My name is Liam Hawthorne, I'm a male witch. Today, before I officially leave to go to the dorms at the Lorena Knight Training Academy, my 4th sister Edith told me that she was going to do something as a surprise. She had the maids put a dress on me with makeup and took me with her to Princess Hildegard Lorena's Birthday Gala at the palace with her husband Richard.
When we arrived at the gala, I was was anxious because I didn't know what they would introduce me as and I didn't want to be discovered as I was crossdressing.
"Older sister Edith, do I really have to do this?" I asked.
"I have a good feeling about today," Edith said.
"But what if I mess up?" I asked, "I don't like dancing." Edith smiled.
"You'll be fine, Lia," Edith said, "You're smart enough to figure it out on your own." If I wasn't out or wearing a dress, I would've made more of a fuss, but it was almost our turn to be announced. "It's our turn now, so be on your best behavior, Lia."
"Count Richard Cleveland, Countess Edith Cleveland, and Young Lady Lia Hawthorne!" the royal announcer shouted as we walked into the ballroom. I almost winced when he called me a young lady. Edith and Richard went over to the side where the married couples went, whereas I was stuck with going over to the side where the unmarried people went. A young woman about my age approached me with a look of disgust in her green eyes, her honey colored hair in twin tails.
"I've never heard of you before," she said, "You must be from the same country village as that Edith woman. To top it off, you're a witch, how disturbing." I had no idea how to deal with her whatsoever. Boys' taunts that I must be a girl were somewhat bearable compared to someone mocking my family. I was thinking about how a knights' honor would be ruined if I just punch her right now.
"So, I'm guessing that your etiquette teacher didn't teach you how to introduce yourself to someone you don't know," I said, "It should be more like: 'Hello, I don't believe we've met. My name is so-and-so. It's pleasant to meet you.' Not whatever you said." The girl glared at me like she was looking at something gross.
"My name isn't so-and-so," the girl said as she ran off, "It's Grace Manners!" Her name was the exact opposite of her, how funny. I was approached by a young man with long dark brown hair in a ponytail and glasses that made the color of his eyes look undistinguishable.
"My name is Vincent Karl," he said, "I hope you don't take my fiancée's words to heart, she is just really insecure. You see, Richard Cleveland is the man she had a crush on for years, despite them being cousins."
"Thank you for the reassurance," I said, "But I think you better go after her." Mister Karl nodded and left. I decided that I should probably go give the gift to the princess and then go out to a veranda as soon as possible. It took a while for everyone to get introduced and I was politely hiding in the corner of the room for what felt like the longest time.162Please respect copyright.PENANAeQPzHFDUYC
When it was time for my family to deliver Princess Hildegard's present, I made sure to keep my head down, but the princess was gorgeous, with long wavy blonde hair and green eyes. I noticed a hint of curiosity in her eyes as I handed her the gift my parents had chosen for her. I didn't look at any of the other royal family members, because I didn't want to be rude or stare.
"My thanks to the Hawthorne family," Princess Hildegard said after she opened it, the gift was a locket my mother had made enchanted with healing magic.
After that, I grabbed a drink and went to find a veranda as far away from the noise as possible that was still close enough for Edith to find me easily. The drink was a bit bitter for my tastes, but I just wanted something to sip on. Suddenly, someone comes outside to my veranda and quickly closed the door behind them. It was a young man, but he looked like he was scared. His long light brown hair was disheveled and his grey eyes looked like he had seen a ghost. My eyes were also grey, but much lighter than his.
"Can I help you?" I asked.
"Yes, actually," the young man said, "I'm hiding from a terrible woman. Can you make it look like I'm not here?" I frowned, I wasn't sure how to make that possible, but he seemed desperate. I realized that there was an edge of wall that could hide him if he stayed on the other side of the curtain.
"Over there," I said as I showed him to that stretch of wall.
"What's your name, miss?" the young man asked.
"Lia Hawthorne," I said, "And your name is?" His grey eyes stared at me in surprise and intrigue. It felt odd to be looked at like that by a young man, almost like he was the first one that didn't treat me like an object. My heart skipped a beat, but he still just stared at me after hearing my name.
"Lia, where are you?!" my sister Edith shouted. I didn't want to leave this young man, but my sister was probably worried since I hadn't even danced once.
"I have to go," I said, "My sister's waiting for me."- I took the lavender ribbon I was using as a hair tie and tied it to the young man's wrist,- "Take this. Hopefully we'll meet again, but who knows what would happen. I'm going to the Lorena Knight Training Academy in a few days, so it might be impossible to meet after this." I left before the young man said anything else. I still didn't know his name.
ns 172.70.38.155da2