Prompt: In a mansion a Halloween gathering draws secretive billionaires and mysterious royals hidden behind masks. When the clock strikes midnight hidden agendas and power plays come to light in the haunted mention.
If there was one thing Arwen had never been a fan of it was gatherings. She never liked them as all the people she disliked went to them.
Being the only crown princess of her country meant she had to go. It would be her luck she'd be cursed with being an only sibling and her country's entire reputation falling on her. At the gatherings other royals gathered along with the most elite. Billionaires, millionaires, and celebrities.
She hated them all equally. All of them treated her like a cash grab.
This gathering was no different. But there is the added benefit of it being Halloween, a holiday Arwen had always loved. Of course, when growing up, unlike kids her age, she was never allowed to trick-or-treat.
Halloweens were spent secretly watching Halloween movies while hiding from the employees at her home assigned to take care of her.
But this time it was different.
The gathering was both on Halloween and a masquerade ball.
Everyone in attendance had been dressed in the most lavish dresses and intricate masks. Some were normal looking while others leaned into the Halloween spirit.
Arwen wore a gorgeous floor length gradient starry night slip dress in various colors of dark blues and purples. She paired it with a faerie inspired mask in reference to the Celtic culture she hailed from.
For once she felt and looked like an actual princess from books she read. Not just some rich woman with powerful parents.
The place of the gathering was an interesting choice.
It was a large gorgeous but ancient mansion. She had lost count of the rooms she passed until they reached the ballroom where most of the main action is.
Everyone who had been on the exclusive list had shown up. From billionaires, reclusive celebrities, and other royalties who grace their presence to the common folk when they feel the need to.
Arwen disliked the other royalty even more.
Even in their masks Arwen recognized one of the princes of the UK. A pretentious asshole who she had conversing with. And he seemed to enjoy talking to her and irritating her to the point she was ready to forget all the mannerisms that had been shoved down her throat from a young age.
Prince James.
He was hard to miss in his British inspired costume and overdone mask no doubt embedded with stolen jewels that his family loves to take and call theirs.
Arwen turned away before he could even consider running up and harassing her.
She had to admit the mask was a benefit as most of the people here didn't recognize her. It could also do with her make-up and the way she had her hair done.
To most people Arwen, princess of Wales had her long curly brown hair down most of the time. So tonight, she opted to have her stylist put her hair up in the most elaborate braided updo she could manage.
It made her feel different and able to blend into the crowd.
Arwen drifted through the crowd and over to where some drinks were lined up.
She could see businessmen lined up near them.
Arwen got herself a fancy glass and filled it with the drinks they had available. Her eyes drifted to the large clock on the wall which was fifteen minutes from midnight.
