2 The Ball of Four Kingdoms

When Princess Layla steps out onto the balcony, she takes in the bottom floor. True to her guess, everyone else important is already there mingling. Everyone present wears formal dresses just as puffy as hers, and suits firmly pressed. Even the warriors who usually wear the bare minimum comply with the dress code.

She immediately spots her father sitting with the King of witches, King Nolan. His dark skin is complimented with the purple tone of his suit. His son Prince Sorin doesn't stand too far away from him, conversing with his mother, Queen Nevaeh. They wear matching colors of dark and light purples, representing their kingdom among three others.

Like Princess Layla, Prince Sorin doesn't look appeased by being there. 

She doesn't understand why they have to have this stupid dinner ball. Where both friends and enemies are invited? 

At the thought of enemies, she seeks them out next. 

She finds Princess Olivia among a small harem of men. She smirks and talks, each of them bewitched by her beauty. 

Princess Layla scowls at the mean vampire. Memories of when they were younger invades her mind and her scowl turns into a frown. 

King Valentine, her father broods in his chair next to his Queen, Molina. His black suit stands out among the color of dresses and matching suits. Along with the vampire Queens black and red gown. Red laces of roses litters the bottom of her skirt, and Princess Layla must admit, she fills it out nicely. 

Princess Layla seeks out the human kingdom next. Prince Beckett and King Atticus are seen whispering to each other as the hold wine in their hands. She narrows her eyes, and focuses on her ears. She tries to tune the rest of the room out and sees if she can hear them from where she is. 

Just in case it isn't gossip. 

"Can you believe she's wearing such dark colors?" A girl says.

"Why on earth would they think black is okay to wear to a dinner ball? This isn't a funeral." Another girl says. 

She tunes their conversation out and tries again. 

"How long are they going to keep us without food?" A man mumbles. "I'm hungry damn it. Do you know how long my wife has held me without food for this? Seven hours. Seven. She went on about lobster and clams. And roasted pig. The delicacies." 

Princess Layla growls, and tries once more. Third is charmed, yes?

"Does that damn princess expect us to wait here all night for her?" She gasps when she hears the familiar voice. Her eyes snap back over to her father and she giggles when he glares at her. 

His glare turns into a smile and with a subtle head nod, he gestures her to come down. 

Before she walks towards the announcer, She huffs when she realizes she couldn't do it. 

As soon as the announcer recognizes her, he lets out a sigh of relief. 

Princess Layla settles at the top of the stairs and nods her head, "Go ahead." 

"Welcoming Princess Layla of the Werewolf kingdom!" He shouts. 

The conversations among the crowd comes to a halt, and everyone turns to see her. She takes in the eyes of judgement and grudges for her late arrival. 

King Lucian walks to her and smiles, "Took your time did you?" He asks, his voice light and teasing. 

"I apologize. Mia was not satisfied with how tight my dress was. She needed it tighter." Princess Layla mumbles, "That woman, I swear she has it out for me." 

"Do not blame your lateness on your lady in waiting, Princess." Prince Sorin of the witches bows as she curtsies. "Just admit that you wanted to be fashionably later than the rest of us. You do look stunning." He takes in her dress appreciatively. 

"Thank you, you do as well." She replies back. The witches, were to say the least, tolerable. They were one with nature as we are. They appreciate the balance between life and death. 

"Since you've only arrived, you must say hello to everyone." King Lucian says, "Now go do so. I'm sure everyone is upset with your late arrival." 

Princess Layla pulls her shoulders back and nods her head, "Yes, your majesty." 

One by one Princess Layla greets their guests with a forced smile on her face. She plays pleasantries and niceness. However when she reaches Prince Beckett of humans, the familiar yet foreign smell of nature tickles her nose. It's not strong enough to come from the prince himself. But as if he is around the person who smells like it. 

"Must you really have been that late?" Prince Beckett asks as soon as Princess Layla approaches him. 

She forces a smile and doesn't bother a courtesy if Prince Beckett isn't going to bow first. It is custom afterall.

"There was a wardrobe mishap, I'll have you know." Princess Layla glares back at him. 

"That entire dress is a wardrop mishap if you ask me." Olivias heels click against the marble floor as she comes to stand beside Prince Beckett. 

Layla tries to hold in her growl, "I understand that my dress doesnt suit your tastes. And im sure that your family's style doesnt suit the rest of ours either." 

"Retract your claws, Princesses." Sorin steps over and takes a stand beside Princess Layla. "We are at a ball are we not?" 

"This is hardly a ball. Where is the entertainment?" Olivia wrinkles her nose as she glances around. 

A live band plays on a stone stage. The dance floor is full of couples dancings. 

Sure it wasn't the best party, King Lucian was never great at it. 

"We don't accept torcher as entertainment." Princess Layla spits back at her. 

Olivia grins one in return, "We'll see about that." 

"Disregarding Princess Olivias obvious attempt to rile you up, Would you like to dance?" Prince Sorin asks Princess Layla.

She accepts with no hesitation.

She places her hand on his own soft one, and he leads her to the dance floor. 

She places one hand on his shoulder and his on her waist.

"I appreciate you doing that. Being around her is insufferable." Princess Layla huffs. "I was so close to wolfing out on her." 

Prince Sorin chuckles, and nods his head, "It takes great strength to put up with her, yes. Her negative energy is so strong. I can feel it coming off her in waves."

"I thought a dance would be a win-win situation for us both." He continued.