Beautiful Stranger

by

rubi red

Prologue

*

I sigh. Though I should have been having the time of my life at the Midwinter Ball, I couldn't stop thinking about Neal. Nothing I did could get my mind off the fact that he was probably dancing the night away right at this moment with some new court beauty. For sure, I will never go down to the ball tonight. In comparison to all the other ladies, I am ugly, an oaf. Even though Lalasa has given me the finest silk Kimono to wear, I still wish that my hair was honey brown or had streaks of blond or sandy brown like Neal's. It certainly would be nice to have blue-gray eyes like Daine's... No! I am not jealous of her! My hazel eyes suit me just fine! Sometimes they even possess a deep forest green color...just like Neal's. No! I must stop thinking about Neal! I definitely stay here in my chambers tonight. Neal wil lnever think of me as any more than just a friend...

Sitting on my bed of feathers, I begin to twiddle with the delicate silk of the kimono. As I look down at my feet, a spot of wetness on my knee fades, being absorbed by the material. No! I am stone! I will never cry over a lost cause like Neal. I reach down to untie my obi, but Lalasa catches my hand before I even get my hands on it.

"My lady, what are you doing?"

I pull away. "Lalasa, I am not going to the ball. I do not want to see Neal." Feeling quite guilty, for Lalasa was so kind in helping me to get ready, I reach down for my obi once more.

Lalasa smacks my hand. "Oh, my lady... I am so sorry! She cowers into the corner in fear.

"Lalasa, it's alright... I just... don't want to go."

"My lady, you sat in here for hours while I primped you for that ball, and you look absolutely stunning. It would be a shame to waste it all just because you don't want to see Neal."

She spins me in the direction of the mirror. Taking a deep breath, I look into the everlasting depths.

I gasp, as I hardly even recognize myself. "T-that's me?" Lalasa hides her laughter with her hand.

"And who else would it be?" she replied soberly. My breathing comes difficult as thoughts of Neal pour through my head. But the other ladies are still so much prettier than I am! Yamani lake... be as the smooth surface. I must not let my self esteem get down... I can be as beautiful as I want to be!

"S-Sorry, LalasaI hardly even recognized myself, under all that face paint." My hair cascades down to my shoulders in tight bouncy ringlets and the emerald green Kimono shows off my "better" features well.

"So, have you decided to attend the ball?" she asks timidly.


After a moment of hesitation, I reply, "You know, Lalasa, maybe I will go. I don't have to be with Neal to have a good time."

"Good thinking, my lady," said Lalasa, relieved. "Now, off you go. Plenty of men are waiting to dance with the most beautiful girl in the ballroom, and she isn't even there yet."

I cracked a smile. "Goodbye, Lalasa." And with that, I walked out the door.