The Ball II.

"When are we going in, Hazel?" her younger sister asked. She admired herself in the mirror for the seventh time.

Azriel was going to be speechless when he sees her this evening. She spent hours getting ready for him.

"I have no idea. Mother will give us permission to go in" Hazel replied with her hands on her left ear. The maid who was supposed to take care of this was cleaning her shoes.

"I can't wait to see him" Ember placed a hand on her chest. It was beating faster than usual. Her heart recognized this gentleman and it wanted him.

"Who are you talking about?" Hazel looked at her. She was confused. This morning, Ember spoke to many men…unlike her. She was with the blonde. He was with the green-eyed fellow. They were so handsome that she was confused about which one to choose.

"Azriel…the most handsome man in the world" Ember left the mirror and walked to where her sister sat. She took the other earring and put it on.

"Thank you," Hazel said. This was the one time they were not fighting. She was glad. After the fight in Azrael's room, their mother brought new shoes to her. She was satisfied with them. "I still don't know this young man."

"The green-eyed fellow I was talking to, this morning. Do you remember?"

"Oh, mine…" Hazel sighed. She remembered. Who won't? His beauty was extraordinary. His eyes were attractive and unique. Any woman would fall in love with him. "Well, if I were you, I won't b so happy. This guy…"

"Azriel is his name" Ember reminded. Her sister was bad with names. She forgot the names of her friends as soon as they left the palace.

"Azriel…what a fine name," Hazel said with a smile. However, it did not stop her from telling her sister the truth. "Once this gentleman sees Azrael's, all will change. You should not have feelings for him. I'm begging you, my dear."

"He is a Baron. Princess Azrael will not care about him" Ember said. "She will be around the princes and he won't notice her."

"Have you heard the word flirt before?" Her older sister asked. She stood up from her seat and went to her wardrobe. The maid who sat in the corner cleaning their shoes paid no attention to their conversation.

"Yes, I understand what it is" Ember replied. She was getting tired of the lesson.

"Men flirt a lot. You can't know what is going on in their tiny minds" Hazel explained. She was much older than her. It would be better to tell her that not all men who smiled at her were gentlemen. "They might flirt with you but…"

"Azriel will never do that, I know" Ember defended. This was a man that she barely know. She just met him in the hall a few hours ago yet, something told her that he was different.

The door opened and their mother walked into the room. They were going to see their cousin first.

"If you say he is different then it's fine" Hazel smiled at her. She was avoiding unnecessary fights with her younger sister.

All she hoped was that this gentleman shouldn't break his sister's heart. She believed in him.

**

Princess Azrael's POV.

I kissed my fingers…the ones that touched the stranger's palms. He was taking over my brain slowly.

I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply. This man…I did not even know his name. He was of a lower status. Father would not agree to this.

I took my fan from the bed and went to the window. The stars were out shining at me. My stepmother told me that the shiniest star was my birth mother. I stared at it for some time and I wished I could go to her and asked if she was still angry at me.

I was the reason why she died. My coming into this world killed her. Cursed be the day I was born. Father said it was a day of victory because he conquered Akkad and defeated his enemies.

"Wait, let me knock first" I heard voices outside my door. There was no need to panic or wonder who they belonged to. Ember and Hazel would never change. They fight over everything. Sometimes it was fun. They had each other and I have nobody.

A knock came on my door and Hope opened it. My cousins rushed into my room followed by our mothers. It was difficult time control the girls but my aunt does it.

She gave them hot stares and they understood the message passed. I wanted to laugh but something told me no.

"Your dress is shining like the crescent moon, Azrael" Ember walked to where I stood. Compared to yesterday their dresses, my red dress stood out the most. Made of silk and lace with embroidered stonework.

"There are so many diamonds on it" Hazel touched the edge of my dress. I wanted to move back but then…she continued "Your necklace is definitely made of gold."

I looked at queen Ivy. She was the one who will save me. Queen Ivy smiled at me. She wanted me to do the same but I did not.

"All eyes will be on you, cousin," Hazel told me. She let go of my dress and said "Ember has gotten a match."

"Really?" my eyes widened. She did not tell me about it. So quickly, she already chose a man for herself. I wondered who it was. It must be a prince.

"Is that true, Ember?" Her mother asked.

"No…Y-yes, mother. We met yesterday and he really liked me" She explained.

"You can't just meet a man and conclude that he likes you. He has to say it to you" my aunt told her. She walked to where her mother was and looked into her eyes. "He must be of a higher status. You are a daughter of a duchess, take note of that."

"What is his name?" I asked, all of a sudden. I was going to avoid any man with that name. My cousin has fallen in love with him. I did not want to hurt her.

"A…" Hazel started but Ember interrupted her.

"Don't worry, cousin. I'm fine" She said.

"If you say so."

"It is time for the ball" My stepmother announced. I grabbed my dress as the door opened. My father was waiting for us, downstairs. I strode down the stairs carefully. It was not easy. Never in my life, have I worn such a gigantic dress before.

We finally arrived at the door. I could hear music coming from the hall. My heart began to thump in my chest. I have waited for this day for a long. Now it was here but I wished it wasn't.