Before I can even move, Olivia pushes forward and completely blocks my path. The guard pulls open the door. The light flows through and hurts my eyes a bit.

Olivia however, just stands straighter.

"Olivia, the first daughter and crown princess!!"

The applause is just complimentary at first but once she gets into view it grows impossibly louder. I can tell she's pleased because she walk down really slowly.

I can't help myself, I create a little ice on her path.

Once her leg touches it, she slips and completely falls.

The gasp is a chorus and a dozen guards run up to hell her. The Queen stands from her throne with a worried look in her face.

I smile from my place and exhale, satisfied.

The guard eyes me warily and when I turn to him with a glare, sharply and quickly looks away.

The guards help the bright red in embarrassment princess up and down the remaining steps.

The Queen grabs onto her when she's close enough and the King stands to hug her to his chest.

I roll my eyes. She just fell, boo freaking boo. It's nothing compared to what I had in mind....

Finally after minutes of the brat being pet, the announcer finally speaks again. "The second princess, Audrey!!"

This time there are no claps, no applause. I don't care though.

Okay, I do.
I'm a Queen for goodness sake!! I love attention!

I step out and into view. There are a lot of whispering.

The room is filled with different people, all are dressed regally. Royal blues and purples all about and flurries of pinks. Hairs pulled into sophisticated updos, dukes and earls all buttered up.

The light barely affect my eyes and I take my time looking at all of them. They stare back and some even whisper like the common people.

It pisses me that common humans can't even acknowledge me. Me!! After all I've achieved I will not be looked down on.

When being dressed I asked Eliora to leave my hair down because it gives this hypnotic look. Innocent and seductive. She told me the style is Olivia's!! The audacity. I'd ignored it before but now, I don't even care of their stupid rule.

A little secret is I never did.

With a flourish I reach back and pull the single pin holding my hair up. Like water the long black shiny waves fall down and over my back.

I hear a collect gasp. It's Olivia's that's the loudest and her narrowed eyes look sharp enough to kill. That makes me grin. It's obvious that no one has seen Audrey with her hair down. Even in the portraits and tapestries I've seen it was piled onto her head.

Finally happy with the attention, I toss my hair and slowly make my way down. Perfectly and without a single slip, if I might add.

I glide to stand right next to the Queen who for some reason doesn't look happy to see me. I wonder why.. I'm a ray of sunshine!

The King steps forward to give some speech. Without looking at me the Queen whispers. "Why is your hair down?! We've talked about this Audrey, that is Olivia's style."

"What mother?" I say out loud.

A few people turn to send us quizzical looks. The Queen turns red in embarrassment. "Uh- I, nothing. Do listen to your father dear."

With a satisfied sigh I take a look at everyone and note those with the best hair or eye quality. I'd have to befriend them. Easier to kill and use.

I focus on a young lady with shiny and gorgeous red locks. Half of it is twisted behind her ears like Olivia's and I'm surprised Olivia hasn't thrown a fit yet.
The lady listen to the King intently. Her arms are wrapped around a man and when the servants go around with trays of different wines, she grabs a glass of sparkling white wine.

I grab my glass of red and keep staring. Her bright blue eyes glow and she keeps smiling even if I'm certain all that comes out the King's mouth is bullshit. Trust me, I've lived in the same palace as him for three days.

Finally, we make a toast. She slowly sips on her wine. Her red lips are painted perfectly. Her dress is green. It makes her hair pop and puffs around her waist to the floor.

I know then, that she's the one.

The one I'll use to destroy Olivia.

A smile graces my lips and I slowly sip out of my wine.

The King finally introduces the other Royal family and I realize with a start that they've been standing by our left the whole time.

My eyes scan through them. The Queen is also blonde but her hair is darker. It frames her face before being pulled into a bun behind her head. Her eyes are drawn at the ends and glow grey. Her husband the King has dark hair but his eyes are light blue like bluebells.

It's their son that draws my attention. My future brother-in-law.

His hair is a golden blonde. Olivia's hair makes me want to cut it and use on my coat, His makes me want to bury it where no one can find it. The shade is perfect and so enticing that I want to touch it. It's so long that he's put it into a ponytail at the base of his neck. His eyes are slightly narrowed orbs of grey. The light gives them different shades of blue green and silver.

He is clad in a royal blue suit. His cravat is a very very light blue. The colors make his hair pop and his eyes gleam.

His eyes, those grey orbs, are already set on me when I look into them. They stare at me so intensely I'm afraid they can see through and who I really am.

Slowly, his pink lips pull into a smirk and he winks.

My mouth parts in surprise but I quickly look away. What the heck.

His parents step forward as my Father introduces them. Their son steps beside them and I'm appalled when he stand right next to me.

Focusing my eyes forward I try to ignore him. His arm brushes mine. His eyes are faced forward but he speaks. "Lovely evening."

I shoot him a sideways glance. "Father is speaking."

"And so am I."

I roll my eyes subtly and shuffle away.

He lowly chuckles. "You seem interesting... I can't wait."
With that he steps forward and towards his parents. I realize that they're introducing him.

My fingers clasp tighter and Audrey's cheeks turn ever slightly pink.

After the introductions, the music starts playing and everyone goes off to their devices.

I flutter away to the food table and grab a soft pastry. It's buttery and melts on my tongue. A moan escapes my lips and I ignore the young ladies staring at me in disdain.

My eyes trail over the ballroom trying to find her. It's difficult with the array of skirts and pants flying about as people talk and dance but I finally do.

She's holding her glass from earlier -still half full, and laughing with another lady. I don't miss the way her eyes keep trailing to the gentleman whose hand she'd been holding. He is talking and laughing with a woman. His brown hair is pushed back and his suit is fashionable.

"Is he that attractive? You look like you'll maul him over any minute."

I roll my eyes. "Prince Xaean please do refrain from creeping up behind young ladies."

His lips pull into a smirk. I know because I might've glanced at him....
"I apologize, I don't usually talk to women, they talk to me."

With a scoff I turn my eyes back to be redhead.

"Oh.... are you dumb?"

I scoff again and shoot him an incredulous look. "How can I be dumb when I spoke to you earlier?!"

He smirks with a shrug. "I just felt like asking. You seem mysterious."

I don't even understand what he's saying so I just ignore him. Pesky humans.

"Your hair is beautiful." Xaean says.

I try my best to, I really do. But it's my nature. I'm just too vain.... So I can't resist turning around to glower. "Obviously."

His grey eyes glint suspiciously. "I'm surprised and elated. To be honest I wasn't looking forward to this, but now..."

I'm about to ask what he means when a servant summons us to the private parlor room.

I make sure to walk faster then him. No use talking to the crazy man.