The Eddis Grand Ball (1)

Edith and the other maid Janie helped Aliana get ready the bath that was waiting for her. It smelled of sweet herbs and flowers, the steam coming off it rolled into the air in spirals.

The maids helped Aliana get undressed and she stepped into the bath groaning in delight. Baths were Aliana's favorite wind-down activity and she was sad she couldn't sleep after this one. She had men to meet.

Edith stayed to help Aliana wash her hair and comb it out with oils in it to help make it shine.

"Are you excited for the ball, Your Highness?" Edith asked energetically.

"I am extremely curious who they picked for me," Aliana said thoughtfully. "I'm a little excited though."

"You may find your husband this very night."

"I still have six more principalities to go to as well," Aliana sighed. "This is going to be a long journey indeed."

Edith could only giggle at the prospect of Aliana being surrounded by so many handsome royal men.

When the princess was done with her bath, Edith helped her into a silk robe. Janie came back with half a dozen maids in tow and they began to get Aliana ready for the ball.

Two maids began to twist the princess's hair into tiny braids while Edith made up her face. Powder and rouge made her cheeks rosy and glowing, her lips were painted a bright pink.

Soon Aliana's updo was a complex maze of tiny braids with emerald and pearl pins and her face radiated with a beauty that was only slightly enhanced by the minimal makeup.

Since Eddis was known for their textiles, the Grand Princess offered Aliana a beautiful gown to wear to the ball. It was a light pink dress that was gauzy and light with silver and gold thread embroidered into it with pearls and diamonds on the shoulders and neckline.

It was so light that Aliana couldn't wear a corset or a shift underneath without someone seeing them. As she took in her appearance in the mirror she was shocked, you could see all her curves in the tight dress until it loosened to flow around her legs. She never wore something this scandalous back in Astaria but here in Eddis the women dressed more provocatively.

She finished her look for the evening with a gold tiara encrusted with small diamonds and pearls and star-shaped earrings with diamonds in the middle.

Pryja and Louie came to Aliana's chambers as she was finishing up getting ready. Louie was in a green flowy dress with small leaves embroidered with gold thread and Pryja was wearing a deep purple dress with amethysts embroidered on the straps.

Her ladies looked shocked at the gauzy dress Ailana was wearing and giggled.

"The men will not be able to take their eyes off you tonight," Pryja said approvingly.

Ailana rolled her eyes and led the way out to the ballroom Sir Galien and Sir Arthurus were waiting outside the princess' rooms and bowed to her deeply.

"My lady," Sir Gailen greeted. Ailana nodded and he held his hand out for her to take. Following them, Pryja and Louie walked next to each other and Sir Arthurus followed behind.

Once they reached the ballroom, it was filled to its capacity with nobles and royals of Eddis, eager to see the Crown Princess and the 14 men that would be presented to her.

The herald saw the princess coming and straightened up. Trumpets sounded and the herald boomed out, "Now entering, Crown Princess of Astaria and the Seven Principalities Aliana Vangard, her ladies in waiting, Duchess of Vilmme Pryjavna Ostrek and Lady Louisa Drogon of Benbur, her Princessguard captains Sir Galien the Dragonheart and Sir Arthurus of Bellis."

Everyone below them gave a deep bow or curtsy to the princess and she smiled as she descended the stairs.

The grand prince and princess were seated in their thrones and stood to welcome the crown princess and walked over to her.

"The men are getting ready to come out," Prince Elric.

"You look stunning, your highness," Princess Rylia beamed.

"Thank you, you are too kind," Aliana smiled.

The trumpets sounded once again and everyone turned toward the grand staircase.

"These fourteen young royal blooded men were chosen as potential suitors for our future Queen of Astaria's King Consort," Prince Elric proclaimed.

One by one young men started to file in at the top of the staircase that led into the ballroom.

"Lord Aiden, Baron of Pembrum." A blonde man in his early twenties descended the stairs confidently and stopped before the princess and the grand prince.

"Lord Lucien, Duke of Northmarch." Aliana's eyes widened and took in her old friend. Lucien had changed quite a bit since they were children. His broad shoulders were muscular and filled the midnight blue suit he was wearing, his green eyes found hers and he smiled at her mischievously. Lucien's dark brown hair came down to his shoulders and was tucked behind his ears.

He stopped next to Lord Aiden and Aliana smiled at his handsome face. Ailana couldn't help but stare at her old friend while several other men filed in, she missed their names and rank but she had a feeling it didn't matter. She would most likely be choosing Lucien as her suitor from Eddis.

"Lord Samuel, Earl of Great Eton." The man snapped Ailana away from Lucien and she watched the imposing-looking man descend the stairs. Lord Samuel had long blonde hair that went to the center of his back and was very masculine. As he drew nearer to Aliana she noticed his icy blue eyes staring at her with an amused look.

Aliana looked back over to Lucien and his face darkened at her watching Lord Samuel. She winked at Lucien and he looked happy again.

"Princess Ailana, you may pick the first man to dance with," Prince Elric announced.

Aliana looked at the fourteen men in front of her and pointed to Lord Aiden. He bowed and came to escort her for the first dance.

"It is an honor to have the first dance, your highness," Lord Aiden said politely as he gathered Aliana in his arms.

"You were the first one to come forward so it seemed like a good choice," Aliana returned. The dance was a simple waltz and Lord Aiden stepped on Aliana's toes multiple times. By the end of the dance, Aliana was ready to punch the man.

He bowed to her and she nodded tightly.

Some of the other suitors clambered for a dance and only Lord Lucien and Lord Samuel hung back from the fray. Aliana watched the two lords with curiosity as one of the men led her in a livelier dance.