Hidden Kingdom discussion

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Mia walked into the already full banquet hall/ball room.
She looked around, there were people dancing to the music that filled the room. She watched people laugh as they conversed near the edge of the dancing floor. Few people came up and greeted her.

She forced a smile, that didn't reach her eyes, as more and more people complemented her on how lovely she looked or on how well her mother had done at arranging everything.

She didn't see her father or her mother, which perhaps that was a good thing.

A young man appoarched her and asked her to dance she accepted on the grounds that it was the polite thing to do. He swirled her around the room, but conversation between the two was little.

"I'm sorry." He said when the princess's silence was too much, "I hope I have not offended you."

"What? No. Of course not." Mia said starting to feel guilty. "It's just, I have a lot on my mind. I should apologize to you for not being a better dance partner."

"It's alright, Princess." He said a bit impressed by her honesty.

She gave him a slightly sad half hearted smile, as they continued to dance. She did attempt some conversation.

Owena and her parents entered the banquet hall shortly after Mia. The baby was nestled in Owena's mother's arms, his tiny body clothed in a miniature dressing gown of the softest cotton. He slept peacefully.

They took their seats, Owena silently hoping no one would ask her to dance.

Dinner was called and Mia found herself suddenly feeling sick. She knew what was coming. She bowed to her partner and took a seat next to her mother.

When everyone was seated the king stood and raised his glass. "First off," He said smiling brightly, "I must thank you all for coming, you have all made my birthday, a very special day indeed. I would especially like to thank the two most important women in my life: My darling wife, who has stayed by me for so long, and my lovely daughter who, is so kind and obedient." Mia closed her eyes as the room applauded, getting that sick feeling again.

"This is a very special birthday indeed, for my wife and I have an announcement." He smiled at his daughter.

Mia looked over at Wen tears in her eyes then she looked down to her lap, her lips pressed together.

"My wife and I are so happy to inform you all, that our daughter is now engaged!" he raised his glass above his head and the room cheered.

Amelia felt like her heart had been replaced with dark depression and it was spreading through her body. She swallowed more tears wanting to just get up and leave but she knew she couldn't.

She looked up and around and smiled because that's what she knew everyone wanted from her, but the light didn't reach her eyes and she knew then it never would again.

Her mother stood. "And we are so happy that all of you could be here for the celebration of not only my husband's birthday, but also the engagement of our daughter. And we thank you, so much for that."

Mia stood, as was custom, to say her words. "I am so, unbelievably happy. The crown Prince of England is quite the catch. Thank you all for being here with me as I grew up and I would like to ask you to join me at my wedding." The happiness was subtly forced only someone who knew her well would notice. Her smile and laughter were also well acted out as she died inside.

Owena's face fell as soon as she noticed the tears in her friend's eyes. Before the words had even left the King's mouth; she knew. She was horrified. Saddened. She didn't want Mia to give up on her prince just yet. Her Tallnasan boy that brought such a light to her eyes.
She could not stand the forced smiles, the lack of joy on her best friend's face. Tears spilled down her cheeks and her mother smiled at her, thinking them tears of joy despite the expression on her daughter's face.

She wanted to run to Mia. Should she? It could potentially be explained by their close relationship. They were practically sisters after all. She sat on the edge of her seat, ready to rise at a moment's notice.

Mia stayed standing when her parents sat down. "Excuse me, mother. I-" She couldn't think of a lie. "I need some air." She came up with.

She didn't wait for her mother's consent. She turned and walked quickly out of the room. She couldn't do this. She could lie to everyone, tell them she was happy when she felt so dead.

Once she was out in the hallway and the doors were closed she fell against the wall, her tears, never ending. Her left hand on her mouth while her right arm hugged her stomach.

This wasn't fair. She was about to lose everything, her brother, her friends, Parker. Everything was being taken from her, so she could live some other life, so she could continue to force her happiness and everyone in there was glad, cheering for her move from one kind of prison to the other?

Could they not see her pain? Did they not understand what an arrange marriage held for her?

At Mia's exit she stood and left, not bothering to be polite and make excuses. Being with her friend was the more important matter; politics could wait. Owena swept through the doors, the elegant skirts of her fancy new dress whispering as they dragged along the floor.
"Mia," she said gently, "Oh Mia..." Owena took her friend's face in her hands, putting their foreheads together. "We cannot let them do this. I cannot stand to see you in such a state."

"I don't have a choice, Wen. I never did." She whispered. "No one would listen, no one would care. England would be slighted and then we could possibly have another war on our hands. I have to marry the Prince."

Mia had always had a strong sense of duty and it often overcame her other emotions, and as unfair as it was it was normal to her.

Owena wasn't having it. Seeing her friend in pain brought out her stubborn side. "Well, we could always fake your death." She was no longer sure if she was joking or not. It would be possible to fake a death, would it not? And if that happened...she would be free. However, it would not be an easy life, nor one that would allow her to see her family.

It was just an idea she had thrown out in her state of emotion. She hoped her friend would not be upset with her.

Mia couldn't help but laugh. The idea was kind of ridiculous.

"You know we couldn't do that."

"Yes well it is the thought that counts," she said grumpily, stepping back and smoothing her dress. "I am rather displeased. If you leave I will lose my greatest friend. The distance is so great...Mia...I do not know what to think. Or do, for that matter. I cannot pretend to be happy for you. That is one thing I simply can not do."

"But it's something you have to do, Wen." Mia said whipping her cheeks dry. She smiled, or tried to smile.

"I will not," she said simply, shaking her head. "No one can make me, really, so I would rather not."

"Not even for me?" She asked.

"That-" Owena covered her face for a moment and then dropped her hands. "-is a lot to ask of me."

"I know. But if your opposition is apparent. Then everyone will figure out, I'm upset and some how they'll find out about Parker." She said taking Wen's hands. "Please."

Her hands were shaking but she gripped her friend's hands tightly. "I will try. Only for your sake."

"Thank you." She hugged her friend tightly. "I can't tell you how much that means to me."

"Hmmph." She returned the hug, still a little stiff. "I wish I could leave. I no longer have any urge to be here amongst all this finery." Owena picked at her dress. "I feel out of place."

"Well, you look beautiful." Mia pointed out. "You don't have to stay." She said wishing she had the option to leave. She looked at the door, "But if I don't get back soon, they'll come looking from me." She said.

((I think Imma gonna go to bed because it's almost midnight, and I have church tomorrow. Goodnight, loverly.))

((I have to go to bed too. It is after one already and I have church as well. Sleep tight!))

Owena sighed. "Well thank-you. I suppose I cannot just leave. I will stay a while longer at least. May as well eat something if I am to be at a banquet."

Mia nodded glad someone was on her side and walked gracefully back into the room smiling. She took her seat next to her mother.

Owena followed and went to sit back with her family, gently taking the baby from her mother so she might distract herself.

She rocked the baby in her arms and hummed a quiet lullaby. She sighed to herself, her mind wandering.

((Faran should crash this party. XD Kidding. Haha. He's not that stupid.))

((bahaha))

Dinner ended and Mia stood, hoping to sneak out before the rest of the guests but her mother pulled her arm, pulling her toward the dance floor where she was forced to endure more fake smiles, and dance with every young man in the kingdom.

She had lost sight of Wen, but was sure that Wen had been successful in leaving.

Owena felt awful leaving her friend alone to her dancing but she honestly could not have spent another moment in the banquet hall. It helped that the baby had started squalling just when she most yearned to leave. The baby's loud cries gave her the excuse she had been waiting for and she didn't let the chance pass her by.

She was gone before her mother could say a single admonishing word.

Mia was lead around the room in dizzying circles. Her partner going faster than what the music called for, but she smiled gracisouly as he spoke quickly about some drawl little thing that she cared little about.

When the dance ended he bowed too close to her curstie and ended up hitting her head. "Oh, my goodness, Princess, I am so sorry!" He gushed his appologies. "You're alright, really, I'm fine, it's only a bump." She said, her hand on her forehead, "It's nothing a glass of water and sitting for a few moments won't cure." She said glad for the excuse to sit down for a while. "Then I shall sit with you." He said.

"oh, no, that is not nessercy, please, go enjoy your evening do not let it be spoiled by me."

"I insist, My Lady, t'was I that gave you that bump, t'will be I who keeps you company while you let it heal."

"Thank you that is very kind but-"

"I insist" He repeated.

Mia sighed softly as sat down and a servant brought her water, "Thank you, Lily." She said and those were the only words she got to say before her partner, now the man sitting next to her began to ramble on again, not letting her get a word in. So she nodded and smiled, and eventually stopped listening.