Read with BonusRead with Bonus

Chapter 3 - The Ball (1/2)

Ailenna

My dress was really breathing taken. I look at myself in the mirror, barely recognizing the woman I see. Mom outdid herself this time. She had already designed much more expensive dresses full of details, but this dress gained in its simplicity and personal meaning.

The dark green tone went perfectly with my dark lavy skin and brown hair. It was sleeveless and had no neckline, going all the way down to the base of my neck. The boldness was all the way to the back, where a deep V-neckline went all the way to my waist. It was fitted at the breasts and waist, but fell into a loose, slightly flared skirt. Between the top and the skirt, a kind of emerald belt, three fingers wide, decorated the dress. And that was the only detail in the entire dress.

To marry simplicity, I wore small earrings, just an emerald ball that was no bigger than a coin. The makeup followed the same line, all in earthy tones and nothing extravagant. It only served to highlight the features of my face, as well as making my eyelashes and lips bigger. My hair was left loose in perfect waves, falling to my chest line. I throw it to my right side and let it fall all the way over my shoulder, leaving my back free and bare for anyone who wants to see it.

I'm beautiful. Sexy. Elegant.

The perfect package for a suitor, right?

  • I heard that Marienne opted for dark blue - one of the castle employees says to mom, behind me - She knows it will highlight her blonde hair and blue eyes. She played it safe.

  • Is she already at the party? - Mom questions.

  • No. She intends to go down now. I came as soon as I found out.

  • Well, Ailenna, time to go then - Mom said - Last request?

-Tell me you love me three times - I respond, as always, and she smiles.

  • I love you, I love you, I love you - she says, hugging me - You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, my little emerald.

And that's what made the dress even more special. Mom always called me "little emerald" because I was her favorite jewel. It was a silly nickname, but I loved it and so did she. Being dressed in emerald on the most important day of my life - not to mention the day of my possible wedding - was special and delicate. It was like having my mother hug me all night.

  • I love you too, mommy - I say, squeezing her one last time - Now let's go. I have a prince to impress and a crowd to charm.

Dad wasn't here, so Mom was the one who carried me on her arm to the dance. My father warned me that he would not take any of his daughters or wives to the dance so that there would be no rumors about preferences. I thought it was bullshit. Dad and Mom have been having more and more fights and conflicts and he didn't want to have to join her and his other wife at the party, like he always did.

I look at Mom and see a shadow of sadness in her eyes. She loves my father, very much. They challenged many people, including my grandparents, to be together. Mom agreed to be the second wife, because "love is beyond possession or exclusivity", a common belief among Luavynians. What she didn't know was that the other wife was unusually jealous and with that, each year, their relationship would become more and more difficult.

The competition between the daughters didn't make it easier.

  • Hey Mama?

  • Yes?

  • Daddy will regret not carrying you in his arms tonight - I say, giving him my biggest smile - You look beautiful.

  • Your father is doing the right thing, Ailenna. Don't be mad... I'm not.

  • Don't sugarcoat things... I know you love him, but I also know that he doesn't deserve your love. I hope that changes, because I want to see the sparkle in your eyes again, mom.

  • Thank you, my emerald - she says, blinking away the tears, which were threatening to flow - Now enough about me! The night is yours.

I agree just to not see her cry and we make the rest of the way in silence. The Prince's reception ball is the biggest event of the year, according to castle reviews. The party will not be small and will also feature coverage from a few - and well-selected - journalists.

Everyone will be waiting for the moment when me, Nicko and Mari will meet. They are waiting for excitement... We are the private show of this party, that's the truth. But I don't have time to give up or give in to bad feelings, because the big doors of the ballroom appear in front of me.

The guards open the doors as soon as they see us, recognizing me from afar. I am one of the most anticipated guests of the night, after all. Well...

It's show time.

As soon as we enter the Great Hall, all eyes slowly fall on us. We make our way down the central aisle, which is free, to King Arthurian and Queen Aurora, sitting on the throne. They would sit for the first half hour of the party, so that all the guests would bow as soon as they arrived. This left the formal part of the party only at the beginning - or that's what King Arthurian said when he implemented the custom.

I should be looking at the royal couple, but my eyes fall to the figure standing next to the King. A figure that grew more familiar by the second, not just because I'd seen his photos dozens of times over the past few years, but because I'd briefly chatted with him still today.

With his beard now trimmed and close to his face, but with the same long hair, Soreh Victor also had his eyes on mine. His clothes didn't belong to a Soreh and he looked very powerful up there. That's because his name wasn't Soreh Victor...

It was Prince Nikcolai.

The unfortunate man lied to me.

And I didn't even notice!

I take a deep breath just in time to regain control and bow perfectly. It's automatic, because I've been bending over since I was able to stand on both legs. I was raised to perhaps take the throne one day. This means that I couldn't make mistakes in simple things, like bending over.

  • Get up - the King demand and we do - It's a pleasure to see you here, Sorah Niella and Sorah Ailenna.

  • The pleasure is mine, Your Majesty - Mom and I say at the same time, which makes him smile.

  • Enjoy the party - he says and we understand the message. Time to remove ourselves from his presence.

With a slight bow of our heads, we both retreated into the crowd that was still staring at us. I see some Sorehs approaching and I maintain my posture. Now it was time to socialize, but my only desire is to choke the Prince.

As a well-trained Sorah, I manage to politely leave Mom with the Sorehs and go in search of Stella, my best friend. I avoid meeting eyes, but I still get stopped sometimes. When I finally meet Stella, my heart slows.

  • Stella, you won't believe this shit! - I whisper angrily.

I'll control myself... But first I'll curse Nikco for a long minute.

Previous Chapter
Next Chapter