The Engagement Ball

The Summer Palace was in a furious uproar as servants hustled and bustled all over the place doing their best to prepare the main ballroom for an engagement ball tonight.

Every nobility and royal house across the four realms had been invited. It would be the first time she would hopefully catch a glimpse of her father and stepmother after all these days. 

Needless to say, Princess Caroline looked forward and dreaded this very night.

Elise dressed her in a shimmering dress of silver it looked almost white as it sparkled in the night.

She placed her diamond crown on her head, tonight she wore the Winter Court jewels.

"Everything will go smoothly, Your Highness, you will be the star of this evening." Elise assured her.

It did nothing to help her nerves knowing she would be the center of attention across the four realms.

As her title was announced that night, she entered the crowded ballroom through the double doors.

Royal members of each court stood in front with their nobles standing behind.

King Casimir entered through the double doors on the opposite end of the ballroom.

He looked majestic in a suit of midnight blue that had silver markings along the waist coat and collar.

Both met at the center of the ballroom, where he announced.

"It is my pleasure to introduce my fiance and future Queen of the Summer Court, Princess Caroline Eira DeWynter of the Winter Court."

"Will you please raise your glasses in celebration of the union of King Casimir Sol Aurelius and Princess Caroline Eira DeWynter," said Chancellor Vance.

Glasses were raised and cheers were made inside the ballroom.

The king approached her and led her to the center of the ballroom, but before the orchestra could start playing. 

A large vine wrapped itself tightly around King Casimir and pulled him away. Lady Daphne stepped forward and screamed, "now!"

A huge whirlwind grew in the center of the ballroom, forcing everyone to leave the ballroom. As all the king's fire mages rushed in.

"Capture her!" Ordered Lord Rafael from somewhere in the crowd. The fire mages ignored him as they formed a circle around Princess Caroline, immediately they started the incantation encouraging the fires to devour her and turn her to ash.

King Casimir shouted and yelled at them to stop but he was too late, the fires grew rapidly and headed straight for the princess, who stood as if rooted to the spot in fear.

King Allan watched the fires inch toward his daughter, "help me get to her!" He said to King Cyrus of the Springlands.

King Cyrus uttered a spell and commanded a large tree to wrap itself around King Allan and enter the circle of fire with him. 

King Allan threw up his hands, summoning a barrier of glistening ice between his daughter and the encroaching inferno. The flames struck the barricade, hissing and crackling as steam clouded the air.

The fire did not relent. It searched for a crack , a weakness. The mages tried harder, their voices rising as one as they concentrated their power into the blaze. The ice remained intact under the assault almost pristine.

Princess Caroline's voice broke, her hands slamming against the frozen wall. "Father"

King Allan turned to her, his blue eyes filled with sorrow, with love. He was already kneeling, his power draining him for keeping the ice barrier intact. 

The fire would not be denied. It needed a body to consume.

With a final, shuddering breath, King Allan whispered, "You are the rightful Queen of the Winter Court."

Then the fires devoured him whole.

An anguished cry tore from Caroline's throat as she watched the flames claim her father. His royal robes blackened, his figure wreathed in the flames. Yet, even as he burned, the ice remained intact protecting her.

The fires then flickered out, the sacrifice accepted. The ice wall that protected her shattered into a million shards across the floor.

The ballroom was burned beyond recognition. The mages stood in stunned silence. The whirlwind had disappeared. The vines that imprisoned King Casimir turned to dust.

Princess Caroline fell to her knees where her father had once stood moments ago. Tears blurred her vision, she clutched the frozen remains of ice scattered across the floor beneath her. Deep sorrowful mourns escaped her lips as she remembered her father's last words to her.

Princess Caroline was now Queen of the Winter Court.