"Why do you keep doing this, Your Highness?" King said as he and Luz walked through the halls of the castle together. "You know how much your mom hates it when you run off like that."

She had just changed into a white button-up shirt with short poofy sleeves, a purple vest with golden flowers printed on it, black velvet Capri pants, and a pair of white ballet flats. And she had no hood on so the curls in her hair and her round ears were now visible. Her reptilian palisman was nestled around her neck and resting on her shoulders as she walked.

"I'm sorry, King. Stringbean needed some fresh air, and I did too." Luz said. "Besides, no one treated me like a princess out there."

"I get it, Luz. I do. But next time, talk to your mom before going outside. Who knows what could've happened out there?"

"I keep telling you nothing happened. I was just hanging out and talking to a nice girl; everything was fine."

"A nice girl? Sure…" The little demon giggled with a sly look on his face.

"And what is that supposed to mean?" She put her hands on her hips and raised an eyebrow.

"Nothing. I'm just saying you seemed awfully interested in her back at the night market." He stopped walking and put his hands behind his back; she stopped too. "I mean, I could clearly see the way you looked at her. Plus, your cheeks were turning as red as rubies the whole time you two talked. You like her, don't you?"

"What? No! No way!" Her blush was starting to come back. "I mean, she and I just met and I hardly—"

"Princess Luzura!" A third voice interrupted.

King and Luz turned to see a woman with pale skin, odd eyes, and short red curly hair walk up to them. She gave a quick bow.

"Hi, Lilith." Luz casually greeted.

"I'm glad I found you, Your Highness. Your mother is in the next room, she wants to talk to you." Lilith said, directing the girl towards an open doorway.

"Okay. Thank you." She said before walking in.

Lilith turned to King. "Where was she this time?"

"Bonesborough night market." King replied before leaning in closer to her. "You know, if I didn't know any better, I'd say the princess found herself a new crush."

"Oooh, really?" Lilith smiled.

"I can still hear you!" Luz called out; the two immediately went quiet.

In the room, Luz saw her mother sitting at a table next to a basilisk green skin, teal hair, and a couple of earrings. They were playing a game of Go Fish.

"Hey, mama. You wanted to see me?" Luz asked.

The Queen turned and smiled at the sight of her daughter. She got up, hugged her, and said, "Ah! Hola, mija. Where have you been? Vee and I were just talking about you."

"Sorry, mom." Luz then spotted a few papers on the table next to Vee. "Is this for the party you said you were planning for Halloween this year?"

"Yes. I've been reviewing a few things with Vee, but I need you to go over a few things, too."

"Well, okay, as long as it doesn't take too long."

Vee set her cards down, picked up the stack of papers, and went over to her sister. "It's really not that bad. Camila and I already went over food, music, games, and the venue; now we just need to make enough invites. We were thinking maybe forty or fifty, at the least."

"Oh." Luz glanced at the guest list, seeing quite a lot of familiar names. "No offense, but isn't this getting kind of… stale?"

"What do you mean, mija? We always do something big for Halloween. It's tradition." Camila said.

"I know, but… I meet the same people at these parties every year. Everyone in the Human Realm just thinks I'm… weird." She set the list down and glanced at Stringbean, who hissed something into her ear. She understood. "Hmmm… Hey, mom, why don't we do something… a little different this year? Like inviting new people, making new treats, playing new games, and stuff like that? What do you say?"

"Like… from the Demon Realm?" Camila asked.

"Yeah. I have friends there, and this will be their first time going to a human Halloween party. We can do it."

"That doesn't sound half bad. Why not?" Vee commented.

Camila paused and thought for a few moments; Luz may have been human, but she also felt at home in the Demon Realm with witches and demons she called friends and even family. She turned to her daughter who nuzzled Stringbean's cheeks, then she turned to Vee, the young, shy basilisk she had taken in and loved like a second daughter. She and her family were no foreigners when it came to the strange and unusual. Perhaps inviting some people from the Boiling Isles would be a good idea. She clapped her hands and Lilith and King came in.

"Yes, Your Majesty?" Lilith asked.

Camila smiled. "Lilith, after my girls and I finish making up a new guest list, I'd like you and King to go to the Boiling Isles and hand out invitations. Spread the word; Princess Luzura is giving a ball."

0-0-0-0-0-0

At the Blight manor that afternoon, CinderAmity was scrubbing the floor while Belos talked with a couple of adults outside the house. Even though the door was almost closed, she could still hear tidbits of the conversation they were having. She didn't know who he was talking to, but every so often, she would stop her work and listen to what he was saying.

"Ah yes. The Blights, Alador and Odalia." Belos' voice said. "They were very loyal workers of mine, if not a bit lazy from time to time. But then they died. Rather annoying, really. After the funeral, the elder twin children were quickly sent off to other homes to live with family, but the youngest girl… she was left all alone. Seeing how she had nowhere else to go and nobody to turn to, I chose to open my heart and I took little Amity in myself. She's like the daughter I never had, but always wanted. I must say, I truly adore her."

She rolled her eyes at that statement; she could only assume it was those same witches from the night market he was talking to.

"Oh dear, look at the time. I suppose that's enough for now. Thank you for your time, goodbye." Belos quickly stepped into the house and closed the door. He turned to see CinderAmity still on her hands and knees scrubbing the floor. He glared at her. "Aren't you done cleaning the floors yet?"

"Uh, no. No, sire. I'm sorry." She said, keeping her eyes on the floor.

He walked up to her and stopped a few inches away from her. "Well I expect this floor to be spotless by the time dinner rolls around." He kneeled before her and held her face so that she looked him in the eye. "Or would you rather continue stalling and go to bed hungry AGAIN?"

She hesitated. "…No. I'll have the floor clean by dinner, I promise."

"Good." He let go of her face and stood up before heading in the direction of the east drawing room. "And don't stop until there isn't a single smudge or spot of dirt left. Understand?"

"Yes, sire." She sighed.

The moment Belos was gone, CinderAmity looked up at a few of the portraits lining the wall in front of her. The first one was of her as a baby with her parents and her elder siblings, Edric and Emira, all together; they all looked very prim and proper. The next one looked similar, except Odalia wasn't present; Belos was in her place and CinderAmity looked significantly older in that one while Alador still held her close. The third one was just of her, Emira, and Edric; they were all wearing black, holding each other close, and looking very sad. The fourth and final portrait was of her and Belos alone; she had a bored expression while he had one hand on her shoulder. She could tell that expression was forced. Her thoughts were interrupted by something rubbing up against her arm. She looked and saw that it was a white cat with periwinkle eyes and a curious smile. She smiled and scratched the cat's ears.

"Aw, hi Ghost. Do you wanna help? Who's a good palisman?" She whispered. Ghost had been her most loyal companion for years, even thought Belos knew nothing about her… and they hoped to keep it that way. "But you still need to be careful. You know what'll happen if Belos catches you."

The cat nodded before a knock at the door was heard. CinderAmity got up, answered it, and looked to see that same little demon she saw at the night market.

"Oh, hello." She said; Ghost stood at her feet and curiously cocked her head to the side.

"Hi there." King greeted before gently scratching the cat's head. "Sorry to bother you, but I've got a special delivery." He took a black envelope out of his bag and handed it to CinderAmity; it had a bright purple wax seal.

"What is it?" She asked as she proceeded to open the envelope and read the letter; the letter itself was black paper with bright orange writing and there were four cute little jack-o-lanterns in each corner.

"It's an invitation to a grand Halloween Costume Ball in the Human Realm this coming weekend. It's hosted by Princess Luzura Noceda."

"A ball?"

"Yep. There will be food, music, games, dancing, everything! Pretty much everyone, both human AND witch, will be there. And the best part is that everyone gets to dress in costumes, so they can be anything they want."

"That sounds amazing!"

"Yeah. We hope you can make it."

"Thank you."

And with that, King took a bow and ran off, leaving CinderAmity standing by herself on the doorstep. Closing the door, she glanced at the invitation again and she smiled. There was going to be a ball? How exciting! Just then, someone cleared their throat.

"Who told you to stop scrubbing?" Belos asked.

CinderAmity quickly turned to see Belos standing over her with an angry look in his eyes. As if on instinct, she hid the invitation.

"I-I'm sorry, sire. I was… distracted." She said.

"Lazy, you mean… What've you got there?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. He noticed her hands were behind her back.

"Nothing." She lied, glancing downward; she noticed Ghost wasn't there anymore and hoped Belos didn't see her.

"Don't lie. Let me see it." He reached behind her and snatched the envelope and letter right out of her hands. He silently read the letter to himself before glancing back in her direction. "There's going to be a ball? On All Hallow's Eve?"

"If All Hallow's Eve means Halloween… then yes." She answered as she closed the door. "It's a costume party in the Human Realm, and it's this weekend."

"…And you wish to go, don't you?" He asked, folding up the letter.

Feeling a tiny but sudden confidence boost, she straightened her back, looked Belos in the eye, and said, "…Yes. Yes, I do."

Belos was angry, but before he could even open his mouth to speak, there was another knock at the door. He smirked.

"Who's that?" CinderAmity asked.

"Most likely the surprise I had planned for you." Belos answered.

"A surprise? For ME?"

"Oh yes. I had a feeling you were rather lonely, so…" He opened the door and on the doorstep stood Boscha and Bria from the night market; they were each carrying a duffle bag and a palisman staff of their own.

CinderAmity's eyes widened in terror as the two bullies wickedly smirked at her.

"Hi, CinderAmity." They said in unison.

"Please come in, girls." Belos ushered the two inside. "I invited Bosha and Bria to stay here with us for the rest of the week, so you could have a little extra company."

CinderAmity knew that was a bunch of malarkey. She was sure the only reason Belos brought them into her home was so they could have a hand in torturing her, even if it would only be for a week. She cringed when she noticed invitations to the Princess's Halloween Ball in their bags; no doubt they were invited too.

"We're so glad to be here. This'll be just like a sleepover, but it'll last for a whole week." Bria said, pretending to be sweet.

"Yeah, thank you so much, Lord Belos. This will probably be the best week ever!" Boscha added, sounding just as fake as her companion.

CinderAmity remained silent, but tried her best to force a smile.

"Perhaps we should begin with a tour." Belos said, leading the girls away from the door. "I'll show you around before you can settle into your new rooms. And why don't you fetch us from refreshments, CinderAmity?"

"Uh… o-okay. I mean yes, sire." CinderAmity said, snapping back to reality. She turned to her new guests. "What would you like?"

"I'd like a glass of ice cold sapphire blue slimenade like a lemon wedge." Boscha said.

"And I want a glass of warm dark chocos milk with whipped cream on top." Bria chimed in.

"And the usual for you, sire?" CinderAmity asked.

"Yes. My usual tea would be perfect, as long as you get it right." Belos replied.

"Right. Earl Grey, black, searing hot, no sugar, and no milk." She said.

"Excellent… What are you still doing here? Go!" He demanded.

She nervously nodded and went off to the kitchen to fix everyone's drinks. Bria and Boscha giggled at her under their breath. After a moment, Belos led the girls through the hall and up the stairs to show them their new rooms, not even noticing Ghost emerging from behind a table in that same hall and running off to help her mistress.