Chapter One
You're Invited
Author's Note: Hello I'm Anjyu, and this my second Kaleido Star fic. Please feel free to review, and I hope you enjoy the very first chapter of Masked.
Yuri's invitations went out to countries across the world stretching from border to border. The first to receive an invitation was May Wong, the Chinese princess.
"May it looks like you've received an invitation all the way from Russia." her mother commented as she eyed it suspiciously.
"Why? I don't have any affairs with any Russians..." scoffed May rudely.
"It says you've been invited to a special kind of ball being hosted by Yuri Killian the new Czar of Russia. It says you must wear a special costume with a mask." her mother commented.
"A ball you say? Maybe I could go just to make some affairs with some royal officials. The Chinese trading company is losing its touch. Maybe I could make amends and offers with a few folks just for the sake of my people. It would be the perfect opportunity because everyone will be in one spot." May told her mother.
"Oh May you are so considerate of our people!" cried her mother.
May smirked, "I guess I'm going then."
Rosseta the princess of Belgium received the second letter.
"Oh mother you must let me go!" pleaded Rosetta when she received her invitation.
"You are far to young to travel alone, and it's all the way in Russia! Your father and I can't both go." her mother replied.
"But I want to go! I've never been to a ball before!" protested Rosetta.
"Maybe I could see if your cousin Ana could accompany you." her mother decided.
"Oh thank you so much mother!" Rosetta cried cheerfully.
The next letter came to Mia princess of Holland.
"Are you going to Yuri's royal ball your highness?" asked one of her servant girls.
"I suppose even though I'm not too pleased with his father bombing my poor country to death and plundering our goods!" yelled Mia angrily.
"Maybe you could work out a deal if you go then?" the servant girl suggested.
"That's the only reason why I plan on going. If Yuri can invite me to his ball, then he can return my people's goods." Mia explained.
The fourth letter made its way to Princess Layla of England.
"Miss Layla you have a letter from someone." Sora said as she walked into Layla's study.
"Who's it from?" asked Layla not taking her eyes from her book.
"Yuri Killian the Czar of Russia." Sora announced.
Suddenly Layla tore her eyes from the page as she got up to meet Sora, "Let me see it." she commanded as she took the letter from Sora.
Layla read over it briefly before tossing it aside.
"I'm not going to his stupid ball! He's a bumbling idiot to think I will waste my precious time on him!" scoffed Layla.
"Why don't you go Miss. Layla? You would have a wonderful time I believe even though I have never been to a ball, I hear their amazing, and it's a masked ball! How wonderful!" Sora sighed dreamily.
"You really want me to go don't you?" she asked turning towards her friend.
"Only if you want to." she said looking at the floor shyly.
"I suppose I could use the fresh air. It's too hot for my tastes in England anyways. Some time away might be nice." Layla commented.
"So you're going then!?" asked Sora excitedly.
"Yes, and you shall accompany me, so help me start packing." Layla instructed her.
"Yes your highness!" Sora said with a bow as she darted off and began preparing for the trip ahead.
Layla smiled to herself, "Such a naive girl."
The very last letter came to Yuri's best and oldest friend Leon king of France.
"Leon you have a letter from Yuri the Czar of Russia." exclaimed his royal advisor as he gave him the invitation.
"Thank you." Leon commented shooing him away as he closed the door to his study.
Leon sat back down in his chair and took out his reading glasses. He opened the envelope with Yuri's family crest on it and read.
Dear Leon,
You have been invited to attend my very first Masked Ball. Please take the time to come. I have prepared very entertaining events for us, and it's been nearly two years since I last saw you. My father has died, and I am now the new Czar of Russia, and this is my way of celebrating it. Please feel free to attend. The ball is in two months. I want to see you my old friend, and I want you to attend.
Yours Truly,
Yuri Killian.
The letter Yuri sent Leon wasn't very formal, but it was respectful.
Leon smiled at this which he rarely ever did.
"I guess it's time I pay my old friend a visit then." he said to himself as he sipped his coffee.
The next two months each guest prepared themselves for Yuri's special ball. They intently worked on their costumes putting in bits and pieces of their countries heritage. No costume would look the same. Everyone excitedly awaited for that special day, and it soon came...