Year-1670
The streets of Italy were always crowded.
"Buon giorno, Milady" a man bowed.
"Monsieur" I nodded as I bowed, holing the edges of my gown.
The girls behind me giggled as he walked away.
I walked down the wet street to meet Lissa.
I knocked on her door
"entrare" a voice shouted.
I walked in to find her sprawled on the couch reading the paper.
"lissa!" I said,, as I hugged her.
"Rose, I have something important to tell you" she said
"yes?" I asked
"We have a ball tonight."
"but Lissa-" I said
I had planned to the park tonight.
"I know Rose, but this is important. Besides, didn't your father tell you that its important?"
" I haven't seen him today"
"oh"
"so what are we going to wear?" I asked
"ball gowns of course"
"I know that. What kind?"
"your father has already ordered one for both of us"
"where are they?"
"wait, I will get them"
I sighed as she went to get the dresses. I had really wanted to go to the park tonight. In the morning everyone knew who I was, but in the dark park, no one can see me. Lissa was happy with all the ball gowns and parties but not me. There was something attractive about the free world where no one recognises you. Everyone knows my father, Abe Mazur. And so everyone knows me. I am one of the most respected women in Verona, but I didn't want that. I wanted to live happily in a place where no one teaches you how to dance, how to swing your fan and how to behave with other men. I sighed again. But I can't tell that to anyone. Not even Lissa
Lissa came bringing two boxes with her. I took the box labelled my name and opened it. Inside was a white ball gown. I had to admit. It was beautiful. I knew it would suit me. I saw what Lissa's was. Lissa was pale with jade eyes so my father had got her a jade gown. It was nice too. We decided that we would have to start getting ourselves ready for the ball. It was in the evening, so we had a few hours left. I motioned a cart to stop and got in carrying my ball gown. Soon, I got home. I had lunch and then I took a short nap, ordering the maids to get a hot bath ready for me. After I woke up, I soaked in the bath for some time and then called in a maid to do my hair. Then, I slipped into the ball gown. The maid brought me a pair of silver coloured black heels which I slipped on. As soon as I was ready, I went down. Abe was waiting.
"Rosemarie, please sit down" he said
"Yes, papa" I said, as I sat down on the couch
"Rose, this is the suitors ball. Many ladies usually find their suitors here. You might too. That's why I am sending you to this. But be careful. Don't do something inappropriate" he warned
I nodded and kissed both his cheeks before getting into the chariot. I soon arrived in the ball room. A herald announced my entry as the doors swung open
"Lady Rosemarie Hathaway Mazur, daughter of Abe Mazur and Janine Hathaway Mazur."
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