The next morning, Rynhara was dragged from her bed far earlier than she liked. Kaelira threw open the curtains with unnecessary enthusiasm, letting in a flood of blinding sunlight.
"Rise and shine, Princess!" Kaelira sang out, far too chipper for someone who'd stayed up late teasing Rynhara about her dance lessons.
"Go away," Rynhara groaned, burying herself under the covers.
"Can't do that. Big news." Kaelira yanked the blankets off, narrowly avoiding a swipe of Rynhara's tail. "The royal ball has been scheduled."
That got Rynhara to sit up, her mismatched eyes glaring. "What?"
Kaelira grinned, clearly enjoying this. "The Spring Convergence Ball. You know, the annual event where dignitaries, nobles, and every snobby mortal with a title comes to bask in your Mother's glory? Apparently, this year, it's also your debut as the Darkness Dragon Princess."
Rynhara froze. "My what?"
---
Tiamora herself delivered the news during breakfast, where Rynhara's attempts to pretend it wasn't happening were promptly dashed.
"The Spring Convergence Ball is an important tradition," Tiamora said as she sipped her morning tea. "And this year, it will be your first formal appearance as my daughter and heir. It is crucial that you make an impression."
"I'm going to impress them by falling on my face," Rynhara muttered, stabbing a piece of fruit with unnecessary force.
Tiamora chuckled. "That's why we've been training you, darling. You've made excellent progress."
"Progress isn't the same as 'prepared,'" Rynhara pointed out.
Kaelira leaned over the table with a smirk. "Don't worry, Rynhara. If you trip, at least the nobles will be too scared to laugh thanks to your Villainess title."
"Comforting," Rynhara said dryly.
After breakfast, Rynhara's day descended into chaos. Lady Vaelith and an army of castle staff descended upon her chambers with an endless list of things to prepare for the ball: wardrobe fittings, advanced dance practice, and even lessons on how to address specific nobles.
The first fitting session was a disaster. Rynhara stood on a pedestal, surrounded by seamstresses frantically taking measurements and pinning fabric.
"This is ridiculous," Rynhara grumbled, holding her arms out as the seamstresses worked. "I already have a dress. Why do I need another one?"
"Because your existing dress is a 'gothic kimono hybrid,'" Lady Vaelith said with barely concealed disdain. "While... charming in its own way, it is hardly appropriate for a formal royal debut."
Kaelira, who had wandered in to watch the chaos, snorted. "She's not wrong. You're going to need something a little less villain-in-an-opera and a little more elegant terror."
"Is that supposed to be helpful?"
"Absolutely not."
Throughout the day, castle staff whispered among themselves as they watched the princess flounder through her preparations.
"She's about to fall again isnt she?," one maid said, watching Rynhara attempt to balance a book on her head while walking across the ballroom.
"She's definitely got the power to back up her titles," another servant added. "But grace? Not so much."
"Still," the first maid said with a small smile, "She's... endearing, in her own chaotic way."
"I'm just glad she hasn't burned anything down this week," the second servant said.
Later that afternoon, Rynhara was in the middle of yet another dance lesson when the castle's messenger arrived with a sealed envelope.
"This is for you, Princess Rynhara," he said, bowing low.
Rynhara took the envelope, breaking the wax seal with her claw. Inside was a handwritten note, its elegant script unmistakable:
"I've heard of your upcoming debut and look forward to seeing how far you've come. Signed, Reinhard."
Rynhara's eyes widened. "Reinhard?" she muttered under her breath.
Kaelira leaned over her shoulder to read the note, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Is that the Reinhard? The hero who trained you?"
Rynhara groaned, slumping onto a nearby chair. "Just what I needed. A reminder of my past life showing up to judge me in my new one. Still i can't help but wonder how he knew it was me, after all the only people who know about my true origins are you, my mother and the castle staff"
"Think of it this way," Kaelira said with a smirk. "If you mess up, at least you'll be providing entertainment for your old mentor."
"Gee, thanks," Rynhara said, glaring at her.
That night, as Rynhara sat by her window staring at the moonlit sky, she couldn't shake the mix of excitement and dread bubbling in her chest. The ball loomed like a storm on the horizon, and with it came expectations, challenges, and the chance to truly prove herself.
"Guess I've got no choice but to face it," she muttered, her mismatched eyes reflecting the stars.
Somewhere deep in her heart, she felt the faintest flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, this wouldn't be so bad after all.