Finally the night of the ball came, and I have never been more nervous in my life.
For an hour I stared at my dress laid carefully upon the bed, its folds arranged as though awaiting inspection. I do not know what held me there for so long, fear, perhaps, or the knowledge that once I put it on, there would be no retreat from the evening.
At last, I gathered the strength to dress.
The gown settled upon me with a quiet weight, the fabric cool against my skin. It felt strange to be clothed in something so fine within the modest walls of our cottage. Ariel arrived just as she had promised, her cheeks flushed from the evening air, her eyes bright with excitement that I could not quite share. She stood behind me now as her fingers worked at the laces of my corset with determined precision.
I gripped the edge of the dressing table as she pulled the straps tighter. And tighter, until air became scarce in my lungs.
"Ariel…" I managed, my voice thin. "Could you loosen it a bit?"
She paused only slightly. "If I loosen it, you shall appear undone before the prince," she replied, tugging once more as though she meant to shape me into something finer than I was born to be.
I inhaled carefully, the fabric pressing firmly against my ribs, forcing my posture straight and my nerves tighter.
Tonight, I must look composed. Even if I felt as though I might faint before ever leaving this room.
Ariel then turned to herself, and in a short while, she made herself look extraordinary, as she always does. She has always known how to present herself beautifully without trying too hard.
She styled her hair up neatly, leaving a few strands to fall on each side of her face. It softened her features and made her look even more radiant.
When she was done, she came behind me once more to tend to my hair. I told her I did not want anything extravagant or overly grand. And thank Almighty she listened.
Instead of elaborate curls or towering pins, she braided my hair carefully and wove small flowers into it, arranging them in a way that made the style look bold and unapologetic rather than delicate.
She allowed a few strands to fall gently over my face, giving it a softness I had not expected.
When she finished, I stared at myself for a long moment. And I was satisfied.
Just then, Mama walked in, dressed in her yellow gown. She smiled the moment her eyes fell upon me.
For a brief second, she simply stood there, as though she had forgotten how to breathe. Then she walked toward me slowly, her yellow gown rustling softly with each step.
"You look…" she began, her voice warm and almost unsteady, "…like a lady fit for any noble hall."
Her fingers came up to touch my cheek gently as I turn towards her. "No… more than that. You look like your father's pride."
The words settled deeply within me, and I could not help the smile that appeared on my face.
She glanced at Ariel then, her smile widening. "And you, Ariel, have outdone yourself as always. You look quite magnificent tonight."
Ariel smiled so brightly I was certain her cheeks must ache from the effort. "Thank you, Aunty Kaira…"
Mother's expression softened at once. She stepped closer to Ariel and took her hand gently within hers.
"If your mother and father were alive," she said quietly, her voice lowering with tenderness, "they would stand exactly where I am standing now looking at you with pride too great for words."
Ariel's smile trembled, though she fought to keep it steady.
"You have grown into a fine young woman," Mother continued. "Graceful, kind… and far stronger than you know."
Ariel blinked rapidly, as though willing the tears away before they could betray her. She forced a light laugh, though it trembled at the edges.
"Oh, Aunty Kaira," she said, attempting cheerfulness, "if you continue, you shall ruin all the effort I put into my face."
Mother chuckled softly at that and released her hand with a gentle squeeze. "No tears tonight," she said warmly. "This evening is meant for joy."
Ariel nodded, drawing in a steady breath to compose herself once more. Yet I saw the way her shoulders lifted slightly, the way her smile became quieter.
And in that small moment, we were no longer preparing for a grand ball. We were simply three women, holding one another together in the absence of those we had loved.
Finally, we made our way outside, where the carriage awaited us beneath the dim glow of the evening lamps.
The air was cool, brushing lightly against my face as Mother stepped in first, followed by Ariel. I gathered my gown carefully and entered after them, the door closed with a firm, final sound that made my heart leap within my chest.
The coachman took his place at the front, gathering the reins in his gloved hands.
With a small flick and a steady command, he guided the horses forward, and the carriage began its measured journey toward the palace.
The wheels rolled over the quiet road, yet to me it felt as though each turn brought me closer to something inevitable. Closer to a night that would not leave me unchanged.
After what felt like a long ride, the carriage finally slowed before the palace gates.
Every rumor I had ever heard of it proved true the moment it came into view. The structure stood vast and commanding, stretching so far that one could scarcely tell where it began or where it ended.
Its white walls rose proudly beneath the night sky, illuminated by countless lanterns that made it gleam like polished marble.
I could not keep my eyes away. I leaned slightly toward the window, my breath shallow, as I stared at the immense building before us. It did not seem entirely real, too grand, too magnificent to belong to the same world as our small cottage.