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I was imagining what it would be like to save my kingdom and to be worthy to my father when I heard Nana’s old, crackling, and kind voice. “Dearie.” She stumbled up the last stone and stepped into the room at the top of my tower.
Crushing up some rose petals, I put the residue above my eyes and on my lips, the delicate hint of red bringing out my golden features.
“Ahh, child. I forgot about your eyes until Cora reminded me. I need to emphasize how important it is for you to find that map tonight. I fear that I remember the area of the egg, but not the exact location. And in the wrong hands…” Her voice was almost as soft as a whisper, her long white hair covering the sides of her arms.
“Don’t worry, Nana. I’ll find the map,” I said with a smile. She returned one as well, with not as much confidence.
Cora followed up behind Nana, her large smile showing excitement for me to go to the ball tonight. She skipped across the cobblestoned flooring, reaching my bed, that held the luxurious dresses. Picking through them, she found one that was sparkling silver and had a sweetheart neckline, puffy sleeves, lined with soft fabric.
“Um, youhaveto wear this,” Cora said as the light gleamed from the sparkles on the outer layer of the dress. “It’s fit for a princess.”
I sighed, taking in the beauty of the dress, but knowing that I wasn’t arealprincess. “You should wear it, Cora. You’re the face of the kingdom, and it would match a lot better with your silver earrings.”
Cora gaped for a moment, her eyes squinting as her voice erupted in the confinement of my smaller tower. “Absolutely not! You are meant to be Queen, Aurelia.”
I glanced over at my Nana, but she was eyeing all the trinkets on my shelf. She pivoted, a sly smile on her face as she said, “The girl is right, Dearie. Here, let me help you.”
Her hands made circular and swift movements in the air, and I saw the silver dress held in Cora’s hands lead beneath my feet and dance up, draping itself around my body. My skin tickled as the ties began to lace themselves behind my back.
Swiveling to look at myself again in the mirror, I hadn’t had time to do my hair, and within moments of my grandmother wisping her hand through the air, my hair was done up in a tall and extravagantly braided bun. The braids did themselves up as if someone was creating them intricately with their fingers, but there was no one touching my hair.
Cora came up behind me, marveling at the intricacies of my hair and the beauty of my dress. She smiled warmly for a moment before an idea flashed across her face.
“Hold on,” she said, rushing to the opposite of my bed near Nana, grabbing something off of my shelves. She came back around, the golden crown held within her fingertips. I shook my head violently, not wanting the crown that I was not worthy of poisoning my head.
With seriousness written on her face, she grasped the crown, her eyes peering into my own, causing me to stop. “You deserve this, Aurelia. Even if you don’t believe it yet. You do. Now turn around so that I can crown the royal princess.”
The blood rushing to my cheeks, I did as she said. Pivoting, I faced the mirror, watching the reflection of Cora placing the crown on my head, fitting perfectly, as if it were a glove. The smile on her face looked sad, but I didn’t question it.
I reached up and delicately touched my hair, feeling the bumps of each braid. The weight of the crown on my head felt heavy, so I took it off, giving it back to Cora to place back on the shelf.
“Nana—” Before I could say my thanks, another flick of her wrist and glitter showered over my hair and chest that peeked out from the dress. I started to spin around, feeling the glitter flying around me. I enjoyed the fabric twirl and how it swung through my legs and took up space on the floor.
“It’s not a masquerade ball without the mask,” my grandmother said as she moved up her left hand to meet her right, and within seconds I felt thick fabric on my face and ribbon above my ears. I spun to look in the mirror again and saw a silky brass mask that snugly traced the contours of my eyes and nose. My irises popped with color, matching the elegant mask with a golden hue.
I swiveled, meeting the gazes and expressions from Nana and Cora.
“Wow,” Cora gasped as they both stared at me, rightfully so. I had never looked so good in my entire life. I had never felt like such a princess or even royalty.
“Thank you!” I expressed to my grandmother as I admired the beauty I beheld. I couldn’t believe that it was me in the mirror. “I wasn’t expecting a whole makeover, but wow, you outdid yourself,” I said, my fingers exploring the delicacies and details of the mask veiling my eyes. “And my golden eyes?”
“Don’t worry, Dearie. They will be unrecognizable until midnight.”
“No wonder they banned old magic.” Cora’s eyes widened as she spoke, her arms folding across her chest after tucking a strand of purple hair behind her bejeweled ear. I couldn’t help but laugh at her comment.
“Cora, it’s your turn.” I urged, grabbing her arm to stand in the same place I was in front of the mirror.
“No, no, no, this night was for you! But I would love to come with you to find the egg. Would you let me?”
She didn’t have a chance to fight me on it anymore, as my grandmother’s wrist manipulated a dark violet dress that was a part of the pile Cora had brought. The lace and fabric danced as it lifted in the air, moving in response to my grandmother’s gesture. The garment glided toward Cora seamlessly and draped itself over her body, fitting perfectly to her form.
The dress was similar to mine but had capped sleeves, a square neck, and a silver beaded belt wrapped along her waist. There were some ruffles and lots of tulle. It looked beautiful on Cora and made her purple hair pop.
“Cora, you know I would absolutely adore having you with me. It terrifies me to go alone, if I am honest, but you are right. I need to do this for myself. I need to prove to this kingdom that I am capable of being queen. You also need to stay and help my father–especially with the Deathlies and the corruption they are spreading across the lands. If I were to entrust the kingdom to anyone, it would be you.” She nodded and I could notice sadness in her eyes as she peered down, unable to look at me.
I made our whistle tune as I admired Cora watching herself in the mirror. Her hair was done up with similar intricate braids, as jewelry flew in the air, adding the final touches of elegance.
They landed piece by piece, shining in the light that strayed in from the window. The gems that flung to her hair were different sizes and textures of diamonds. Others were smaller and larger, a variety sporadically placed across her dark violet hair.
