Ahhh, a nice relaxing lavender bath. I was getting ready for my father's feast. I knew the procedure like the back of my hand.

Long bath

Choose dress (probably new scratchy one that I hate)

Put on dress and shoes

Find a pretty tiara and gloves

Find a heavy jeweled necklace

Put on stupid "betrothal" ring

Do hair

Go make a fool of myself

And then I would go to bed thinking of HIM. Just not the HIM my parents expect me to think of. Not even Sarah knew.

"Out of the bath with ye princess," That was Martha, my favorite dresser. I did whatever Martha told me, and then later, Martha would tell me the funny tidbits.

I got up and out. She wrapped me in a towel and I dried myself off. She showed me my dress. I was surprised. It was beautiful!

It had a light purple skirt that parted in the middle to show teal with white lace. The bodice of the dress was lavender and it had white lace ribbons. I loved it.

 The necklace that went with it was of athemyst on a silver chain. It went with white lace gloves with a purple trim. I found the ring and forced myself to put it on my finger.

I put on the high heels. The tiara was silver with more athemyst jewels in the middle. It was time to do my hair.

First they curled it. Then they took the front and braided it and joined the strands in the back in a bun. They called it a "princess updo". I disagree. But I'm not the boss, so I had to put up with it.

 Now it was time to go out. I took the first couple of wobbly steps on my high heels and then got used to it. I walked confidently out of my room, into the hallway. I walked elegantly down its long stretch. Then I reached the stairs. My name was called out as I walked in.

The dance floor was covered in people, but I looked for him anyway. Not visible from where I stood, but maybe he was here...

"Princess Olivia?" the well known voice asked me.

"Hello Prince Franco," I reply.

The Italian prince bowed low as I curtsied. Why did my parents have to pair me with him? But at least one good thing had come of it: HIM. The one nobody knows about...

"Princess Olivia, did you know that when we are married the first thing I want to do is go to my home in Italy? Then I will show you it's wonders," he said for about the thousandth time since I'd met him.

"Yes and what I want to do is show you how to properly care for the citizens of my country. We can maybe learn something from each other," I reply.

"Eccellente So you have finally realized that being married is a joint experience?" he asked in wonderment.

"No." I tell him flatly. He sighed.

"Let us dance!" he cried. I sighed. I knew I couldn't refuse as long as my parents were present.

He lead me to the dance floor where a slow dance was taking place. I danced, but reluctantly. I knew Franco was disappointed. He liked me, he really did. But I didn't like him.

There was someone else that I did like. He was the only reason I didn't blow up every time Franco came. Nobody knew about him. It was our secret. I just hoped he was here.

When the night was over, my feet ached from dancing in high heels. My arms were sore from holding on to Franco's neck (he was WAY taller than me, even in heels!). All I wanted to do was flop down in bed. But I couldn't, not if He was here.

 I met him in the deserted ballroom. Nobody ever came back this late. That was why we knew it was perfectly safe. He was here! Just behind a pillar I saw him. He must have seen me too, because he came to me. He was perfect.

He had brown hair, brown eyes. He was strong from work as a lifter. He liked me for me, and not my title. He was the only reason I tolerated Franco. Our relationship wasn't serious, but for me, it was my lifeline.

     We danced until dawn, and even then I wished it would never end. I hoped Franco stayed the whole week, just so I could dance with him. When we saw the sun's rays, we knew we had to go.

"Goodbye William," I whispered into his ear.

"Goodbye Olivia," he answered. He kissed my hand then was gone.

I sighed. Time to dream I was still here. I was still waiting for him to kiss me though. I hoped it would happen soon. I went to bed thinking of dancing and brown haired boys.