"In a modern interpretation of a classic fairytale, Diana is a young woman who has been mistreated by her step sister and her manipulative stepmother since the death of her own mother. Her father, who has remarried, has struck a deal with the king that the prince will marry one of his daughters, making both Diana and Nora to live in the prince's palace together. As they compete for the prince's affections and deal with the tensions of living under the same roof, the two young women must navigate the complexities of family, love, and identity."
Chapter 1 The prince's eyes
"Diana took one last look in the mirror, adjusting the fabric of her dress to sit just so. Tonight was the night of the annual ball, the event that would determine the future of her life. She knew that her step-sister Nora would also be attending the event, but she tried to push thoughts of her manipulative antics out of her mind. Tonight was all about the prince, and the thought of him made her heart flutter.also be attending the event, but she tried to push thoughts of her manipulative antics out of her mind. Tonight was all about the prince, and the thought of him made her heart flutter."
The ballroom was a sea of colorful dresses and glittering jewels as guests milled about, chatting and sipping on glasses of champagne. Diana felt a flutter of nerves in her chest as she spotted Nora on the other side of the room, surrounded by a group of sycophants and admirers. Trying to ignore her, she made her way through the crowd towards the refreshment table.
As Diana took a glass of champagne from a passing server, she suddenly heard a familiar voice behind her. "Having fun?" Nora's voice was sickly sweet, and Diana mentally braced herself.
"Just enjoying the evening," Diana replied, keeping her tone neutral. She didn't want to give Nora the satisfaction of getting a reaction out of her.
Nora stepped around to stand next to Diana, her eyes scanning the room. "You know, I bet the prince will ask me to dance first tonight," she said, a hint of smugness in her voice.
Diana took a sip of her drink to hide her irritation. "And what makes you so sure of that?" she asked, feigning nonchalance.
"Oh, come on, Diana," Nora said, rolling her eyes. "Everyone knows I'm the more attractive sister. The prince will take one look at me and forget you even exist."
Diana's grip on her Champagne flute tightened, her knuckles turning white. She hated how Nora always had to make everything into a competition, even something as simple as who the prince would dance with first.
"Besides," Nora continued, a sly smile on her face, "I've been told the prince has quite a weakness for blonde hair and blue eyes" She ran a hand through her golden locks, obviously preening for attention.
Diana forced herself to ignore the dig, knowing that Nora was just trying to get a rise out of her. But the words stung all the same, reminding her of all the years of comparisons, the petty insults, and the constant competition.
The next few hours passed slowly, each minute filled with the chatter and laughter of nobles enjoying the ball. Diana found herself standing on the edge of the dance floor, watching as the prince twirled one after another of the young ladies in attendance around the room
Every now and then, she caught sight of Nora, who was always surrounded by a gaggle of eager men, all of them vying for her attention. It was all Diana could do not to roll her eyes at the sight.
As the night wore on, the energy in the room grew more festive, and the alcohol continued flowing freely. Diana, who had been nursing the same glass of champagne all night, watched as the prince made his way around the room, stopping to chat and laugh with various guests.
Despite her best efforts to maintain her composure, Diana couldn't help but feel a pang of longing as she watched the prince. He was handsome in a boyish way, with a smile that lit up his face. She wondered what it would feel like to dance with him, to be the object of his attention for a few fleeting moments.
But as soon as the thought crossed her mind, she pushed it away. She knew it was foolish to even entertain such thoughts. The prince was out of her league, and even if by some miracle he did show interest in her, she would have to contend with Nora and her manipulations.
As the night wore on, Diana continued to watch the prince from afar, her heart fluttering every time he laughed or smiled, but she didn't dare approach him. She didn't want to give Nora the satisfaction of seeing her try and fail to catch the prince's attention.
The hours ticked by, and Diana's feet began to ache from standing in her high-heeled shoes for so long. She glanced at the clock on the wall, wondering how much longer she would have to endure the torture of watching the prince dance with other women while she stood on the sidelines, unnoticed.
Just as she was contemplating slipping away to the garden for some air, a murmur rippled through the crowd, and all eyes turned towards the entrance of the ballroom. Diana followed their gazes and saw the prince enter, flanked by his entourage of nobles and admirers.
He looked every inch the dashing prince, his dark hair swept back from his forehead and his suit fitting him perfectly. As soon as he entered the room, all conversation ceased, and every lady in attendance turned to watch him with bated breath, hoping to catch his eye.
Diana's heart skipped a beat as the prince scanned the room, his gaze sweeping casually over the crowd. For a moment, she allowed herself to hope that he might notice her, but he seemed to pay her no mind, his eyes moving on to take in the other ladies present.
As the prince continued to make his way through the room, stopping to chat and laugh with various guests, Diana felt a pang of disappointment. She had been foolish to hope that he might notice her, especially with Nora standing nearby, looking like a golden goddess in her shimmering gown.