The Whispering Flowers

The Ball Part 1

The massive door swings on its hinges allowing the loud noise and music from the ballroom to enter our ears. There are about two hundred people in our large ballroom standing or dancing. A lovely waltz is playing and in the center of the room, couples are dancing the International waltz, switching partners, and the men throwing the ladies in the air and catching them. At the far end, there is a table filled with food and champagne, and maids and butlers are constantly refilling trays and rushing back and forth from the kitchen. Many chairs are lining the room for people to sit on once they are tired of dancing. The tall room is lined with portraits and the architecture is lined with golden accents. Five large golden chandeliers are hanging from the ceiling, the one in the middle being the largest.

A butler is standing near the door with a silver platter holding 8 masks, 6 of which were the same colors as our dresses. That's when I realize that this is a masquerade ball and everyone is wearing beautiful masks. I grab the yellow mask that is embellished with yellow stones and designs. My father, brother, and sisters all grab their masks, my father's and brother's being black. Then we all tie them around our heads.

My brother is the first one running down the steps and into the chaos, straight through to the back for the sweets and small sandwiches. The maids had dressed him in a smart suit with a small black bowtie. Primrose in her pale yellow dress follows after him, knocking down a butler who is holding a tray of hors d'oeuvres, to catch up with Alex. My father grunts under his breath and walks off to talk to a lady in a hideous brown dress with white makeup and pink cheeks, wearing an ugly green flowery mask. I see Alex's mother, Juliet, sitting in the back sipping a glass of champagne and eyeing everyone who walks near.

A boy who looks about 15 walked up to Rosemary, in her lovely pale purple dress, and bows low. He is wearing a brown suit, and brown mask, and his dirty blonde hair is straight and long, hanging over his eyes as he bows. He blushes deeply and moves his hair away from his eyes as he stands back up straight, shifting in his tailored suit. "Hello, My name is Oliver. Could I have this dance?" He says smiling awkwardly, his hands behind his back, just making him look even more handsome. Rosemary blushes and almost turns as pink as the blush of the lady our father is talking to. "Yes!" she says, smiling widely and placing her glove covered hand on top of his. He guides her down the steps and into the crowd.

Cornelia rolls her eyes and starts to tug on her pale pink dress. "This dress is the most- uncomfortable-'' she says moving around her cage underneath her dress. "I think it's quite comfortable, even though it is heavy," I say looking down at my remarkably well-made dress. Cornelia glares at me and starts to carefully walk down the steps, trying not to fall on her heels.

I look over at Dahlia who is smiling at Cornelia but then turns red as James starts walking up towards her. I look at Magnolia and she looks at me. We decide not to stay and listen to their conversation. We walk down the stairs and hold up our dresses so as not to trip on them. I look back to see Dahlia, in her deep pink dress, and James in his tan suit, having a conversation and slowly walking down the stairs.

I look at Magnolia, her hair in tight ringlets and her hands holding up her dress, and giggle. "So, are you hoping to dance with anyone?" I ask her as we reach the bottom step and start to walk around people. "Oh, no. You know me. I'll probably get a stain on this lovely white dress and no one will want to come up to me," she says sarcastically, "But really, dancing is not my... thing..." but she trails off as she sees a young handsome figure in a dark green mask waltzing with a short plump old lady. I look at her and laugh. "What! That doesn't count! I can like someone without dancing with them." she says scoffing. I smirk at her and roll my eyes. We walk to the back together, pushing our way through people, chatting, and drinking. I see all the dancers waltzing and long to go out there but who would dance with me. What am I talking about? I'm a princess, I bet I'll be asked to dance loads of times. Just then, as a maid is pouring Magnolia and I a glass of champagne, a short plump boy, who is wearing a red coat and red mask, walks up and asks me for a dance. I politely decline as Magnolia hands me a glass and we go and sit down.