Hi I am so sorry I said I would update but I didn't. I have a new laptop and the documents don't work. So it's harder for me to update but i am trying.

I looked at the three ball gowns laid out before me. The first was a cyan dress, neck strapped and eye catching. I picked it up and inspected it then went to try it on. The silk was heavy and the dress widened as it went down, the skirt was bulky and had a cage crinoline holding it up and pushing the silk out. Silk cyan roses swirled around the skirt. As gorgeous as it was it was too heavy, it was claustrophobic and weighed heavy on my shoulders. It wasn't for me, I went back to the table and picked up dress number two.

It was a stunning rose red evening gown with a see through lace high neck design and long sleeves, with red leaves in a swirling pattern on them. It had a sheer jeweled cap sleeve top and jeweled key hole open back. The skirt fell straight but had an extra layer of silk at the back that wrapped halfway over the bottom of the dress. It was stunning. But I had to try the third on, I walked to the table for the third time. And picked up the dress.

The dress was emerald green. The bodice was cream and completely coated with hundreds of different shaded jewels. The lower skirt was a dark silk that dropped from the waist and flowed around my legs. It was magnificent, the colour was perfect. And the dress itself shone in the light.
"This is the one" I didn't realise I had spoken it out loud Sophie turned to look at me. She squealed in delight, at the sight of the dress.
"I KNEW IT, IT IS GORGEOUS." Smiling wide and bouncing up and down. She called Sapphire in. she came prancing in, we both gasped as we saw each other's dresses.

She wore a black and white ball gown the bodice was white with a red ribbon around the waist. A black skirt followed shaped by a cage. Grey swirls grew from the bottom to the halfway point then broke out into many sequins. We both spun around, mesmerized by our dresses.
"We should buy these and go get ready, we have been here for 3 hours." It hurt to say it but, we had to leave. We still had to get ready and I wanted to send a letter to Robin before we left.

The carriage ride was a dead silence. No one spoke, well until Aunt Lyla decided she would break it.
"Well, Marcus is going to love your dress, Maria." she chittered as loud as possible, to break the silence. I ignored her staring out the window, watching the birds flying in the grey sky. Wishing I was looking up at the sky in moonacre as I had done so many times before. The air was still sour around me, it burned my lungs with each breath.

We arrived at the house and had a quick lunch then went to get ready. I put my dress on and brushed through my hair and slipped a pair of felt emerald pumps. I skipped out the door to slam straight into a startled Miss Heliotrope.
"Oh, Miss Heliotrope I am ever so sorry, I didnt see you." I cried as I stepped back.
"Oh, Maria, slow down…. I almost forgot Loveday sent you a present." she handed me a small box, it had a purple ribbon delicately tied on top. I carefully untied the ribbon and lifted of the lid. Inside the box sat two Emerald felt gloves.
"How did she know what colour?" I stood confused. Then I realised the only way she would know would be if she had been told. "Miss Heliotrope, did you write the letter without me?"
"Yes and no, you see Maria I did not send a letter. Loveday, Robin and Phoenix are downstairs they have come to visit already. They will attend the party with us, I just hope they will behave."

I was to shocked to speak, I thought I would never see birdboy again and the thought of them two wearing no leather made me want to laugh. I slid the gloves onto my hands.

"OH, Maria one last thing." Now what all I wanted to do was see the boys and of course Loveday. "Yes, Miss Heliotrope." I said it as politely as possible but there was no mistaking the irritation in my voice.
"Maria, this is supposed to be for your birthday but, I think you should wear it tonight." She pulled out a small blue box. She popped the lid of and pulled out a silver necklace. The chain was small and delicate. Sat swinging freely at the bottom was a small locket a ruby filled the middle of the locket shimmering in the candle light. Circling the ruby was a ring of small diamonds. That is when I noticed that the box was the present Robin had given me before we left. I pulled the clasp shut at the back of my neck as the chain fell onto my neck, I followed Miss Heliotrope out of the door.

As I walked down the stairs my heart dropped, I could hear laughter and the sound of Sapphire flirting with Robin. As I got to the bottom of the staircase. My chain of thoughts broke as I was tightly hugged by Phoenix. He stepped back smiling widely at me. He hadn't changed one bit. His jet black hair was still a spiky mess and his jet green eyes glittered in the light.
"Princess." He bowed down mockingly in front of me. I burst out laughing which caught the attention of the others. Loveday came racing up and hugged me even tighter than Phoenix had, she smiled at me.
"Oh, Maria you look wonderful." She was bouncing up and down full of excitement. I thanked her for the gloves, then Robin came up.
"Forgetting someone, Princess?" He asked I couldn't help but tease him.
"No, I have greeted everyone." He looked at me puzzled, that was not the answer he expected. He raised his eyebrows at me, waiting for more.
"Oh sorry I forgot, bird brain." I looked at him and instead of hugging him I walked around him. I went straight to the carriage ignoring Sapphires questioning look.

We arrived outside another mansion, it was twice as big as Sapphires and had carriages everywhere. My heart dropped for the second time in an hour as Sapphire and Robin wandered up the steps. I felt a reassuring arm round my shoulders and looked up to see Phoenix. He smiled down at me (he was only 2 inches taller.) I grabbed his arm and we walked up the steps towards the doors that our friends had just disappeared through. Phoenix was like a brother to me and he was the one to notice I had feelings for Robin before I did. He didn't tell the others knowing I would be embarrassed but he was always there for me when Robin flirted with other girls. We walked through the ancient hallway to the wide open doors a butler stood at the doors shouting people's names out as they descended the stairs. This was it, I stopped Phoenix and pulled him to the side.
"Phoenix, i don't want to get stuck with Marcus so will you please stay with me." I knew it sounded childish but I knew that Marcus would try and spend the whole time with me. Phoenix smiled and nodded his head, we walked through the doors. I gave the butler my card that I had written my name and Phoenix's i did not dare write his last name knowing that one of his Ancestors had caused a lot of trouble for Marcus's family.
"Miss Maria Merryweather accompanied by Sir Phoenix." Phoenix cringed at he name but kept walking. At our entrance everyone stopped and looked up and I knew exactly why. It was one because the majority of them had known my dad or two had been told about me from Marcus.

As soon as we were on the floor I was greeted by hundreds of people. Phoenix sensed my discomfort and politely excused us then dragged me away. We went to a small table in the corner.
"Thanks" I quickly thanked him then dragged him over to a table. I knew the answer but I still had to ask. "Have you had punch or red wine before." He scrunched up his nose in disgust.
"What on earth is that have these people ever heard of beer?" He glanced over at Robin and Sapphire and when he noticed Robin looking he whispered in my ear.
"Laugh and flirt it will make Robin jealous." He pulled back and started laughing I laughed to not because he told me to but because he was being typical Phoenix. I grabbed two glasses of punch and dragged him towards the table.

Hi guys I might post again Friday or Saturday. If you want to know when I'm updating or do competitions or even see pictures that are almost similar to the dresses in this chapter then follow my fanfic and episode account HeavenlyOne568

CYA xxx