Fairytale AU

The next few days, Queen Peppy sits in her big and grand bedroom on her bed. She wants to talk to Poppy about marriage and children. She wanted her son to get married and see her grandchildren before she dies. Peppy never had this talk with him before but, she feels it is very important. The troll Queen had gotten married to the late King Joyce at the age of twenty but, it was different cause she had know Poppy's father since she was a little girl. Prince Poppy is twenty - two and he had not found anyone to love and marry yet. Then Peppy hears a knock on the door.

"Come in!", Queen Peppy says.

Prince Poppy steps into the bedroom.

" You wanted to talk to me, mom.", Prince Poppy says cheerful.

"Yes,honey. Sit down please...", Peppy says.

The Queen pats the spot next her with her hand. Poppy didn't understand what was this about. He sits next his mother on bed.

" Listen Poppy, we need to talk about something. This is serious so don't talk until I say everything I need to!", Peppy say serious.

Poppy looks at his mother surprised. Then he nods his head. He wonders his mom is going to say.

"Poppy,you are your father's and my hire to the throne. You will be King one day but, ruling alone is not as easy as ruling with someone by your side. Ruling a kingdom is never easy but,the right partner can help you a lot. You meet many girls and women but, you never found your soulmate. I'll want to host a ball every night for a week. Every women who is eighteen and older from our kingdom and princesses from other kingdoms will be invited. You are going socialize and by the end of the last ball, you will have to pick the girl you like the most or fallen in love with to spend more time with! You don't have get married immediately the day afterwards! I want you to meet someone,one day get married and have children before I die. Before you speak please just be open minded about this. We can even talk to Cybil if that what feel you need to do before agreeing or disagreeing to this. You can't be single and rule alone forever after I crown you king in the future!Trust me you will need a wife in your life or else you will lonely and unhappy on the throne...", Peppy says honestly and seriously.

Poppy is completely speechless! The pink troll did not see any of this coming! Poppy wondered what brought all this up.

" Mom,what caused you to start talking to me about this?", Poppy asks surprised.

Peppy signs then starts holding of Poppy's hand. She strokes it a little just like she did when he was a little boy.

"Poppy, I worry about you a lot. I'm not going to stay in your life forever. I know you have been having trouble finding your soulmate for a long time. And I honestly want to meet my grandchildren before I die but, most importantly I want to see  you happy and with the woman you love...", Peppy says.

Poppy smiles at his mother. He honestly does not mind her wanting to help him with things. It surprised him that she went this far. Poppy gives her idea some thought. Maybe it could help him meet his soulmate by trying out her idea. His mother was not wrong about him having trouble in his love life even know he is go lucky.

"Let's do it.", Poppy says happily.

Later that day, Cybil comes into the dinning room. The royals thought that by talking to Cybil it could help them. Cybil walks up to two trolls with a crystal ball in his hands. The Queen and Prince sit at the table.

" Hello my Queen and Prince. I predict you have some trouble with something. ",Cybil says.

Then Cybil sits at the end of the table where the Royal trolls sit at. Poppy sits on the left side of the table while Peppy sits on the other side. Cybil puts the crystal ball on the red pillow on the table. The curtains are closed by the servants while one of them light the candles on the table. The crystal ball starts glowing as Cybil looks into it.

" I see a woman...", Cybil says.

The next day, Branch is cleaning the stairwell railing. Then Branch hears a knock at the front door. The maid walks to the door and opens it. She sees a male troll dressed in formal clothes with the kingdom's royalty symbol sewed in on the jacket.

"An invitation from Queen Peppy.", the man says.

He hands Branch the invitation then bids her a good day. Branch walks to the music room upstairs to give Mr Guffin the invitation. When she steps Branch notices Creek singing like a diva. Creek wears a yellow fancy dress with golden glitter. Creek has a okay voice but, her head is so big that she thinks she has the greatest voice in the kingdom and Mr Guffin only fills her already big ego. Branch knocks on the door to get their attention. Creek stops then looks at Branch angrily.

"She ruined my solo!", Creek yells.

Mr Guffin turns to Branch unhappy.

" Branch,you should know better than to interrupt Creek when she is singing! This better be important! ", Mr Guffin says angrily.

The grey troll holds up the fancy invitation.

" An invitation from Queen Peppy has just been delivered here.", Branch explains.

Then Mr Guffin walks up to Branch and grabs it from her hands. He opens it and reads the invitation.

"You are invited to the seven balls starting with the first ball tonight to the last ball at the end of the week. These balls are for Prince Poppy to meet and find his soulmate. Every woman in the kingdom who is eighteen years old and up must attend the seven balls by Queen Peppy's orders!", Mr. Guffin reads out the first half of the invitation.

Creek happily grabs hold of the invitation excited.

" This is my chance to get the Prince to be mine and be at the top like I deserve!", Creek says with an selfish smile.

Then Branch walks away while rolling her eyes. She decides to take her break. Branch walks through the forest alone while thinking about the balls. She knows that she can go but, she does not have anything to wear or thinks she has a chance with the Prince. She honestly did not really care about being with the prince. She really didn't. Branch secretly loves balls but, she didn't think it would be a good idea for her. All she wants is a night out.

Then someone bumps straight into her from out of nowhere! She falls on the ground. She looks at the pink male on ground in front of her. It's Prince Poppy but, she does not know that. He is just wearing blue shorts.

"Hey!Thanks a lot!", Branch says angrily.

Poppy looks at her surprised! He quickly gets up then starts helping the woman he just knocked over get back on her feet.

" Oh,I'm so sorry! I didn't see you there...", Poppy apologized sincerely.

When Branch is back on her feet she looks into the male troll's pink eyes. She notices the sincere in them.

"It's fine...", Branch says while dusting off her dress with her hands.

Poppy looks at Branch. He notices that she is grey and dressed in patchy clothing. He had never saw a grey troll in his life! He felt a little bad for her since she is grey and unhappy. The Prince decides put them on the right foot.

" We got off the wrong foot. Let's start over. Hi! I'm Poppy. What's your name?", Poppy says friendly.

Branch looks at him surprised. Normally most trolls who don't know her just walk away. She didn't think this would happen!

" It's Branch...", she answers uncomfortable and awkward.

Poppy smiles at her. They keep on talking and talking to each other as the minutes pass it feels like longer to the two trolls. Soon they are laughing completely forgetting about their lives. They are both enjoy each other's company and had slowly became friends.

"So did you hear about the balls?", Poppy asks.

" Yup... The invitation came earlier. Why?", Branch says.

"Cause you should go. We could hang out more...", Poppy says happily wanting to spend more time with her.

" I don't know...", Branch says unsure.

Poppy keeps on encouraging her to come. Soon Branch agrees to going after Poppy says that it would be nice to hang out with him there which for some reason made her feel warm inside her heart. Then Branch realizes she should go back to work.

"I should go. I have to work so I guess I'll see you tonight.", Branch says not wanting to leave.

" I'll see you tonight, Branch. ",Poppy says happily.

The two trolls say their "Good bye"s then Branch goes back to the mansion with an smile. Branch keeps on smiling as she pours the tea for Mr. Guffin and Creek who talk about getting ready for the ball. Branch decides to talk to Mr Guffin about the balls.

" Mr Guffin, I want to go the balls. ",Branch says hopeful.

Creek laughs out loud while Mr. Guffin looks at Branch.

" Oh Branchella,you can't go!", Creek says mockingly.

Then Branch crosses her arms.

"Actually, I can. According to the invitation every woman eighteen and up must attend the balls by the Queen's orders! I am both woman and am twenty - four so I don't see why I can't go.", Branch explains.

" Okay Branch,you can come with us on two conditions. First you must finish all your work and second you must get a proper dress of your own for the ball!",Mr Guffin says blankly.

Both Branch and Creek can't believe what they just heard! Branch nods her head still surprised. She quickly goes back to the kitchen. Creek looks at her grandpa.

"Why did you do that?!", Creek yells upset.

Then Mr Guffin smiles evilly.

" Don't worry. She has to finish to finish her work and get a her own ball gown in order to come. And even if she does manage to get her work done how would she even get a proper dress for the ball?", Mr Guffin says evilly.

Meanwhile in the kitchen, the critters help Branch work more than usual. Branch is going to have to make a dress to wear after work. Critters smile happily. They are so happy that Branch is going to have fun. The group work extra hard because,Mr Guffin and Creek gave Branch a few extra jobs for fun! Now,it's already night time and Branch and the critters are in the bunker. Branch is tired but,still has energy.

The ball will start in an half hour and Branch and her critter friends are almost done working on a ballroom dress. Branch sews the finale ribbon onto the skirt. Now her ball gown is done! Little did Branch and the critters know that the dress won't last long...