The night fought relentlessly to overcome the stellar light bursting out of the colossal windows. It made the night sky glow a bluish violet hue where the light ended and the sky began. Diamond dust hung in the air beside the luminous moon. The moon was all she could recognize as she was spun dizzily from one partner to another. After a while their masked faces became a blur to her and she just didn't have the will to care. One hand for another the pulse of the music matched that of her beating heart. All she knew was that she was alive and that the world was a confusing blend of sights and sounds. Catching her eye was a shadowy figure alone just beyond the glass doors out in the cool night air.
Standing alone on the deck, overlooking the rose maze to the west and the reflective pond which cut through the lush green like a cold steel blade. Len idly leaned over the ivy weaved stone railing to clear his mind. Every so often a draft would carry a few shattered petals from the maze to where he planted himself. They whirled about like the countless couples inside but of all the couples he was only concerned with one. Heaving a heavy sigh he returned his attention back to the pond and the welcoming face of the moon on its fluid surface. Len dared not look at the actually moon, it was too bright for him to look at. He like the dark moon were the same, seldom seen yet secretly there, never shining quite as bright as the other. No, he was fine with that. "What have I got to lose…" he said to himself as he snatched a fluttering petal out of the air, clenching it in his fist. Turning back to watch the dancers Len caught a glimpse of a silver mirror from afar. A laugh tickled the back of this throat, forcing him to throw his head back in an airy chuckle. It was about time for him to return, donning his mask he made his way to the door but stopped to bid the dark moon goodbye. His fingers curled around the craved handle, with a click of the latch and a sharp tug a burst of sounds and motion enveloped Len; dragging him in before he could react.
"Another cup of tea please," Rin beckoned to a server walking by while shifting her attention away from Len quietly slipping in from outside. Around her sat a multitude of faceless girls vying for her friendship to further their own personal gain. With a flourish of her hand she pulled her fan up in front of her face to politely giggle to a comment she hadn't really heard. Aside from the crafted feathered mask covering the top portion of her face, she wore another more prominent façade. Flapping the face closed and placing it aside, she turned to meet the sea of faces surrounding her. The plush chair she resided on gave off the impression that she was nothing more than a precious doll draped in yellow and black. "Madame you look so lovely tonight," a clearly older girl called to her sweetly while waving her handkerchief. "Oh yes, you have a figure most ladies would dead for," another cried before sipping her tea. Seated at the head, she could see them all lined up on both sides of the elongated table crammed with plates with tea cakes, scones, small biscuits and cookies. Priceless crystal vases placed every few seats were arranged with a rainbow bouquet of flowers from the garden, all in full bloom and fighting to be noticed among the rest.
The evening grew later and later but the ball didn't seem to come to an end. People came and went through the heavy wooden doors. The candelabras were burning through their wicks, leaving ghostly white trails of smoke floating to the ceiling. The vapors blanketed the vaulted ceilings and formed cloudy puffs. The bell tower's tolling resonated from the town on the other side of the ribbon like river cutting through the flat green land, and into the hallow halls dancing endlessly. Out of breathe and with swollen pink feet underneath her draping gown Miku made her way to the head of the ball room where her beaming parents sat upon their lavishly jewel encrusted thrones. The gems and jewels seemed to have formed constellations to Miku as she made her way up the thick red carpet laid on top of the marble steps. Normally, she would be flying up these steps as if on wings but with everyone's eyes on her it felt endless. Her dress seemed to be weighing her down under all its layers, the twin straps on her shoulders cut into her flesh as the sleeves hung limply on the side with each step. Coyly she looked at the smiling masked people crowding on either side of the carpet to catch a glance of the lovely young Viridian princess.
Towards the end of her ascent a metallic click sounded as Len slipped back into the chamber hoping no one would notice his absence. Rin noticed. She had noticed his absence from the moment he continued from the deck to his disappearance amongst the throng of guests. There was no need for her to turn and acknowledge his reappearance by her side out of respect for Miku though she herself chose not to stand. For Rin merely turning in her chair and resting one small hand atop the other on her lap was enough. After all she was rather unhappy that she was unable to take a bite of the decadent strawberry cake before her. But she knew better than to complain, instead she continued to watch attentively as the king rose to greet his daughter.
"Tonight, we formally introduce my daughter Miku as the Viridian princess. In addition to that she will soon be engaged to a most worthy suitor," the king let out a roaring laugh above the thunderous applause. Miku's heart fell out of her chest as he uttered those words, but she clung desperately to that false smile as she turned to face the mob below. Before these witnesses she had to hide her face, while scanning the crowd to find solace in Alice a head of deep blue near the shadows lining the walls caught her attention. Her hands shot up to cover the shocked expression that ruined her façade and nearly shook the mask off her. The shadow smiled back and vanished. "WAIT!" she screamed reaching out sporadically before collapsing forward to the horrified gasps from those around her. The king and queen rushed forward, beckoning a guard to fetch the physician. Alice surged through the frozen crowd, carelessly pushing aside those whom she'd normally bow down to. Rin shot up from her chair and caught Len's hand. Fear gripped him as Rin buried her face in his chest to quiet her sobs, looking down he could she the petals of the yellow rose shaking loose from its bloom.
