"You didn't have any trouble did you?" I asked Penelope, questioning her about the delivery of my handwritten letter to my parents. 

"No...I believe it will get delivered safely. I'm more worried about this tea party Your Highness. It's much too sudden and direct..."

Well, yeah. But what can I do about it? I'm beginning to feel more like a puppet than a princess, being controlled like this. The Queen seems very set on molding me into something that i'm not. 

But perhaps...Can I turn this into a good thing? This is my chance to make connections with outsiders who could be beneficial to Dewsdale!

"Your Highness?" she asked with a perplexed expression, while still morphing my hair into some jumbled mess. 

I looked back at the vanity mirror and nodded absently. I wonder what everyone will think of me...

I heard the sound of the doors as they opened. Had someone knocked before? Ah, it was Eloise. Like always... 

"I'm almost done!" Penelope said protestingly, probably at my head inclined towards the right while she was still fixing my hair. 

"Are those for me to sign Eloise?" I asked, eyes fixated on the multiple documents in his hand. 

He bowed and said "Yes. About todays' tea party Your Highness. Food, seats and what not." 

I nodded as he handed me the papers. Yeah. It's really just approval of the menu and seating.

Why are we eating anyway, when we are just going to discuss a charity event? This whole thing is a scam. The only reason young noble girls bother to donate anything is just so they can boast about it during their debutante ball. It's more of a formality than anything else.

Not long ago, I remember thinking of how I was going to spend my debutante with my parents, quietly without any trouble. Now, after this event takes place, it's probably going to turn into a whole ordeal with hundreds of people. Talking with with strangers isn't my favourite thing do, in spite of myself and my job. 

Suddenly, a chill ran down my spine as I remembered what happened the last time I was in the public.

Aurgh. My stomach was starting to twist with a subtle panic. Anything could happen at this point...

"All done!" Penelope said proudly. "Wow, I think I'm getting better at this. What do you think? Nice right!"

I shook off the odd feeling and turned to look at myself in the mirror. 

Um. What is this? It looks like I just came out of a sandstorm...

"No, it looks like she just walked out of a sandstorm." a familiar voice echoed my thoughts. 

Damond! 

"I wasn't talking to you so be quiet! This hairstyle is in vogue." she opposed.

Finally! I feel like it's been ages since i've seen him. But really, it's been a little less than a day. I'm too used to him perhaps.

He was just closing the door behind him now, smiling at my hairdo. 

"If that thing is in vogue, then so are my shoes." he quipped.  

His shoes are quite nice actually. In fact, they looked...new. Now that I take a closer look, I noticed he also wore a few extra badges on his black coat. Instead of his usual red sash, it was now a golden one. What, did he upgrade or something? 

He was already sitting on my bed before laughing at my hair. 

"So, what's with the new look?" I asked curiously. I was waiting for his response, but I was ignored.

"Rina, I won't be able to come with you today..." Damond said, all humor disappearing from his voice. 

"I heard about the gathering but..I have something else to attend to today. I'm going to leave a filler in my place." 

What was this?? He was going to leave me?? "But why?! Where are you going?" my voice was thick with distraught. 

He seemed to be taken aback, as his face was shocked for a split second before returning to a neutral expression. 

His eyes were guarded now, seeming to hide something important. "Somewhere urgent." he answered plainly, trying hard to keep his voice even. 

"You're not going to tell me?" I asked again, expecting an answer. 

He pursed his lips into a hard line and his eyebrows furrowed in frustration. His expression was incomprehensible. 

What in the world?? 

He sighed sharply and got up with a swift move. "The substitute will be waiting outside." he said without looking me in the eye. He was walking towards the exit now, hurriedly and the door was shut before I had the chance to protest. 

"Damond!" 

My mouth was left slightly open, agape in awe of what just happened. He came in looking so cheerful and happy, then left with a face i'd never seen on him before. 

"Well...that was rather odd." Eloise said, his head inclined toward the door holding a dry brush and ink. 

Penelope agreed. 

"That's right. Don't mind him Your Highness. Maybe this place has gotten to his head. He seems to have forgotten his role."

...

"Uh- um, can I have the brush Eloise?" I said facing back to the vanity. I held my hand out and  started to sign the papers as soon as I got it. 

My heart began to beat faster the more I thought about it. I was getting anxious. Is he hiding something from me? But why would he do that?

The mere thought of Damond hiding something from me or lying was so sour that it was a taste on my tongue. It made me feel uncomfortable...we were always so close. How could he-

I inhaled sharply in as I realized that the ink was now staining the vanity desk. 

"Ah- I'll take that now Your Highness." Eloise said. He swiped the brush from me before I could do any more damage. I felt my shoulders sink in guilt as I realised Penelope was going to have to clean that up.(Ink stains are hard to clean off.)

Oops... I was much too distracted. It's because I was thinking about him. Whatever Damond is doing is none of my business.

"..." 

Never mind, it's even hard to lie to my own brain that I don't care... 

"Sorry Penelope. It was my fault.." 

" It's okay Your Highness.. I suppose." 

Although she said this, I could tell that she was most definitely frustrated. She wasn't the type to clean, Daniella was always more suited for that. She preferred flirting with the male servants or dressing me up. Still, I was sorry.

"Oh! While I get the napkin, put on your tiara My Highness. The stylist recommended this one to me." she said excitedly, bringing it out from the drawers. 

No, it wasn't my Official Crown. That was being locked in a safe somewhere else. This one was much lighter and was meant as fashion, a headpiece, rather than anything formal. Still, it did signify some power. It came with earrings too. 

"I'll be back!!" Penelope said before leaving the room. Meanwhile Eloise stacked up all the papers and was getting ready to leave before there was a light knock on the door. 

Is that Damond? Is he coming back to explain his irrational behavior?

Eloise opened the door slowly and smiled endearingly . "Oh! The Young Missus! Please, you must come in!" 

Greer...? Oh! I almost forgot that I had added her as a guest to the invitation list. 

"Your guard is really scary." she said eyes wide in shock. My guard? Oh...that must be the filler that Damond assigned to me. Ugh. 

"Greer. Good morning. I'm so sorry for the short notice of things. I didn't mean for it to be so rushed." i said. I wasn't sure if she even had any other plans, yet I abruptly put her name on the list out of anxiety. I don't even know her that well yet. 

She plopped on my bed while eyeing me. My hair right? 

"No! I'm very happy you invited me! Think about it, we would have just been stuck in lessons otherwise! I like gatherings. It's a chance for me to show off my dress. You like?" She said putting her hands on her very expensive looking blue dress. 

I nodded. I did like it actually. Like yesterday, she paired it with a fan of the same color. 

"Your hair though...quite peculiar." she was eyeing my hairdo again. Well that was very blunt. I appreciate her honesty though. 

"I bet all the girls will copy it soon...Oh!" It looked like a light bulb came over her head. 

"Do you have a copy of the guest list?" 

"Um, yes." But why does that matter? I brought out a copy of the list from my vanity drawer and handed it to her.

She squinted as her eyes ferociously ran over each name. 

"Aha! I knew she would be here! Cassandra!" she said seething. Cassandra? Of Venicke? 

She looked up at me now.

"Hm. I bet Queen Beatrice made this list without your say so in any of it huh?" 

"Yes...! How did you know?!" 

Greer nodded. "She does this sometimes. She can't help it. It's part of her ultra controlling nature. Everything just has to be within her power otherwise she goes insane." she rolled her eyes then while insulting the Queen. 

"But what about Cassandra? Do you know her personally?" I asked. 

Her blue eyes lit up again with a ferocious fire .

"She. Is. Horrible!!" she pronounced every word with distinct distaste. Her pretty face was now set in lines of anger and hatred. It looked childlike actually, as if a baby had gotten a toy taken from them. Not a young girls hatred for another.

"But why is she horrible?" I questioned. I couldn't hold back my smile this time. Her face was too funny. 

"Oh. I'll tell you ALL about her. Sit down." she patted the spot next to her and I joined her on my bed and listened as she blabbered about Countess Cassandra of Venicke. 

I must have nodded my head and said "I see" at least 13 times. I found though, that her apparent dislike for this Countess was just a typical fight between old friends. Apparently, the girl had spread malicious rumours about her when Greer refused to attend her birthday ball. When I asked her why she refused, she didn't give me a clear answer and walked around the question a little. According to her, they stopped talking since that day. But the things Greer said about her really did make her seem like a terrible person. 

I had no idea she was like that. I'd only known Cassandra because her parents usually send 80% of Dewsdale's gold from Venicke. I didn't expect her to turn out like this...No wait. This is only Greer's side of the story. I shouldn't take it too literally. And she seems like the type to stretch out minor details anyway.

"And she always copies my dresses. ALWAYS." her face was dead serious as she said this. 

She seemed so heated that she brought out her small fan and began to whip it below her face. 

She also informed me of the many other girls on the list as well. Somehow, she said she has met all of them at least once and knew a few details about them too. She mentioned the people who were on "her side" and those who were on "Cassandra's side." 

Although I was listening carefully, I became eerily aware of something about Greer. She knew the insides and outs of every single girl on this list. Their good and their bad. It made me a bit uncomfortable to realise that she would probably try and get under my skin as well. She's not the type of person that I would want to cross...

"Hm, I see..." I nodded again.

It was then the doors opened and Greer stopped talking. Both of our heads snapped towards the door. 

Penelope was now closing the door behind her her chest rising up and down, panting. Her face dotted with sweat. 

"Y-your Highness. I-i got the napkin but..." 

She seemed too exhausted to finish her sentence and sunk to the floor, her back against the door. 

"Penelope, are you alright?? Come sit down!!" i said standing up from my bed. 

She looked up at me an then at Greer, who she just noticed was there. Penelope stood up quickly and brushed out her dress hurriedly. 

"Oh...! Forgive me Your Grace. I am Penelope Lancaster, Her Highness's personal assistant."  She bowed to her now. 

Greer didn't seem to care much and only fanned herself while smiling at her. "It's alright." 

Penelope looked at me again and said " Your Highness. The chefs are done preparing now. They've already set the food on the table. The guests are already heading to the garden." 

Wait, what?? Just how long were we talking?? 

"Good!" Greer said hopping off the bed. She looked excited now. Her blue eyes wide with malicious anticipation. 

"You should wear your headpiece Kaprina, show them that you are truly a Princess." 

Of course I would wear it.  I had to. I went to my vanity and put on my earrings on each ear, and placed the tiara on my head. 

I looked at myself in the mirror now, staring into my own chocolate eyes. I'm anxious aren't I? Shouldn't I be used to this by now? I didn't feel like a Princess, but I certainly am one. 

Greer came to stand by my side looking at me in the mirror as well her fan over her chin. She smiled. 

I looked back at myself. I inhaled then exhaled. I can do it. I can. 

With my new resolve, I said to myself. 

"I'll try my best."

Context: 

*Debutante- an official 'coming of an age' party/ball for young noble girls. (think of it like a Quinceañera.)