[who] Prince Charming and the mysterious Cinderella [what] The Grand Ball to celebrate the Prince's ... um ... something. (aka a reason for his dad to parade eligible ladies in front of his nose) [where] The Castle [rating] S for Snark
The castle had been decorated from top to bottom in dark greens and greys; the eldest princes favorite colors. The King had ordered it on a rush, to celebrate his son's return from a prolonged hunt around the realms. Of course, that was not the King's only motivator for this lavish party. In truth, he wished that perhaps his son might find a bride. He felt it was high time that his son settled down and readied himself for the day that he would take his place as king. All in all, the King thought it was a grand plan, and his son should be happy that he didn't have to do any of the hard work in finding a bride.
The prince, on the other hand, wasn't that impressed. As the ladies were paraded in front of him, his father making comments on each one after they had been brought by for a proper introduction, he stood back as far as he could get away with being. The only thing that mattered to him at the moment was the goblet of wine in his hand, and ignoring anything and everything his father had to say. He didn't want this stupid party. He didn't want to find a bride right now. He wanted to live his life, and find a woman to marry when the time was right to him, and not to his father.
"And this is the Lady Tremaine, and her two daughters, Anastasia, and Drizella." The king and his younger son both took the time to kiss the hands of the ladies, and give them a proper greeting. The Prince, however, couldn't care less. He looked up for a moment from his wine, and tried to hide the sour face he made at the sight of the hideous dresses the two younger girls were wearing. They were shades of a color he felt probably shouldn't exist.
"Pleasure to make your acquaintance." He muttered, not really giving them much attention, mostly because their dresses hurt his eyes. The two girls nearly collapsed in a fit of giggles because the Prince had acknowledged their existance, and he watched, with some small amount of joy, as they were finally led away from him. He turned to his father, and handed him his now empty wine goblet. "That's it. I'm done. If I have to stand here and exchange pleasantries with one more daft woman in a blindingly ugly frock, I'll hang myself."
"Friedrick." His father said through clenched teeth. The younger man was content to ignore him as he walked away, only bothering to stop and grab a fresh goblet of wine from a passing waiter.