Maxon woke up when he felt Natalia stir next to him. He opened his eyes to see her fluttering her's open letting a small yawn escape as she blinked her eyes trying to adjust to the room. She turned on her side to see Maxon staring at her and cuddled deeper into his embrace. She missed him, he's been so busy lately.
"Talia, we need to talk." Maxon said, seriously.
"Hmm?" She questioned trying not to let her nerves show.
"You havn't been sleeping!" He accused her and she slowly nodded, she couldn't lie to him.
"Why?" He asked gently knowing she needed to talk.
"Because I felt that if I didn't keep up, I could never be a good sister, wife or queen" She told him tears forming in her eyes as she blinked them back.
Maxon face twisted into one of shock. "Oh my god, I am so sorry, Talia. I know I wasn't spending as much time as I used to and I didn't even realize it." he quickly continued before she could cut him off. "No, it's not okay. You let me vent to you and never once since this Selection started did I return the favor. forgive me?" He asked her and she nodded. He wrapped his arms around her tighter as she buried her head into his chest.
"And you will be a good Queen, that I know for sure and trust me, Ian loves you with all his heart." He assured her and felt her relax even more into his arms.
"Thanks Max, I needed to hear that." She said.
"Talk to Ian later this evening okay?" Maxon asked and she nodded before looking at him, confused.
"Evening? What am I doing now?"
"You are helping me plan a ball!" Maxon told her and she looked at him in confusion. There was no ball planned.
"It's a suprise, for a holiday that died out. I want to reintroduce it again." Maxon explained and she realized what he was talking about.
"Halloween?" She asked excitedly and he nodded. It was a holiday he knew she dreamed of seeing come back, and knowing it would be a treat to America made it all the more better. She leaped out of bed, talking quickly. She grabbed her planner and quickly flipped her planner open. The cover was soft and royal blue with a tiara in white rhinestones on the front. At the bottom right corner was her name in pink ink. She grabbed a purple pen off of her desk, clicking it for the ink before turning to Maxon.
"COME ON WE HAVE A BALL TO PLAN!" She said falling on to her bed, her planner in front of her, propped up on her elbows the purple pen in her hand resting against the side of her cheek while her legs from the knee down were in the air crossing at her ankles, dark blue sundress fitting her perfectly.
"ok so venue... the ball room. Guest list... everyone in the palace. Theme... halloween" She read outloud filling each one in, Maxon heping her occasionally.
Decorations-streamers, balloons.
Food - halloween themed recipes
Once completed she and Maxon went to the kitchen, instructing the cooks what needs to be done. Natalia promised to come by and check on things later before heading to the maids. She gave them the sketches for her, Maxon and Amberly's costume and told them she'd be back with the others soon. She completed the rest of the rounds before heading to Olivia's room. The rest of the girls were gathered there already as she had sent a maid to call them together.
"ok so we're hosting a halloween ball and I need to know what you want for your costumes. The girls told her what they wanted and she quickly sketched it out showing them before handing them to a maid. She headed to ian's room and got his costume as well, suprised at his choice. Once that was done she alternated between the sewing rooms and the kitchen, helping out wherever she was needed. Finally evening rolled around and she headed upstairs, took a shower and wrapped her robe around her. She sat down in front of her vanity doing her makeup. She did her eye shadow red with dark black mascara. Her lipstick was red as well and a natural blush. Her maids brought up her costume. Her costume had a black bodice with a red skirt, lined with a white ribbon with heart accents and under it was a black ruffled lace. The bodice had two red hearts on either side of her hip in the bottom and a golden lace in the front. There were three bows in the middle and a red ruffled neckline, with white puffed sleeves with red accents. She put on the white tights with red hearts and her black glovettes. She had her red and black crown at the side of her head. She grabbed the red and gold sceptor and slipped on black wedges. She left her black tresses down before grabbing a strand and spraying it red. Grabbing the strands on either side of the red streak she sprayed them white before braiding the three stands and pinning them back. She slipped on a red and black jewelry set and checked herself in the fulll length mirror. She truly did look like the Queen of Hearts.
She knocked on Olivia's door to see her dressed in her pirate costume. It was a dress that was made to look like three seperate pieces all in one. There was a black bow on lace near the neckline and jacket had gold buttons, epaulets, red cuffs and gold trim on the collar. A white lace petticoat is attached as well and peeks out from under the jacket. She had on black fish nets and heeled boots along with the black and red pirate hat. Her hair was brushed onto one side pulled from above her head instead of behind and the hat resting on the other side.
"You ready Liv?" Natalia asked stepping into the room.
"Almost. Can you do my makeup while I finish with the jewelry?" She asked gesturing to the red and silver, skull and crossbones jewelry set the royal jeweler had made. Natalia nodded waving her fingers over the makeup selection settling on black eye shadow from the vanity and aplied it onto her lids before doing the mascara black and went over it slightly with a dark red. She applied the deep red lipstick and clasped the necklace while Olivia fastened the earrings. Just then there was a knock on the door.
"Come in!" Olivia called and the door opened to reveal Nicoletta, Daphne and Kajal.
Nicoletta was wearing a red and white polka dot cotton dress with a sweetheart neckline and princess puffed sleeves. It had a black belt and the waist and she had on a mouse ear headpiece with a red bow with white polka dots. She had on knee length black socks and black flats with straps on the front. Her makeup was simple, red eyeshadow and lipstick and she paired it off with a red and white jewelry set. She had curled her hair and placed a few strands on the front and left the rest to fall on the back in beautiful curls. She could pass for a 19 yr old minnie mouse any day.
Daphne on the other hand was dressed as a vampire. She was in a red dress with black bell sleeves and had a corset like attachment at the waist. It went from the upper part of her chest to her waist. The front had string going across attaching it instead of a buckle allowing the red to show through. The sleeves had black lace ends and the dress was trimmed with black faux fur. She had on fine fishnets and black heels and had put her hair up in an elaborate up do. She had a black choker with a red standup collar that covered the back of her neck and was edged with black lace. She had on some red and black earrings with dark red lipstick and eyeshadow and thick mascara.
And last but not least, Kajal, also a vampire, had on a cobalt blue and black minidress with a corseted front and long lace fingerless glovettes. She was wearing black leggins and like daphne had on a choker with a cobalt stand up collar. She had on small web earrings and her makeup was a cobalt eyeshadow, black mascara and pink lipstick. Her hair was slightly curled and split into two sides, brushed up to the front. She had knee high black high heeled boots to top off the outfit.
"You ready?" Daphne asked and they all nodded heading downstairs to meet the boys.
Maxon was a pirate. He had a small beard and a brown hat with a red bandana tied to his forehead. He had a rich brocade vest and a long trim coat with accented buttons. He had black pants, a red velvet waist sash and a black belt with brown boots. Ian on the other hand, was dressed as a pilot. He had on a white undershirt with a double breasted twill jacket with gold buttons and trimmed with gold details on the sleeves. He had on black satin tie and black dress pants. he had on his tailored black Italian shoes and a lanyard. His captin's hat was made to match with gold pilot wings embroidered onto it and his black sunglasses covered his eyes. They lined up before the huge doors waiting to be announced. It seemed as of though they were runnning late slightly and their mothers have already been introduced. They straightened their posture as the announcement began...