Aurora could not move. She felt as if she had been cemented to the ground. What if she fell? What if she forgot to curtsey? "Well what are you waiting for? Hurry up they are waiting!" Aurora came to her senses and began walking. She began to remember everything her walking instructor said. "Shoulders down, long neck, don't slump, walk on you toes not your heels, don't stomp." She whispered to herself, she smiled and walked to the middle of the room. She curtseyed and curtsey that went as low as her corset would allow her. Her head was bowed and she stayed there. "1-2-3" She whispered and came straight back up as graceful as the Queen herself. She smiled a huge smile. She had done it! Her curtsey was perfect! She hadn't fallen She did the same thing 2 more times, one halfway to the king and queen, and another one right in front of the King and Queen. The King lifted his nose in the air as a sort of sign in approval. The queen smiled a petite grin and Aurora walked backwards, making sure not to turn her back to them. She walked right back until she was sure no one could see her, and walked as fast as she could, to where her Aunt and Uncle were sitting, and perched on the seat, just like her Aunt had told her. She heard a whisper in her ear. "That was perfect! I'm.... very proud of you." She turned to see her Aunt almost smiling. A part of Aurora wanted to burst out in happiness and dance around the room. Before she knew it, a face popped in her eyesight. "Excuse me Ma'am; will you give me the honour of this dance?" The face was attached to a boy, a very handsome one at that, and Aurora instantly started blushing. The duchess nudged her arm and told the boy that she would love to and called him "Your highness." The music for the minuet began to play, and they danced. Aurora felt like a butterfly hovering above flowers. When the dance finally ended, Aurora felt dismal, but was soon distracted by the sound of crashing glass, and screams. A man in brown shaggy clothes covered in mud, began to run towards the king and Queen, A knife in his hands. Aurora, realising what he was going to do, kicked off her shoes, and ran in front of the man, as fast as she could go, and tackled him to the ground. She wrestled the knife out of his hands and punched him in the face knocking him out. A sharp pain went up her spine and she stood up groaning. She stumbled around a bit, the pain spreading through her whole body, to her head, her legs, her arms, and finally collapsed on the ground. The last thing she remembered was her aunt screaming and guards surrounding her, then everything went black.

***

He watched the whole thing and was impressed. The girl had disarmed a man in a dress like that?! He would have to talk to the King about letting her join. But for now it would have to wait...