At last the day of the ball arrives and the whole country has gathered for this grand event. Of course this means, Mey-Rin, Hannah and I are running around like chickens with our heads cut off trying to attend to my uncle and cousins as they get ready for tonight.
"CINDERELLA! WHERE'S MY COAT?!"
I run into Alois's room and find his coat before helping him into it.
"CINDERELLA! WHERE'S MY HAIR RIBBONS?!"
I than dash into Lizzy's room to find her hair ribbons before tying them into her hair to make pigtails.
"LILLY! WHERE ARE MY CUFFLINKS?!"
God it never stops does it?
Running into my uncles room, I find his cufflinks for him and place them onto the cuffs of his sleeves.
After about an hour of running to and fro to help them get ready, Mey-Rin, Hannah and I are spent and sigh in relief as we all stand in a single line at the bottom of the stairs with out heads slightly bowed.
The first to descend the staircase is Alois, wearing a purple suit with a green vest underneath and a black bowtie.
The next one is Lizzy, opting to wear a light pink dress with a sash placed around her waist and tied into a bow on the side, her ringlet curls tied up into pigtails with silk pink ribbons bounce as she walks down the stairs.
And the last is my uncle, wearing an all white suit with a red gem centered in the middle of his necktie and a white sash around his waist.
As he stops at the bottom of the stairs he looks at me with a fake shocked expression.
"Lilly, you're not ready?"
This takes me aback for a moment but I soon realize he's not serious as he and my cousins snicker behind there hands.
"Just kidding. As if a commoner would be invited to a ball!" He laughs slightly.
That hurt but I do my best to smile.
"I hope you enjoy your night, sir."
With that he huffs, sticking his nose up in the air and walks away while the three of us curtsey to him slightly, and soon my uncle and cousins are off to the ball in a carriage that awaits them outside.
Once they're sure he and the others are truly gone, Mey-Rin and Hannah turn to me with excited smiles on their faces and I raise a brow in curiosity.
"What are you two up to?"
"Listen up Lilly." Says Hannah as she points at me with a smirk. "You're going to that ball."
"I'm what?!"
"We even made you a dress, yes we did!"
I am totally dumbfounded as the two of them grab me from either side and drag me into the back of the Estate where they have hidden the dress they made for me in the storage room.
"Wait a minute! I'm just a commoner! They won't let me inside!"
"Oh pish posh! We know you're the Viscount's niece! Besides with one look at you no one will question your title!"
I am now completely rendered speechless and gape at the two women.
"Hehe, we made her speechless!" Exclaims Mey-Rin as she heads over to a trunk in the corner of the storage room and opens it.
She then pulls out a beautiful light violet silk gown with a heart shaped bodice, sheer light purple fabric that wraps around the upper arms, and jeweled lilies that adorn the sheer fabric on the dome shaped skirt. It's absolutely gorgeous, but what really takes my breath away is the shoes that consist of violet fabric covering the shape of the shoe, a purple lily placed on the top of each and the heels are made of some sort of glass.
"Now put these on. We wanna see you in them."
I simply nod, not being able to find the right words and leave the room with the dress and shoes in hand so I can get changed.
Having put on the dress that hugged every inch of my hourglass figure perfectly, I slip on the shoes and go back to where Hannah and Mey-Rin are waiting. When they see me in the dress they gasp and become slightly teary eyed.
"Oh! You look so beautiful, yes you do!"
"I couldn't agree more. I knew they would fit you perfectly!"
They both smile and squeal in excitement. I can't help but giggle at the two of them.
"Now then. Lets do something with your hair and makeup."
Hannah says before taking me by the hand and sitting me down in front of my cousins vanity mirror.
She then moves around me, humming and humming as she looks at me from every angle until she nods, knowing how she's gonna 'make me up'. First she does my hair by pulling it up into a ponytail that rests in the middle of my head, then she pins it up flat against the back of my head, allowing my already curled ends to hang down. She then brings out a folded handkerchief from her pocket and opens it to reveal tiny jewel lilies before placing them on the top of my head. And to finish the look, she applies a light purple shadow on my eyelids that shimmers slightly, dark liner on my top and lower lids to make my eyes pop more, and a light red gloss to add more color to my lips. After she's finished she looks me over and nods in approval before moving aside to let me see myself in the mirror, I gasp as I touch my cheek to make sure the person I'm looking at is really me.
Smiling up at Hannah, I thank her for the beautiful job and she smiles back.
"Wait, we can't forget these!"
Says Mey-Rin as she comes over with a necklace and earrings that match. They're simple yet elegant and belonged to my mother and I look up at her.
"How did you-"
"I found them tucked away in your traveling trunk yes I did! Sorry for going through your stuff, we just wanted you to look stunning tonight!"
I simply smile as a small chuckle escapes my lips and she sighs in relief, knowing that I'm not mad for what they did.
I take the earrings witch are of course, shaped like lilies but the gem is a pale blue color and put them on. I then take the matching necklace and fasten it around my neck.
Hannah hands me a pair of white silk gloves that come up to my elbows and I slip them on. After we all nod our heads approvingly at my look, the women usher me outside and push me into a carriage that waits at the back entrance. I look over at them and reach out my hands to grasp theirs.
"Thank you both. I wish you could come with me."
They smile and shake their heads, telling me to have a good time and give them all the details when I get back. I promise and they step back before the carriage takes off. I look at them one last time and wave as I head off to the palace.
The ball is already going on outside in the courtyard and Claude, wearing an orange and red over jacket with a high neck and a golden dragon going up along his chest on each side over a white high neck shirt and black pants, looks around while scanning the mass of faces in the ballroom, hoping to see the one woman he wishes to see more than anything. This doesn't go unoticed by his father and he walks up next to his eldest son before leaning in and whispering with an excited glint in his eye.
"Expecting someone?"
This startles him slightly and he looks at his father.
"Yes, actually. I met someone a couple weeks back and was wondering if she'd be here tonight."
"Oh? And who is this woman who has caught my sons eye?"
Claude smiles fondly as he thinks back on the times he has met, Lilly.
"She's someone who is intelligent, kind and beautiful, and treats me like a person not a prince."
"Oh, I certainly would like to meet her."
Claude smiles slightly and simply nods. He hopes she comes tonight just for the simple fact that he wants to see her again.
Ciel stands next to his older brother wearing something similar only his is a deep blue with a silver flower pattern, smiles in amusement secretly. He's never seen his brother so interested in someone before and he can't help but find this all amusing.
Suddenly, his thoughts are interrupted as the Viscount of Druitt and his children walk up to them and bow.
"Your majesty, thank you for inviting us here. It is a tremendous honor. Allow me to introduce my children, Alois and Elizabeth Chamber."
Ciel looks at, Elizabeth and blushes slightly before bowing.
"It's a pleasure."
With that, Lizzy's cheeks redden as well and she looks down while fidgeting.
Claude and the Emperor bow their heads slightly in acknowledgment before the three of them head into the crowd and join the other guests.
People come up to the royal family one by one, introducing themselves and thanking them for having them. And after this goes on for several minutes, Claude continues to scan the room with his eyes, hoping to see her.
Soon the music begins, signaling the first dance of the evening. Ciel goes over to Lizzy and asks her to dance, she of course agrees without hesitation and they are soon gliding across the dance floor.
Claude looks down slightly, losing hope that she will come with every minute that ticks by and another noblewoman asks for the honor of dancing with him. He hesitates slightly and as soon as he goes to give her an answer, the music suddenly stops and everyone looks toward the entrance as hushed whispers fall over the room. Claude looks up and his eyes widen slightly. There she stands, looking around the room until their eyes meet and she smiles. He smiles back in relief and rushes up to her.
Seeing Claude, I smile as he rushes up to me with a relieved smile gracing his lips.
"I thought you were never going to show up."
"I didn't know you'd be expecting me." I say teasingly yet honestly, which causes him to smirk.
"Of course I would be expecting you, Miss Lilly."
As he says this, he bows slightly and takes my right hand in his before bringing it to his lips and pressing a gentle kiss to the back of it.
Then in a graceful manner, he pulls me against him, wrapping a hand around my waist as the other holds up my right hand, I in turn place my left hand on his shoulder and we begin to dance as the music picks up once more. Everyone moves to the side, watching as we glide gracefully across the floor while smiling at one another.
"I wonder who that is?"
"She's certainly beautiful."
"I don't think I've ever seen her before."
People whisper amongst themselves as they watch in awe as we dance.
But my uncle and cousin, Alois merely scowl. Lizzy smiles as she watches us, too happy to have been noticed by Ciel or even be bothered with her father and brother's dismay.
After the song has finished, the prince takes my hand and leads me to the front where his father sits on his throne.
"Father, this is the woman I was telling you about."
I blush upon hearing that he's talked about me to his father.
"Truly? I must say Claude, you're explanation hardly does this young woman justice."
I blush even more and curtsey to the Emperor.
"Thank you for such kind words, your Majesty."
He smiles and nods approvingly before waving us off.
Claude then leads me outside into the garden, where we spend a quiet moment talking. As we walk around we come to the little bridge that overlooks the moat looking pond and I look down to see the scales of the beautiful fish shimmering in the moonlight.
"So tell me. What brought you to Japan?"
"My master wished to open trade here."
"Oh? And what sort of trade might that be?"
"To be honest. I have no idea."
He hmms and looks up at the night sky.
"You know, I have no desire to take the throne."
As he says this I look over at him in surprise.
"Oh but think of all the great things you could do for your country, for the world."
"Yes well, I am tired of being defined by what I am and not who I am. It's insufferable."
I nod and look down into the water. "I know how you feel."
"Really?"
"I am a servant after all. That's all anyone sees me as."
With this he smiles lightly and shakes his head before reaching over to gently cup my cheek and turn my head towards him.
"I don't. I've never met a woman as beautiful as you before, I find myself lost with thoughts of you all the time."
As he says this, his face draws closer to mine slowly and my eyes flutter closed in anticipation. As our lips are about to meet...
"Lilly!" Comes my uncles voice and I jump back away from the prince.
Claude looks between the two of us questioningly as my uncle stomps towards me and grabs me by the arm roughly.
"How dare you come here! This is no place for a commoner such as yourself! And you dare speak to the prince?!"
"Excuse me, Viscount. But I am the one who approached her, not the other way around. Now would you kindly let go of her arm?"
My uncle simply looks at the prince, smiles and tightens his grip on my arm painfully.
"Of course, sire. But not until I expose her for what she really is in front of the entire court!"
With that he drags me away from Claude before he can even say anything and pushes me into the center of the ballroom, hard enough to make my hair come undone as I fall onto my hands and knees. The Emperor stands demanding to know what's going on as my uncle circles around me like a vulture circling its prey.
"Your Majesty." He bows before turning to the others, spreading his arms wide. "Ladies and gentlemen of the court! I would like to introduce you to my maid, Lilly!"
At this he points at me and everyone gasps. Just then Claude enters and the Emperor sends him a glare.
"A servant Claude!? Is this some kind of joke!?"
"Oh it's no joke, your Majesty. She has been a servant in my home for the past four years!"
Everyone begins to whisper among themselves as they all stare at me in surprise and contempt.
"Sebastian! Remove this woman from my home at once!"
Sebastian bows and comes over to me before gripping my one arm firmly and pulling me up to my feet, I hang my head in shame as tears come to my eyes, not even wanting to see the looks on the other nobles faces. I can already feel their scorn towards me as I am pulled out of the palace.
"Father, don't do this! I already knew what she was from the start!"
This earns him a displeased glare from his father.
"I'm disappointed in you, Claude."
With that he turns away from his eldest son who looks down at the floor in irritation.
Ciel and Lizzy watch as, Lilly is dragged from the palace feeling bad about what just took place.
Lizzy looks over at the satisfied smiles on her fathers and brothers faces and can't help wondering why they did such a thing. Sure they were all mean to Lilly, but in secret she actually really liked her. She just did what she thought her father wanted her to do.
Then she sees something sparkle out the corner of her eye and moves over to it before picking it up. It's a shoe, but the bottom half of it is made out of some type of glass. Having a feeling it's Lilly's shoe, she takes it over to Ciel and tells him to give this to Claude tonight after everyone goes home. He's surprised for a moment but soon realizes what she's getting at and nods.
After Sebastian takes me out past the gate, he lets go of my arm and sighs.
"This is why I said what I did before. Now you've gone and done it Miss."
I say nothing, there's nothing to say. He's right.
"I'm sorry for the trouble I've caused. You'll never see me again, this I swear."
With that I leave the palace behind me, and a very surprised yet somewhat confused Sebastian.
I know he wasn't trying to hurt me with what he said before, he was simply trying to save Claude and I from further heart break. I shouldn't have let Hannah and Mey-Rin talk me into coming here.
After returning home, the two women see me and gasp in surprise before bombarding me with questions.
I smile weakly and explain what happened which causes them to look at me in apology. I simply wave them off and head into my room, taking off the gown, gloves, and everything else. But as I go to remove my shoes, I notice that I am only wearing one of them. I didn't even notice one was missing from the shame and hurt I felt. I sigh and shrug it off before putting on my servant clothes and cap.
"I'm glad I got to see him one last time at least." I say as I stare out my window and up at the moon, letting my words be carried by the wind. "Goodbye, Claude."