First thirteen

I have to get ready again for the damn ball as soon as I came back to my room . Julia brought me something to eat in the meantime , she knows that I am not able to eat anything in the hall . She is so sweet . I really like her .

When I entered the dressing room I stopped at my step , the dress is gorgeous . I have never seen anything else like this . The dress is light blue colour with a hint of gold . The golden leafs went from the very bottom of the dress with a unique pathway , the neckline is deep but elegant with an embroidery of golden lace .

I came back to reality by Julia's voice .

"Princess?"

"Yes , let's hurry up."

The whole process of dressing up took me total four hours . It's tiring . But the end result is satisfying .

Just like before Derek is waiting for me outside , this time also he looked at me mesmerized . I chuckled internally .

"Shall we?"

"Y... yes princess"

He is too cute , I want to tease him more . But that's for another time .

The Hall of Kings is looking more beautiful than it looked at daytime . But the arrangements are almost same . It feels like someone used magic to make it look more extravagant .

I was really surprised to find Mathew there in the hall , so I went up to him.

"Mat ! I thought you were sick ?"

"Oh ! sis . No I wanted to at least attend the ball and greet father ."

Right Mathew likes his father as much as the emperor love him .

"Just don't overdo it ."

He nodded and smiled . His guard gave me a weird look .

The emperor came late though . Everyone once again bowed down in front of him .Ugh!

But this time he came across the hall , to where the prince was standing . He patted his head and talked to him smiling . And then he took Mat with him to sit down beside the throne in the hall .

I can hear the laughter from the nobels , even Theodore was joking while looking at me . This sucks . But more than the anger my heart aches a bit at the sight of the parent and child smiling together . He didn't looked my way once today .

I was tearing up , when Derek hold my hand.

" Are you okay princess?"

"Yes I am fine."

I smiled at him but he has a pained expression on. Why am I hurt though I am not the real princess nor am I his daughter from inside.

I realized then and there ' oh ! I don't belong here'.