The Dreaded Dressing Room

Princess Lily, accustomed to a world that bent and bowed to her every whim, found herself utterly bewildered. One moment, she was basking in the adulation she’d orchestrated at the grand royal ball, the next, her mother, the Queen, was firmly, yet not unkindly, grasping her arm. The Queen’s eyes, usually sparkling with amusement at Lily’s antics, now held a determined glint that sent a tiny shiver down Lily’s spine.

“Mother, what are you doing?” Lily tried to pull away, her silken gown rustling indignantly. “The musicians are about to play my favorite waltz! And Sir Reginald promised me the first dance, didn’t you, Sir Reginald?”

Sir Reginald, who had been hovering nearby with a look of barely concealed panic, stammered, “Uh, yes, Your… Your Highness. But perhaps a moment…” He trailed off, looking pleadingly at the Queen.