The day of the festival was finally here and already the castle was buzzing after we moved from our woodland castle to the
main city castle. Musical notes drifted up through my window from the ground below where a band played happy,
delightful tunes.
Kathlyn brushed my hair gently while I sat at my vanity pondering over what earrings to put in. I wanted them to match my
dress perfectly. The dress was a beautiful midnight blue with silver trim. It had off the shoulder sleeves that revealed my collar
bones. Talia had ordered it for me after we left the seamstress. She never failed to purchase something flattering.
The silky fabric was light, and comfortable.Something easy to dance in, she had said to me when I put it on.
Talia stood at my floor length mirror in her scandalous red sweetheart neckline dress. She compared it to the sunset when
she put it on. Her copper hair was left loose with just a few simple plaits blended in.
“Do you think Lord Cole will show up? I hope he brings some of his friends,” she said casually.
“I think Norok confirmed with him last night he will be at the tournament. I heard him come home, singing rather loudly. I
bet he has a bit of a headache today,” I mentioned.
She smiled brightly, rushing over towards me. She practically knocked Kathlyn out the way and took hold of the brush.
Kathlyn tutted and walked off, picking up Talia’s discarded clothes as she headed out the door. She only left us for a few
seconds before she returned again with Talia’s shoes.
“Shall you wear the ballet slippers today, your highness?”
“Which one of us are you speaking to, Kathlyn?” Talia asked, teasing clear in her voice as she continued to brush my hair
before adding the same plaits that were in her hair into mine.
“Princess Talia, I am speaking to you.”
Kathlyn and Talia had a love-hate relationship. It had been that way ever since Talia could speak. It was rather cute to
watch as each one would take turns in winding the other up. Talia would win usually, but that was purely because Kathlyn
didn’t want to get into trouble with Mother.
“Then yes, Kathlyn, the slippers will do just fine.”
“Tal, please stop winding Kathlyn up, she is just doing her job. Behave,” I said looking at her reflection in the mirror as she
finished off my hair.
Turning, she headed to slip her shoes on, and said, “Yes, dear sister. Of course, sister.” Winking, she smiled and vanished
out the bedroom door. “Don’t be long!” she shouted as the door shut.
I added a new tiara that I had commissioned to match the theme for the Festival of Light. It had sun and star symbols dotted
upon it. Father was more than happy to agree to it because I had put so much time and effort into helping get the festival just
right.