It was official.

Mulan hated balls.

They consisted of mingling, dancing and small talking the night away.

It was a complete waste of time.

Mulan had been there for only ten minutes and already felt like leaving.

First, she had to go to the ball when she should be escorting the Princess out.

Second, she was forced into the dress, this ball gown.

Mulan's dress was the color if cherries with a black bodice tied with the same color bow.

It had the full skirt and effectively hid Mulan's boots.

She outright refused to wear heels.

This was outright stupid.

That ball would not save anyone but endanger everyone instead.

Mulan's scowl reflected her thoughts and kept any potential suitors away.

That was until a woman walked close to Mulan.

She was wearing a white ball gown that outlined her small waist and very dark hair.

The woman steadily became closer.

"Are you not enjoying the ball? " was the first words out of the woman's mouth.

"No."

Mulan was nothing if not honest.

"I'm not either, " the woman confessed.

She looked Mulan straight into her eyes as she answered.

Mulan noticed the woman must be uncomfortable in her dress.

"Why? "

The woman looked shocked as to be asked why.

"It's a waste of time. This is still dark times, " the woman answered with a serious expression.

At least another woman agreed.

"Why are you here? "

It seemed counteractive to go to balls when you hated them.

Mulan ignored the irony.

"My parents threw the ball so I could experience it at least once."

Parents? Throw?

So this was the Princess.

"I am Mulan. I will be your escort to your Prince."

The Princess held no interest at the mention of her soon to be husband.

"You do not love him, " Mulan noted.

"I do not know him, " the Princess corrected.

"Then why marry him?"

"I won't be here soon. My parents think it will save me and who am I to deny them to try? "

"You do not want him through."

"It's my duty," the Princess answered.

That brought an end to the conversation.

If you asked Mulan what happened afterword, she would have no clue.

She knew when the ball ended but spent it thinking.

The Princess didn't want to marry.

She thought she had to to.

Mulan pitied the woman for having to marry and not having the strength to say no.