Chapter 4: The Ball

Tiqa curtsied to Ana and Victor and said, "Thank you so much for helping me find Driaka." Ana smiled and said, "You're welcome, child." Tiqa said, "I'm just so grateful, and I don't know how I could repay you." Ana said, "Don't worry about it, child. Seeing you so happy is all the payment I need." While Tiqa was talking to Ana and Victor, Stephen was staring at Tiqa. He had a smile on his face when someone touched on his shoulder. He turned around to see his dad, and his dad said, "Stephen, my boy, why aren't you dressed?" Stephen said, "Dressed for what?" Mark said, "Remember the dinner and ball tonight?" Stephen said, "Oh yeah, the ball and dinner. I almost forgot." He turned back around and stared at Tiqa and Mark said, "Well you need to get dressed, your sisters are bringing their ladies in waiting and also we invited some other princesses and a noblewoman as well in hopes to find you a wife." Stephen continued to stare at Tiqa while saying, "Yeah, sure, I'll get right on my duties." Mark said, "Well, Nobleman Cedar and Prince Mike are coming tonight, and if I'm not mistaken, those are your best friends." Stephen continued to stare at Tiqa and said, "Yeah, sure, I love berry pie." Mark said, "Cedar is going to be staying here to help you out for a few months." Stephen said, "Yeah, that's my favorite song too." Mark asked, "Stephen, what are you staring at?" Stephen looked at his dad and said, "Oh, uh, Driaka's older sister is here." Mark looked over at Tiqa, smiled, and said, "Oh well, when you're done staring at her, your mother and I would like to have a word with her. You two can meet us in the living room and then after you need to get dressed." Stephen said, "Yeah, I'll get right on it." Mark walked back to the living room, and Stephen continued to stare at Tiqa. 

While Stephen stared at Tiqa, Tiqa continued to talk to Ana. Ana said, "Well, I'm glad that both of you came here tonight during the special dinner and ball." Tiqa said, "There's going to be a dinner and ball? I don't think I'm dressed for that." Susan said, "Oh, we have something for you to wear. We have a room full of ballroom dresses." Jenessa said, "I can show them to you if you would like." Tiqa smiled and said, "That's very kind of you, but I wouldn't want to intrude on you guys. Using up your stuff." Ana glanced over at Stephen to see him staring at Tiqa. She smiled and said to Tiqa, "Oh nonsense, you aren't intruding on anyone." Victor said, "I'm sure that it won't be a bother to anyone. Plus, you look to be about Hannah's and Lisa's size. I'm sure their dresses will fit you perfectly." Tiqa asked, "Who is Hannah and Lisa?" Susan answered, "My older sisters. I have 12 older sisters and 1 older brother." Tiqa said, "My goodness, you have a large family. Driaka is my only family. Driaka, Song, and God." Susan said, "Ah yes, your pet bird. I met her at the berry patch. Where is she?" Tiqa said, "Outside, probably flying around your garden." Ana glanced over at Stephen to see him still looking at Tiqa. Ana smiled and said, "Oh, Stephen, come here." Stephen's face turned red, he said, "Coming," and walked over to them. Susan said, "Stephen, we were talking about Tiqa and what she is going to wear tonight. She's going to look beautiful, won't she, Stephen." Stephen said, "Ah uh um I would love to talk about wardrobe, but Tiqa, my parents would like to have a word with you." Tiqa said, "A word with me? About what?" Stephen said, "They didn't say, but don't worry about it, it's nothing bad." Stephen put out his hand towards Tiqa and said, "Come, I'll take you to them." Tiqa grabbed his hand, and he led her to the living room while Driaka, Jenessa, and Susan giggled. 

Tiqa and Stephen entered the living room, and Tiqa saw the king and queen sitting on the couch while Stephen stared at her. Tiqa curtsied and said, "Hello." They said  "Hello" back and Queen Catherine said, "Oh please sit." Tiqa and Stephen sat on chairs, and Stephen continued to stare at Tiqa. Tiqa said, "Uh, your Highness Prince Stephen, are you alright?" Stephen's face turned red. He looked away and said, "Fine, why do you ask?" Tiqa smiled and said, "Oh no reason." Catherine said, "You'll have to excuse my son. He's not used to visitors." Stephen said, "Yeah, that's right, I'm not used to visitors heh-heh." Mark said, "Now, Tiqa, your sister tells us you guys are orphans and have been living in the forest." Tiqa said, "Yes, that's true we've been living there for the majority of her life." Catherine said, "Have you lived there your whole life as well? What happened to your parents?" Tiqa said, "Well, it was 7 years ago on my 12th birthday, exactly. My parents blindfolded me and took us out in the forest. We must've walked for 9 hours. When I took off my blindfold, my mother hit me over the head with a stick or something and ran off along with my dad. I think they left us there for dead. I think they thought I was dead. Well, I don't know. I must've been knocked out for 2, 3 hours, but I was awoken by rain. It was freezing out, and we were in the middle of nowhere, but God led us to the cottage deep in the forest, and we've been there ever since." Stephen said, "Amazing!" Mark said, "How long have you been there?" Tiqa said, "Almost 8 years. That's why I'm so glad you found us now. I can get work and support us both." Ana ran in yelling, "Yes, I knew it! Congratulations!" Everyone in the room looked at Ana, and Ana said, "Don't you know it's improper to stare?" Catherine said, "Don't you know that it is improper to eavesdrop, little sister?" Ana said, "We could stand here and talk about my eavesdropping, or we could address what Tiqa just said about going out and working!" Mark said, "We were just about to before you rudely barged in." Ana said, "I'm a grown woman and a queen at that! I don't have to take this from a brother in law of any sort. I'm going to Victor." Catherine chuckled and said, "Where you should be, little sister." Ana left the room, and Mark said, "Now Tiqa, you will do nothing of the sort. You and your sister are free to live here." Tiqa said, "I really wouldn't want to intrude." Stephen said, "No, it's no intrusion at all." Ana yelled from outside, "You should take the offer they don't let just anyone live here at the castle. It's a once and a lifetime opportunity." Catherine yelled, "Thank you, annoying little sister." Tiqa said, "Well, I guess we'll stay." Mark said, "I'm happy you chose to stay." Catherine said, "Now you two must go and get ready. Our daughters Hannah, Lisa, Gina, Rachel, Amanda, Alice, Brianna, Samantha, Ruth, Gia, Linda, and Justine are coming over with their husbands Timothy, River, Lucas, Frank, Jackson, Tony, Derek, Simon, Reese, John, Ben, and Adam. Also Rachel is bringing Tammy, Ruth is bringing Cindy, Hannah is bringing Alison, and Lisa is bringing Mindy their they're ladies in waiting, and also my other sister Queen Nina is coming and my husband's sister Queen Rose is coming with their husbands King Jackson and King Peter. Oh, and Nobleman Cedar is coming along with Prince Mike..." Stephen interrupted, saying, "Cedar and Mike are coming?! I haven't seen them in a long time. My best friends are coming here?!" Mark said, "Yes, son, I told you that. I also told you that Cedar will be staying with us for a few months. Have you forgotten so soon?" Stephen said, "It must've slipped my mind." Tiqa said, "What a big family. That's a lot of people coming." Catherine said, "Yes, there are, and also my parents, Queen Ava and King Joshua, are also coming as well as my husband's parents, King Samuel and Queen Hope, are coming. Also, Princess Ashely, Princess Alyssa, Princess Lucy, Noblewoman Tina, and Princess Reena are coming as well as Nobleman Benny, Nobleman Rich, and Prince Carson. They are coming for the dance." Tiqa said, "Well, that's certainly a lot of people." Mark said, "Yes, we have a lot of people coming tonight." Ana, Victor, Jenessa, Driaka, and Susan walked into the room, and Ana said, "Stephen and Tiqa, shouldn't you two be getting dressed? The guests are going to be here any minute." Stephen said, "Oh yes, I must get dressed in my best outfit." Stephen left the room, and Catherine yelled, "And don't forget your crown." Stephen yelled back, "I won't." Catherine said, "This dinner and ball is to try to find him a wife." Tiqa said, "Oh well... that's great." Ana said, "But he won't. These women are just not what he's looking for." Mark said, "Let's just hope one of these girls from tonight will be it." Ana said, "Hmm, yeah, hoping." Jenessa said, "Well you highness Princess Tiqa I can show you too the Ballroom Gown Room so you can get a dress and I'm sure Kelly the head tailor will be more than happy to do your hair." Tiqa smiled and said, "That would be lovely." Jenessa took Tiqa to the Ballroom Gown Room while Driaka and Susan followed.

While Tiqa was getting dressed, the ballroom filled with all the guests. The ballroom was 8000 square feet and had shiny light brown wood floors. The colors of the walls were white, and the ceiling was also white and had crown molding. In the middle of the ceiling hung a glass chandelier, and on the walls of the ballroom were pictures of Crosses and self-portraits of the royal family. There was a light brown wood staircase that led into the ballroom, and it had a white banister. At the top of the staircase were glass doors and two men wearing light blue suits that opened the doors and announced who came in. Stephen walked up to the glass doors wearing a black suit with a white dress shirt underneath. He had his silver crown on that had amethysts throughout it. The men opened the doors and announced, "Announcing his Highness Prince Stephen." The whole room stared at Stephen as he walked down the stairs. When he got to the bottom of the stairs, they all carried on with their business. Two men walked up to him. One man had black hair and brown eyes. He wore a black suit with a white dress shirt underneath his suit coat as well and wore a silver crown with diamonds throughout it. The other man wore a navy blue suit with a white dress shirt underneath. He had red hair and brown eyes. Stephen said, "Mike, Cedar! How have you guys been?" Mike and Cedar said, "Great." Cedar said, "I see you're looking for a wife now, Stephen. You better hurry soon before you're old and gray." Stephen laughed and said, "Cedar, you're 1 year younger than me." Mike said, "Well, that means Cedar is young and fresh, and you, my friend, are old." Stephen smiled and said, "Oh, will you two be quiet. Last time I checked, neither of you have a wife either." Mike said, "Yeah, but I think Alyssa could be a wife of mine." Stephen laughed and said, "Remember when you thought Amanda was going to be your wife?" Cedar and Stephen laughed, and Mike said, "Hey, I thought we made a good connection." Cedar said, "Yeah, great, you were 9, and she was 15." Stephen said, "Now she's 25, married, and pregnant with triplets." Mike said, "Well, that was when I was an immature child. Now I'm a 20 year old man." Stephen said, "20 years old and still doesn't have a wife." Mike laughed and said, "Neither do you." Stephen said  "Yeah well I'm going to get one." They walked away from the steps and continued talking to each other.

While they were talking, Jenessa, Driaka, and Susan were coming to the ballroom. Susan, Jenessa, and Driaka walked up to the glass doors, and the men opened the doors and announced, "Announcing her highness Princess Susan, Lady Jenessa, and her highness Princess Driaka." Jenessa, Susan, and Driaka walked down the stairs. When they got to the bottom, Susan said, "Come Driaka, I'll introduce you to my sisters, brothers in law, grandparents, uncles, and aunts." While Susan and Jenessa introduced Driaka to Susan's family, Tiqa was walking to the ballroom. Tiqa wore a desert rose pink color, floor length, column style dress, and white lace gloves. She had black heels that were covered by her long dress. She had her long black hair tied up into a ponytail that had curls in it. She had some hair hanging in front of her face for her bangs, and she had a white flower in her hair. She said, "Oh God, this is a dream come true. I look just like a princess. I couldn't thank You enough. Thank You for all that You've done." She walked up to the glass doors to the ballroom, and the men opened them and announced, "announcing her highness Princess Tiqa." The whole room stared at her in silence for her beauty stunned the entire room. She slowly walked down the stairs as everyone in the room stared at her. While she was walking, Mike asked, "Who's the new Princess? I haven't heard of her or seen her a day in my life?" Cedar asked, "Stephen, what kingdom is she from?" Without taking his eyes off of her, Stephen said, "Yeah, I'll get right on that." Cedar said, "She's beautiful." Stephen continued to stare at Tiqa and said, "Beautiful is an understatement." 

While Stephen, Cedar, and Mike talked about her, she finally made it down the stairs and the room carried on with their business. Hannah, Amanda, Jenessa, Ana, Driaka, Susan, Lisa, and Alyssa walked up to her. Susan said, "You look so amazing." Jenessa said, "You look just like a princess!" Driaka said, "You look so beautiful, Tiqa." Tiqa smiled and said, "Well, thank you, Driaka, Lady Jenessa, and your Highness Princess Susan, you all look beautiful too." Amanda said, "I'm Queen Amanda, and I see you've met Jenessa and Susan." Tiqa said, "Yes, I have." Susan said, "Amanda is my older sister along with that blonde next to her that's my other sister Lisa, and the black hair girl next to her is my other sister Hannah. Hey, did you know Amanda is pregnant with triplets?! I'm going to be an auntie just like Auntie Ana." The adults that surrounded Tiqa (including Tiqa) laughed, and Tiqa said, "My, my, that is exciting. How far along are you, your Majesty?" Amanda said, "5 Months and boy are they kicking. I hope to have at least one daughter." Tiqa smiled and said, "I'm sure you will. Children are a blessing, aren't they? I don't know what I would do without Driaka." Driaka smiled and said, "I don't know what I would do without you either!" 

While Tiqa was talking to the group that surrounded her, Mike and Cedar were talking to Stephen about her while Stephen continually stared at her. Cedar said, "You sure do like her, don't you?" Stephen looked at Cedar and said, "Hmm, what? I didn't hear what you said." Mike said, "Someone got hit bad." Stephen said, "What are you two talking about? Sure, Tiqa is pretty. I mean, she's got those beautiful brown eyes, and that long black hair, and that dress is so beautiful on her. She looks so elegant, so amazing, and so beautiful, so... I'm sorry, what were we talking about again?" Cedar and Mike chuckled, and Cedar said, "You've got hit with something, my friend." Stephen said, "Look, she's beautiful, but I don't know her all that well." Mike said, "That still doesn't mean you don't like her." Stephen looked at Tiqa, looked back at Cedar and Mike, and said, "Look, guys, I barely know her. I want to know her first." 

While Mike, Cedar, and Stephen were talking, Tiqa was talking to the group that surrounded her. Susan said, "Have you seen my brother yet?" Tiqa said, "No, not yet." Hannah said, "Well, he's sure seen you. I caught him staring at you." Tiqa said, "Really... Not like that matters." Susan grabbed Tiqa's hand and said, "Come on, I'll take you to him." Susan took Tiqa over to her brother while Jenessa and Driaka followed. They walked up to her brother, his back turned to them. Mike and Cedar bowed, and Stephen turned around and saw them standing there. Stephen bowed and said, "Hello, your Highness," and Tiqa curtsied while saying "Hello your Highness, and I take it you behind him are his Highness Prince Mike and Nobleman Cedar." Mike and Cedar said, "Yes, hello, your Highness Princess Tiqa." Driaka said, "Wow, isn't Tiqa just beautiful?" Susan said, "Yeah, big brother, isn't she just stunning? Isn't she the most beautiful girl you've ever seen in your life?" Stephen said, "Uh um uh." A man wearing a tan suit walked up to them. The man had dark brown hair and light blue eyes. He bowed and said, "Hello, your Highness Princess Susan, Lady Jenessa, Your Highness Prince Stephen, Your Highness Prince Mike, and the beautiful Princess Tiqa." Susan, Driaka, Jenessa, and Stephen glared at the man, but he paid them no mind. Tiqa said, "Th-Thank you, but who are you?" The man said, "I'm Prince Carson, and might I say you make quite the entrance. You are stunning." Carson took Tiqa's hand and kissed it. Ana glared at Carson and walked over to them. Carson said, "You are more beautiful than the flowers that bloom during springtime." Stephen glared at Carson and said,"It's not proper manners to walk up to a lady you barely know and give her compliments out of nowhere. What if she's taken? Do you know? It's not proper, not one bit. You don't walk up to royalty without a proper introduction and shower a lady you don't even know with compliments in front of a group of people. It's bad manners, and what if she had been taken by a person in this group?" Carson said, "Now, now, no need to get jealous your highness. I was only paying this beautiful rare rose a compliment." Stephen said, "But what if she had been taken? You don't know. You didn't even ask. It's just bad manners." Carson said, "And insulting me in front of these ladies is also bad manners." Ana said, "Hello, everyone." Carson, Mike, and Cedar bowed while saying, "Hello, your majesty." Ana said, "Carson, have you talked to King Mark and Queen Catherine yet?" Carson said, "Well, no, I haven't." Ana said, "Well, I would think that entering into their kingdom, you would at least say hello as manners calls." Carson said, "You're right," and walked away to greet the king and queen. Tiqa said, "Well, I should be mingling too. Um, Lady Jenessa, why don't you and her Highness Princess Susan introduce me and Driaka to your family?" Ana said, "Wouldn't it be better if an adult like I don't know say Stephen introduced you. It's proper manners." Stephen's face turned red, and he said, "Well, I could... If you would like." Tiqa said  "Well... Okay, you can introduce me and Driaka to your family." Driaka said, "Susan and Jenessa already introduced me to everyone." Tiqa said, "Of course they did." Susan said, "Well, just because we introduced Driaka doesn't mean Stephen can't introduce you." Stephen said, "Only if you want me to Tiqa." Tiqa said, "I... um... I..." she turned around, said, "I have to go," and left the ballroom. A soft frown came to Stephen's face, and Ana said, "Girls, why don't you go and dance." Driaka, Susan, and Jenessa left to go dance, and Ana said to Stephen, "I'll go and talk to her. Don't worry about a thing, Stephen." Ana left the ballroom while Stephen stood there thinking about Tiqa.