"Mira! I have your dress for the ball in two days. Would you like to see it?" inquired her mother.
"Yes please, mother. That'd be wonderful," Mira replied.
Her mother clapped twice. Instantly, two servants came in carrying a mannequin with Mira's dress. I gasped at its beauty. It was a gorgeous dress the color of a light pink rose. It had a heart shaped neckline and the sleeves were made of a flowy transparent veil and lace roses sewed on at the end. All over the top of the bodice were pink lace flowers clustered at the top and spreading out as it reached the waist line. The skirt of the dress was puffed out and had a veil overskirt with more embroidered lace flowers and vines. Another servant came in carrying a delicate, rose-gold colored mask.
"Do you like it dear? The theme of the ball is a masquerade! Isn't that exciting?" asked her father.
"Yes. May I look closer at my mask?" wondered Mira.
"Of course, dear. Suri!" exclaimed the queen.
I jolted. "Yes, your highness?"
"Please take the mask from the servant and display it to my daughter."
"Yes, your highness."
I gently lifted the delicate mask. Mira gasped. "Mother, it's gorgeous!" She held the mask gently and gazed upon it with wonder and admiration. The mask was made out of a light-colored rose gold from a different country. It was symmetrical with intricate designs all over the light metal. Mira tried it on. It felt as light as a feather and looked very nice of Mira. She grinned. "Thank you mother! This is amazing!"
The majesties smiled, then nodded in thanks to me.
"Mira, you may bring a special guest, if you'd like," stated her father. She beamed at me.
"Can Suri be my guest, then?" Her parents chuckled. They knew of me being good friends with Mira. They didn't mind because not only was I one of the most capable maids, but I was loyal, honest, kind, and very smart. The king even had me devise a winning battle strategy once.
"Of course dear," replied the queen.
The next days were quite hectic. I not only had to tend to all of my duties, but I had to get fitted for my dress and get my mask. I ended up in a simple but still beautiful high-to-low maroon dress with an illusion neckline and a matching mask with gold designs on it. On the day of the ball, I walked into Mira's room, getting her ready first before me. To be honest, I was quite excited. I was going to a MASQUERADE BALL as the special guest of THE PRINCESS to dance with RANDOM and UNKNOWN people!! Mira looked excited too. She looked at me. "How do I look?" she asked.
I replied, "Like you should. You look like a princess. Are you ready to dance with Prince Liam?" I nudged her. She blushed.
"Suri, you know I like someone else."
My grin faded a bit, but just for a second. I could totally run away and become a renowned actress. "You mean Rayyyyyyyy~?" Her face turned bright red.
"Shushhhh Suri!! Someone can hear you!" I paused my teasing.
"Do you think he'll be there tonight?" I wondered aloud. She stopped too.
"Suri, I have to tell you something. Promise you'll wait until I'm done explaining?" I pinky promised her. She took a deep breath.
"Ray is the prince of Ruby Realm."
I stood speechless. Then, my senses came to me. "WHAT????? YOU'RE JOKING RIGHT??? PLEASE TELL ME YOU'RE JOKING!!!!!"
She sighed. "I was like that too. I'm thinking about telling mother and father and to see if I could be betrothed to him rather than Liam. Don't get me wrong, Liam is one of the kindest, handsomest men I've ever met, but he's a bit sarcastic and way too smart for me. I sometimes feel like our relationship is a little artificial. Honestly, you'd be a better match for him then me."
I snorted. "Me? With a prince? Never going to happen. I've never even met this person!"
"You might, at the ball~~" She winked at me.
I rolled my eyes. "Oh, honestly Mira."
We then had a laughing fit, and started talking about the food that we'd eat, the people we wanted to meet and dance with, and the fact that there was a possibility for her to end up with Ray. Though it saddened me, I knew they were made for each other. I internally sighed. Unrequited love sucks. But, we all go through this from one point to another, right? I just had to suck it up and be happy for my two friends. Soon, it was time for the ball. I walked down the red carpeted stairs with Mira, her father, and her mother. I smiled as I looked around the brightly lit up ballroom. All of the guests had such interesting masks. After getting down I went straight to the food area, planning on being a wallflower for most of the evening and just eating delicious food. I was just hanging around the dessert section when a guy in a green mask came up to me. He grinned. "Care to dance, milady?" I flushed red.
"I, uh, I can't dance. Sorry, you might have to find a different dance partner." He chuckled.
"I'll help you. First, you take my hand." I hesitantly took it. "And now, we step this way…"
As we were dancing, I couldn't help but think he seemed familiar, but I couldn't place my finger on who he was.