The Royal Ball

The rest of the day went fairly smoothly with only minor tantrums out of Isabella. We were working on cinching her corset so that she could get into the gown. "You need to hold still I am almost done."

"I am holding still just pull already!"

With one final tug, I hear her gasp and tie it off. "There now let's get into the gown. She stepped into the large hoop skirts that add volume to her gown. I quickly laced it up not needing to have to cinch it. It took four of us to lift the fabric above her outstretched arms.

The sheer weight of the massive gown was ridiculous, layer after layer of draping to add volume. Although, that is how I was able to steal some of the fabric for my own dress. We attached the wings the feathers just reaching to the top of the billowing skirt. Her mask was small but the intricate design of the crystals made it stand out. We tied the ribbon around so that it curled into her style making it look seamless.

She stepped in front of the mirror to admire herself. "Oh, I am a vision! You are so right Emma there won't be a man able to resist me tonight!" She dipped her chest lower approving of the slightly scandalous view of her chest.

Truth be told, from afar she was quite magnificent looking. The outfit didn't have an expense spared when it was designed. The corset shaped her regularly square body into having voluptuous curves. I giggled to myself knowing that what truly ruined her beauty was when she opened her mouth.

Her attitude and elitist manner truly grated at a person. As long as she didn't speak she had a good chance at landing a prince. She needed to move quickly though because the moment they got to know her they would likely run for the hills.

"You are absolutely beautiful!" I sneered through a fake plastered smile. "It is too bad I won't be able to attend with you tonight. I simply have too much to finish and prepare for the rest of the weekend's festivities." I feigned sadness as I hugged her.

"I'm sorry too, but you know I can't trust anybody else but you! They are all out to get me. The act like I am so unreasonable and demand the world. That isn't true, is it? You know me best, how kind and caring I am for all of my servants and ladies."

There is that internal eye roll again. "Of course, you are really the best. Don't pay them any mind, and I am happy to get things ready for you. Now, go, have fun. Find your prince charming."

With a giddy squeal, she hugs me taking one last look at herself in the mirror. "Those boys have no idea what they are getting themselves into tonight!"

I smile and wave but the moment the door closes my face relaxes. I no longer have to put on the facade. She has no idea that it was actually my idea to stay behind and prepare things for her versus going to the ball. In actuality I already had everything done. I couldn't let her know that though or it would ruin my plan!

With tonight being a masquerade ball it was a chance for me to imagine and pretend I had an entirely different life. With the influx of so many people here to attend the ball, no one would realize I don't technically belong.

It was the perfect opportunity for me. I had been slowly preparing for over a year now. This was the first year Princess Isabella was eligible for marriage so she was completely distracted and focused on her own plots for a husband.

It gave me the chance to sneak fabric and other embellishments out and work on my own dress. It had taken nearly the entire year but it was finished. And it was absolutely stunning if I do say so myself.

It was not nearly as elaborate as Isabella's dress but that was intentional I didn't want to stand out too much. It would increase the chances I would be caught. I unbound my chest and shimmied into a corset with a small skirt attached. Given the natural curves, I already had I didn't need to do much cinching to create an hourglass figure.

I quickly touched up and pinned my hair. Applying a bit of pale powder to my face and pinching the balls of my cheeks. Using the red wine stain on my lips. I slipped into my dress. I opted not to have an elaborate hoop skirt. Allowing the fabric to create a small amount of volume while still making movement easy.

It was a bit of forethinking if I was caught I would be able to run quicker without being encumbered by the hoop. Lastly, I tied on my mask the feather accentuated the pinned style of my hair. I didn't have a mirror so had to look down to make sure everything was in place.

Happy with what I saw I exited the cabin. I was far enough into the woods I didn't have to worry about being seen. I made my way through the woods to the road that led to the castle. I waited a moment breathing deep to calm my anxious nerves. Here goes nothing!

I slipped in amongst the crowds attending the ball. This was after all the event of the year for all of the nearby kingdoms. All petty squabbles or full-scale wars were met with a ceasefire until this weekend was over.

No one even gave me a second look as I entered the castle. Roger one of the manservants I chatted with frequently even offered his hand to help me cross the bridge before the entrance and didn't recognize me. I was internally jumping for joy my little plan could really work.

Everything was going well, a few charming men had invited me to dance. I enjoyed hor d'oeuvres sipped on champagne. I was having a wonderful time. I made sure to keep my distance from Isabella to be on the safe side. It wasn't hard she was fawning over man after man and her focus entirely on them.

Everything changed when the man dressed all in black with the black mask walked in. You could feel the change in the air a hushed silence came across the entire hall. I assumed it was Prince Christian from the way everyone reacted at his entrance.

That and the fact that Isabella stopped dancing in the middle of her waltz and rushed to greet him. He made small talk and the pain visible on his face even from across the room. I gave him a pitied look knowing exactly what he must be thinking.

At that moment his gorgeous sapphire blue eyes made contact with mine. He stopped talking put his hand up in Isabella's face to dismiss her and started walking my way.

Isabella's face dropped in shock turning to watch where he was headed so abruptly she noticed he was making a beeline in my direction. I saw the shock turn to anger as she bawled her fist and stomped the floor. I braced myself knowing this would only end badly.

He reached me surprisingly fast. With a bow of his head, he asked, "May I have this dance milady?"

I should have said no. I should have fled. But of course, I didn't. All the trouble began when I raised my hand in acceptance of his invitation to dance.