Devilish

The Ball (Pt 1)

Leila stood in a dressing room with Eloise by her side. They had made it to the city of Vermillion – a large town with traditional houses and castles. The ball was to be held in the evening and there were an abundance of ships and royals loitering around the city. Leila had stayed somewhat covert, she didn't go out much during the day and when she did she usually wore Law's hoodie with his jolly roger on it – it was a good enough disguise for now.

She had thought about the dangers of attending this ball. There were sure to be people who would recognise her, however, Law persuaded her to stop worrying. It was a masquerade ball, thus, everyone would be wearing extravagant masks to cover up half of their face. With her hair up and her dress on, she would blend in like any other young woman.

She was currently in one of the castle's many dressing rooms fit for the young women to attend. Eloise and her sisters had ushered her quickly from the ship in the morning. Leila couldn't quite understand why they needed to get ready quite so early, but she didn't complain. She liked having the female company, it was like having sisters.

Eloise's hair was being curled by Abby, her older sister who was humming a delightful melody. Leila was busying herself with unpacking the dresses, her gaze falling on the deep blue one she had chosen a week before. She let out an unsteady sigh, suddenly feeling the nerves creep up on her.

"Are you excited?" Abby asked Leila, turning her attention briefly to her to make light conversation.

"Yeah..." Leila agreed nonchalantly, thinking back to her days were these would be a custom in her life. "I haven't attended a ball in a long, long while"

"When was the last time you attended?" Abby asked her curiously

"3 years ago, maybe four now"

"Ah I see" Abby nodded. "Did you used to come as a guest?"

Leila thought long and hard. She didn't want to reveal that she had attended as a high up royal – she wouldn't know how to explain that away. Balls often invited valued guests such as valued workers, marines and sometimes even pirates – given the circumstance. Leila's old balls consisted of families mostly working in the underworld with significant standing, occasional pirates and the very rare marine (who was no doubt crooked in their morals).

"Uh...yeah I did. I had connections to a royal family at one point" She lied, quickly distracting herself with something else. Abby paused for a minute, observing Leila closely.

"Well, I'm glad we could take you along this time" She said softly. "Do you want me to do your hair after Eloise?"

Leila stared at Eloise, who was only quiet because her head was buried in a book, and her hair that had been daintily curled to frame her petite face.

"If you wouldn't mind, that would be lovely" Leila smiled at Abby. Abby seemed to brighten up and grinned at her, happy to make a step towards being friends with the young woman.

Law sat around with a number of men, both young and old, who were sitting around the drawing room drinking rich tasting alcohol. It had been some time since Leila had been ushered away and Law couldn't help himself but feel restless. It was rare that she was somewhere he could not see or get to. It was safe to say, he did not like the feeling. His crew were dispersed throughout the castle, Bepo had found the food along with Penguin whilst Shachi talked happily with Jean and other men.

He was dressed in a navy tuxedo – the material so smooth it almost felt like velvet. It had been a gift to him by King Silver, who stood not so far away conversing happily with some of the older men. Law tugged at his tie, loosening it as he slumped against the chair. He wasn't here to look presentable or to appease anyone – he was here solely for Leila...and work, he supposed. His suit was a similar colour to her dress, an action that no doubt Eloise had pushed upon her father. Law looked outside the window that was to his right and observed the illuminating lights on the courtyard – a number of bountiful flowerbeds and groomed bushes lining the path up to the castle. A few young women were outside the gates, chatting happily with old friends and catching up. Some had their masks in their hands, their young and expectant faces innocently on show.