Author's Notes: I don't own Hunter X Hunter and some characters are not part of Hunter X Hunter.
Another day and that night Neon was staring out the window. Tomorrow will be the masquerade ball. 'Why didn't he come?' Neon thought thinking about Kurapika. 'I missed him'. She gasped to herself as she said it in her thoughts. She…missed…him? She touched her lips again. And she blushed. She does miss him! Could she be…falling for him already because of a certain kiss?
That late afternoon after they we're done eating. Alberta, Bernadette and Catherine we're changing their clothes and beautifying themselves. Neon wants to tell them she wanted to come along. When they we're done changing and was about to leave Neon spoke up. "C-Can I go with you?" The three looked at each other then laughed.
"You? Coming with us? Could be but no!" Bernadette said.
"Sorry dear. You're staying here. I kept your dress and your shoes in my room. And I locked it. So you CAN'T come to the ball", Alberta began.
"You don't have the invitation anyway", Catherine added. Neon was beginning to get angry.
"I won't say I want to go with you if I don't have this", Neon said showing the letter. The two sisters gasped. But their Mother went near Neon and snatches the letter away. "S-Stepmother-"and she immediately tear the letter apart. "N-No…"
"Let's go girls", said Alberta as she passed by her stepdaughter. The two sisters gave a slight laugh. Neon fall down to the floor…tears welling up in her eyes. But she stood up confidently and went outside.
Neon was sitting outside the house, sitting on the steps, crying. Why are they so cruel to her?! She cried harder and didn't even saw Florence beside her. "Cheer up dear". She looked at the left side to see Florence. "What's wrong?"
"M-Miss Florence". Neon stood up and wipes her eyes. "I was supposed to go to the ball. But my step Mom put my dress and shoes in her room and locked it. And she tears my invitation. N-Now…I can't go…"
"Do you believe in magic?"
"I-I do. If I could see one".
"Then watch this". With a flick of Florence finger Neon's dress was there and shoes as Florence holds her dress.
"Wow!" Neon exclaimed. "Are you a magician?" Florence laughed.
"I'm your fairy godmother dear", Florence replied as she gave the dress and shoes to Neon. "Go and change. And I'll be waiting for you here".
"Okay!" Neon said happily as she went inside the house to change.
It took fifteen minutes for Neon to change and beautify herself. She just combs her hair in a neat ponytail. She didn't put some make-up. Besides when you're simple you're beautiful! Neon went outside to see Florence again. "Beautiful dear! Here", she said giving a blue masquerade with glitters.
"I almost forgot I need that. Thanks Miss Florence!" Neon said as she took it gratefully. She still couldn't believe she has a fairy godmother!
"And this", Florence added. Neon took it and it was her letter torn apart. "You can't enter if you don't have that".
"Thank you very much. You're a great help Miss Florence!"
"Don't mention it dear. I'm always here if you need me. Now hop on to my carriage. You're late!" Neon hop on to the carriage she noticed when she had done changing her clothes.
"Thank you again Miss Florence!" And with that the carriage left.
As Neon entered the palace she was amazed how big it is. She had given the invitation to the guard and went in. People we're eating so she also ate. But she keeps an eye on her stepmother and sisters. Kurapika noticed her. He smiled to himself. There we're also boys in the palace. Rich people who had come along. So they we're not only girls in the palace. As Kurapika approached Neon he had put up his masquerade. "Hi". Neon looked who it was. And was shock to see the Prince.
"Oh h-hi your majesty", Neon stammered.
"May I have the opportunity to dance the beautiful lady in front of me?" Kurapika asked as he bowed. Neon bowed down also, face flushing.
"Okay", Neon said as Kurapika took her hand and went to the dance floor. 'J-Just the two of us?!' Kurapika snap his finger as the band started to play. All people we're looking at them dancing. Neon felt awkward. But Kurapika pulled her closer. And some people are already dancing.
"Why Neon it's you. I'm not the Prince you know. It's me Chester", Kurapika said so that she won't feel nervous. Neon was shocked.
"Chester?! Why are you here?"
"Oh…um…the Prince invited me", he replied.
"Really? I'm so happy to see you. Well it's just fine I'm dancing with you and not the Prince. I'll be nervous when I'm with him", Neon began as Kurapika twirled her around.
"I see". Suddenly Leorio called up making his way to the two people dancing.
"Kurapika!" That made Neon wonder. Kurapika? Kurapika looked at Leorio when he arrived. He shot him a death glare. "Hi Kurapika! Sorry if I disturbed you're dance".
"Kurapika? But excuse me sir I'm dancing with Chester", Neon began. Leorio almost forgot about that. He just blew it. Kurapika sighed.
"Maybe it's time to tell the truth then", Kurapika began. "Neon…Chester and Kurapika are only one person". Neon realized they stopped dancing. And carefully Kurapika took off the mask. She gasped. Chester and Kurapika…are one. That is why in the forest she noticed why the Prince and her friend have the same face, she back away. "Neon I can explain!"
"I…I think I must go", Neon said as she exited though the crowd. Kurapika and Leorio followed her. But Kurapika was being crowded by girls. But Leorio handled the situation.
"Excuse me ladies but the Prince has matters to attend to".
"Thanks Leorio", Kurapika said as he followed Neon.
Neon was hurrying to reach her carriage. "Neon!" She heard Chester called.
'Its not Chester but Kurapika', Neon thought to herself. Before she could reach her carriage Kurapika had grabbed her arm and faced her.
"Stop for a while!" Kurapika said. Neon's eyes were downcast. "I have my reason why I'm doing this".
"You hurt me too much Your Highness. I've almost…almost…"
"Almost what?" she was blushing as she was about to say what she really feels about him.
"Forget it", she said as her green eyes were covered under her bangs. He sighed.
"I'm doing this because I hate to be locked up in the castle. But honestly speaking of all the Princess I found fascinating…it is you". Kurapika holds her right hand and she was looking at him. "Neon…I…."before he will say what he wanted to say he pulled her in an embrace. "I love you". She was shock on what he said. She loves him too but she knows they can't be together.
"I also love you Kurapika but we can't be together", Neon said in a soft whisper. She pushed him aside, letting go of her. "I'm sorry but you had to find a right girl for you. A maid and a Prince is an impossible pair. Goodnight…Kurapika!" She hurried to get inside the carriage as Kurapika ran after her.
"NEON WAIT!" But of course the horse ran faster. Then Leorio arrived.
"What happened?" Kurapika's eyes were covered under his bangs. He doesn't feel good.
"We both have the same feelings Leorio. But we can't be together she said. She's a maid and…I'm a Prince". Leorio put his hand on his friend's shoulder, comforting him.
"Love has a way Kura. Just wait!"
"I hope you're right".
For three days Neon didn't saw Chester or Kurapika. Misunderstanding as what people say. But yesterday she was shocked to hear the news…that Kurapika will be married to Denise. She cried the whole night. 'Its better this way', Neon thought, sweeping their yard. 'I wish I was a Princess then'. Suddenly Gon and Killua arrived.
"Neon! Neon!" Neon stops sweeping and look at her friends.
"Hi you two!"
"So did you go to the dance?" Gon asked. Neon nodded lamely.
"Chester and Kurapika I mean Prince Kurapika is just one person". The two boys gasped. "Worst thing is we love each other".
"That's not a sin Neon", Killua began.
"It is!" Neon exclaimed. "I fell in love with the Prince and the Prince fell in love with a lowly maid! I…I wish I was just a Princess". Suddenly a carriage arrived. Then Leorio went out. "The Highness' best friend. Is there anything I can do for you?"
"Neon Nostrad…you better come with me to the palace. Kurapika wants to see you", Leorio began. She looked at her friends and they nodded. Her heart was beating faster as they got in the carriage.
To be continued…