As they approached the sleek, black sedan waiting at the curb, Bella pulled out her phone and squinted at the screen to check the time. The car's polished surface gleamed under the streetlights, reflecting the neon glow from the nearby shops.
"Hara, are you sure you don't need a last-minute touch-up? You look like you're about to fall asleep," Bella said, her voice laced with concern as she adjusted the strap of her stylish clutch.
Hara let out an exasperated sigh. "I'm fine. I've been ready for the past twenty minutes. It's not my fault you're always late." She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, the soft rustle of her dress brushing against her legs.
Bella shot her a playful glare. "Excuse me, but you were the one who took forever deciding which shoes to wear. I only had to wait because you couldn't make up your mind."
Hara folded her arms defensively, her eyes narrowing. "Oh, please. I was trying to look presentable. Unlike you, who's probably been ready for hours and is just trying to make me look bad."
Bella chuckled, her laughter light and infectious. "Yeah, well, I have to make sure my best friend doesn't embarrass herself. It's a big responsibility."
Hara rolled her eyes, though a reluctant smile tugged at her lips. "Thanks for the vote of confidence. I'll try not to embarrass myself."
Hara walked toward the car, her heels clicking on the pavement, and turned back to wave goodbye to her mom, who stood at the door with a worried expression. The cool night air brushed against her cheeks, and she felt a pang of nervous excitement.
"You're so damn slow!" Bella scowled as she slid into the backseat of the car, her voice filled with playful frustration.
"Oh, please. I'm a woman just like you," Hara replied, her tone laced with a mix of irritation and amusement.
Hara managed to stifle a retort, taking a deep breath before stepping into the car. The driver, a neatly dressed man in a dark suit, gave a polite nod as he closed the door behind her and started the engine. The car's interior was plush, with leather seats and a faint scent of vanilla.
"I'm sorry for making you wait, Bella. I—"
"It's fine. I'm not mad," Bella replied with a reassuring smile, her eyes reflecting the soft light from the car's interior.
Hara let out a sigh of relief. "That's good," she murmured, trying to steady her nerves.
A few questions crossed her mind, swirling around her thoughts like leaves in the wind.
"Where are we going?" Hara asked, her voice barely above a whisper as she gazed out of the window at the cityscape. The night was alive with twinkling lights and the distant hum of traffic.
She had no idea where Bella was taking her, but she had promised to join her, setting aside her homework for the evening. The thought of unfinished assignments gnawed at her, adding to her growing unease.
"Hara! Are you even listening to me?" Bella's voice broke through her thoughts, and she felt a gentle shake on her shoulder.
"Huh—oh! Sorry... What did you say?" Hara asked, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
She bit her lip guiltily, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her dress.
"We're going to the prince's party," Bella said, her eyes twinkling with excitement.
Hara's eyes widened in shock. "What?!"
Oh my God.
This is bad!
I would never go to a prince's party!
I'm dead if Dad finds out where I'm going!
I'm done! I'm done!
Hara's mind raced, and she instantly regretted agreeing to go with Bella. The enormity of the situation hit her like a wave, and her heart pounded with a mix of anxiety and dread.
"But, Bella, I—"
"I know you've never been to a party like this. But I promise you, I won't leave you there alone. I'll go home with you. Trust me. Also, I got two invitation cards," Bella said, her voice firm but comforting.
Bella pulled out two red invitation cards from her pink purse, their elegant gold lettering catching the light.
"But I... I don't even know who else is going to the party..." Hara said, her voice tinged with concern.
"There will be many wealthy people and some friends. Several royal families will be there too. Plus, there are guards everywhere, so our safety is secure." Bella smiled reassuringly, her confidence seemingly unshakable.
"Why did you have to bring me with you?" Hara asked, her voice tinged with frustration.
"I didn't. You promised to go with me," Bella retorted, her tone a mix of exasperation and amusement.
Hara rolled her eyes, the gesture failing to alleviate her worry.
"But still, it would have been nice if you'd at least told me where we were going," Hara said, pursing her lips as she glanced out the window, watching the city lights blur by.
"That's exactly why I didn't tell you. If you had known, would you have agreed?" Bella raised an eyebrow, her smirk widening.
"Who gave you the invitation cards?" Hara asked, her voice almost a whisper as she struggled to contain the rising anger within her.
"I know you're mad, but at least, thanks to me, you'll get to experience a prince's party," Bella said, her tone softening.
Hara felt a headache coming on, the weight of the situation settling heavily on her shoulders.
"Aryan gave me the invitation cards," Bella revealed.
Hara almost gasped. Almost.
She quickly shook her head to clear her daze and focused on what Bella had just said, her heart aching with a painful mixture of jealousy and longing.
Hara had a crush on Aryan. He was tall, with striking green eyes and brown hair, and always helped her with her homework at college. He was wealthy, which might explain why he had the invitation. Not to mention, he was incredibly charming.
"Oh..." was all she managed to say, her voice barely audible.
The car fell silent, the only sound the soft hum of the engine and the occasional rustle of Bella's phone as she texted rapidly.
Hara wasn't sure if Bella was in a relationship with Aryan, but the mere thought of it made her heart sink.
"When we reach the guards, you'll need to show them your invitation card. Inside the ballroom, a waitress will give every woman a glass of red wine. All the glasses are the same size and color, except for two special ones," Bella explained, her voice taking on a serious tone.
"One has a replica of the Queen's ring inside it, and the other has a replica of the King's ring. The King's ring will always be claimed first by the prince, whereas the Queen's ring will be given magically to someone... The Chosen One, an extraordinary lady."
"The prince will be titled the King of the Day, and the lucky lady will be the Queen of the Day."
"Whoever has the Queen's ring in their glass will have the chance to dance with the prince and stay with him in the castle for three days. They believe this lady will lead them to something significant." Bella paused, her eyes searching Hara's face for understanding.
"You know how to dance, right?" she asked, raising an eyebrow with a hint of concern.
"Umm... a bit?" Hara replied, her voice wavering as she tried to recall the basics of ballroom dancing.
As the car glided smoothly along the road, Hara tried to steady her breathing. The view outside was breathtaking, with the city lights sparkling like stars, but her nerves were anything but calm. She glanced at Bella, who was engrossed in her phone, her fingers moving swiftly over the screen.
"Bella, are you sure about this?" Hara asked, attempting to break the uneasy silence.
Bella looked up with a confident smirk. "Absolutely. It's going to be amazing. Just relax and enjoy the ride. Besides, you might meet someone interesting."
Hara forced a smile, though her mind was racing with worries. She tried to focus on the positive aspects, like the chance to see the prince, but her anxiety kept creeping in.
"Yeah, I suppose," Hara said, trying to sound enthusiastic. "But I'm still nervous."
Bella put her phone down and gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. I'll be right by your side. Just stick with me, and everything will be fine."
The car continued its journey, and Hara tried to embrace the adventure ahead, despite the whirlwind of emotions inside her.