A few days went by since we got back from the caves, and as Charlie had promised, he ensured that our people would be taken care of by having shipments of extra items sent to the caves. Charlie sent these shipments out at night to maintain the secrecy of our people, and I couldn't have been more grateful for his understanding and willingness to help. And, since that day, Isaiah has acted like his shadow. He was supposed to be like my shadow and protect me, but I didn't complain since I had other things to worry about anyway. Like Caspia. Speaking of her, she had previously asked me to help her decide on which hairstyle to do for the engagement ball, and I couldn't have felt more bored in my life. But, in her defense, this ball was extremely important to her, so I tried my best to help her as much as I could.

"Something with braids," she said with a sigh. "I need to do something with braids."

"Two braids?"

"No."

"One braid? Have it rest on one shoulder."

"No. Too simple."

"What if we added accessories?"

"Still too simple. Oh, I know. How about a crown braid?"

"Sure, but with or without the accessories?"

"With them, obviously."

She then turned towards me, her eyes scanning me up and down.

"What?"

"We need to pick out a hairstyle for you as well. And a dress. Thankfully we're the same size, so the seamstress will have plenty of options for you to wear that I've turned down."

"I don't need to look like you, Caspia. I'm just a servant."

"But you aren't. Now that we've established that you're from the caves and that you're a..."

"Fetcher?"

"Yes! Because you're a Fetcher, the most important family of the entire cave system, you are royalty. A completely different kind of royalty, but still royalty."

"So what are you saying? I'm still your lady-in-waiting, aren't I?"

"Yes, even though you tried to quit on me."

"In my defense, Caspia, I was fearing for my life that day."

She laughed as she got up from her chair.

"I'm trying to say that you need to get in touch with the princess in you."

"There is no princess in me, Caspia. I wasn't raised to be a princess, I was raised to be a scavenger and a warrior."

"But there's no need for that anymore. This is your home now, and things are done differently up here than down there."

"Mm. I think I'd rather be a servant than a princess."

"Okay fine. But as my personal servant, you still have to maintain a certain image. You aren't just any ordinary servant of the castle. So, with that being said, you need a hairstyle. ...And a dress...and some shoes. Oh, and we can't forget about the makeup. Oh, and the nails-"

"Can we just focus on one thing at a time?"

"Fine. Let's go to the seamstress."

"Now?"

"Now!"

She dragged me along without a second thought. I tried to pull against her, but her strength was incredible. Eventually, we arrived at the seamstress's room, which was wide open and ready for someone to walk in.

"Miss Murphy?"

While Caspia called for the seamstress, I took a look around. It was a warm room, filled with plenty of color both from the fabrics surrounding us and from the furnishing. It was nowhere near as colorful as their grandmother's room, however. By the window stood an eye-catching red and black dress on display; one with long, butterfly-like sleeves and a fabric pattern resembling the shape of roses. I've never seen a dress so...

"Beautiful?"

I turned around to a person who read my mind. It had to be Miss Murphy. Her hair was gray, but she looked to be middle-aged. She wore thin, square glasses, and had the most expressive green eyes that showed friendliness and warmth to anyone who stepped foot in her office.

"It's yours if you want it."

"I couldn't possibly-"

"It goes well with your skin tone. Especially that deep shade of red. Top it with some dark red lipstick and you have yourself a timeless look."

"Miss Murphy always knows best," Caspia laughed, her hands brushing over a blue and white dress. "You should listen to her. Anyway, Miss Murphy, would you mind if I try this on? Just to make sure it fits right."

"Go ahead, sweetheart."

As soon as Caspia stepped behind a dressing screen, someone else's footsteps came in.

"Jess?"

"Isaiah? What are you doing in here?"

"Looking around. This place is bigger than I thought. I was trying to find the kitchen but I ended up over here. I only came in here because I heard your voice."

"Well, I'm busy right now, Isaiah. Ask someone else if you need someone to take you to the kitchen."

"I'm not even hungry anymore."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"So you don't want a...tickle sandwich?"

"Jess I swear to you-"

I started tickling him anyway, laughing as I did it. We were both laughing so hard that Caspia had to step out to see what was going on.

"You're both incredibly loud! How in the world could-"

That's when she paused. She paused once she and Isaiah made eye contact. It was almost instant. And it was weird. It was as if somebody had cast a spell on the both of them.

"Jessella," she eventually said, his voice cracking a little. "You never introduced me to your brother."

"Jess, you never introduced me to the princess."

"...Sorry? I've been busy. I thought you two would've run into each other by now."

"Not yet. Princess Caspia, I'm Isaiah. Isaiah Fetcher. And you look beautiful in that dress."

"Thank you, Isaiah. I plan on wearing it to the engagement ball."

"If you do, you'll be the most gorgeous woman there."

"Thank you...Jessella, may I have a word with you?"

I wasn't allowed to say no. She pulled my arm and dragged me behind the dressing screen, her face looking all flustered.

"What?"

"Jessella...you didn't tell me that your brother was so tall and muscular."

"Does it matter?"

"Yes! Yes, it does matter, because-"

"Oh. My. Word. Caspia."

"What!?"

"You think he's-"

"Oh, hush! Could you be any louder?"

"I'm just surprised, that's all. Out of all the men in the world you could feel attracted to...you choose him. My brother. Him. My most annoying sibling."

"More like the most handsome sibling."

"Ew. Caspia, trust me when I say you don't want to be with him. Besides, you just said you're wearing this dress to the engagement ball, right? The engagement ball that you'll be getting engaged in. And I doubt that you'll be getting engaged to my brother at the ball."

I couldn't imagine Isaiah proposing-let alone proposing to her. And, additionally, my brother wasn't the most...romantic man. Like me, he hasn't shown much interest in keeping relationships outside of our family. The last thing I would ever expect him to do would be for him and Caspia to get together.

"I suppose you're right," she said, a slight frown forming on her face. "I've just never seen someone so muscular-looking before. Tell me, what does he look like with his shirt off?"

"You're going to make me throw up."

"Sorry. He just…seems sweet."

"He’s not."

"Not to you. He’s your brother, so of course he isn’t sweet to you."

"Okay, fair point. But imagine if Charlie and I started to…have feelings for each other."

"Ew."

"See? It’s a gross feeling. Besides, Isaiah isn’t a romantic. He probably won’t get you flowers, so don’t expect them."

"Oh."

"Sorry to disappoint."

"No-no, you’re right. This is why you’re my lady-in-waiting. I have an engagement ball to worry about, and you’re absolutely right. I will be getting engaged there after all, and I…"

She peeked outside of the screen, making eye contact with him. They both smiled at the same time. Blech.

"Caspia, no."

"Can I just hug him? One time?"

"No! We have other things to worry about. Let me get him out of here before you get even more distracted."

"Aw."

I stormed away from the dressing screen and tried my best to tug Isaiah away-though it didn’t work too well since he was built like a brick wall.

"What did she say about me?" He asked with a smirk.

"Nothing important. Now come on and get out, we have things to get done in here."

"That princess is something, isn’t she?"

"She’s crazy."

"She’s gorgeous."

After a minute of trying to tug on him, he finally allowed me to pull him into the hallway.

"Has her hair always been so golden? It looks soft. Maybe I could-"

"No, Isaiah. You couldn’t. She has an engagement ball."

"Maybe they can call it off."

"Yeah right," I laughed. "I’m sure they’d call it off for a cave dweller who suddenly has feelings for the princess."

"It’s not that simple, Jess. I’m in love with her."

I laughed so hard at that. Tears started to form in my eyes due to how hard I was laughing. But Isaiah’s face remained serious.

"Jess."

"You two wouldn’t work!"

"And how do you know?"

"Because we come from two different worlds, for one. We live very differently. Also, she needs someone who can support her through her…well, her everything. She has so many mood swings. It’ll throw you off."

"But-"’

"And, she is high maintenance. Her closet is huge. She’s extravagant."

"…Alright. But just look at her."

I turned back around. She was standing in the middle of the seamstress's room, spinning around in her dress a little. She did look like the definition of a princess. Her hair seemed to light up as the sun touched it. Blue and white looked so lovely on her.

"I’m sorry Isaiah. But it isn’t meant to be."

With that, I had to shut the door on him. I hated to do that. But if we’re under different circumstances, I’d support them. Ish. I still felt icky about them having feelings for each other.

"Your turn," she said with a bright smile. "Try the dress on."

"Ugh, fine. Let’s get this over with."

Getting into the dress was difficult and uncomfortable-especially when tying the corset on. I felt like I was going to suffocate. But after I was fully tied in, I realized that the dress fit like a glove.

"Let your hair down," Caspia whispered. "I want to see something."

I hesitantly let it down, then she turned me towards a nearby mirror. I was in awe.

"Why do I look…"

"Like a princess? Oh, I’m not sure. Maybe it’s because you are one."

I stepped a bit closer, admiring myself a little more. I was so used to wearing dark, boring clothing that I never…I never imagined myself in something so eye-catching.

"Wow."

"Wow is right. And this is before doing the hair, makeup, nails-"

"One step at a time," I laughed. "I’m still new to this whole princess thing."

"Well if you ever need any pointers, you know who to go to."

"Right. Oh-I won’t have to dance at this ball, will I?"

"You don’t have to, but you’ll be bored if you don’t. Oh! I guess you don’t dance in the caves, hm? Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you’ve mastered how to dance. I’ll make sure you’ve mastered everything as a princess."

"We do have our own type of dance, actually. It takes an incredible amount of practice to get it right, and we only do it during special occasions."

"Oh! Well, it's good that you have some dancing experience. But the culture in the ballroom is much different, and it'll have to be something that you need to get used to."

We sat down on a nearby cushion.

"At the ball, we shouldn’t speak unless spoken to. Now, it’ll be a bit different for you, since you’re my lady-in-waiting. But I won’t be talking much at the ball. Not unless a…prince…comes up to me."

"What’s so wrong with a prince coming up to you?"

"Oh nothing, I’d just rather have your br-"

I gave her a dirty look. She quickly pursed her lips.

"Anyway…as I was saying, I won’t be talking much. Oh, and one thing you should also know is that we don’t eat at the ball, we eat before the ball. The food is meant for our guests, not for us."

"But what if I get hungry?"

"You starve."

"Oh, so I have to starve and suffocate in this dress? Sounds like fun."

"I know, right? That’s why I hate them. But my father insists on these things so…we must make him happy."

"I’m sorry you have to go through this stuff."

"Don’t be."

A knock came at the door.

"Oh, hold on, I’ll get it."

Moments later, I could hear an attitude start to form in Caspia’s voice.

"What do you want?"

"I just wanted to check in," I heard Charlie say. "That’s it. That’s all."

"No, you want something. What do you want?"

"I need to ask your lady-in-waiting a question regarding the caves. Mind if I steal her for a moment?"

"I do mind. Where’s Isaiah, hm? Ask him the question."

"I don’t know where in the world he is. He’s always getting lost."

"Classic Isaiah," I muttered. I started to walk towards them both, however I quickly noticed Charlie’s facial expression change once I was standing beside Caspia. His eyes. They were locked onto me.

"Wow."

"Doesn’t she look incredible?"

"I think we need a word better than incredible," he chuckled. "Wow…"

"What was your question, Charlie?"

"Uh-Ah. I forgot it."

"Wasting our time. Goodbye."

"Wait-now I have another one. Why is she in a dress like yours?"

"Because she’s a princess too, technically speaking. And, since she’s my lady-in-waiting, I need her to look radiant."

"Fair enough. So she’s all set for the ball, then?"

"Not yet, she still needs to learn how to dance."

"Does she, now?"

"I do."

He looked at me again. Something in his eyes was different…like he was showing some sort of…admiration? And…affection. But there was no way. I was imagining things. I had to have been.

"I can teach her."

"No."

"Caspia-she needs a partner for crying out loud, and I doubt you’d want her to step all over your toes. Let her step on mine."

"I’m not stepping on anyone’s toes because I’m not dancing. Problem solved."

"You’re going to be bored if you don’t dance," Caspia sighed. "Besides, what are you going to do if somebody asks you to dance with them?"

"Say no…?"

"You’re supposed to say yes, Jessella."

"Ugh. Well, let me get out of this dress."

Caspia clapped her hands in excitement. "We’ll teach you to be the perfect dancer."

"Actually," Miss Murphy said, taking Caspia by the arm. "He’ll be the one teaching her for now. I still have a few things I want to add to your dress."

"But-"

"Now now, there will still be time for you to help her learn. I just need you right now because I need your opinion on some things. Is that okay?"

"…I suppose so. Jessella, if he irritates you, let me know. I’ll kick his butt."

"You don’t have to worry, Caspia. I’m a warrior. I’ll kick his butt long before you arrive."

She smiled at that. I was starting to get on her good side. It took me longer than I thought it would for me to change out of that dress, but once I was out of it I felt like I could breathe again. Charlie was still waiting for me when I left the room.

"Alright, are you ready?"

"No. Are you sure that I have to dance?"

"No, of course not. But if a gentleman asks you to dance and you decline, it may seem rude."

"But what even is the purpose of dancing with some...stranger? In our culture, we always dance with someone we're familiar with. It's always friends and family."

"For us, dancing is a way to get to know someone better without saying a word. When you dance with someone, it's about connection. If you don't have a good connection with your dance partner, things simply won't work the way you want them to."

"Hm."

"And it's fun to do," he also added. "People enjoy wearing their best clothes to dance with their potential lover."

"...You know what, Charlie?"

"What?"

"I think that you're a romantic. Like your sister."

"Huh?"

"You're looking forward to this ball because you're hoping to meet the love of your life. And, when you do, you'll have your grandma's ring to propose with. Your sister isn't the only romantic in the family."

He gave me a slight smile.

"I do like the idea of being able to be with someone who...I can be vulnerable with. Someone who can see through me. Someone I don't have to put on a mask for."

"Uh-huh. And do you believe in love at first sight?"

"Yes. Do you?"

"Eh."

"Eh?"

"Yeah. Maybe, maybe not. I feel like I'd have to experience it firsthand to say if I believe in it or not, truly."

"I see."

He suddenly stopped in front of me, causing me to bump into his back.

"Charlie!"

"Sorry. I just realized something."

"What?"

"When I become king, I'm going to host my own ball. For everyone."

"What do you mean everyone?"

"I mean everyone, Jessella. Cave and land dwellers combined."

"That sounds disastrous."

"You think so? I think that it'll be a great idea. That way our cultures can combine. I'd like to witness some of your culture."

"Then come down to the caves again."

"I'm allowed back?"

"After you crashed in the first time? Sure."

His smile grew more. He was like a ray of sunshine-always happy at everything he heard.

"Here it is."

We went through a side door, and right away I could feel my breath escape me. I've never been in a ballroom in my life, and I have never witnessed anything so extravagant. There was wonderful art painted on a few walls, with it most vivid above us on the ceiling. It resembled Cambiot, with its bright coloring and landscape. Grand chandeliers hung above us, each twinkling its own light to reflect the elegant, glossy floor that made up the ballroom. The overall colors consisted of gold and brown, with hints of white here and there. Charlie took my hand as we made our way down the grand staircase.

"When you come down these steps, they'll call out your full name, which is..."

"Jessella Fetcher."

"No, your full name, including your middle name."

"Oh-Jessella Estelle Fetcher."

"Estelle?"

"Mhm."

"Beautiful name."

"Thanks, it was my mom who decided it. She decided to make my middle name Estelle because she distinctly remembers how starry the sky was the night I was born. And that name, apparently, has something to do with stars. But I don't know."

"Ah. That's incredible. Your mother seems like a sweet lady."

"She's not. She's ruthless and scarier than our father."

"She can't be that bad. I'm sure everything she does is out of love."

"...Eh...sure. Hey, what happens after they call my name? Do I have to tap the floor three times with my foot or something?"

"What?"

"I'm still new to your culture."

"Just curtsy. You don't need to tap the floor three times unless you want to."

"Like this?"

I tried my best to curtsy, but I ended up bending down a little too far and nearly falling on my face. Charlie caught me right as it was about to hit the ground.

"Not like that."

"Isn't that how everyone does it?"

"That's how the fools do it," he laughed. "You'll embarrass Caspia more than yourself if you do it like that again. Try putting one foot in front of the other, then bed. Keep yourself upright, and pinch your skirt at the ends to lift it."

I tried it again. It felt weird, but at least I didn't fall.

"Better?"

"Much better, you're a natural. After you do that, you're going to continue down the stairs, slowly and gracefully. Then, of course, you'll stay by Caspia's side up until either you or her are asked to dance."

He then faced toward me, holding his hand out.

"May I have this dance?"

"No."

"Jessella-we've been over this, you can't say-"

"Yes, I can. I just did."

"Jessella."

"Alright," I sighed. "But just this once."

"Good. Now, usually, there will be some music, but today we're just going to have to go without it. I'll take your right hand in my left, and your left in my right..."

I let him continue as I started to think. Would my people enjoy this kind of thing? Ballroom dancing? Or would it be too weird for them? It was certainly weird for me. But, if Charlie so desperately wanted to connect our people...I'm sure that doing something like this wouldn't be too bad. Especially if some of us could dress up. We'd all feel like royalty. Like we're important. We wouldn't be forced to hide ourselves in the shadows like we've been doing for all these years. We'd finally have a chance to dance in the light.

"You're a natural at this, Jessella!"

"Huh?"

I was just following along in his footsteps, that was all. When he spun me around, I twisted my body around one way and kept going with the rhythm, which wasn't hard to follow.

"Are you sure you haven't danced like this before?"

"Oh I'm sure," I laughed. "I would've remembered if I did something like this. But I am a fast learner. It's a trait in our family to learn quickly."

"I see. Do you mind if I dip you, then?"

"Dip me? Dip me in what? Do you plan on eating me? That's disgusting-"

"Jessella, no, I meant dipping you toward the ground. Like this."

I was not prepared for him to do that. I held onto him for dear life as he bent me towards the floor, a smile stuck on his face as if he were enjoying seeing me like this.

"Relax."

"If you drop me. I swear-"

"I'm not going to drop you, Jessella."

We held eye contact for just a moment, our mouths not uttering a single word. What. Was. Happening? I wondered what thoughts ran through his head-if any thoughts were going through at that moment. My mind felt completely blank. If I wanted to say something, I physically couldn't. I felt...

"That dress," he began to say. "You looked mesmerizing in it. So I believe that any man who asks you to dance with him will feel like the luckiest man in the world."

He pulled me up. I still felt speechless. What was that? What just happened? Why did I feel so...so...

"Are you okay, Jessella?"

"Uh-yeah? I think-I hope-yeah, never mind. I just feel like...just then...I felt..."

"Like we were connected?"

"Yeah."

"That's what ballroom dancing does. It builds a connection between two partners. You'll feel the same way when you're dancing with another man, trust me. What matters most is what happens after you two dance together. Will you two talk afterward, or go your separate ways?"

"I don't plan on talking with anyone besides you, Caspia, and Isaiah."

"Well then, that's your decision to make."

"It is."

We stared at each other again. And, once again, I felt the same thing. What was this feeling? I couldn't even form the words to describe it.

"Lunch?"

"Hm?"

"It's about time for lunch, is it not?"

"Oh-yeah, it is I think. Of course you would know, though."

"What's that supposed to mean!?"

"Nothing," I said with a smirk. "Nothing at all."

"Yeah? Well, you know what, Jessella? I'm going to teach you a few manners since we're on the topic of teaching you, anyway. You need to learn some."

"So do you!"

"Nope, I'm already set on my manners. Unlike someone I know."

"You're not funny, Charlie."

"I am and you know it."