Elegance is said to be a priority in nobility's account. Balls,wealth,beauty,status - all necessities to rule an empire.
Luckily for them,their bloodlines filled with the devouring depths of rubies and gold - earning them the respect they needed.
One mistake from even the lowest servant could shatter their image of respect and arrogance. Because this spilled secrets in shelves,frames,memories, and...
Wombs!
And such would have happened had Ravenswood not been occupied by the upcoming ball.
The Ball was something a little child would love to attend since they displayed their cultures and legends. Here,they officially bonded to someone for life and this was hosted every 5 years by the matriarchs of the Ravyns household.
Lord Bastian's father,the great and let's not forget(may his soul rest in peace) Cedric Ravyn,had hosted these balls till death called his name. So did his great great grandparents - Lanita, Valeria, Beladonna, Caesar.. they had all done that greatly.
And now it was his turn. But as we all are aware of how useful he is as a man, Evona was again in charge of the ball. No one had seen her since dawn broke,for she had appeared at Ravenswood Court earlier than usual.
Somewhere in an esteemed modiste.....
"Get me that dress! This..is..too...tight," Lady Margaret strained,breath faltering, her eyes almost popping out.
"The things you girls do for beauty!" The modiste mused,folding their robes slowly into a bag.
That evening, this modiste - middle aged large bosom woman,must have perhaps been obliged to spend eternity in the shop - having all women in Ravenswood buy from her.
Evening descended upon them in a blaze of gold and crimson. The entire state pulsed to the core with activities - maids purchasing robes for their madams,young girls being forced to starve to fit into clothes, men being scolded by their fathers???
What did I forget to mention?
And oh! The mothers dolling up their daughters to look presentable for seduction,since they had perfected the art to the extremes.
The Ravyns were occupied with the maids hurrying with vessels across the corridors,chandeliers being polished to exceed the beauty of the stars,and flowers filling the atmosphere.
But in the midst of this,somewhere in an elegant room,Reya sat quietly. It was difficult to forget what had happened to the girl earlier.
The gunshot.
Loud.
Final.
Then utter bedlam.
She could still hear the girl's pleas ; those eyes that bore through her soul asking for help,the tiny hands that tore her robe with fear.
All just to be saved.
When Alaric entered the room,he was already dressed for the ball - midnight velvet embroidered with faint specks of gold,and his mask tucked underneath his arm.
"You're not dressed for the ball," he commented,leading Reya out of her reverie.
"I'm not going!"
"This ball is important!" He explained. "Here in Ravenswood, we may have married,but to be accepted as my woman you need to be at the ball. It signifies that I have claimed you as my woman and no man dare touch you."
Reya sighed. "I'm not coming. How can you expect me to come when you had a child shot?!"
She found tears already falling from her eyes.
Alaric tried touching her,but she pulled away. "Don't touch me!"
"She was dangerous. She could've stolen something,killed or harm you," said he sharply.
"She is a child. She was a child Alaric,"she stepped closer. "She was just a child."
"I know what's best for you,and will not have you questioning my judgement, " he stated.
She stepped back. "Then don't expect me at your ball!"
For a moment,time stilled,silence hunging between them as his jaw clenched to hold the least restraint he had. Then his voice softened, reaching for her and slipping a ring on. "Reya,I expect you to be there as my bride."
"Then Alaric,let the winds represent me," she dropped the ring,eyes burning with rage. "I will not come!"
He stared at her,shook his head,then left.
Love made one stupid enough to do anything,but for those who were playing with its hems - love meant nothing to them. And everything,was replaceable.
-----------
Later,the estate seemed emptier. All had moved to the larger one set aside for important festivities that she were left aside. No one even asked of her.
Even Amber was dressed elegantly,her maids painting her lips and styling her hair in soft curls enough to make men bow. She wore a long filigreed cloak that gleamed like rosewater silk.
"You're not coming?," Amber asked,adjusting her bracelet. She had seen Reya on the corridor,gazing absently at the sky.
"I have no reason to," Reya replied.
"Well,you should!" Amber smiled. "The Ball is important as a vow to your beloved. You shouldn't miss it"
Reya hesitated, fidgeting with her dress. She loathed attending the ball - enough that shed appear as someone celebrating even when someone had perished before her.
Her mind flew to Alaric,their mysterious and passionate nights and all that spelt danger. She would have to attend for the sake of her love. She did not leave Vire for nothing.
And perhaps,she had overreacted.
The girl might have been dangerous and Alaric was right.
"Ok,"
When she followed Amber to the carriage,the coachman bowed,assisting her. But when Reya tried to enter,one guard stepped forward,blocking her path.
"Only guests with cards or rings,are allowed into the main hall," he stated curtly.
Reya looked at her hand,remembering she had thrown the ring off in a fit of rage. "I am Lady Ravyns. I--"
"She's with me!" Amber replied,lifting her card.
"Apologies!" Said the guard with a nod.
Reya climbed in beside Amber, sitting quietly like she had her mouth tied. The silence stretched between them and none bothered to break it.
Amber hummed softly,adjusting the lace at her collar,and her eyes flying off to the moon.
Today would surely be a perfect turn for darkness,she grinned at the thought.
When they arrived at the gates of Ravenswood Courts,the flicker of lights and great beats were enough to set her feet dancing. Reya followed Amber throught the entrance, eyes scanning the opulent room in awe and amazement.
No different was it from Vire except the Ravenswood ball represented darker extremes.
"Lady Amber," Duchess Aurélie walked toward Amber, being escorted by two other women.
"You look quite lovely this evening," Nyx commented
Her beauty was too brightening to ignore as if she were touched by the moon itself. Her hair was white,matching the vivid contrast of blue eyes.
"You must be Lord Alaric's woman?" She queried.
Reya forced a smile, preparing herself to reply when she caught sight of Alaric with a woman. The same woman she had seen with the same necklace.
"Oh she?!" Amber turned,eyes moving in same direction. "I think I did well bringing you to the ball"
"I thought you didn't speak!" Reya smiled.
"I do! Only when I'm needed,"
Reya looked at the duo for a moment longer - for the first time with jealousy clawing her heart.
Just business affairs. She reminded herself.
"What are you here for? I don't see you with a man" she turned to Amber, arching her brow.
Amber's smile deepened,her fingers unclasping her cloak slowly which slid to her feet.
Gasps fluttered through the ballroom,men losing their sight and momentarily hypnotised by her beauty. Her gown whispered of the sins buried in darkness- crimson lights to represents the deeds of her heart and that black eyelids of hers did nothing to hide the fact that she was evil's embodiment.
She stood in the center,eyes darting for Alaric - her brother - and with all grace and elegance began the first dance.
The crowd whispered.
They had seen countless ball openings by Ravyns,but this generation never ceased to amaze this.
And for you dear reader,this was not a ball.
This was her awakening