The palace halls were filled with the gentle sound of a violin and piano combination. They sounded like professionals, even though they were as young as they were. Many hours had gone into their practice and it was certainly not wasted. My back was pressed against the door to the room they were playing in, a smile adorning my face. I absolutely adored it when they played calming, classical music. It warmed my heart to know that my little brothers had such talent.

The twin princes; Cornelius and Bartholomew Darlington at their tender age of thirteen, were quickly raising to the exceptions set out by our parents. They were smart and talented, especially when it came to music. I was nowhere near exceptional or even mediocre when it came to making music. I did not let it carry weight on my shoulders though, seeing as the twins had no dancing capability whatsoever. I pity the princesses who have to be their partners on the ballroom one day.

“My Princess?” I looked to the side to see one of the palace workers. More specifically, my language tutor. I held up a finger to my mouth, indicating her to keep quiet, as I gave a glance towards the door. I smiled gently before nodding back at her, following behind her as we headed to my lesson.

♕♥ ♕♥ ♕

“Everyone, we have exciting news! Gather around!” the manager of the gym, a tall bold man with a permanent suit plastered to his body, called all of the surrounding gymnasts to his side. He waited until all of the leotard-clothed males and females crowded around his body and grew silent. Suddenly realizing that his tall figure wouldn’t be enough, he looked to one of the teenage male gymnasts. Understanding, he hoisted the manager onto his shoulder until he reigned over everyone. Now he could see everyone clearly.

“There has been a request that our gym make an appearance at the Royal Variety Performance this year to promote gymnastics,” he sounded completely excited, but another gymnast begged to differ his enthusiastic.

“We’re gymnasts! Not circus performers! We don’t do performances,” a girl spoke up, and many agreed. The managed looked almost defeated as he sat on the gymnast’s shoulder.

“Come on guys. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. With this we’ll be able to raise enough money to go to Nationals. All we have to do is combine a few floor routines and bam! We’ve got ourselves something that will impress the crowd. Please guys,” it was silent as many considered it on their own. Reluctantly, a few agreed whilst others agreed without hesitation. There were still those who chose not to but according to the manager, they had plenty gymnasts already. There were many who wanted to show off their talents to royalty.

Once such person, who didn’t exactly have a feel for performance yet got pulled into agreeing by a fellow gymnast, was a peculiar gothic girl. She had skin which revealed her sunlight deprivation, black hair which was never tied up and permanent black makeup surrounding her eyes. Her leotards were nothing short of the blackest black and her personality warded off many. It was inquired frequently as to why she was allowed to be a part of the private gym.

The answer was simple: she was too good to let go.

Having been pushed to do the sport by her mother fourteen years ago, the combination of the experience, the potential and natural flexibility in her body; she quickly became a prodigy.

“Sarina!” she heard the calling of her name just as she was about to exit and turned to see her friend, Molly, run over with her gym bag on her back. “Thank you for agreeing to do the performance with me! I don’t think I’d have the courage to do it without you,” she admitted sincerely.

“You give yourself too little credit,” Sarina shrugged, holding the door to outside open. Molly furrowed her eyes in confusion before quickly catching on and ran outside. Sarina followed behind.

“No but really, thank you. Performing in front of royalty? Talk about a dream come true!” Molly was clearly excited, but her gothic friend didn’t exactly share her views.

“It’s time we’ll have to waste on creating a performance that could’ve gone to Nationals training,” she voiced her irritations.

“Come now. Without this show, we won’t even be able to afford Nationals. And what if we get scouted! There’s so many important people at the Royal Variety Performance that, best case scenario, we get to go to the Olympics!” Sarina looked disbelieving.

“That’s wishful thinking,”

“Maybe. But at least I have a dream,” Molly shrugged, not taking Sarina’s comment to heart. “How was your shift yesterday?” she suddenly brought up, and Sarina couldn’t help but reflect on the amazing figure she saw the night before. Beautiful pastel violet hair tied together in a neat bun with her ballet clothes visible under her dress. She was beautiful, but it was the concept of the girl that caught Sarina’s attention.

“I saw a ballerina with purple hair,” Molly gave her a strange look.

“Aren’t ballerinas usually strict about stuff like that?” Sarina merely shrugged in response.

“Who cares? She was different. She was beautiful,” she said with a faraway look, her smile reflecting her admiration. Molly hummed in recognition.

“I know that look all too well. Let me guess… you’re going to ask her out?” Sarina gasped and giggled loudly, not fitting her appearance at all.

“If I can find her!” she continued to smile amusingly. “But where would I find such a beautiful piece of art?” as if realization was personified, Molly was hit through the face.

“She might be at the Royal Variety Performance!” Sarina looked to her friend with a wide mouth.

“You are a genius! Such a magnificent centrepiece will most definitely be there!” Sarina dramatised, continuing with her exaggerated joking. This made Molly consider the entire situation and smiled.

“Then you’ll have to put your all into the show so that she can notice you,” Sarina, as if in a daze, nodded before her face changed to a large grin and she ran straight into the middle of the road, her body facing the sunset at the horizon.

“Sarina! Get back here you boneless chicken nugget!” Molly called in absolute concern, seeing a car honk loudly and swivel around the idiotic teenager, shouting a few curses in the ever loving tone of road rage induced drivers.

“Boneless? Hah! My backbone is going to be busy these next few weeks!” Sarina shouted, lifting her fist up towards the sun. “I will find you my pastel beauty and I will make you mine! Together we will dance on the world’s stage until our feet bleed and then we will fall into each other’s arms where we will remain for eternity!” Sarina was enjoying this entire joke a bit too much.

“Oh boy, is she high?” Molly stood staring on the side-line, shaking her head with disbelief.

“I am coming my pastel ballerina!”

♕♥ ♕♥ ♕

“You want us to do what?!” my brothers exclaimed at the same time, shock from the news our mother, the Queen, gave them. I was eavesdropping, hiding in the balcony from the floor above as I listened to their argument. I probably should feel bad about my actions, but that concern can wait for later.

“But why?” Prince Bartholomew asked, almost desperately.

“Because your father and I discussed it and we decided that it would be best for your future image and your building of character. People do not yet know you and this is the only opportunity. Next time it comes around, people will know you and then it will be all a waste and would not have such a great impact,” that was my mother with her sly tongue yet kind words. I was never close with her, as I felt she did not understand me as I wanted her too. It was hard being the children of the country rulers.

“But we have never performed in front of anyone before!” Prince Cornelius chipped in.

“Exactly. This is as best of a time as any. You two will play a song at the Royal Variety Show and that is that. You may choose the song yourselves but think clearly about who you will be playing in front of. You have three months,” with her tone of voice, it was clear that there was no room for argument. I could hear her heeled footsteps make an exit, and soon thereafter Cornelius and Bartholomew stormed out of the palace to go wallow.

They were thirteen and had social anxiety. I could already foretell the problems that would come with this year’s performance. It would be different.

“Your Highness?” I looked up to see Ian standing at the entrance to balcony, his eyes showing confusion. I gave a stern look which clearly proclaimed the order not to make an inquiry. He nodded understandingly and held up a phone. “Mister Adams called. I said you would dial him back,” I nodded in affirmation and received the phone before retreating to my room. I began dialling him as soon as I closed my room doors, seeing that no cleaner was in my room at the time.

“Alice?” came his voice, addressing the name I assume outside of the palace walls. My secret identity.

“Caleb! What’s up?” internally, I grimaced as I realized how dead I would be had my parents heard such slang exit from my lips. Such abbreviations.

“You know how you’re dragging me to that ballet open class tomorrow? Well, what on Earth am I supposed to wear?” I gasped at this. I had not thought of it.

“Are you free right now?” I questioned, truly hoping he was.

“Yeah? Why?” I chuckled.

“Ian and I will come get you and then we can go do shopping for your very first leotard!” I was completely overjoyed by the thought.

“F to the no. Nope, not going to happen,” I gasped dramatically at his dismissal, moving to belly flop on my king-sized bed.

“But baby. We will be able to spend time together and it will make me really, really happy. Like really happy,” I waited patiently for his response, knowing that I played some dirty cards in order to persuade him.

“Ugh. Why do I love you?” I smiled at this.

“I will see you in thirty minutes. Do not wear something overly complicated to strip out off,” that was the thought I left him with as I ended the call.

I quickly stripped from my nightgown and dressed in something which would be appropriate for the mall; not so much the Royal Palace. I had to do a little sneaking out, knowing that my mother also had something to talk to me about. I neglected to seek her out.

“Ready Highness?” I turned in shock to see Ian with car keys at hand.

“How did you.. Never mind, I do not wish to know,” we used one of the more subtle cars to get around, and after ten minutes we were off the royal grounds and headed to Caleb’s house. On the way there, we had an enlightening chat.

“Do you think it is fair?” I asked, ever so vaguely.

“What is, Highness?”

“That we do not have a word against our parents’, just because they rule the country. In normal families the children’s wishes are taken into account… are they not?” Ian seemed to freeze at this and lip at his lips in thought.

“Highness, I don’t know what they did, but I believe the Majesties are doing what they truly think is best for you. They have to balance the wellbeing of their children and the entire country and I think that maybe the responsibility is too much too bare entirely. Sometimes, they might slip up,” Ian would receive terrible consequences if I decided it for the accusations he is making towards the crown, but I know that was not what he was doing. He was telling me the truth. I was thankful.

“Do you think they are great leaders, even if they slip up?” Ian nodded without hesitation.

“Absolutely. There is no such thing as a perfect human being and I, and this entire country, are thankful that we received leaders that are the closest to that description. They care about us normal people and they will do whatever it takes for the country to be satisfied. The Royal Bloodline has not disappointed this country yet,” he said with such absolute admiration that it amazed me. He was completely loyal.

“Ian?” I decided to ask one final question before I return to my mind for more pondering.

“Yes Highness?”

“Do you think I will be eligible Queen?” he looked at me in shock.

“Of course Highness! I have no doubt you will make an excellent Queen! You carry much more insight into the country than other leaders and you’ve inherited many defining qualities. You just need a little experience, that’s all,” I nodded slowly.

“And say… given the chance, if I am Queen, and say I want to marry Caleb… do you think he will make a good King?” it was at this where Ian stared at me for a second before reverting his gaze, his knuckles gripping the steering wheel tightly. I grimaced and looked away, not needing an answer.

These were the things I had to start focusing on.

But I did not want to.