The space we entered was magnificent. Above our heads people stood together on rounded iron balconies that connected to one long balcony that encircled the room and the ballroom beyond. The red carpet led straight up the steps that went up to the balcony. People were going up and down the steps and more crowded along the balcony itself where it passed between the ballroom and the room where I had just entered. To get to the ballroom where I could see people dancing, there was an arched doorway on either side of the wide staircase. Similar doorways lined the opposite sides of the entrance area and gave view to side rooms where people lounged in black and white couches and other lavish furniture. The floor was black and white marble spirals that it reflected the people who walked upon it. The multiple arched doorways were black upon the white of the walls and some had heavy curtains that were pulled aside. I looked up to where a huge crystal chandelier hung in a ceiling made of mirrors in which I saw my wondering face looking down at me.
My stepsisters and I continued on into the ballroom where it was even more fantastic than the entry hall. Princess Joslynn had done her job well. The balcony did wrap around the entire room with tall mirrors hung above and below looking almost looked like doors led into more ballrooms where people danced. All the mirrors made the ball seem to go on forever on all sides. The orchestra played from a higher level of the balcony at the other side of the room. Underneath their platform nestled between the grand branching staircases that came down from the balcony, sat the royal thrones which were, as of now, empty. The long stretch floor between me and them was filled with dancing couples who turned in time with the music. Four more huge crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling in the ballroom. For a moment the three of us just paused inside to admire the splendor of it all. Everything in the hall was black and white, from the white walls to the black frames of the mirrors and wrought iron balcony railings. The music filled the contrasting room with such warmth it was almost tangible.
Giselle and Victoria immediately went off and were soon on the arms of two masked men and being led out to dance. I was not entirely sure what to do. I had never attended a ball as spectacular as this. Most of the people here were probably nobles and very important people of state. Since I saw no men jumping at the chance to dance with me as they had my stepsisters, I decided to ascend the red carpeted steps to the balcony so I could see the dances from above.
I had just gotten to where I could overlook the entire ballroom when the music stopped and I looked directly across at the orchestra balcony to see why, as did everyone else. The musicians had parted, leaving an empty space between the two sides. A man was walking down the aisle left by the separated orchestra. He was a servant at the castle as he wore no mask and a uniform similar to ones I had seen before. The hall was silent as he spoke from where he stood to the side of where the staircase branched.
"Now entering his royal highness, King Gerard Francis Delancy, and his wife, Queen Cordelia," the man called from above the dance floor. His majesty and his wife were the picture of regality as they descended the stairs to sit on the two largest thrones.
Next the man announced Prince Hector and Prince Christian. Hector was dressed in dark grey with a cape draped over one shoulder. His mask only covered half his face. Christian seemed to have the same mask but his was white to go with his solid white outfit of vest and shirt. The princes split so one walked down each of the branches of stairs to join their parents on the thrones. Curtis and Clover were the next to enter. I recognized Clover's dress and mask as the one she had bought while I was shopping with them and smiled. She looked very pretty.
The man continued to announce people, but it seemed he was saving the royal couple until the end. The next person he announced was Empress Pandia II of the Mektous, daughter of Empress Pandia Rex who was the leader of Mekt. Empress Pandia wore no mask yet she had the face a white tiger. She was beautiful with glossy white fur with jet black stripes. She wore a light grey flowing gown that floated around her lean form. I had never seen one of the Mektous this close before and now I was seeing their empress. I watched as she walked down the stairs with cat-like grace followed by her attendant. The next ambassador to be announced was Duchess Ojera and I looked around to see how Victoria and Giselle would react, but I could not find them in the crowd on the dance floor. Ojera was wearing a black mask with what appeared to be a large white flower pinned to one side. Her dress bore a similar flower at the shoulder and the black fabric clung to her form until it flared to trail behind her a bit. It seemed she was successful in finding a beautiful dress after all.
The ambassador from Darios came next. They called him Avion. He was a tall man with incredibly dark skin wearing what appeared to be a draping robe with thick silver jewelry at his wrists and neck. He stood tall and regal as he walked down the steps. He was accompanied by a woman who was introduced as his wife. She was also tall with dark skin with a similar robe that was more feminine. Together they made a striking couple especially since their 'masks' were actually an arrangement of white paint around their eyes.
A man named Sir Brockton from Ghant entered next. He was handsome with golden hair to his shoulders and a silver breastplate and mask. I had no doubt that Victoria or Giselle would seek him out by the end of the night. Sir Brockton was followed by a small woman named Pernyx Stillflame from Kiatyss. Her white dress had fur around the collar and cuffs. Her skin and hair was as white as her dress. She had pale eyes lined with thick dark lashes. She walked slowly with measured steps. She was accompanied by two men who shared her pale coloring. The masks she and her party wore covered the bottom half of the face opposed to the top.
Tarahan, Prince Reginald's home country, was the only one not represented yet. The announcer called out, "Princess Poppy of Tarahan, sister to Prince Reginald."
The girl who entered resembled what I remembered Prince Reginald looked like. She had the same light brown hair and kind face. Her mask was white with feathers and edged in pearls to match her gown. She could not have been much older than fourteen or fifteen annuals. She bowed her head and I imagined she was a bit nervous to walk out in front of all these people alone.
Finally the long awaited couple entered arm in arm. Neither of them wore black nor white but sapphire blue. Reginald looked dashing in his blue suit and simple white mask, but it was Joslynn who captivated all the eyes in the room. She wore the dress I had seen in the fairy shop, though on her it looked even more amazing. I had never seen anyone so beautiful as the princess. Her beauty tonight made Giselle and Victoria look dreadfully plain and there was more than one envious eye turned on her. I could hear gasps and whispers as people spoke of her radiance. Prince Reginald was indeed lucky to have such a fiancée. When they descended the steps, I noticed the first thing Reginald did was wrap an arm around his sister. It was kind of him to think how nervous she must have been and I smiled as the princess hugged her older brother and then his fiancée.
Once the royal family and representatives were introduced, the orchestra moved back into their places and began playing again. Everyone went back to their dancing and conversations. The king and his queen stayed seated on their thrones, but their children went off into the crowd. There was a cluster of people around where Joslynn, Reginald, and Poppy stood. No doubt people wanted to congratulate the couple or comment on Josylnn's dress.
I looked across the dance floor again at all the swirling couples. I decided to explore a bit instead of just standing. There were the two sitting rooms at the front. I went back down the stairs and entered the one on the right. The room was bigger than I had previously thought with all manner of furniture to sit on scattered around in loose circles. Much of it was being used from the curving sofas to the large cushions on the floor. There was also a line of bookcases along one wall. I walked over to that and ran my fingers over the spines of the books when I heard a man laugh loudly. I turned my head to look and saw an older man nearby was the cause of the noise. He wore white military uniform decorated with medals and pins. His mask looked as if it was a splash of white paint over his eyes with a few black flecks. He was talking to another man in similar uniform while another man stood silently at his side.
"I can't believe that you have never met my son, Mr. Hooks!" The man spoke louder than necessary so many heads turned to glare at him. He took no notice. "Well, this is my dear boy, Niko." He clapped the man at his side on the back.
His son twisted a bit from the force of the blow, but it was hard to see anything about him. There were a few people here that I had seen in full masquerade costume. He was one of those people. I could only assume he was in his twenties, perhaps thirties, because the other man said he was his son. He wore a wide brimmed white hat with a black feather over a white beaked mask that covered his entire face. Even his hands were covered by black gloves and his white brocade jacket covered a shirt that had a high lacey collar that hid his throat. He was all white with black edges. Even his mask had thin black fabric covering the eye holes so even his eyes were concealed. He only bowed slightly to Mr. Hooks without saying anything. I was still studying the details of his costume when he spotted me. I flushed and was glad for my mask when I turned back to the books. I had not meant for him to catch me staring.
I could still hear the conversation however. The boisterous man happened to be the head of the king's guard, General Rydell, and Mr. Hooks was one of his subordinates. Niko, the son, was set for marriage; his parents had the girl already picked out. I wondered how Niko felt about his arranged marriage. Niko's wife-to-be couldn't attend the ball for she had fallen and sprained her ankle a few days prior. I glanced back at them and saw that Niko was still watching me, or at least I thought he was. It was hard to tell because I couldn't see his face at all behind the mask. If he was looking at me, I did not want to be thought to be eavesdropping so I decided to see what the other room was like.
The other room, which I assumed to be for sitting, was mostly filled with refreshment tables attended by servants. All the servants wore plain white full face masks as they served the guests. The tables were filled with small pastries, fruits, vegetables, finger sandwiches, sweets, and three different types of punch in large crystal bowls. Eating something couldn't hurt so I picked up a dainty cookie shaped like a flower. It was delicious and I quickly picked up another from the stand. I then walked away because I did not want to spend the entire ball nibbling on food. I had just taken a bite of the second cookie when I heard someone call my name.