'I'm getting used to it here.' Like the past two mornings I was woken by the two lovely fairies that were my roommates. This morning however, would hit me like a mini truck that should've been my way of entry in a fantasy world rather than what actually happened.
After my usual minor procrastination before getting out of bed that I blamed on stretching I made my way to the girls after washing up.
"I still have to get my dress."
"As do I but that shouldn't be too hard."
Upon my entry into the room I overheard a bit of their conversation and was lured in by the pure intrigue of it.
"Morning Tera and Lillith. Not to eavesdrop but what were you talking about?"
They faced me with a puzzled look.
"The welcome ball tomorrow night for the students of Laertes and faculty?"
Lillith explained while Tera nodded along as my anxiety grew by the second.
"I heard the rumors but I didn't think you were that clueless Orphy."
"Perhaps she just forgot, I myself slept through my first one."
Tera surely doesn't have a filter at times, her words would've wounded me if it weren't at all true, my previous self was indeed foolish. Lillith, luckily, seemed to have a life raft to save me thanks to her own personal embarrassing story.
"That's my bad you guys, I never really paid that much attention before. Is there anything specific or specially required of us?"
"Well...we have to wear formal dresses and have an escort."
A large part of me always wanted to attend a fancy ball but that tiny realistic side I had was creeping in. 'I am so under prepared.'
"Escorts are mandatory, so those who aren't already engaged go with siblings or classmates. You can ask someone from outside of school but they'd have to be noble."
'YES! I could just go with Dirius.' The dress thing however would be a problem. Thanks to Lillith's mini crash course I got a better grasp of what this entire ball was about.
I pulled out the Fortran crystal I bought when I just entered town and called Dirius.
'Forgot I had this thing.' As you surmised he didn't answer. 'Just have to talk at class then.'
.
.
.
"Don't you know how to pick up when someone's calling you!?"
Upon hearing me shouting across the room he just silently waved me over like a pet. I rolled my eyes as I approached him, his nonchalance was really irksome at times.
"What do you want sis?"
"The ball nincompoop."
"Oh, that." he had a look of understanding mixed with subtle annoyance.
"You knew!?"
"This piece of shit knew and didn't tell me anything!?'
"Relax, enough with the screaming my head off. I just found out this morning."
"Well then you should understand why I'm being a pain. I need you to be my escort."
"No can do, I'm already taking Camille."
The side eye I gave him should've been able to turn anyone to stone. But to him it was just an average Thursday, he was used to making me angry.
"Have you no fucking loyalty? Her of all people!?"
He reached out his hand to my head and I swatted it instantly.
"Stop trying to pet me like a cat! Why did you do this shit?"
I already knew the answer but it still didn't soothe my rage. I moved past him realizing our audience had grown, and today I wasn't feeling like being the butt of anyone's joke.
I spent the rest of the day sulking, Tera tried to reassure me I could still find someone to go with by the end of the day but I wasn't so sure about that. I caught Leon glancing back at me a few times throughout the day but I was feeling all torn up inside.
Our reputation was already trash, the repercussions for not having an escort to the ball wouldn't be anything major, it was just more like committing social suicide.
***
With class having ended I was walking back to the dorms sluggardly like sloth when I felt a light tap on my shoulder.
"Hmm?"
I turned around and before me was an unlikely face.
"Found you. I was just coming to see you."
I could feel my heart palpitations getting faster; he startled me, I hadn't expected to see him. 'And looking for me of all things!?'
"Why were you looking for me Solon?"
"Cause I wanted to ask you something."
He reached out and took my hand and place a silver broach with a sapphire rose in my hand.
"Orphelia will you allow me to be your escort for the ball tomorrow?"
'AM I DREAMING OR DID A HOT PRINCE JUST ASK ME OUT!?' Not far ahead of me I could see a nosy Tera clutching her mouth while hiding behind a pillar.
"Are you sure Solon? You know because of our history and my outlandish behavior, that doesn't seem like a good idea."
'Oh fuck. Why am I self sabotaging the answer to my prayers!?'
"I don't care, and besides it's not like you did anything crazy since the school year started."
'If only you knew.' Seeing the look on his face that displayed a genuine sincerity I accepted his gift before replying.
"Thank you Solon, I'd love to go with you."
I gave a smile before he returned one as well, creeping behind me was none other than the traitor. 'It's like we didn't even share the same womb.' Next to him was Leon, I'd though they left class before I did, but apparently not?
"Seems like we're too late bu-"
Leon kicked Dirius behind his calf causing him to wince. Seemingly to to stop him from finishing his statement. Without sparing me a further glance he walked past Solon and I.
'Do they not get along?'
"I should get going. I'll see you tomorrow Orphelia."
As he left I centered my attention back to Dirius who was still on the floor.
"What do you want Judas?"
"Look I'm sorry, but there's also no way in hell you're Jesus."
I should be grateful to him cause thanks to his betrayal I got a better date.
"Fuck! What am I going to wear!?"
I was just going to wear one of the dresses I had in the suitcase because I was going with Dirius but now I was going with the FLIPPING CROWN PRINCE!
"Leave that to me, I know where we should go."
Returning from her hiding spot Tera was here to save the day.