The Masquerade Ball~
The days went by in the palace and turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months. The whole kingdom lived in fear, and whispers spread at the palace and even beyond its walls. Everyone kept talking about the king being ruthless and wicked for killing his son, who were supposed to be his heirs.
No one knew the reason why, but there was no better explanation than the fact that the king was cruel and heartless.
King Arthur, however, cared less about the expected rumors around the kingdom; all he cared about was the thought that he had eliminated any threat that was posed by the prophecy. He had his guard and council, swore secrecy, and anyone who dared talk about it, he had them beheaded. No one must know about his mother's prophecy, and no one must know what happened 15years ago.
A letter from one of the six kingdoms was brought to his majesty, King Arthur. It was an invitation to the masquerade Ball. A ball that took place every year to celebrate the establishment of the seven kingdoms of the realm. The king's present was of high essence, or else the Ball would become incomplete and pointless.
Seven extra letters were also brought for the king's seven wives. Queen Bianca and the other queens didn't accept the invitation, as they were still mourning their sons. However, Queen Anna, Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth, who had no children or even a son that they lost to the fate of death, had to attend the masquerade Ball.
Queen Anna sent a servant to inform the king that she was too weak to attend the masquerade ball because she was still heavy with pregnancy and was advised by the physician to have adequate rest, especially during this period when she was constantly stressed and worried about her unborn child.
The servant came back with news from the king. Queen Anna expected the king to reason with her about her situation and agree that she not attend the ball. Still, the king ordered that she come to the masquerade Ball, that he already had four useless queens, and that he wasn't going to show up to the Ball having at least Three Queens by his side. What the heck! Queen Anna had to breathe deeply to steady the rush of anger in her mind and body, but her maid managed to calm her.
When it was time to leave the palace, Queen Elizabeth insisted that she enter the same carriage with Queen Anna. The king didn't like that, but since he had a special affection towards Elizabeth, he allowed it.
While they journeyed through the forest, Queen Anna didn't speak a word to Queen Elizabeth, which made Elizabeth feel even more shattered. Why wasn't she talking? Elizabeth thought to herself. She reached out her hand to hold Queen Anna's, and thought it was as cold as ice. Queen Anna turned from the window to look at Elizabeth and saw a sweet smile of reassurance in her eyes. Queen Anna felt tears running down her cheeks and tried to wipe them away with her hands, but Elizabeth held her back.
"Let it fall, I can understand how much u are hurt, so you don't have to hide it from me." Elizabeth felt are own voice shaking. Queen Anna turned her body fully toward Elizabeth and hugged her, tears streaming down her face. She tried to speak, but Elizabeth already knew what she wanted to say.
"I'm scared, Elizabeth, I'm so scared and unfortunate." Queen Anna let out her heart to pour. For months, she had no one to talk to; she had no one other than her personal maid to confide in. She kept all her fears and worries to herself; she felt maybe this was how a queen should be, and not misbehave or create a scene to start more rumors.
"Everything would be fine. You and your baby would be fine, and nothing is going to happen to the baby, whether it's a boy or a girl."
For the rest of the journey, Elizabeth stayed by Queen Anna's side and calmed her down until she stopped crying. Elizabeth called a guard to inform one of the maids who was with them to give Queen Anna another light makeup before they arrived at the palace.
When they finally got to the palace Ball, Queen Elizabeth came down and was followed by Queen Anna, who looked as healthy and beautiful as was expected. Queen Victoria could also descend from her carriage, her face expressionless. They were in the kingdom of LYDIA, the kingdom from which Victoria came, and this was her father's palace.
Queen Victoria's father came out of the palace door along with Victoria's mother and twin sister. They came to welcome King Arthur and his wives. King Darik, Victoria's father, paid little or no attention to his own daughter and instead went on praising Elizabeth and Anna for their beauty and for coming. Only Victoria's mother acknowledged Victoria.
"Oh, how my little daughter has grown so well. And where is Rosetta? I'm sure you couldn't have possibly prevented her from coming to see her own grandmama?" Everyone laughed, but Victoria still kept her void face. "She's doing well, ma. She just couldn't possibly come with me because she caught a cold and had a fever, but I suppose she would like it if you came to visit her soon," Victoria responded to her mother and gave her a cracky smile.
"Ok, why don't we take our guest inside. Everyone is waiting inside, "Victoria's twin sister, Christiania, said while trying to lead the king towards the door.
It was said that Christiania was actually the chosen princess of the kingdom of Lydia to marry King Arthur. But one month after the engagement, she felt terribly ill. Everyone thought she would die, and the king, King Darik, being a greedy king, didn't want to miss the opportunity to have his daughter married to the king, so he had to place Christiania's twin sister as the king's wife.
When Christiania finally recovered, she was told that her sister had already become the king's wife, and she felt heartbroken. Ever since then, Christiania blamed her twin sister for everything, and, being the favourite daughter of her father, the king, she was always supported.
Inside the palace, the ballroom was huge, with a large chandelier at its center and other sparkling decorations. Everyone was wearing a mask because it was a masquerade ball; even King Arthur and his wives wore theirs after arriving at the palace.
Someone announced the presence of the king and Queen, and everyone turned around to bow as they walked down the aisle as royals. Everyone began to make way for them until they were down the aisle, and the other members of the royal family rushed to meet them.
Queen Elizabeth and Queen Anna were busy talking to some of the other queens from other kingdoms. Queen Anna excused herself to the washroom, and Elizabeth insisted on going with her.
"You don't have to worry, I'll be fine," and off Queen Anna went, in search of the washroom.
Elizabeth felt unease, though, but had no other choice. When Queen Anna had left, Elizabeth looked around and saw Queen Victoria standing at a distance with her mum, and they seemed to be having a conversation.
Princess Christiania was with King Arthur and her father, who were busy discussing with other duchesses and the royal family. Elizabeth found Princess Christiania to be clingy and glued to the king, but she didn't care. There was no way the king would have her as his wife; she had already missed the chance, and it was gone.
A few minutes later, some of the men at the ball started leading the Ladies to the dance floor as the music began.
A young man wearing a dark leather suit with a narrow silhouette, short, dark hair, and the darkest eyes Elizabeth had ever seen approached Elizabeth. Elizabeth wasn't a fan of dark outfits, but she could swear that he was the only man in the ballroom who looked too good to be true.
The man wore a red mask that covered almost every part of his face, leaving just the lower part of his face where his lovable, perfect pink lips went on full display to any lady who cared to ogle, and trust me, every lady whose face did.
Before Elizabeth knew it, the young man was standing before her, stretching out his hand, which was covered by a dark, thick glove. Why was he putting on gloves?
The young man gave a 90-degree bow and spoke in a tone that Elizabeth felt her soul leave her
"May I have this dance, my lady?" he asked.