In the ballroom of ladies with hourglass figures, and slim yet elegant bodies, Raziel stood out like a lost lamb among the crowd. The ball was boring and she desperately wanted to leave. This place is not her forte. She stared at her sisters and saw they were busy having the fun of their lives and dancing with the men. She watched as people took from the food and cakes placed on the table. Too bad she can't eat anything here.
Her mother had forced her to wear a corset inside her yellow ball gown and she finds it hard to breathe. It would take a few mouthfuls for her corset to burst and clips to open. It would be such an embarrassment.
"Goodness Raziel, what are you doing standing here like a lone bird?" Rachel nagged, coming from behind and Raziel spun to face her.
"And why is your face crumpled like that? You look as if you're greeting your end. What an eyesore."
"I'm hungry," Raziel complained. She hasn't eaten anything since this morning all in the name of this birthday party.
"Look at your tummy, it's protruding. Make sure you don't eat anything," Rachel warned. She placed both her hands on Raziel's shoulder and waist to straighten the young woman who was standing like a rejected bride.
"Stand up straight," she ordered. "If you keep behaving like this, no one would dance with you. Can't you see your sisters? Every gentleman here wants to dance with them but you're here standing like a grim reaper next target."
"I...I don't want to dance with anyone," Raziel muttered. Rachel shut her a dirty glare and her eyes darted to look around. Her mother has an unwavering effect on her and can make her pee on herself with just a glare.
"Now, smile. We're invited here for a birthday party but you're frowning like you're attending a funeral. You didn't even greet the king's grandmother. Smile," The mother ordered, stretching her hands to Raziel's head and positioning her tiara which was almost slipping off her red hair.
"If you ruin our reputation, I'll offer your neck to the king and we'll be able to live comfortably," she said before walking away and leaving Raziel to stand alone. The music stopped and she strode around the ballroom, heading to where her sisters were. At least they would keep her company before the ball ends.
"Lady Raziel," someone called from the side and she bared her neck to look at the person.
"John?" She exclaimed with a wide smile.
"Lady Raziel, I can't believe this is you. You've grown up to be so beautiful than the moon goddess. I almost couldn't recognize you," John praised and Raziel laughed. He was still as funny as ever. He used to be her friend before they were sent to the forest.
He was a supportive friend just like his twin sister, Sassy. All of them, including Rani, shared a strong bond and she remembered back then when they'll all run around the neighborhood together.
"I heard the king pardoned your family and you all came back from the forest some weeks back. Sorry I couldn't visit. I've been on a business trip and I only came back yesterday so I could attend the royal grandmother's birthday party. I hope you don't mind."
"Oh no, I don't mind at all, Sassy told me you weren't around when she visited," Raziel answered.
"It's a good thing you don't mind. How have you been?
"I'm fine. It's nice coming back to Daxtan and seeing the world again," she replied.
"I can see that. You're as good-looking as ever, lady Raziel," John complimented and her eyes sparkled. Raziel Crayon was easily one of the most beautiful women at the ball and she could pass as a goddess. At least, that was what John thought. From her overflowing locks of delphinium hair to her rare grey eyes. She resembled a blossom in the meadow of flowers. Her long eyelashes blinked as she talks. No one could compare.
"Thank you. Now, what's with the lady Raziel?" She asked shyly. It felt good that someone at least complimented her effort of starving to be able to fit into the corset and her time of letting her mother doll her up for today. She was looking as tired as ever, after all, she hasn't eaten anything. Thank the Almighty, no one noticed it.
"But that's your proper title. Right, lady Raziel?"
"Stop it, I'm still Raziel. We're friends and nothing changed. Unless you don't think so anymore."
"Of course I do. Fine, Raziel," he said playfully and they both laughed.
"How about your sisters, lady Jaria and lady May? I don't see them anywhere. I even doubt that I'll be able to recognize them."
"They're around," she informed, looking around the ballroom of people in search of her sisters but she couldn't find them. Anyway.....
"I can't find them now, but don't worry, you'll see them and you'll also be able to recognize them. How then did you recognize me?"
"I only recognized you because of your eyes, and I saw Mrs. Crayon leaving from here," John answered.
"Ohh. I almost didn't realize it was you either. You've grown so tall and manly. I had to stare hard before knowing it was you," Raziel said, hitting him on his arm playfully and he laughed. Raziel giggled loudly but it soon faded away when she felt a pair of eyes staring intently at her. She drew her brows together and looked behind her. When she found no one, she brushed it aside and returned her gaze to John.
Ever the innocent woman, she was not aware of the burning eyes watching her every movement. Two people had fixated their attention on her. She was totally oblivious to their intent of undressing her right there and then.