1 Prologue: A bird Above the Ball

Though the sun began to sink down into the horizon, the evening was bright with a welcoming vibrance. The whole Kingdom blossomed from the celebratory seed my father planted for their future queen; for me, soon to be Queen of Norlensberg. The thought of becoming queen made an invigorating shiver course down my spine. With a dramatic sigh, I exclaimed to myself, "me, queen of all of Norlensberg!", I paused to throw my arms into the air, "absolutely cliche! I am far from graceful and yet, I wouldn't ask for it to be any different. I am glad I get to be queen." I smiled to myself because this was the first time I had spoken aloud of the acceptance of my duty to my people

I walked out onto the main balcony which was tucked away just beside the upper stairs. The view was stunning, I felt like a bird looking upon the entire ballroom. The gathering people looked miniscule but eye-catching nonetheless. I noted how every lady's enthralling gown danced across the white marble tile. They had a dignified arm intertwined with their partner who wore their most cunning black suit and tie. Jealous at the courtly ladies, I improved my posture and practiced talking to my very own imaginary date: "good evening to you fine sir, you look as dashing as ever. Yes of course I will have this dance!" I pretended to put my hand out as though a fine man might take it and dance me into the lively night.

After a brief moment spent giggling as I danced with my imagination, I began to make my way to the stairs. I couldn't help but marvel how my dress rippled around me. It was a gorgeous satin that gathered off my shoulders and rested just below my collarbone. The dress seemed to be made of liquid gold for it clung to the shape of my slender frame and pooled around my heels. I was adorned with the role of elegance but a tinged of nervousness began to surface. No matter how I was embellished, nothing could cover my overall clumsy caliber. At the thought of this, I began to fumble with the crown on top of my curly mass of auburn hair; anxiety had been sparked and now was gnawing within my stomach. I took a deep breath to settle my nervousness and started down the stairs to join the celebration.

Upon entering the dance floor, I had to squint my eyes in order to take in all the flamboyant colors. Life was dipped in passion as it danced to the thundering rhythm of royal band. The fresh vividness of the moment left my breath shaky. "Beautiful party tonight isn't it, Clove", my father stood next to me with his usual tall and confidant statue. Meeting his gaze I could see the exuberance of the party reflected in his golden eyes.

We would have been mistaken for twins due to our similar auburn hair and gold eyes but my father had aged confidence and more chiseled features. "It is an astounding party, so astounding that it feels like a dream." At this he laughed, "Indeed it does." Standing together we enjoyed the only brief moment of silence that the night would allow. my sister Ryia came running with a bouquet of flowers clumsily held in her arms. "Papa! Clove! Guess what! There are the most beautiful flowers all over tonight! Oh and can't you smell the Rosemary it is all so lovely I think I might faint!" Ryia approached my father giggling and showing him the bouquet that was overflowing onto the marble.

He swept her up and began kissing her rosy cheeks, "look Clove I picked the prettiest little flower of them all, wouldn't you agree?" I could see Ryias' hazel eyes glistening with joy as I tapped her nose, "yes I would agree this is a true rare beauty!" She began to giggle once more and dramatically sighed, "No. no father you must have mistaken, Clove is the most lovely of them all!" she reached over and tapped me back her giggles began to spread to me. Catching me by surprise, Father grabbed my waist with his spare arm and embraced us tightly "you both are the most beautiful, precious, daughters of mine!" Ryia and I were now giggling tremendously and I chimed "Why thank you but we are your only daughters!" At this Ryia was laughing so hard that she began to snort flower petals. Father set us down saying, "Ok, ok my dears you got me but we better catch a breath before Ryia loses her whole bouquet up her nose." Turning to me he continued, "besides I want to have your first dance", Father held out his hand, "may I?" I curtsied and said as elegantly as I could, "Oh yes why of course! Ryia be so kind to find your friends for a moment." "Yes Clove, but I get his second dance" She winked at me then hurried off into the crowd of people.

The music began to lift into a sweet melody as my father gracefully led me further onto the dance floor. "You look so grown up Cloviana it's shocking! I remember when you were just to my knee and I would always get back aces from looking down at you." His eyes began to water up, "she would be so proud of you. Ryia looks so much like your mother, but you most definitely have her heart." I held him a bit closer and laughed, "thank you father." He swung me around about to say something but was interrupted with the sounds of someone screaming, "Veinnore! He is here!"