The classical music plays as people face around the ball room, awaiting the arrival of the royal family, and the arrival of the princess.

Many young lords and ladies await at the base of the steps, eager to catch a glimpse of the young royal.

Among those is Lord Tewkesbury, a newly appointed Lord at the young age of 17. He nervously sips on his drink as he ignore the glances of the girls around him.

A fanfare starts to play, and the guards and servants part, leaving room for the royals. Tewkesbury's eyes stare intently at the doorway, as with everyone else.

"Please welcome, King Y/d/n and Queen Y/m/n." The guard says, the two on the sides bowing as the king and queen enter.

Tewkesbury looks down as they don't announce the princess, the other Lords and Ladies grumbling as well.

With a wave of her hand, the Queen directs everyone's attention, a collective gasp going around as the young princess steps around the corner, a light lilac dress matching her steps as she walks down the stairs. "And Princess Y/n." The guard announces as she smiles softly.

(dress at the top, ima sucker for vintage. sorry if you don't like it, you can always change it :)))

She gets to the bottom of the stairs and curtsies to the room, applause erupting all around. The queen and king smile proudly at their daughter as she holds her head high.

Lord Tewkesbury stares in awe of her as she walks gracefully around the room, greeting all the people that have come to the ball.

She finally comes to where he is standing and he bows. "Princess Y/n."

"Lord Tewkesbury." She says, dipping her head politely. "It's been some time." She says.

"Indeed it has, I see you've grown nicely." He comments, his eyes looking at his former best friend as memories flashed behind his eyes.

"As have you." She says.

An awkward silence falls between the two, until Y/n clears her throat. "I best be going now-"

"Dance with me?" He blurts out. "Will you dance with me?" He asks again, composing himself.

Y/n smiles genuinely for the first time that night. She takes his hand and he leads them to the floor as a the orchestra plays a waltz.

Other couples dance around them as Y/n twirls effortlessly, her dress flowing with her movements. "I see you've been practicing." Tewkesbury smiles.

"A lot has changed. I'm not as clumsy as I used to be." She mutters.

"A lot has changed, Y/n, you're right about that." He does the choreography perfectly and picks her up and just the right moment, the rest of the couples doing so as well. "You've changed a lot. Didn't know you had this princess in you. If I remember correctly, you never even wanted the crown."

"I'm not a naïve little girl anymore." She finally snaps, "I don't have my hope up on marrying for 'love' and I certainly don't believe in happily ever afters. That was all a fantasy. I now have the weight of my kingdom on my shoulders. I'm sorry if I'm not the same girl you remember, because I know where my priorities lie. I grew up."

She rolls her eyes at the boy and scoffs. "What-What do you mean marry for love?" He asks quietly.

"This is a suitors ball. Don't you see? All the most perfect Lords and Ladies from everywhere my parents could find, trying to find me a compatible match. I have to choose one tonight." She says solemnly. "But no one is supposed to know that, so forget I told you that piece of information."

Tewkesbury stands in shock and Y/n has to pull him off the dance floor before he can get trampled. "Pick me." He says after a moment.

"What-"

"Y/n, I've loved you my whole life. Even when we parted, I never stopped loving you. Please." He begs her.

She falters back a step and looks up at him. "Tewkesbury I-" She looks at her hands and back up at him. "I love you too. But how do I know you aren't toying with me? How do I know you aren't using me to get to the crown? Do you know how many people are here tonight to do just that?" She hugs her arms around her.

Tewkesbury moves to embrace her and she doesn't stop him. He rests his chin on top of her head. "I would never, ever use you. You mean too much to me." He whispers.

She nods against him and they stay in each other's embrace for a few more seconds before they pull away. "Now, where were we?" She asks.

Tewkesbury smiles and pulls her hand back onto the floor where they dance the rest of the night away.