Princess Bella jolted awake to the sound of a loud knock reverberating through her chamber. "What now?" she muttered to herself, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. The day ahead loomed over her like a storm cloud, heavy and oppressive. "Your Highness, it's Donna," her maid called from the other side of the door. "Everyone is waiting for you!" Bella groaned, the realization hitting her with a jolt. "Oh dear, I completely forgot!" Today was the day of the grand dance, the event where she was expected to meet potential suitors. Her heart sank as she recalled her father, King Patrick's insistence that she find a husband before her twenty-first birthday. With only eleven months to go, the pressure was mounting. "I'll be out in a moment!" she snapped, frustration bubbling to the surface. She hated being told what to do, especially when it came to matters of her future. "Of course, Your Highness," Donna replied, her voice calm and soothing. Bella took a deep breath, feeling a pang of guilt for snapping at her maid. It wasn't Donna's fault that she felt trapped in this gilded cage of royal expectations. "I'm sorry, Donna. I didn't mean to raise my voice," Bella said, her tone softening. "It's quite alright, Princess," Donna replied with a gentle smile as she entered the room, followed by three other handmaids, all carrying garments and accessories. "We just want to help you look your best for today." Bella sighed, watching as they fluttered around her like butterflies, pulling fabrics and arranging her hair. "I don't see the point in all this fuss. I don't want to marry anyone," she grumbled, irritation creeping into her voice. The thought of being paraded in front of a lineup of suitors made her stomach churn. "Your father has high hopes for you, Princess," one of the handmaids chimed in, holding up a shimmering gown. "This dress will make you look absolutely stunning." "Stunning?" Bella scoffed, crossing her arms defiantly. "I'd rather be out in the fields tending to sick animals than dressed up like a prize to be won." "Being a veterinarian is a noble dream, but your responsibilities as a princess come first," Donna reminded her, carefully smoothing out the gown. "Responsibilities," Bella echoed bitterly. "More like shackles. I'm twenty years old, Donna! Why can't I just live my life the way I want?" "Because you are a princess, and the kingdom needs you to fulfill your duties," Donna said gently. Bella rolled her eyes, the weight of her royal title feeling heavier than ever. "I know, but I feel like I'm suffocating in this palace. I want to help animals, not sit and smile at a bunch of pompous men." "Just give them a chance, Princess. You might be surprised," one of the handmaids suggested, but Bella shot her a sharp look. "Surprised? The only surprise I want is to wake up one day and find that I'm a veterinarian living in a cottage with my own clinic," Bella retorted, exasperation evident in her voice. "Let's focus on making you presentable for today's dance," Donna urged, her tone firm yet kind. "Once the event is over, you can think about your future." As the handmaids tugged and pulled at her garments, Bella felt a mix of irritation and frustration. The way they fussed over her made her feel like a doll being dressed up for display. "Do you really think this dress will win me a husband?" she asked sarcastically. "Maybe not just the dress, but your charm and grace will certainly help," Donna replied, a hint of humor in her eyes. Bella sighed, knowing that despite her annoyance, perhaps, just perhaps, she could find a suitor who understood her dreams. But for now, she would put on the façade of a princess, if only to keep her father satisfied for a little longer. As the final touches were made, Bella looked at her reflection, the girl she saw was beautiful but trapped. Today would be yet another step in her royal duties, "Let's get this over with," she muttered, steeling herself for the dance that awaited her.
As Princess Bella stepped into the grand ballroom of the palace, all eyes turned toward her. The light bounced off her shimmering gown, creating an ethereal glow that made her look breathtakingly beautiful. She felt the weight of every gaze, especially from the other princesses, who couldn't hide their envy. "Look at her," one whispered to another, eyes narrowed. "Who does she think she is?" "Probably thinks she'll steal the spotlight," another replied, rolling her eyes. Bella caught snippets of their conversation, annoyance creeping into her chest. It was exhausting being constantly compared and judged. Her father, King Patrick, stepped forward, a proud smile on his face. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the royal dance! Let us celebrate our noble families and their future alliances!" His voice boomed through the hall, and a cheer erupted. Bella forced a smile, feeling the excitement in the air only as a distant echo. The room was filled with laughter and chatter, but all she could think about was how to escape the inevitable. One by one, the young princes and noblemen approached her, eager to capture her attention. "Princess Bella, may I have the honor of this dance?" Prince Jude from the northern kingdom asked, bowing slightly. "Of course," she replied, her heart sinking. As they began to dance, she quickly realized that Prince Jude was as dull as he was handsome. "So, Princess, have you heard about the wealth of my father's kingdom?" he began, a self-satisfied grin on his face. "We have more gold than you can imagine, and our servants—oh, we have so many!" Bella's mind began to wander, irritation bubbling beneath the surface. "That sounds… lovely," she said, forcing enthusiasm into her voice as they twirled around the floor. "Indeed! We even have a dedicated team for polishing the royal silverware," he continued, oblivious to her disinterest. "It's the pride of our kingdom!" She wanted to gag. "Fascinating," she murmured, desperately searching the room for an exit. The music played on, and all she could think about was how to escape this torturous conversation. As the dance concluded, Bella was relieved when Prince Jude politely released her. But before she could breathe a sigh of relief, she was approached by Prince Albert, another suitor her father had deemed suitable. "Ah, Princess Bella!" he exclaimed, his voice booming with self-importance. "You are truly lucky to be in my presence." "Am I?" Bella raised an eyebrow, unable to hide her irritation. "Yes! You see, my kingdom is the most prosperous in the realm. If you were to marry me, you would be living a life of luxury beyond your wildest dreams," Prince Albert said, puffing out his chest in arrogance. "Lucky me," she replied dryly, suppressing the urge to roll her eyes. "You should know that all the other princesses are in awe of me," he continued, as if reciting a well-rehearsed script. "They can only dream of being courted by someone as esteemed as I." Bella fought against the urge to escape, feeling trapped in a nightmare of egotism. "How lovely for them," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Just imagine," Prince Albert said, his eyes sparkling with delusion. "You would have the finest gowns, the most luxurious banquets… and of course, my unmatched charm." Her stomach churned. "I can't imagine being married to you," she blurted out before she could stop herself, feeling a rush of defiance. "What?" he asked, taken aback. "I assure you, you would be lucky!" "Lucky to endure this endless parade of self-praise?" she shot back, her patience wearing thin. The music swirled around them, and Bella felt a sense of claustrophobia closing in. She wanted to escape, to run far away from these princely pretenders who paraded their wealth and entitlement as if it meant something. As Prince Albert rambled on about his kingdom's superiority, Bella's mind reeled. She couldn't imagine spending her life with any of them. The thought of being married to a man who only cared about status and riches made her want to scream. "Excuse me," she said abruptly, cutting off his monologue. "I need to—" But before she could finish, the next prince stepped forward, ready to claim her for the next dance. Bella felt her heart sink further. Trapped in this endless cycle of polite smiles and insufferable conversations, she longed for freedom, for the chance to escape the confines of her royal duties. As the music played on, she forced a smile, but inside, she was screaming for release from the nightmare of the royal dance.