This stupid dress.

Nova tugs at her sleeves, pushing them up again. It’s like the fifth time she’s done that in the last ten minutes.

This is why she hates dresses. Well, one of the reasons.

The sleeves aren’t secure and don’t stay up which is so not practical. Clothes are supposed to cover and protect you. This does the exact opposite.

“You look like a stunning flower,” Haze practically squeals in her ear.

Nova glances down at her dress with much distain. It’s not horrible looking. It’s just not her.

A dark navy is the base color with silver star and dot pattern. There is a shine to the silver. It’s like the night sky. Which she can appreciate, though again, not practical.

It’s a full length gown, hitting the floor. She has almost fallen three times from stepping on the hem.

The sleeves are the worst. She’s sure they are meant to drape over her shoulders gracefully, but they are so loose that they fall. Clearly they weren’t meant for any type of movement.

At least it isn’t poofy.

“Those wouldn’t be the words I would use,” Nova grumbles.

The smile never leaves Haze’s face. And for that Nova can be appreciative to this stupid ball.

Haze literally glows in her gown. It’s a soft green color that reminds Nova of the lush grass in the Wild Thicket.

“It’s not every day that we are at a ball!” Haze says, her hands going wide to gesture to the fancy ballroom.

“Thank goodness for that,” Nova mutters. She smooths a nonexistent wrinkle. Without her easily accessible knife sheath, she doesn’t have anything to do with her hands. She finds that her hands empty with nothing to fill them with.

No wonder all these castle people always have a cup in their hands.

“No need to be so rainy. Let yourself shine, just this once,” Haze says.

Hearing the word ‘shine’ makes her think of Ward. He calls her fighting ability starshine, not because she shines in this star dress. And she can’t even fight with all these layers on.

As she thinks about him, he appears in the room, looking much more….castle like than she’s ever seen him. If she didn’t know any better, she would have thought he was a prince.

“Ward doesn’t care if I’m in a freaking dress, so why do I have to be in one?” Nova asks, gathering the dress and then dropping it for effect, the layers pillowing a bit.

Haze lets out a giggle, not doing well with covering it up with her hands. “Because Queen Amira said so. All ladies wear gowns.”

“Even the guards?” Nova questions, exasperation clear in her tone.

“Even the guards,” Haze confirms.

Just as she replies, Nova catches sight of Faira who is also in a dress, backing up Haze’s claim.

There is so many castle people and guards in the room. Much more than the last ball.

The large amount of people heats up the air and creates this uneasiness in Nova’s gut. She doesn’t love crowded spaces.

To many potential threats.

“What’s so special about tonight?” Nova inquires.

Queen Amira and King Harold pretty much buzz around, absolutely wired about something. The preparation for this event was extensive with every single castle worker doing something in the past couple days.

Ward never told her and she didn’t ask, so she’s a bit confused on the big deal.

“Some kind of anniversary. Aziza was telling me about it earlier. Something really important,” Haze replies.

“Anniversary of Oreza’s independence,” Faira interjects, just materializing next to Haze. Nova might be losing her edge because she didn’t even know she had approached them.

She’ll have to do some extra training tomorrow.

“Independence from who?” Haze asks, her curiosity clearly piqued. Nova can’t believe how easily Haze interacts with Faira. Faira had been nothing but horrible to her since they arrived and yet, Haze is so forgiving.

Sometimes, Nova wishes she could see the world like Haze does.

“Umm…from witches.”

Actually, nevermind. She would rather her pessimistic point of view.

Nova glares.

To her surprise, Faira instantly does damage control, “I don’t mean to be rude. That’s just what the anniversary is. Doesn’t mean everyone believes that in that.” When does Faira not mean to be rude?

Nova knew that they may have made some progress during the dragon incident, but Faira has been weirdly nicer than Nova could have predicted.

“I was hoping we were making a difference,” Haze mumbles, a dejected tone taking over, breaking Nova’s heart.

Her sister is just so good.

She doesn’t deserve the judgment. The disappointment.

Just as Nova was going to reassure Haze, Faira does, “You are.”

Both Nova and Haze’s heads snap to the knight. Who is this and what did she do to Faira?

Before, Faira took any chance to criticize them, making sure to point out they don’t belong in the castle. But now? Faira is being nice. And comforting.

“You really think so?” Nova can’t help but ask. Skepticism dripping in her voice. It feels like she’s in a fever dream.

“Yes. I do. You have changed a lot of minds here,” Faira says with such confidence that even Nova might believe her.

Because if Faira’s mind can change, there’s hope for everyone.

“Including yours?” Nova challenges, raising an eyebrow.

There’s this expression that flashes over Faira’s face. It’s brief, but Nova sees it. She has no idea what it means though.

“Maybe.”

———

(Having 92 drafts sitting on this app, I’m having a draft selection again! Just comment a number and I’ll get working on them! Also, if you want to pick something older, put a lower number. For example,if you gave the draft #1, that would be the oldest draft I have.)