Lost Royalty

Chapter 32

Chapter 32

"Oh, Elizabeth, It is beautiful!" her mother exclaimed when she came into the room.

Mrs Ovens was just finishing some adjustments on her ball dress.

She had originally asked for a dark red dress, but it was quickly pointed out that the day was a celebration, so perhaps a happier colour should be used. Elle didn't mind at all.

She had instead chosen a pretty blue fabric. It was soft to the touch and more beautiful than anything that she had seen before.

Her mother had been reluctant to let Mrs Ovens take the lead on the dress, but after much insistence and persuasion from Elle, she had finally given in.

And it had been worth it. The dress was so stunning, that even Elle had to admit that she would look beautiful in it.

It was close to the ball itself, with only a few days to go.

"Are you ready to come and practise walking down the staircase?" Elle cringed slightly and nodded, letting Mrs Ovens remove the dress.

The staircase was the part that Elle was dreading the most. She would have to walk down in front of everyone and be announced. She was sure that she would fall over, and everyone would be watching.

She had yet to walk down without tripping slightly, and she knew that it would be more difficult with a dress on.

They were trying it for the sixth time when Danny and Andrew walked in.

"Mother, why can't Eliza just try it on the night?" Danny asked, seeing the distressed look on her face.

"She has to get it perfect! Imagine if she falls!" her mother replied.

"If she falls, I will personally walk up the steps and fall down them too," Danny said, making Elle smile in relief. Their mother looked as if she was about to faint.

"He's just joking," Andrew said, holding in his laughter. "But seriously, mother, she will be fine. You are only scaring her more by making her practice."

"Fine, you may go, Elizabeth," she finally gave in.

Elle sighed in relief and followed the boys out.

"Thank you," she said, "I don't think I would have lasted much longer."

"You'll be fine on the night. Just remember that no one will be able to see how tight that you are gripping the hand rail."

"That's encouraging," she muttered sarcastically.

Guests were beginning to arrive, so the castle was ablaze with activity.

"Do you remember the family that we stayed with in Vriles?" Andrew asked Elle.

"Of course," she replied.

"They have arrived for the ball."

"I didn't know that they were coming!" she was excited at seeing them again. They had been so kind to her.

"And there is a lady called Rose who helped with your escape. She risked her life."

"I met her. She helped me out when I was trapped. Can we go and see them all?" Elle asked. She wanted to meet anybody who helped her and tell them how thankful she is.

"Of course, we can go and see them straight away."

They walked through the maze of corridors that Elle still didn't know, and arrived at the guest quarters.

"There is a room for the guests to socialise, so we can check if they are there."

Sure enough, both the family and Rose were sat talking in there.