Staring at herself in the reflection, she ran her hands along the blue lace wrapped around the upper half of her body. The blue represented being in her new position and the next outfits she would be seen in at parties and royal meetings would be the gold and red representing the country. Again she recited the speech she had been practicing with Sir Albert in the mirror. It was different looking at her own face and she knew the impression would change when she was in front of all those people but… but she couldn’t let that get to her. Not now, now that she was the princess.

A small look of surprised moved across her face as Sir Dalton was the one to enter her room. It was already time… She let out a soft sigh as she slowly turned, facing him head on and walking to him. He seemed momentarily motionless and her cheeks flushed red with embarrassment. Did she look that bad?! Her gaze turned down to the dress one more before looking back up to him and pressing her lips together. He looked really, [i]really[/i] good in his formal attire for the evening that it was hard to pull her gaze from him. Oh… oh how jealous her friends were going to be when she write to them and tells them she saw Sir Dalton in his formal attire, a rare sight and one many women would kill to see.

To his quick bow, she picked up the skirts of her dress and gave him a proper and surprisingly graceful curtsy as a response which she had been practicing as much as she did with her speech. “Alright, thank you Sir Dalton.” She responded in a meek voice as she slid her arm through his and placed her hand gently on his bicep.

Her whole body tightened as they got closer and closer to the banquet hall. The small hand on his bicep gripped gently against the cloth of his clothing and her breathing became a bit irregular but she continued to hold her head high and attempted to show as little sign of nervousness as possible. At the entrance to the hall she let out a long breath and spoke softly. “Okay…” Attempting to calm her nerves as the doors opened and the chatter of the banquet hall was finally audible.

Sir Albert was the first to greet the two as they entered and it wasn’t long before Melanie was whisked away from Sir Dalton to be nearly paraded around before her speech. She shot Sir Dalton a look of ‘I’m nervous...” before vanishing into the crowd of people led on the arm of Sir Albert. After meeting countless faces, giving a sad attempt to remember the names of everyone she met but she held her head high, gave bright smiles and conversed with anyone who approached her. The King himself seemed pleased with her poise and grace as she interacted with the guests. There was much less to improve to turn this country bumpkin into a lady of society but just by her actions alone; she was determined to try.

Soon she was ushered on the stage and she took in a deep breath as the room’s attention turned to her and she opened her mouth, beginning her prepared speech.