Victoria admired herself in the mirror, Mallory had clearly outdone herself. The random material which haphazardly shoved into her luggage when they were packing up to go to Alcazar yesterday turned out to be one of prettiest gowns she had ever seen. "You're the best, Mallory!"
She turned around and hugged Mallory, it was already sun down. The ball would be starting soon, the Demon King would finally make his appearance, the Ladies would try their best to impress him…and Victoria would put her plan in action.
"This dress is so beautiful."
Mallory smiled, "I'm glad you like it, now sit. I have to do your hair."
Victoria sat down and in less than an hour, Mallory had brushed Victoria's black strands and pulled them up to an elaborate bun with braids running through the sides of her head. She also left two short but curly bangs to fall down the sides of her face elegantly.
Lastly, Victoria placed a headband with white and golden flowers on top of her head.
It was time for the ball, when Victoria got there, she was shocked to see that the ballroom was already filled with Alcazarian aristocrats and working servants alike. The orchestra made the party lively by playing quite an upbeat song, the Ballroom decorations were beyond beautiful and she could smell the delicious food placed at the buffet table.
As she stepped in, still admiring the sheer beauty of it all, she bumped into someone and nearly tripped. That someone she had bumped into was unfortunately Freya Silvercrest who stood with Gwen and Katherine.
"Hey! Watch you're going!"
"Oh! I'm sorry, I was so distracted–"
Freya eyed her gorgeous, yet very revealing green dress and raised up her globlet of wine, "I was holding a drink, if wasn't smart enough I would have ruined my dress when you bumped into me." Then she smiled mockingly, "is that what you want? For my dress to be as ugly as yours?"
Gwen pulled Freya back by the arm, "Stop," she said to Freya. She was wearing a silver coloured dress. "Don't mind her, Lady Victoria. She's had a bit to drink and she's also nervous."
Victoria nodded but couldn't find it in herself to pardon Freya for calling what Mallory worked so hard for ugly. Yet kept quite all the same.
"I'm not nervous." Freya scoffed, "why would I be? Surely you all must know that I have the best chance of being Queen."
Katherine took a sip of her wine, "is that so?" Her grey eyes were full of curiosity. "Tell us why you'd think like that."
Freya chuckled, "the King and I go way back. We were pretty close when we were kids, that bond and familiarity is already there."
"How is that going to guarantee your relationship?" Victoria spoke out, "I was friends with a lot of children growing up, but I'm not married to any of them now."
Freya sent her a look that could kill dozens and Gwen pointed out. "The Demon King and Lady Freya are second cousins."
Victoria did not even bother to hide her laughter this time, "second cousins? Really they literally marrying your own family member!"
Gwen smiled and shook her head while Katherine nodded.
"So? That's just how things work in the royal family, it's all politics…you wouldn't know that, because you're a commoner." Freya said then stepped closer to Victoria to intimidate her. "so if I were you I lose all hopes of being queen. Having a place here in this Kingdom, because when I'm Queen…I'll make sure that you never step foot in this Kingdom ever again."
"What do you have against me lady Freya? From the moment I got here, you've made it your mission to irritate me." Victoria asked her, not at all feeling intimidated.
"I told you, I don't like Elverians. Especially those who think that they're better than everyone. Count your days here in this Castle, it will be over soon." Freya explained.
"Sounds like you're insecure." Victoria countered. "You talk like the future is set, when you're just as scared as everybody else."
Freya laughed, "me, scared? Very unlikely." She began to walk away from the group. "I were you, I'd watch my gown." She called out as she left.
Gwen placed her hand on Victoria's shoulder. "If it helps you won't have to leave the kingdom once she becomes queen. She won't be able to do anything unless the Demon King agrees to it."
"You're so sure she'll become Queen." Victoria commented, "is that you guys already know what would happen."
"We do, like she said she's already had a bond with the King. And the Queen already favors her, not to mention her social standing is for above us she's also beautiful and has such great influence already the rest of us already as good concubines. The most we can do right now to make sure that we are on her good side." Katherine explained, "that will be quite hard for you, since she already hates you."
Katherine left to follow Freya, leaving Gwen and Victoria standing together. Gwen sighed and placed her hand on her head already looking very tired and frustrated. "Those two…" she mumbled. "they're only like that, because you're from the Light Realm. They'll warm up to you eventually. Freya is known for being cold to outsiders at first, but I promise she's alright once you get to know her."
"She's a spoiled brat." Victoria said, simply.
"Maybe so, but she's not as horrible as you think. Give it time, okay"
"What about you?" Victoria questioned. "Don't you dislike me for being Elverian?"
Gwen shook her head, her pretty eyes glistening. "I don't see the wisdom in disliking you because you're Elverian. We can't control where we are from and you don't seem like a bad person, dangerous? yes, but bad? I don't think so."
Gwen gave her another smile and walked away. Seems like the only person who was decent among the Ladies was Gwen. Freya was arrogant as well annoying, Katherine was well…quiet yet, somehow detached from the rest of them Victoria didn't know her very well but there was something usual about her, Victoria was planning on murdering the King and Gwen was nice.
Suddenly the music stopped, and the guest of the welcoming ball went silent as the man she had seen earlier today, Stefan's father announced with such a loud voice.
"Everyone! His Royal Majesty, King Alvar Ravencaster of Alcazar has arrived."
And for the first time, Victoria laid her eyes on the Demon King.