(The Winter Ball Commences)

*Author's Note: Happy two years of this story! I did not expect this series to go on for this long as It was originally going to be short; however, I'm glad that we're almost at 130 chapters, anywho, the Winter Ball finally begins!

*December 1st, 1941*

*8:12 pm*

*Miller Manor*

It was finally the night of the Winter Ball as Anya, Calvin, and Louise entered the lovely ballroom where there were many guests.

The Winter Ball was a captivating event, with the air filled with a sense of elegance and festivity. The venue, adorned with sparkling lights and frosty decorations, created a magical atmosphere.

As people gracefully moved across the dance floor, the sound of laughter and soft music intertwined. Conversations echoed through the hall, Guests, wrapped in sophisticated winter attire, shared stories and exchanged warm sentiments, The ambiance was a delightful blend of socializing, joy, and the enchanting spirit of the winter season.

"Wow, this is beautiful. The smell of the food, the people, it's just gorgeous.." Anya spoke to Calvin in awestruck while her friend nodded in agreement.

"It's wonderful, isn't it? I always attend once a year and it's just a pleasure to attend but the only downside is that I have to constantly reject any girls that may want to marry me" Calvin responded while letting out a slight chuckle which made Anya chuckle back.

"Indeed it is and I wonder where Judith is at? She promised that she'd be here, although I highly doubt she'll want to hang out with me since her family is here" Anya spoke to Calvin while looking around to see if Judith was here while her friend nodded in agreement.

"I'm on the same boat as you, which is why I was hoping that you and Judith spending a night together would at least help things but things didn't work out as much.." Calvin responded once more while letting out a sigh before walking over to the refreshments area while Anya and Louise followed along in his direction.

"Well, it's clear that Judith hates Anya so it was sadly bound to fail but at least you tried so that's what matters most, dear brother" Louise chimed into the conversation while Anya nodded in agreement as Calvin spoke once more.

"I guess so, I still hope Judith can at least make it and not play sick or anything.." Calvin responded to his sister while attempting to grab a cracker from the table; however, right when he was aiming for the cracker, a hand gently touched him before quickly grasping away and this made Calvin look up with his eyes widening in surprise.

"Oh, is that you, Calvin? You've gotten much more handsome this time around, we should get married on the spot.." The girl called out to Calvin before letting out a cheerful smile.

The girl had a Dutch cut, her hair was black and her winter ball outfit was a beautiful blue dress filled with flowers and other such fancy stuff.

"Oh, hello, Emily. I didn't expect us to see each other again in this manner but it's nice seeing you here…" Calvin responded with a smile while Anya was surprised to meet Emily in the flesh.

"E-Emily! This is the girl that Judith was always complaining about. It's so crazy just seeing you in person, she even looks different from the picture of her and Judith.." Anya thought to herself while continuing to see Emily and Calvin conversing with each other.

"It's nice seeing you as well but you didn't answer my question and that's quite rude, isn't it? All I wanted to know is if you'll marry me or not, I'm waiting for you.." Emily responded to Calvin rather impatiently while maintaining her innocent demeanor much to Calvin's dismay as he began to respond.

"W-Well, I'm not ready for marriage yet and besides, I'm only seventeen so I still have my entire life ahead of me but I also want you to meet my friend.." Calvin responded kindly while nudging his head for Anya to walk over so she could meet Emily and the girl did just that.

"This is Anya, she's a good friend of mine and we've known each other for around nine months but I hope that you and her can get along at least" Calvin spoke once more to Emily while taking a few steps back to allow Emily and Anya to talk.

"Anya! I know about you! Judith wouldn't shut up about you so I know everything about you. I also didn't know you also hung out with a woman lover. When I found out about that, it was so funny that I nearly lost my voice" Emily spoke to Anya while giggling to herself much to the annoyance of Anya who stared back at her.

"Please don't talk about my friend in such a manner And the same goes for you. Judith has been telling me about you and I just hope you and her can put aside whatever differences you two might have and get along, but I'm hoping that we can enjoy the night at least.." Anya responded to Emily while she saw the young girl giggling to herself.

"I know, I want to get along with Judith as well but she's just a handful it's not my fault she's flat-chested and getting slightly fat but that's just my opinion on her" Emily spoke to Anya once more with the same innocent tone while giggling to herself much to Anya's dismay as she stared at her.

"Hey, that wasn't nice of you. She's your cousin so please learn to have some respect, okay? She's not someone that screams gossip" Anya advised Emily rather sternly this was met with the girl giggling once more, still maintaining her innocent and calm demeanor as she spoke once more.

"Calm down. I was joking around, have a sense of humor for once instead of being boring, okay?" Emily advised Anya rather sternly with a hint of annoyance; however, despite those emotions, she still managed to keep a calm and innocent demeanor as she smiled back.

"I don't have time to argue with you so I'm just going to not even press the issue even further.." Anya responded to Emily while her giggles could be heard as she stated this.

"Anywho, my grandmother probably won't be happy to see you, she was very upset when hearing that you were coming, I thought I'd let you know that, but I'll be taking my leave now, if you need me then I'll be socializing with the others, see ya" Emily spoke to Anya for the final time before smiling and waving goodbye as she walked away from the trio to socialize while they watched her.

"Gosh, Emily is already getting on my nerves. No wonder Judith doesn't like her but I'm not going to allow her to ruin my night, right guys?" Anya spoke to her friends while beginning to walk away from the refreshment table while Calvin and Louise followed her.

"I agree, that's why me and my dear brother don't associate ourselves with Emily as much. She's quite the troublesome person, and worst of all is that, unlike Judith, Emily genuinely believes she's a good person when it's the exact opposite.." Louise spoke to Anya before sighing to herself as she sat on one of the chairs while Anya sat next to her.

"Well, I'm going to let you two be, I'm going to find Judith so please make yourselves comfortable and if there's any trouble then quickly try to find me, okay? Be sure to enjoy yourselves as well" Calvin advised his sister and friend before waving them goodbye as he went off to search for Judith, leaving Anya and Louise alone for the time being.

"Sorry about Emily's behavior. She always has such a nasty attitude hidden by a rather innocent act. I usually stay away from those close-minded people" Louise apologized to Anya with a sincere look on her face while Anya had shaken her head before responding.

"It's okay, I'm used to people like Emily and Judith so I'm not bothered at all but I am worried about Judith and Emily's grandmother. I don't want her to try to prevent me from hanging out with you and Calvin.." Anya responded with a hint of worry while Louise was quick to give her reassurance.

"Don't worry about it. I'm sure she'll understand and besides, me and dear brother aren't even related to her so you should be okay, but Mrs Hamiliton can be rather strict with those whom Judith hangs out with which is rather dreadful; however, we should focus on having fun, okay?" Louise advised Anya while smiling warmly which was followed by Anya smiling back.

"You're right, tonight is a big night so I should be focusing on having fun at the least" Anya responded as both girls shared another smile before getting up to find something to do.

*Garden Area*

Calvin searched for Judith while walking across the beautiful backyard garden filled with flowers of all different kinds.

"Come on, Judith! Where in the world are you.." Calvin muttered to himself while continuing to walk across the garden while avoiding as many people as possible; however, he heard an elderly voice calling out to him which prompted him to turn around quickly and it was none other than Judith's grandmother.

"O-Oh, M-Mrs Hamiliton, It's wonderful seeing you here on this beautiful night, I was also kinda looking for you as well.." Calvin responded with a smile while shaking hands with the elderly woman.

Mrs Hamiltion was a 75-year-old woman with old frail skin, blonde hair, and blue eyes, she also appeared to be healthy and resembled Judith quite a bit but older. She also wore a large sunhat along with a lavish red dress that had a burning sense of style and fashion.

"Mr. Calvin, Have you seen Judith anywhere? She should have been here by now. Don't tell me she's locked up in her room being all moody, I did not raise her to be like this, nor my daughter" Mrs Hamliton responded with annoyance in her voice while Calvin chuckled before speaking once more.

"Judith might be in her room. We all know how she can get when she's in her mood and Emily is here as well so I guess she doesn't want to even be in the same room as her '' Calvin responded while chuckling to himself once more much to Mrs Hamliton's annoyance as the old woman sighed to herself.

"Damn it, my granddaughter is such an embarrassment to the family! I know Edith didn't raise her to be like this, but anyway, why aren't you talking to my better granddaughter Emily? She wants to talk to you and she won't stop bringing you up whenever we talk '' Mrs Hamiltion asked Calvin with curiosity while she waited for an answer from the young boy.

"Well, I'm sure Judith will come around and I did talk to Emily but she keeps bugging me about marriage and I'm not interested in her, but I do have someone you should meet, and you might have an idea of who she might be.." Calvin responded before letting out a smirk while Mrs Hamiltion raised her eyebrow with curiosity before speaking once more.

"Refresh my memory but who is this girl that you want me to meet, speak now or forever hold your peace child" Mrs Hamltion asked Calvin in response to what she just heard while staring at the young boy who had a smirk on his face which further piqued her interest.

"I would like you to meet my friend, her name is Anya Anderson.." Calvin responded with a smile on his face as he knew things would take a rather interesting turn with this one interaction if Mrs Hamilton was to say yes to his question.

The Winter Ball is already taking an interesting turn..