The Royal Love Triangle

13: The Princess's First Dance

Tessa's POV

I was in a daze. Did I really just see Callie and Gabriel kissing? I’m not going to lie, I was really. I didn’t think that Callie would move that quickly with someone she hardly knew. The entire time we were on the way back home, she was talking to Clara and Queen Melissa about what had happened. Melissa was gushing over how they had a real connection and that she should start planning the wedding now. Clara was already deciding whether to take Callie to look at wedding dresses or have it hand made.

The thought of all of that made me sick. Callie insisted that she didn’t want to rush into anything, and she reminded them that they had just met. She kept saying that it was just a small kiss. The way she looked at him and he looked at her, it made me feel uneasy and misplaced. Did I really belong here?

Before I knew it, I was being ushered into my room to get ready for the ball. Melissa had told me that she had a dress specially made for me. I thought it was odd, since we really hadn’t gotten along very well, but I was excited. When I turned around, I saw this horrible short lime green party dress hanging from the bed post. You have got to be kidding me! The dress its self wasn’t bad, it was mid-thigh in length, sleeveless and poufy. But the color was all wrong and it was definitely not appropriate for a ball. I stood back looking at it from different angles. I wasn’t going to give Melissa the satisfaction of not wearing it. I would just have to personalize it a little.

I walked over to my closet to see what I could work with. I pulled out a black ribbon, black high heels, and black fishnets. I walked over to the bathroom and got myself dressed. When I walked out, I inspected myself in the mirror as I finished tying the black ribbon around my waist. The black really helped cut up the obnoxious green. I inspected myself from a few different angles. I didn’t look too bad! I nodded in approval. I didn’t add too much to the dress for anyone to say that I ruined it. Just enough to make it look better.

I walked back into the bathroom to do my hair and makeup. I decided to keep everything simple. I used some black eyeliner, a smoky eye shadow look, I curled my hair and pulled half of it back with a black bow. I threw on some simple jewelry, diamond stud earrings and a black choker necklace. I took a deep breath in and walked out of my room with my head held high.

I could hear a bunch of chatter coming from downstairs. It sounded like there were already a lot of people here. There was a room before the ball room that we all were told to meet in so we could be properly announced as we walked. As I walked into the room, my eyes landed right on Callie. Her back was turned towards me and Clara and Melissa were fussing over her hair and makeup.

From what I could see, she looked beautiful. She was in a lavender colored floor length ball gown. The top was tight, like a corset and sleeveless. It was poufy, like Cinderella’s dress. Her hair was left down and in loose curls. She had on fairly simple jewelry and of course, her tiara she was given the first night we were here. I knew that one was her favorite.

She looked over her shoulder and saw me. The smile on her face grew. It looked like she was going to come over to me so we could talk, but Melissa grabbed her by the wrist, whispered something in her ear, and pointed to the other side of the room. My eyes followed where she was pointing. Gabriel had just walked into the room. Clara ran over to greet him while Melissa fussed with Callie’s hair a little more.

Gabriel’s eyes landed on Callie and his jaw dropped. Literally. Their eyes met and she smiled slowly walking over towards him. He met her half way and bowed in front of her. While he was standing back up, he grabbed her hand and placed a gentle kiss on it. He pulled her into a hug and whispered something in her ear. Callie blushed. I wasn’t close enough to hear what he was saying. Someone tapped me on the shoulder, causing me to jump. I turned around quickly and saw Prince Marcus standing behind me.

“Whoa, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to scare you!” His cheeks flushed a little. I couldn’t help but smile. He was very good looking. “What the hell are you wearing? You’re going to stick out like a sore thumb.”

I crossed my arms across my chest and sighed. “Your mother had it ‘specially made’ for me.” He rolled his eyes and laughed.

“Yea, that sounds like her. Why don’t we get you into something a little more appropriate? Mother can be a little petty when she feels threatened. Follow me, I know Clara has some other dresses picked out that would suit you way better.” He smiled at me and grabbed my hand. I looked over my shoulder, only to see Queen Melissa with her arms crossed watching Marcus pull me away.

“Why in the world would the Queen feel threatened by me?” I couldn’t wrap my head around the thought.

“She sees you as a threat because of your feelings for Callie.” I looked at him a little puzzled and he laughed a little. “I see the way you look at her. And don’t think that my Mother didn’t have you checked out before you got here. We all know you have feelings for her.” He looked at me and smiled. I put my head down, trying to avoid eye contact.

“Listen Tessa, I don’t like the idea of Callie marrying someone because she’s being told to. We talked the other night and she told me about how she’s had a crush on you her entire life and how she admitted that to you right before all of this happened. She’s told me that you aren’t open about being bi yet, but if you want to win her over, you’re going to have to accept that part of you. She deserves to be with someone that she wants to be with, not because some 100-year-old treaty says so.” We stopped in the hallway before we got to the walk-in closet close to Callie’s room.

“Besides, I’ve never liked Prince Gabe. He’s extremely good looking, but honestly, we have never really gotten along. My parents were always comparing me to Gabriel. Nothing I did was ever as good as what Gabe was doing. Over time, I grew to resent him. There were a few times that he made fun of me too. But I don’t want to get into that, right now.” Marcus put his head down and took in a deep breath.

“I want to help you Tessa. You and Callie are meant to be together. It’s not that my family is completely against Callie being with another woman and it’s just not something that is quite accepted here yet. It’s also the fact that you could potentially ruin this treaty. I mean, they accepted me. I just haven’t come out to the country yet. Mother’s been doing her best to cover it up. Now, go pick out a dress and change. I’ll be here waiting to escort you into the ball. If my mother asks, I’ll tell her I spilt tea or something on you. Now hurry up.” He smiled at me. I ran into the room to hurry up and change.

When I exited the room, Marcus’ eyes went wide. “How’s this? Is it too much?” I looked down at my dress and swiped at the skirt a little. I picked out a navy-blue ball gown it had some silver beading around the waist. It was floor length and had lace sleeves. I took off all of my black jewelry and I borrowed some of Callie’s silver jewelry.

“Damn Tessa. Now I wish I weren’t gay. You look amazing and are definitely going to be turning some heads.” He held out his arm for me, which I accepted with a smile.

We made our way back into the room so that we could be properly announced. Everyone was still there, and all eyes turned towards the two of us when we walked into the room. Callie’s eyes lit up and ran over to us. She gathered me in a huge hug.

“Tessie, you look amazing.” She looked me up and down and nodded in approval. “Make sure you save me a dance, Tessie.”

Before I could answer her, she was being whisked away by Melissa back to Prince Gabe. Melissa shot me a rude look and Marcus looked at me and rolled his eyes. We both giggled a little. Chandler had everyone line up. They started the announcements with the king and queen. Marcus and I were next, followed by Callie and Gabe.

When Callie was announced, the room broke out into a roar of applause. The doors remained shut for a few moments before they opened. Everyone’s eyes landed on her as she was escorted down the stairs by Prince Gabriel. Her eyes were searching the crowed and they landed on me. I smiled at her and she beamed as she walked down the rest of the stairs. She ran over to me. Her big blue eyes were shining with excitement.

“Tessie, will you honor me with my first dance as a Princess?”