3rd Person POV
The soiree was indeed by invitation only. Charlotte had pestered her father the second she had reached his palace to demand why she had not been invited to the soiree.
“Oh! Dear! It must have been a mistake! Your invite must be misplaced somewhere,” but Dagen had not thought about Charlotte at all when he had been sending out invites. He had been concentrating on Reginald because getting him married to a strong werewolf family was the plan on his mind.
“Father! You're lying!” Charlotte could tell when her father was hiding something and he really was this time.
“Tell me dear, does your brother have a girlfriend?” Dagen asked out of the blue. He had not really considered the possibility that Reginald was seriously interested in someone already in spite of Tyler's many insinuations that he may have someone already.
“Father! I wonder what we are celebrating,” remarked Reginald who appeared just then. Charlotte was grateful for the interruption. She had not been sure how she would have answered her father's question otherwise.
“Everything! My family is alive and well, I am truly grateful,” smiled Dagen sheepishly. Reginald gave his father a strange look, his father was usually not the sentimental type.
When it was time for the ball, Charlotte found Harlin and told him that they should use the entrance that everyone would be coming in from. Charlotte wanted to know if she would be allowed in without an invite.
“Why are you being petty all of a sudden?” asked Harlin. He had no problem with what she intended to do but he wondered what her motivation was for doing it anyway.
“I just want to know if I can be challenged in my father's house,” she winked at Harlin. Harlin shook his head. Sometimes, Charlotte loved stirring up trouble where there was none.
They got to the front of the rather large hall and they were asked for their invite.
“I'm Princess Charlotte and this here is my friend, Harlin. I'm sure you know who we are,” Charlotte smiled at the doorman and attempted to enter the party but the man blocked her from entering.
“I'm afraid you need an invitation madam,” said the doorman who was tired of those who had attempted to crash the party claiming they were Charlotte or Harlin or Reginald. He was no fool and he would not allow just anyone into the venue.
“I need an invitation to enter my father's soiree?” quipped Charlotte in a haughty tone. Harlin was trying to tell her not to make a scene but once Charlotte was in one of her moods, it was hard to bring her out of it.
“I’m afraid so, it is the policy,” the doorman wanted to add that if they were truly related to Alpha Dagen, they would not be trying to enter the party through this entrance.
“I am certain my father has no such policy,” said the doorman.
“You listen…”
“No, you listen to me madam, mister, there are lots of respectable persons who are waiting to enter, please leave before I call the guards on you two. Leave while I'm asking kindly,” said the doorman. He was getting quite frustrated with the duo, especially with the lady. She refused to move from her spot however so he signalled for a guard to carry them away.
But when the guard got close to them, he bowed his head and greeted the duo. The doorman was shocked.
“You idiot! Can you not recognise the princess and Prince Harlin?”
The doorman apologised and promptly allowed them into the soiree.
“What did you do that for?” demanded Harlin when they had successfully entered the party.
“Because I can?” quipped Charlotte with a shrug and a chuckle. Harlin shook his head with unbelief, his friends sometimes did strange things.
“Doesn't Reginald look like he ate something sour?” quipped Charlotte as she observed her brother standing awkwardly in the distance with their father.
“How would you know? You cannot see his face from here,” said Harlin.
“Well, let's find out,” said Charlotte as she dragged Harlin across the room to where her brother stood. Harlin wondered if it was a twin thing this time; Reginald did look like he had eaten something sour. It was clear that he wanted to be anywhere else but here.
“Charlie! You must need a drink…” Reginald was pleased that his sister had come. He needed someone to save him from this torture. Already his father had introduced him to five young women. His father’s intent had been clear even though not stated and he wanted to run away. Why was his father trying to marry him off now? Perhaps, he ought to let his father know that he had a love interest but then his father may not welcome the idea of marrying Xanthippe. A smile crossed his lips as he remembered her name. He was certainly coming back at a later date to see her. He wished he was with her right now.
“She can get one herself, you are to remain by my side for now. There are some important families you must meet, okay?” quipped Alpha Dagen. Lord Tyler, who stood not too far from Dagen, shook his head in pity for the young prince. Just as he had anticipated, Reginald had seen through the whole thing.
“Uncle Tyler!” Charlotte squealed as she wrapped her arms around her uncle excitedly.
“Where's Aunt Harriet?” she asked him.
“She’s over there with some friends,” Tyler pointed in the opposite direction from where he stood.
“Great! It's been too long since I saw Aunt Harriet. Come on, Harlin, let's say hi to Aunt Harriet,” Charlotte had ignored Reginald's quiet plea for help. She knew that if the situation were reversed, Reginald would do the same thing.
“Don't you think we should…” whispered Harlin to Charlotte, he was trying to suggest that they help Reginald but Charlotte's side eye kept him quiet.
He mouthed sorry to his friend as Charlotte dragged him away.