RAVENSHORE

"Althea! Althea!" A breathless servant yelled as she chased after the young maiden who ran through the hallway on barefoot with her shoes in her hands. Althea giggled and increased her pace but came to a sudden halt when she clashed into someone.

"Mother," the words escaped the trembling lips of Althea. She stood still, her countenance like that of a child caught in the act of mischief.

Duchess Eleanor's brow furrowed in disapproval as she took in her daughter's disheveled appearance. "How many times have I told you not to run in the hallways, Althea? And why on earth are you barefoot? What if your father or one of the ministers were to see you like this?"

"Don't worry, Mother. I'm not heading towards the court, and I just wanted to have a bit of fun with Eliza here," Althea replied, attempting to defuse the tension with her lighthearted tone.

Duchess Eleanor sighed, her frustration evident in the lines of her face. "You must learn to comport yourself appropriately, Althea. As the daughter of a noble family, you have certain responsibilities to uphold."

Althea rolled her eyes but still promised her mother, "I'll try to be more mindful, Mother, I don't mean to cause trouble." Her voice tinged with insincerity, she knew very well she'd do it again.

Duchess Eleanor softened at her daughter's promise, her maternal instincts dominant over her frustration. With a gentle sigh, she reached out to smooth a stray curl from Althea's forehead.

"I know, my dear. It is difficult to comply with the rules surrounding nobility but you must remember that your actions reflect not only upon yourself but upon our family as well," she said, her tone gentle but firm. "Now, go put on your shoes. For the ball tomorrow, I have invited Mrs Cici and she has arrived and is waiting for you in the lesson room"

Althea groaned out loud but still complied with her mother's instructions. Etiquette class was one thing she never looked forward to especially if it was Mrs Cici's class. She heard from the other girls of how strict her teachings were.

After Althea and her mother parted ways, she purposefully wasted time getting ready before heading to the lesson room.

"You're late," came the rigid voice of Mrs Cici.

"Or maybe you're just early," Althea said with a sarcastic smile.

Mrs Cici cleared her throat and ignored Althea's taunts. It was their first meeting and Mrs Cici already knew that Althea was a force to be reckoned with.

"Your mother has told me all about you. I am your fifth etiquette teacher and I plan to be the last."

Althea smirked, her rebellious unfazed by Mrs. Cici's stern demeanor. She had grown accustomed to etiquette teachers promising to tame her wild spirit, each failing woefully.

"Good luck with that," Althea retorted, her tone dripping with sarcasm as she settled into her seat opposite Mrs. Cici.

Mrs. Cici's lips formed a thin line as she regarded Althea with disapproval "We shall see," she replied curtly.

For the next hour, Althea endured Mrs. Cici's rigid instruction on the proper etiquette expected of a young lady of noble birth. She struggled to suppress her boredom, her mind wandering to more exciting adventures outside the manor walls.

As the etiquette lesson ended , Mrs. Cici straightened her posture, her gaze piercing as she addressed Althea, "The homecoming ball is tomorrow. Noble young women that have come of age will be displayed for marriage and you my dear are already betrothed to the crown prince. It'll be in your earnest favor to practice diligently, all that we have learnt today," Mrs. Cici said firmly as she gathered her hefty books in one hand and exited the room.

Eliza who has been sitting quietly in the lesson room said, "I think you should compromise this time around. You will finally be introduced as the crown prince and you don't want to seem like a lady undeserving of that title now do you??"

Althea looked at her servant , nodding thoughtfully in concurrence to what she just said. Like every other young maiden who had the chance to interact with prince, it was love at first sight for Althea. She found herself wanting to be a proper lady for him.

"Just for tomorrow," she sighed and Eliza clapped happily like a seal. They practiced curtsies, greetings, walking and everything Althea lacked in, they had only stopped when Duchess Eleanor called Althea down for dinner.

It was soon evening of the next day and the Duke of Ravenshore manor was teeming with servants and people all busy in preparation of the ball.

Althea sat in front of her vanity quietly as the cosmeticians performed their magic on her face. "Don't paint the cheeks too pink…" she once in a while spoke up about the things she was uncomfortable with.

"You look absolutely stunning, my lady," the cosmetician remarked with a smile as the she added the finishing touches to her Althea's face.

"My lady is the most gorgeous in the whole of Ravenshore, what else did you expect?" Eliza proudly praised. Althea smiled at their compliments. She was getting nervous as the time to the ball drew nearer. She would finally be introduced to the world as the future queen of Ravenshore and marriage arrangements would soon begin.

"Is anything the matter?" Eliza asked as she fit Althea into her gown. The cosmeticians had finished their work and left, leaving only the two of them in the room.

"I'm worried I'll falter at the ball…" Althea admitted.

"My lady," Eliza called out earnestly, "I've served you since we were children and I know you more than you know yourself. Do not bother with trying to uphold nobility and be yourself. If the prince loves you, he would also love everything about you including your wild part of you. And guess what? The prince adores you so don't worry."

Eliza's words were exactly what Althea needed and it felt as if a heavy weight was lifted off her chest. "Thank you so much, Eliza." Althea said warmly, her voice filled with appreciation.

Eliza carefully finished dressing Althea in a stunning red gown of shimmering silk adorned with delicate lace and pearls and soon Duchess Eleanor walked in with hurried steps. She came to query her daughter to hurry up as they were late for the ball but was instead moved to tears at the sight of her beautiful her daughter looked.

"My dear, you look absolutely stunning." Duchess Eleanor exclaimed, her hands covering her mouth in awe as tears welled in her eyes.

"Thank you mother" Althea beamed, wiping the tears that was triggered by her mother's tears.

Duke Arthur walked in and softly reminded the mother and daughter duo, "Would you ladies cut it out and head to the carriage? We're already late."

He paused, his eyes lingering on Althea before adding, "you look exquisite, my princess."

Althea walked hastily down the stairs in a bid to catch up with her parents who were waiting at the carriage when someone suddenly called to her attention, "Althea," she turned and saw their head maid, Helen, standing at the top of the stairs with her daughter, Eliza. They both walked to where Althea stood. Helen held a stunning Diamond necklace in her hand.

"Is this for me?" Althea gasped, carefully feeling the necklace on Helen's palm.

"Y-yes my lady but—" Althea followed Helen's sight and saw she was looking at the gold necklace she wore.

"Oh this?!" Althea asked then quickly gestured to Eliza, "help me take this off."

Eliza took off the necklace Althea wore previously. Althea positioned herself and Helen helped her wear the Diamond necklace she brought.

"It is a gift," Helen said.

"Thank you, Helen," Althea smiled and gave Helen a warm hug which lasted few seconds before Helen said,

"Go on, you don't want to be late for the ball."

Althea joined her parents in the carriage and within a matter of minutes they stood in front of the royal castle.

The castle gates were teeming with carriages, people were trooping in from all over the world, making their way to the ballroom.

The ladies wore the finest gowns and the gentlemen donned the finest silk coats. Althea stood out amongst the other women and heads turned at every step she took.

They entered the ball and the soft tunes of instruments lingered with the chatters of noblemen and women present. Mothers displayed their daughters to fine gentlemen while men talked business.

Duke Arthur and Duchess Eleanor parted ways with Althea to go mingle with the others and Althea walked aimlessly in search of the prince. She eventually spotted him and excitedly made her way to him. However, she was suddenly held back by a hand that gripped her wrist with such force.

She fiercely turned back, her eyes flashing with immense irritation, to catch a glimpse of the man who had grabbed her wrist with such audacity.

"Mate!" She heard him growl.