed up in his various royal clothes, a golden crown delicately placed on his head, was Nicholas, and he was staring straight at me, with dark eyes.