From all across the land, black horses and carriages began to arrive in front of the Disdarious Palace. Ladies and Gentlemen dressed in wild, colorful clothing and masks of their favor, stepped out of the carriages by a magical footman who had no face but the figure of a man. The royals, the lords, and the prominent dignitaries were not allowed to ride in their own branded carriage but one supplied by the Empress.
Along with a carriage, each guest was given a number that would appear above as they arrived. That number would be called out as they entered the elegant ballroom, decorated in the finest of silks, shimmering chandeliers, and polished marbles. Hovering above the pairs that danced wickedly was a skeleton orchestra played from the ceiling Khachaturian “Masquerade Suite - Waltz” and throughout the crowd of onlookers, who stood on the side, floating hands carrying onyx trays maneuvered. Offering delicious hors d'oeuvres
And the farthest end of the ballroom hall was Empress Raine wore a slimming black shoulder cut dress with a mermaid hem. She loved the dress for whenever she stood up, it would drape around her feet and made it seem like she was floating.
On her face was a black Columbia mask that had hints of gold between the eyes and horns that protruded. Her white hair pressed against her cold face and her eyes cut across the people that danced before her. On her left side was her trusted Knight Cassandra Richemaya- the Divine Harbinger.
She stood taller than most men roughly 6ft 5inchs with deep curly red hair, violet-colored eyes, and freckles shaped like stars. On her forehead was a crescent moon that symbolized that she was once part of the Thoulex Kingdom which is now under the control of the Authuidian Empire. She stood within her heavy onyx steel armor with her trusted sword Araya on her hip. She too watched the mad dance between the pairs of people who switched partners every so often and wondered what they were talking about below.
Outside, horse and carriage number 48 arrived. Out stepped King Augustus who wore a silk green suit that hugged tightly around his round body with a brown cane in hand. On his face was a basic white Bauta mask. With a deep inhale, he stepped forward. His stomach twisted and turned as he examined the estate. Good memories and bad memories washed over his eyes. He was older than Empress Raine by at least 25 years. He was great friends with her father, King Chandler Pennington Disdarious, and watched her grow up to be a monster.
Queen Kyle exited the carriage behind him. On her pristine figure was a dark green off-the-shoulder gown that was decorated in silver stones around her hips. On her face was the same basic white mask as her husband. This was the first time she had ever been to the palace so her eyes wandered to the backs of the guest who crawled up the staircase. She had been warned by her husband to never enter the Disdarious estate alone. She gulped, feeling her stomach flutter as she grabbed her husband’s hand that was extended to her.
With heads held high, the two slowly walked forward as Prince Alba tumbled out of the carriage. His attention was everywhere, mesmerized by how grand the palace was. It was four times the size of their castle with wicked towers that watched over their small bodies. Large trees with blocked parts of the first story windows and within the tall grass were bushes of sharp thorny roses. His eyes landed on the couples that dramatically walked up the stairs. Words of his teacher rang through his head;
“Everything they do will be for show. You must act accordingly, never reveal who you are to anyone and be careful of befriending anyone.”
He gulped, picking up his pace so that he was directly behind his parents. Up the stairs, they climbed to be greeted by butlers and maids who wore the head of animals.
“Welcome all. Welcome all.” they monotonously greeted the guest and sent shivers down Prince Alba’s spine.
Down the dreary hall with black marble floors and dark chandeliers they walked. Statues of gargoyles stood against the pale-faced walls and a large intimidating painting of Empress Raine. It was the first time Prince Alba had ever seen her up close before. His teacher described her as a powerful and headstrong woman. But looking at her cold face and sharp grey eyes, she gave off the impression of evil.
At the end of the hall, the crowd of people made a left revealing that there was more hallway that appeared the same.
King Augustus panted, “I hate walking through this palace. It’s so big! King Chandler would never have decorated this palace so dark and dainty…it use to be filled with white! Pure like his magic! Until…” He opted to hold his tongue.
He knew the walls had ears and if he continued his sentence, he would surely die within this bloody palace.
Suddenly they stopped in the line. From the middle of the hallway, they could hear each and every pair’s number be called. As they inched forward, King Augustus’s heart began to pound in his ears. Many things crossed his mind as they came closer to the entrance. How would she approach him? Would she lure him into a room and gag him? Would she slit his throat on the dance floor? Better avoid dancing tonight.
After waiting for a couple of minutes, it was their turn.
“Introducing, Number 48!” A small man standing by the door yelled and the family moved forward onto the balcony that overlooked the first floor. Slightly they bowed before crawling down the stairs, slow and elegantly.
Watching everything from the second floor was Empress Raine’s three children, leaning against the iron railing. Their cold eyes examined each pair or family that waltzed down the steps. Princess Lana was dressed in a black sheer gown while the two young Princes’ wore black suits. Each of them had a Volto mask on their face. Weeks prior to the Ball, Empress Raine had instructed Headmistress Llia to teach them every single dignitary and royal within Disdarious. The children had to know the head of the household, how many children there were, the entire lineage, and what role they played. And so each and every time a new couple or family appeared, the children begin to guess amongst themselves who it is, dubbing the guest “Feathers” as they gingerly walked down the steps.
Suddenly Princess Lana’s eyes beamed as her attention landed on the enlightening figure of Prince Alba.
“Hey you jam toes, I spy a feather.” she titled her head.
Prince Zaynelius sneered, his eyes darting from the tall man with curly dark hair and bright blue eyes walking down the hallway, to Prince Alba who followed close to his parents, “Oh you’re right. Now that’s a feather we don’t have to guess.” He shifted his body off of the marble beam, “Are we sure he’s King Augustus’s real child?”
“I know right? He would be better suited for the Thoulex Kingdom.” Lana folded her arms.
Prince Vanitas tugged on his sister’s dress, “Lala can we go play now? I’m bored.”
Underneath her mask, a wicked smile formed, “Yes we can play now. Let’s go make friends with the other children shall we?”
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