The next few days went by in a blur. Lorelai avoided Isiah and Irena like the plague, spending her time choosing foods and tapestries for her birthday instead. It would be a small gathering in which all castle staff would be invites, given that they finished all the preparations. A few lords and ladies would be attending as well, though mostly for Steffan. Her birthday was one of the few times she saw her brother and because she was turning eighteen it was an extremely special occasion. Normally Lorelai avoided big parties but she had little choice in this matter it seemed. 

The ball had just begun and everyone was in their finest clothing. The maids that were attending to Lorelai before her grand entrance were all tense, however, because the princess had begun to snap at them for the slightly mishap. Lorelai was paler than usual and stopped smiling as much as she used to. This was not the princess everyone remembered. She waited for her brother to take her to the ballroom. 

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Lawrence stood in the ballroom, awaiting the princess. The room was shining with white walls and gold accents. Every guest was cheerful and excited to have a ball.

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