In the midst of the buzz of conversation and light music, both of the main doors opened with a sound that echoed across the ballroom. There was a distant cry of 'Your Highness, wait for the annoucement-"

But Princess Jinayah was already before them. Gone was the awkward spare heir, gone was the hay dusted, nervous girl. Instead, a proud young lady stood in her place. She too, wore her country's colors with pride. Her dress was the color of a moonless midnight. Black to the eye, until the candlelight hit just so. Then a wealth of color revealed itself with every shift of fabric. It went to her neck, but left her shoulders bared. Her dark brown skin gleamed with health and muscle. Her black curls were braided around a silver diadem that was sharp enough to be a weapon in its own right. She looked beautiful, but more than that, she looked dangerous.

All eyes in the room went to her. Only her sisters would know the nervousness in her gaze. By the time she joined her family, the nobles' conversation had shifted. 

"Good evening."