Before The Ball

"There are hints about why you are in what you wear!"

- Marc Jacobs

*****

Today is just like every other, up until this evening that is. I wake up to Rosas usual nagging about me being lazy while throwing me a towel and reciting my schedule for the day at me. Shower, training, history and then free time of the afternoon shortened to ready for the ball. My free time stolen by my own father who insists on having these extravagant events on my behalf, though against my protest of course.

"Lady Ilaria, you must hurry we have a tight schedule to keep for tonight's events. Go take care of yourself and I will see you down in the kitchen for breakfast ready made." Rosa says while walking out the door knowing there will be no need for the usual steeling of sheets this morning as I'm already out of my bed headed to my ensuite.

*****

"Here." Father says passing over a gift box wrapped in red with a golden ribbon atop.

I open it to see a lace black mask with rubys embroidered across it matching to my dress leading me to believe tonight will be a masquerade ball.

"It's stunning father thank you." I say with a giddy smile knowing I'm warming his heart accepting this gift so openly without my normal protest of course. It will make him happy.

My breakfast today was a fruit parfait. One of my favourites of course on my birthday. Finished swiftly I excuse myself to the training grounds to find I'm alone no sight of Fen, strange that I'm here before him.

"ILARIA!!!"

Not for long it seems I spoke to soon. I swing around just in time to dodge his advancing attack he swings his right leg up for me to duck grabbing it spinning him onto his back in one swift move.

" Nice try dog boy" my nickname for him as he oddly attracts dogs to him (angry more often then not).

Getting up off the ground to his feet he dusts himself off "Yeah yeah angel, I just let you do that it's your birthday after all. So here" saying the last part as he stretches out one hand with a rectangular box with the other behind him scratching his neck.

Shocked at first at the fact that he even got a a gift but upon opening it I a absolutely dumbfounded at the intricately detailed hairpin. A golden clip just bigger then the palm of my hand swerlls almost like vine endings linked together holding one ruby in the centre. By the looks of it he got the idea from my father.

I embrace him in a hug thanking him. Interrupted by the coughing of the instructor signalling the start of the training. Meaningless conversation flows for the most part of training. Up until he shocks me with a question. "Haaa?"

I had to double take "Do you have an escort for tonight?"

"Well no I didn't think there was a need to have one. It's only supposed to be a small ball only the closest of family friends to my knowledge."

That's when I got the look. The are you kidding me look "Don't look at me like that Fen!"

"When your father says closest friends he means all of his and then all of their friends from what I know people from up to 3 towns over are coming. It's like the party of this quarter all the nobles will be attending from this town to the next. Not to mention all the fine males you will be introduced to. You need an escort and I'm the most stunningly handsome guy you know?"

"You're the only guy I know" I throw in there.

"That's besides the point! So what do you say my fair lady" he bows down lending out his hand "Will you allow me to escort you to the ball this evening?"

I take his hand in mine and sarcastically curtsy "Of course sir 6:00 do not be late" we laugh and continue on with our sparing.

*****

The day had flown past quite fast after training, history my favourite was cut short due to finishing today's content in an hour rather then two. I was now in my room with Rosa and two more of the maids Isabella and Eliza helping me get ready for tonight. It is currently 3pm so that gives us 3 hours to ready for the ball before Fen gets here.

Isabella works on my hair and Eliza on makeup while Rosa helps out where she can and ready a the dress and finds a pair of low golden heals that say 'I'm expensive don't scuff me' I wince at it Rosa tapping me on the shoulder annoyed that I wasn't behaving myself. Time flew bye and it's now 5 o'clock as I step into my dress and don my jewellery admiring mother's ring only wishing she was here to see me like this.

Eliza Isabella and Rosa all cross out in front of me admiring me quizzically. "What is it?" I say.

"Something is missing?"

I look at myself I look fine to me but my hair is a little to in my face. My brown almost black locks are curled to perfection but are too heavy on my face. I turn around walking to my night stand picking up the box Fen had given me handing it to Isabella. "Would this work?"

Taking her nodding as a good sign, I turn around to let her place it in my hair pulling back only leaving some face framing strands for a half pulled back look.

"That's better! You are as beautiful as your mother was my sun drop." Rosa says as she wipes the tears from her eyes. I move to hug her. She was my mother's friend and care taker when she was ill, she was as close to family as it gets alongside my father of course and Fen.

*****

Opening the door to my fathers room my father turns around looking even more teary eyed the yesterday as he rounds his desk. Embracing me he whispers in tears "My baby girl is all grown up now your mother would be so proud of you my phoenix." I hold the embrace a moment longer before pulling away.

"It's ok dad I've still got years before I leave home I'll be here for as long as you need me to be." I say pecking him on the cheek.

A knock sounded at the door and rose pulled it open for them to enter and in came Fen. Wow. Just wow. His long hair was tied low behind his head in a slim red ribbon. Dressed in a black suit a deep red shirt and gold tie to match mine and a pocket square with the initials "F.Vanargand" sewn into the red fabric in black  stitching to match me it seems. I stride over to him to hug as he pulls me back taking me in.

"You are breathtaking Hazel!" He pulls back bowing and taking my hand leading me out of the room dad ahead of us leading to the ball room.

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Thanks for reading guys.

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I try to update at least a full chapter each week if not more. Always open to any feedback on my novels.

Ps. This is my unedited draft

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Emily🥰