It turned out I was more tired than I thought. My nap lasted until the ball was almost over and someone frantically burst into the room looking for us so we could stand and look regal while the king gave a speech about how our union would benefit Annalaias.
I brushed the powder off Al's jacket as best I could—it was unbelievable that it all came from my face—and he quickly straightened a few loose pins in my hair before we headed back out.
The inevitable chewing out came the next morning at breakfast but I think we actually got off easy. A few snide remarks from the queen and Rosenia were the extent of our punishment. It probably would have been a lot worse if we hadn't been found in time for the closing ceremony.
