Hey guys it's me, again, couldn't upload yesterday, no internet damn.

Thank you PurpleFanMagic glad you're okay now. And Pinkykupkake you'll be glad with this upload and thank you as well, that's the first part of the ball.

The ladies' outfits are in my profile.

Nice reading ;)

Chapter IX

The ladies all gathered in one room to get ready for the ball that was starting in less than an hour. Servants were struggling with their tasks as time didn't allow any delay.

Lucy was the first to finish preparing. Susan gasped at her sister and felt a huge wave of pride. She looked so beautiful, so grown, so graceful, even more than she was back in the golden age.

The valiant queen wore a red gown trimmed with black prints. Its design was of unique flowers. It flowed to the ground but was tightened by lace at the front. It had large wavy sleeves that showed the inside black fabric. The neckline was round and it showed shoulders and a little bit of cleavage. She accessorized her dress with black high heels and ruby adorned necklaces and earrings. Her black mask was beautifully decorated with silver giving little hints as to who she really was. No one was supposed to recognize them. They didn't even know what the other royals were wearing, but that wasn't really hard for Lucy as her blue-green eyes couldn't be easily hidden. Her hair was made into complicated curls with tresses that were pulled up from behind with diamond hairclips. The front hair was curled and fixed behind her ears giving the impression of wavy bangs. Her rosy lips were reddened by lipstick.

Susan stood with all her glory in a beautiful blue gown. It was made of two fabrics. The inner dress was made of a royal blue embroidered with golden leaves' patterns. The over-piece was midnight blue and cut in the middle to show the inside. It was joined by lace at the waist. The sleeves were the same as Lucy's the only difference being the colors. The modest neckline showed only her collarbone. She wore gold necklace and earrings that matched the patterns of her dress. Her hair was pulled slightly from the front with gold and diamond hair-clips and cascaded delicately in soft waves. Her lips were a soft pink and her mask gold with blue decorations having the same purpose as her youngest sister, and matching high heels. The gentle queen's eyes were a piercing blue as they were contoured with black Khôl.

Annabelle was still struggling with her corset which was tied too tightly on her that she could barely breathe. Lucy went to aid her but as soon as she saw her, Annabelle's eyes went round:

"Lucy!"

"What?"

"You look stunning!"

"Oh stop your flattery."

"And you stop being so modest."

"Humility is never wrong."

"Yes but lack of self-confidence is."

"Look who's talking."

"Just help me Lu, I'm feeling dizzy."

Lucy laughed at her friend.

"Well you better get used to it dear, that's the formal wear here, and until now I still hate it."

"Hey that rhymes."

Finally Annabelle was able to wear her gown. The dress was black and dark mauve, the embroidery mainly consisted of black flowers that flowed all the way down the dress. A black cut-in-the middle long tunic enveloped the dress and was joined at the waist by laces as well. The sleeves were also black and reached the wrist where it was shaped into a trumpet design. Annabelle wore the bracelet that Edmund gave her as well as a necklace with silver and purple stones in a butterfly design that made it very pretty. Her hair was curled and tied very elegantly to the side with a diamond hair-clip. She wore black heels and mask with mauve and silver markings making her relationship with the silver crowned king obvious.

She finished her attire with soft purple lipstick; nothing was added to her eyes as they were more than perfect naturally. Everyone was pleased with the ladies' looks and envied their rulers for their appearance.

Caspian and Edmund were chatting in the great hall of Cair Paravel. The oldest of the two was wearing a black tunic with a lion print, white breeches and black boots, his sword was tugged on the side of his belt, he wore a black and white mask, as of Edmund, he was wearing a dark blue tunic with a silver lion, grey breeches and black boots, he had a sword as well, and a silver and midnight blue mask. Peter joined them a while later, he was in a red tunic with a golden lion, white breeches and Rhindon in his belt, his mask was gold as he was the High King. He soon pointed to his fellow royals:

"It feels so good not being recognized! No headaches from the ladies of the court!"

"Sorry brother but many are batting their eyes at us. You're wearing Rhindon after all idiot " The oldest Pevensie turned only to see a group of women eyeing them as if they were food.

"By Aslan's mane, can't we have a moment of peace?" he complained.

"Well I don't know about you Pete, but I like the attention."

"Shut up Caspian."

He just laughed as trumpets were heard announcing the arrival of other guests.

The room grew silent as the doors opened to reveal three beautiful ladies. They looked like goddesses even with masks hiding their faces. Caspian's eyes went to the one in the middle, her gown was red and it moved perfectly against her body as she made her way down the stairs; carrying herself with grace worthy of a swan. Peter recognized his sisters and Annabelle easily and felt protective of them as the men's hungry eyes followed their every step. He saw Caspian looking at his youngest sister and elbowed him in the ribs.

"Ow!"

"Close your mouth." Caspian glared at him having no idea why peter was so angry.

Edmund smiled at Annabelle recognizing her in an instant and she did the same. He took her arm and led her away from the group.

Caspian didn't notice the little exchange as he was still gazing at the lady's blue-green orbs in front of him. Lucy saw him and couldn't help but blush, he looked so handsome and she could spot him miles away. He broke the silent first:

"My lady, you look stunning, may I know who the beauty that's hiding behind this mask is?"

Susan grinned at the young king's density, he didn't know he was flirting with little Lucy, and a player like he was, forgetting all about Anne in a second. Peter was about to interfere but the gentle queen not so gently stepped on his foot, he hissed under his breath; she gave him a look and waited for her youngest sister's answer.

"You may know later my lord, but now's not the time, the ball has just begun and I certainly don't want to spoil all the fun. So please excuse my mystery." Lucy changed her voice and it looked very mature and totally different from her usual high pitched one.

Caspian's admiration only grew. She held such cleverness in what she said that left him no choice but to agree with her. Peter decided to tease him a little:

"Haven't you seen my sisters? They are not here."

"No not at all, but it's a masquerade so they can't be easily spotted." The magnificent just sighed giving up. Lucy and Susan were biting their lips trying not to laugh. The youngest quickly regained her composure as Caspian turned to her:

"My lady, would you care to dance with me?" he held out his hand and she took it with a soft smile. She winked at her sister before being led to the center of the ballroom.

A lively narnian tune started playing but both found no difficulty with the quick steps as they were swift dancers. Peter was glaring at them the whole time and Susan had a hard time stopping him from stepping in.

Annabelle and Edmund were both in their own bubble. He would whisper in her ear and she would blush. They both looked happy before noticing the other royal couple dancing.

"Is that Lucy and Caspian?" asked Anne.

Edmund turned to see his favorite sister dancing with his best friend. Both were grinning from ear to ear. He smiled

"Now that's interesting."

"Aren't you bothered by it?"

"Not really, only if he dares to hurt her then he'll be a dead man. I always knew of Lucy's feelings even when she hid them so well. As of Caspian, he's as blind as one can be." He sighed

"They look happy." The lady pointed.

"That's because he doesn't know it's Lucy, he only sees her as a sister, and now she looks so different that he's totally under her charm."

"I wonder what he'll do when he finds out."

"We'll see sooner than you think."

Annabelle looked at him with curious eyes but he just smiled.

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