Anna’s eye twitched as she rode in the carriage to pick up her ball gown.

Seven days, seven fucking days! Those weren’t women. They were monsters!

The nobles that Richard had introduced them to were quite possibly the most horrible people that Anna had ever met in her life. They were so nice to your face, but they were just mean behind everyone’s back, even each other. The things they said about her and Elaine made Anna want to throw them over the wall. Elaine told her not too, and they’d been left with them while Richard went to play with the other men.

He’d done well in the tournament and was gloating when he returned. At least until Anna took him out back and beat him like a cur to vent some of her frustration.

“It couldn’t have been that bad,” Richard said.

“Shut it!” Anna replied. Richard snapped his mouth shut.

“Don’t be so mean, Anna. You could have gone home and waited there,” Elaine said.

“I’m not going to leave you alone with those things,” Anna replied. Elaine laughed.

“I grew up with women like that. It’s fine,” Elaine said.

Anna just shook her head. She really didn’t like nobles at the moment. She took a breath. It was almost over. She just had to go to the ball and not make an ass of herself, then they could go back to killing things for coin.

The carriage stopped, and they were let out. As usual, someone helped her out as if she would trip.

I’ve never even stumbled!

After they entered, Richard scurried off to join the other men, most likely thankful to be away from the pretty monster that had been his companion for most of the day.

They were there to do more than just pick up their dresses. They would be fitted and any last-minute alterations would be made. Because they didn’t have any maids, the staff would help them get ready, and then they’d be back in the carriage to go to the duke’s manor for the ball.

A few ladies walked over to chat while they waited. The last thing she wanted to do was talk to more people, but Elaine had told her she had to. The women started to talk with Elaine. Anna just kind of smiled at them and kept her mouth shut.

After a few minutes, they were led into the back. The fat woman came into the room Anna was led into with a few servants. She opened a standing chest that had a purple dress in it. Anna looked at it and smiled.

“Pretty,” she said.

“I’m glad you like it,” the woman replied.

The servants undid her green dress and helped her pull it off. The rest of her things were in the carriage. She’d get them back after the ball.

The dress was open in the back, and she stepped into it. They pulled it up and clasped the back together tightly. She watched as it went on in the mirror, surprised to see the hint of her areolas poking above the extremely low-cut neck like.

“I’m going to pop out,” Anna said.

“Only if you go for a run,” the woman replied. They slid gloves on her hands and brought out a pair of shoes with long thin heels.

Oh, you owe me for this one Elaine!

Anna let them put the shoes on her, noticing she was a few inches taller afterwards.

“Have you worn shoes with tall heels before dear?” the woman asked.

“I’ve never worn shoes before,” Anna replied.

“Walk around a bit to get used to them,” the woman said. The servants held onto her arms as if she needed to be steadied. She took a few steps.

Same as always, I guess.

She always had a strange grace to her. Even with the shoes, it was no different. The woman clapped.

“You’re a natural,” she said.

I’m not all that natural.

Next, the servants braided her hair and put pins and clasps in it. She smiled at her reflection. They had done her hair in such a way that the layers of rainbow blended together. One of them put a necklace on her. It was silver with different colored gems in it. The woman looked her over when finished.

“I fear I may have gone too far,” she said.

“What’s wrong?” Anna asked.

“You’re going to outshine the bride to be!” the woman replied. Anna giggled and then stopped quickly.

“That was almost bad,” Anna said. The woman laughed hard at that.

“Oh dear, you’ll get used to it,” she said.

She went back to the main room and found Elaine there with a few women chatting.

Elaine stopped and stared for a moment. She was wearing a black dress with silver trim. It was cut low, but nowhere near what Anna’s was. She wasn’t wearing gloves, and her hair was done in a far less extravagant manor than Anna’s.

She looks like an evil queen!

Anna had read a few story books since she got to Oldforge, and Elaine could play the part well.

“Well, now I just feel dull,” Elaine said with a smile. Anna grinned at her.

“Please don’t make me laugh,” she said. Elaine, along with a few of the other women, laughed.

“I know how you feel,” one of the women said. She wasn’t as endowed as Anna, but she was close, and the fat woman had done the same thing with her dress.

“I think the dress maker likes boobs more than men do,” Anna said.

“I doubt that,” another woman said, glancing at the gaggle of men.

Their eyes were glued to the women at the moment.

“We’d better get going. I don’t think that dress will last the night,” Elaine said.

“Probably not,” Anna replied.

They walked over to Richard who was trying not to stare at Anna’s chest.

“Shall we?” Elaine asked.

“Of course,” Richard replied.

They left the men and got into the carriage. It was a slow ride to the duke’s manor. They had to wait in line for their turn to stop in front of the place and get let out.

“Why couldn’t we just walk?” Anna whined.

“Because that’s not how it’s done,” Elaine replied.

Anna grumped, looking out the window of the carriage at all the people walking around.

They finally arrived just before sunset. Elaine’s family wasn’t very important, so they weren’t announced. The manor was more of a palace, and the ballroom had its own entrance. Anna was stunned for a moment by the size of the place.

There were hundreds of people here, and it didn’t seem crowded at all. Anna spotted a huge table filled with food and started off in that direction only to be caught by Elaine mid step.

“Not yet,” she said.

“Fine,” Anna replied. They wandered around chatting with all manner of people until Richard found some stuffy old men to talk to. Elaine whisked Anna away, and they started to work the crowd themselves.

Anna broke away when she spotted someone who she wanted to talk to. Elaine looked over and decided to stay with the women she had struck up a conversation with.

“Some party, eh?” Anna asked in dwarven.

The old dwarf who sold her the house turned to look at her grinning. He glanced at her chest.

“By the stone one, is that thing lined with mithril?” he asked.

“That would explain why it hasn’t burst yet,” Anna replied. The old dwarf laughed.

“Oh lass, how’d you get roped into this?” he asked.

“You know my friend with the creepy tattoos?” Anna asked.

“Aye,” the dwarf replied.

“She’s a noblewoman, and her brother invited us,” Anna said. He nodded.

“What about you?” Anna asked.

“The lads slipped something in my drink, and I woke up in an inn with a letter saying they’d volunteered me,” he replied. Anna laughed.

“Don’t do that lass,” the dwarf said.

“I’m gonna stuff my face. Wanna join me?” Anna asked.

“Aye,” the dwarf replied.

They made their way to the table filled with food and proceeded to stuff their faces. It was challenging for her. She was wearing long gloves after all, but she figured it out.

“Lass, they have booze!” the dwarf said. Anna grinned.

They proceeded to sample every kind of wine and liquor available. The nobles around them looked in shock as the eldritch woman and the dwarf drank enough to kill half a dozen men.

The crowd stilled and conversation stopped. Anna looked around and noticed the dance floor had emptied.

Music started to play, and a young man led a young woman out onto the floor. The young man was tall and fit. He reminded her of Richard. The woman, on the other hand, looked thin and frail. She was smiling brightly though.

They began to dance. It was one of the many dances that Elaine had taught her in the last week.

They’re not bad.

The couple spun around the floor while the music played. They appeared to be having the time of their lives, both smiling.

They look really happy together.

She’d been told that most nobles didn’t get to pick who they married, and the idea of being forced into marriage bothered her, but that didn’t seem like a problem here.

The music changed after a few minutes, and other couples started to join them on the dance floor. Anna spotted Richard with a smiling young woman.

Good for him.

“Wanna dance?” Anna asked. The dwarf made a rude noise in response. Anna just shook her head.

Elaine had told her that a man had to ask you to dance and you couldn’t ask him. It annoyed her, but she didn’t want to cause problems for her friend, so she just waited patiently hoping someone would ask.

She watched the dance while she waited. Elaine was on the floor as well with a dark-haired man spinning her around. Anna frowned.

Seriously? She got asked before me?

The song changed a few more times, and she was starting to worry that no one would ask. She turned around and started to eat more. Someone cleared their throat behind her. She turned to look.

A young man was smiling at her. He looked nervous. She swallowed the mouth full of food and smiled back at him.

“May I have this dance?” he asked. Anna nodded and smiled brightly.

“I’d love to dance with you!” she replied.

The man took her by the hand and led her to the floor. The dwarf said something crude as she walked away. She flipped him an equally crude dwarven gesture. He chuckled, and so did a few of the nobles.

Guess a few of them do know dwarven.

They started to dance on the floor, spinning around the ballroom. Anna was smiling the whole time, and so was the young man.

“I must say, you may be the best dancer I’ve ever had the pleasure of having as a partner,” the man said.

“This is the first time I’ve ever danced in my life. First ball too,” Anna replied.

The young man laughed. “Surely you jest?” he asked.

“Nope, I was worried everyone realized I’d never danced before and didn’t want to dance with me,” Anna replied.

He looked her in the eye. “Well, if it’s your first time, let’s make it special,” he said.

“Isn’t that what all men say?” Anna replied.

The man laughed hard but didn’t miss a step. They danced for a long while before stopping. He was starting to sweat some.

“I need some fresh air. Would you care to accompany me to the garden?” he asked.

“I’d love to,” Anna replied.

They walked arm and arm away from the dance floor. The crowd parted for some reason. Anna looked around and spotted a wide eye Elaine looking at her. Anna winked at her friend before leaving the ballroom.

The night air was cool and smelled of flowers from the gardens. He led her away from the ballroom to a terrace covered in flowers. The air was sweet with a gentle breeze.

She turned to face him. He was smiling at her. He put his hand on her face and leaned in.

What’s he doing? Why is he touching me?

Before she could ask, he pressed his lips against hers.

Wait, he’s kissing me! Why is he kissing me? This is my first kiss. What am I supposed to do? Lyreen said to relax, Elaine said to kiss back, and Thokri said to grab their butt! Wait, that was only if it was a woman. Barika hit him afterwards. Oh, what should I do?

Anna was so shocked, she just froze up.

Suddenly someone pulled her hair, and there was something poking the side of her throat.

“One peep and I cut her pretty throat my lord,” a man hissed.

The young man had a look of shock and rage on his face. “Don’t harm her, you fiend!” he replied.

What the fuck is going on now?!

The thing pressed harder, and the young man put his hands up. A man in dark clothing walked to the young man with a sword in his hand.

“Good, now if you listen, she’ll be just fine,” the other man said.

“YOU GOAT FUCKING GOBLINS! THAT WAS MY FIRST KISS!” Anna screamed.

She grabbed the man’s arm that was holding the dagger to her throat and threw him over her shoulder, smashing him against the ground in front of her. She stared into the eyes of the man with the sword as she brought her foot up and slammed the heel of her shoe through the man on the grounds eye.

It went right though the squishy organ and through the thin bone into his brain. He twitched a few times before shitting himself. Anna darted forward and struck the man with the sword in the face. His head exploded into a shower of gore. A woman screamed, and a man shouted nearby.

“My brother!” the young man shouted. Anna picked up the sword.

“Let’s go save him!” she said as she rushed off in the direction of the scream.

The young man ran with her. She was moving so fast that he was barely able to keep up and was breathing hard. She found the young couple on the ground and bleeding, surrounded by four men. There was a fifth casting some spell. She ignored him and darted forward at inhuman speed. She decapitated the nearest man with one swipe of her sword, spraying the others and the young couple in blood.

She cut the arms off the second man. He fell screaming. The third man managed to block her strike, but the swords exploded into shrapnel. She threw the broken hilt at him, smashing his face and probably snapping his neck.

The young man tackled the fourth man and started beating his face. Anna turned to the magic caster. He looked over in shock but recovered. Without saying a word, he pointed a finger at her.

Shit!

She didn’t have time to move and was struck by a bolt of lightning as big around as her arm. It threw her back and onto her ass. She hopped back up and rushed forward. The mage was so shocked he didn’t move to avoid her hit. Her fist went through his chest. She yanked it back out and looked down.

Oh no, it’s ruined!

Her dress was smoldering and covered in blood. The thin cloth had given up, and she was basically naked to boot.

She leaned down and tore the man’s cloak off and wrapped it around herself before heading back to the three nobles. The young man had beat the fourth man’s head in and was staring at her with wide eyes. The other young man was talking to the young woman. She wasn’t responding. Anna walked over.

“She’s in shock,” she said.

“Will she be alright?” he asked.

“Yes, we just need to get her inside and warmed up,” Anna replied.

The man took his coat off and wrapped it around the woman. Suddenly a group of knights rushed over.

“My lord, are you harmed?” the lead knight asked.

“That’s not important. We need to get Irene inside!” the man replied. The man who had led her into the garden stood up and walked over to her.

“Thank you so much,” he said.

“Helping people is the right thing to do,” Anna replied.

She stood up. Everyone was looking at her weird.

“What?” Anna asked.

“You have no idea who we are, do you?” the man with the woman asked.

“No, and it doesn’t matter. I’ll help anyone that needs it. Doesn’t matter if they are a king or a slave,” Anna replied.

She heard a woman laugh. She looked over to see a red-haired woman in a gold and green dress walking over. She was surrounded by knights in gleaming armor.

“So, people like you do exist,” she said.

The knights all bowed, and so did the young men with her. The poor woman was still just kind of staring off into space.

“Your majesty, It’s not safe here!” the young man said.

“I’ll be fine, Vincent. Ronald, get Irene into the manor. This is no place for a princess,” the woman said.

“Yes, your majesty,” Ronald replied. He led Irene off. They were surrounded by knights.

She must be important.

“Come, tell me what happened while we walk,” the woman said. They started to walk with her back to the manor.

“We came to the garden to cool off when we were attacked by two men. She dispatched both of them in an instant. After that, we heard Irene scream and Ronald shout. I told her that it was my brother, and she picked up a sword and said let’s go save him. She ran to them and took out three of their assailants in the blink of an eye. Then the mage hit her with a bolt of lightning right in the chest. She shrugged it off and killed him as well,” Vincent said.

“Is that so?” the woman asked.

“Yep,” Anna said.

She opened the cloak. The woman looked at her chest. Her eyes narrowed when she spotted the melted necklace. Vincent was staring as well. The woman shot him a look.

“Avert your eyes, man. She was showing me the proof of your claims, not giving you an eyeful!” she said. He looked the other way quickly.

“Sorry, ma’am,” he said. The woman sighed.

“I’m only ten years older than you. I wish you wouldn’t call me, ma’am,” she said. He grinned some.

“Yes, ma’am,” Vincent replied. The woman shook her head.

“Please cover yourself,” she said. Anna closed her cloak again, and they walked into the ballroom. It was empty now.

Where is Elaine?

She looked around more and realized she’d been left by her friend.

An older man rushed over. “What were you thinking?” he asked.

“I wanted to see what all of the commotion was,” the woman replied.

“Are you mad? You can’t just go running off any time now!” he said.

“I most certainly can. I am the queen,” the woman said.

Oh fuck!

Anna realized who she had helped and desperately wanted to run away.

“It was all over when I got there, uncle. You had a genuine hero in attendance by the way,” the queen said.

He’s her uncle. Oh no, he’s the duke!

The duke looked her over, and his eyes narrowed.

“It can’t be,” he said.

“Do you know this girl?” the queen asked.

“Are you Anna by any chance?” he asked.

“Yes,” Anna replied. He smiled.

“She’s one of the adventurers that defended the crossroads town out on the frontier last fall,” the duke said. The queen smiled at her.

“Well, isn’t that a coincidence,” she said.

“Tell me, where are the rest of your party? Were they here as well?” the duke asked.

“No, it was just me and Elaine. Her brother Richard showed up at the guild hall and asked her to come with him to the ball. The others didn’t want to, but I hadn’t been to one, so I came with,” Anna replied. He nodded at her.

“Shame I missed her then,” he said.

“Well, we need to get you cleaned up and in a new dress now, don’t we,” the queen said looking at her.

I don’t like the way she’s looking at me.

Vincent was dismissed and scurried away without a word. She was led to a room that had a nice bath like the one at lord Ender’s house. A few maids helped her undress and undid her hair. Luckily nothing melted to that. Otherwise, she’d have to stick her head in a forge or something.

After she washed, she found her green dress laid out.

“Is Elaine here?” she asked. The maids just shushed her. She frowned.

Why won’t they let me see her?

She was brought to a room with a big table. The queen, the duke, the knight-commander and a few other men sat there. Everyone had a stern look on their faces.

What now?

She sat down and looked around. The queen leaned forward in her chair.

“Who and what are you really, Anna?” she asked.

They already know, and they are just seeing if I’m going to lie to them.

They were all looking at her expectantly. She filled the room with eyes and tentacles. Everyone froze and looked around in shock.

“Are you sure you want to know?” Anna asked. The queen nodded.

“I’m all ears,” she said.

Anna told them of her creation and of her father and what she’d learned about herself on her journey to Oldforge. She didn’t tell them everything that had happened to her, figuring they already knew from the report they’d sent the guild.

I don’t think they know what the temple knows.

The queen rubbed her temples. “You’re telling me she just walked into the city, and no one noticed?!” she said.

“How could we have known!” one of the men replied.

“Are you the commander of the city guard or not!” the queen screamed at him.

“That’s not fair. We both know there’s no way anyone could have guessed someone like her even existed,” the duke said. The queen took a breath.

“Don’t you think I know that?” she snapped. She put her head in her hands.

“The monsters are in an uproar on the northern border. I have paladins crawling up my ass looking for the chosen one, and now her!” the queen said. Anna got up.

“I don’t mean to be a problem,” she said. She turned to leave.

“Wait, no, I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just, well, what am I supposed to do with you?” the queen asked.

“Put in a request with the guild if you need me for something. I know I’m different, but I just want to be an adventurer,” Anna replied.

The queen sighed. “I want to believe you, but I don’t know what will happen if I leave you alone,” she said.

“I bought a house in the merchants’ district. I have a flower garden I take care of there. During the day, I make potions and give them to people that need them. At night, I go drinking with dwarves. Sometimes I’ll play with the children on the street where I live. They are fun, but their moms don’t like me. They think I’ll steal their men. I don’t want their men though. I don’t want anyone like that. Well, Vincent did kiss me tonight. That was the first time anyone kissed me. It was kind of nice,” Anna replied. She smiled softly.

The duke chuckled, and the queen shot him a look. “You know what? I believe you,” the queen said.

“Well, she still needs a reward for saving both of my sons and my soon to be daughter in law,” the duke said. Everyone looked at her again. “Anything you would like?” the duke asked.

Anna thought about it for a moment but drew a blank.

Oh, I know!

“Uh, Elaine’s family is in debt, so I’d like fifty rounds to give them,” Anna said.

“You know you’re supposed to ask for something you want, right?” the queen asked.

“I know, but I don’t really want anything,” Anna replied.

“We shouldn’t let this get out, your highness. Perhaps it would be for the best just to send her off with a chest full of treasure,” the knight-commander said.

“How did they manage to get into the garden?” the duke asked.

“That mage of theirs was covered in enchanted items. I’m certain they just climbed the walls under a cloak of invisibility,” the city guard commander said.

“That must have been one abyss of a cloak,” The duke replied dryly.

“I’m amazed someone that powerful was willing to risk his life in a half-baked kidnapping attempt,” the knight-commander said.

“They would have gotten them if I hadn’t been there,” Anna said.

“Point taken,” the Knight-commander replied.

“Regardless, we need to up the security before the wedding,” the duke said.

“Perhaps we should discuss this later,” the queen said.

They all stood up.

“Anna, please enjoy my hospitality for the night,” the duke said.

“Uh, okay,” Anna replied.

They all left the room together. She was led away by a maid and two of the knights in gleaming armor. They brought her to a huge room with opulent furniture. She went over and sat on the bed. A maid was looking at her expectantly.

“What?” Anna asked.

“Would you like some tea, or perhaps something sweet?” the maid asked.

“Sure,” Anna replied. She hesitated for a moment, unsure if she should ask for anything else. “Can I have a cupcake?” Anna asked.

“Of course, miss,” the maid said. She left the room leaving Anna by herself.

Maybe I should just go?

She looked at the window. No one would ever be able to catch her.

They would be mad at my friends if I did that. I have to stay.

She kicked her feet some. The bed was so tall they didn’t reach the floor. She flopped back and spread her arms out. The bed was soft, so she sank in some.

I hope the cupcake is good.