Marked: Part 2; The Wronged

The Masquerade Rehearsal

The past few days had been very awkward, and it wasn't over yet. Cam was getting close, but still needed more time. It was Friday evening and everyone was gathering at the castle for another rehearsal. Amilia and Jasvinder still had no luck with each other. For the past several days they had been failing at the dances, they were completely out of sink. Stepping on each other's feet, at one point Jasvinder had slipped, without knowing it he grabbed Amilia's hair and pulled her down with him. Today they all got dressed and came out onto the dance floor like they had before. Amilia and Jasvinder's eyes met as they looked at each other. It seemed to take forever for them to come together. They stood one in front of the other, Amilia's dress complemented his tuxedo quite nicely. Now, of course, Elsie and Leo had no connection either but they didn't step on each other or fall. That is, Elsie being a dancer and well, Leo, Leo was a prince before and had attended many balls in his time. Amilia and Jasvinder hesitantly smiled at each other and respectfully bowed and curtsied. Jasvinder took her by the hand and they walked together up the stairs and into the alcove where people on the floor could not see them. Jasvinder, Leo, Elsie, Amilia, and Cristel all would come out last. Ahead of them were all the other invitees, like Oglm and Seyoek for example. All of them were introduced before they descended the stairs, with their current and up to date titles and names. After going onto the floor there would be the first dance. Usually Amilia would have danced with her father, but seeing as he is out of commission at the moment..., well, Leo is going to dance with Cristel for the first dance of the night. After that Amilia and Jasvinder would take the lead and dance a waltz for the whole kingdom to spectate. After that Amilia would say a speech and lead the people in a dance, which would essentially kick off the masquerade for the knight. After the first two dances after that point, the royal family and their guests would go around and meet everyone who came out for the ball. The ball was going to be so much fun. There was food and drinks lined up on a long elegant table for everyone to enjoy. The music was live and magnificent, you could even request a song. A lot of the subjects would come just to see the attire, for the royals were known for their outlandish ideas when it came to party attire.

"Princess Amilia Hmeqqfk of Cataline and her partner Jasvinder Huff of Iseult (is-oo-lut) City." Their names were called and they both came together and walked down the stairs as they were supposed to, Amilia's arm around his, she actually was holding onto his arm with her other hand as well. Almost all the way down the stairs they heard the last name be called out.

"And her royal majesty herself, Cristel Hmeqqfk of Cataline." Bugles blarred as Cristel descended the stairs. They all watched her descend in her beautiful gown and waited for her to reach the floor for the first dance. Leo respectfully left Elsie as he always did and bowed to Cristel and Cristel curtseyed to him. They did a wonderful little dance together and finished the traditional way. Cristel motioned to Amilia and then backed away from the spotlight. Jasvinder led Amilia to where Cristel was standing. The respectful started with a bow and curtsey and then proceeded to lock hands as they prepared to start their waltz. The music started and they began. It was going well for a few seconds there, but then Amilia stepped on his foot. He quietly moaned in pain.

"Sorry." Amilia whispered to him.

"It's alright, just get back on count." He whispered back to her. That fact didn't actually occur... Amilia ended up tripping over him and fell to the floor. The music stopped and everyone seemed to look at Amilia.

"Are you alright?" Jasvinder asked her offering his hand to help her up.

Amilia sighed, slapped his hand away, and ran out of the ballroom.

"Amilia!" Cristel yelled. Cristel looked around and then ran out the door after Amilia. Cristel seemed to roam the halls for Amilia, going in circles, with no hope of finding her. Cristel stopped a moment and calmed herself down, bringing her hands from her face to her waist. "There you are." She whispered to herself. Cristel walked to the corner of the hallway and caught sight of Amilia's outlandish outfit from just around the corner. Cristel took off her shoes and slowly approached Amilia in the hallway. She put her hand on the corner where the wall turned to make a new hallway. "Are you alright?" Cristel said looking down at her.

"This whole thing is a disaster!" Amilia said smashing the ground with her fists. "And I'm tired of this thing too!" She said pointing to her arm. She put her arms across her body and shrugged. Cristel slid down the wall next to her, sitting beside Amilia.

"Cam is very close, perhaps tomorrow you will be cured of your curse."

"Oh, yeah? And how close is she? She's been 'close' for days."

Cristel put her hand on Amilia's shoulder and then pulled her close in a hug. "We can't always control everything, but we can try." Cristel paused. "You do care for Jasvinder, don't you?"

"Yeah, I suppose so."

"Well then I guess you'll just have to do your best. Cam will pull through, you know that, you just have to wait it out. I know you love him, trust me when it comes time for the ball you will be able to flow flawlessly."

Amilia groaned.

"The best thing you can do now is to get up and try again. We can always move on if you wish, but it's up to you to make that decision." Cristel stood up and held out her hand. "Come now, let's get back to the rehearsal." Amilia looked up to her and then grabbed her hand. Cristel helped her up and together they walked back to the ballroom.