The Magic of Love
Legal: See Prologue
Preparation
It was a long day, a very long day for the Princess Alaria. The Royal Seamstress, Rosei, had Alaria moving from fitting room to fitting room, constantly being measured, and placed in and out of fabrics and being worked on. Bored stiff through most of the day, Alaria could only spend the time being shuffled from room to room daydreaming about her day before. Any thoughts of the upcoming ball were the furthest thoughts from her mind. Only the dragon and his glowing eyes occupied the princess's mind. Finally, being finished with all of the sewing operations, Alaria was allowed to have a light dinner before the ball started. Shaking her head at all of the effort and cost put in to one dress, Alaria headed to the kitchen to grab a snack and then out to the stable to visit Darkrysi.
"There you are Ria, I was beginning to think you would never come and see me today" Krysi's voice sounded in Alarias head as she entered the stable.
"You have no idea how glad I am to finally get down here. Its crazy up there you know, your lucky to you don't have to take part in it." Alaria responded back, laughing at the thought of Krysi having to get ready for a ball. "I have no desire to go tonight you know, none at all. I hate the balls, they are pointless. It's just a chance for mother and father to parade me in front of men, hoping to finally get me married off."
"I'm sure they want you to be happy Alaria. That's why they are doing this, mainly so your mother. Nothing would please her more to have you fall in love with a man, get married and go live happily ever after." Krysi reasoned to Alaria.
'I have fallen in love, just not with a man' Alaria thought to herself. Then, realizing she had yet to respond to her horse's logic, she just shook her head, "Not everyone lives happily ever after Darkrysi, not everyone." Just then a servant came running in to the stable, breathless from his search.
"Princess Alarihandara, you are wanted in the royal wing to prepare for the ball. Her royal majesty the Queen requests your presence at once. If you would please make your way to them now". The herald announced. Bowing his way out of the stable, he stood in the doorway waiting for Alaria to follow. Sighing, Alaria bid her horse farewell for the night and followed the herald to the palace.
Upon reaching her suites, Alaria discovered that her mother was not there to meet her, as she was getting ready for the ball herself. Not surprised at all, Alaria merely beckoned for the servants to start to dress her. Alaria had not yet seen the completed costume she was to wear to the ball so when the ladies in waiting brought the dress out, she gasped in surprise for never before had there been a more magnificent masquerade dress for a princess to wear. The dress was made in layers of layers of fine white silk. All over the top most layers were shiny sliver beads woven in and out in the patterns and appearance of feathers. Small studded diamonds were sewn in here and there so they would reflect lamplight, giving off an impression of a sliver glow. The bottom was long with a train, yet not so fully long that it would be a hindrance to dance it. Once again, patterns of sliver feathered beads flowed in and out of the layers of the dress. The bodice was also made of silk even more fine then the skirt. Sliver embroidered feathers inlayed patterns that crisscrossed her chest and back. The straps were simple, a small strip of fabric with sliver inlaid. Alaria drastically needed help in putting on her extraordinary dress. After all of the layers, petticoats and silks were placed on; the wings were set on her shoulders. The wings were real. Made out of the most beautiful white swan feathers set in a frame of mix between angel's wings and those of the swans, Alaria thought that she maybe able to fly. Her mask was in the shape of a swan head, with a sliver crown on the head. No one would mistake Alaria for anyone but the princess. For there would be no other costume to rival this swan, nor would there be a costume so inlaid with sliver, the royal color of the princess (on the King and Queen and Prince Heir could wear gold), nor would anyone be so bold as to adorn their brow with a crown.
The hair and makeup for the ball seemed simple and minor compared to the splendor of the dress. Her hair was done up in a simple pattern with strands of sliver beads. Likewise, Alaria's face had little makeup, just a dusting of blush, sliver eye shadow and a sparkling sliver lip gloss. Finally set, Alaria dared glance in a mirror. Already knowing she must either look splendid or ridiculous, considering the looks of the ladies helping her get ready, Alaria didn't know rather to cry or laugh as she saw herself. 'I certainly look like a royal princess is supposed to' she thought to herself. 'At least its better that a dove and it doesn't look too bad I suppose, just a little over done.' Being finished and fully dressed, the princess made her way to the queen's chambers to receive judgment.
Trying not to laugh at her mothers babbling hysterics about the 'perfect dress for a princess looking for a husband' Alaria just nodded her head in pretend agreement. Cringing as her father and two of her brothers walked in and proceed to do the same scene as her mother; she hoped the night would be over soon.
Started out of her daze by her father's voice Alaria stared stunned.
"… you'll have to dance with every man in the room now princess as to deem which one is worthy. One of your brothers will judge the ladies."
"What was that Father?" Alaria quickly asked.
Shaking his head at his daughter's inattention the King once again explained what would happen that night: "Now Alaria, this ball is not just a ball but a masquerade ball in which all the costumes will be judge and the best mans and women's costumes will be awarded prizes. To judge, you must dance with every available man to asses his costume and ahhh, his character. Your brothers will asses the ladies." Glancing at his youngest child's stricken look he just gave her a small simile and walked out of the room to go to meet the most significant land lords before the dance began. Knowing she would receive no help from her mother, and probably neither her brothers, Alaria wanted to scream and run away before the ball could begin. However, she was not able to get that chance. From the moment her sentence of having to dance with the men of the realm till the ball started, Alaria was not left unattended, for fear of her escape. Finally the moment arrived. The dance had started, the gentlemen and ladies had danced a few dances and time was due for Alaria to make her entrance. Nodding to the heralds to announce her Alaria tried to steady her shaking nerves. 'Gods how I hate this' she screamed slightly to herself. Steeling herself for the words, she closed her eyes in preparation.
The large double doors swung open from the top entrance of the grand stair case and the heralds words rang out: "Present her most imperial royal highness, the Princess Alarihandara!"
Opening her eyes and taking a deep breath, Alaria stepped out of the waiting room, on to the dais and ready to descend the long stair case as all eyes were cast on her…
Authors Note: I apologize for the long wait on my update. I know this chapter is a 'filler', but I hope you enjoyed it nevertheless. I love descriptions, which is why her masquerade dress is in such detail, I hope you don't mind. The next chapter will introduce some more characters (male) and more plot developments.
Thank you for all your wonderful receives and I hope you continue to enjoy the story. In answer to some questions emailed to me, yes the dragon will reappear and quite soon, so don't worry.
