The King's Obsession

2

C6 - Grand Ball Hallow

The Harris family didn't have a private carriage of their own. The most they had done was use the local transport that moved twice a day from the village they lived in, to the next one and the other towns where one would have to change carriages.

It was a reason why both Lisa, as well as Momo, appeared to be looking out of the window with eager eyes, and this included Mrs. Harris.

Lisa, who sat next to Momo, looked outside the window with the trees that passed by one after another. The sky had turned dark two hours ago due to which it was just their carriage that had fixated lanterns that gave out light outside along with other carriages that were either in front of them or behind them heading in the direction of the castle that was emitting light from the lanterns.

The young girl continued to look outside the little window until she heard her father say,

"Were the Hamptons invited?"

"They have been invited," it was their mother who answered to this who had been sitting prim and proper with a straight back as if trying to rehearse how to rest as she was wearing a gown herself that was made of silk, "Mrs. Hamptons kept speaking about it in every conversation with everyone she met as if the King had come to invite her personally. She wanted to let everyone know that her family was special; therefore, I made sure to tell her and some of them that the King invited us to the ball too."

Momo and Lisa smiled at their mother's words who had knit her brows as she said it. Their father said, "I am sure you did that, my dear."

Momo chuckled to say, "It is the King so everyone cannot wait to show off that they have been invited to the castle."

"That is true," said their father, "It must be the very first time that the King decided to invite people like us," people who lacked when it came to both money, as well as status, had always been separated from the rich folks.

"Do you think the King is a good man, papa?" Momo asked her father.

"It is hard to say," muttered her father and then said, "Once we reach the castle, make sure both you girls stay together. We have seen the castle only from afar. I wouldn't want my daughters lost and where your mother or I will need to find you girls later in worry."

"And do not cause any trouble," their mother added to have both the young girls nod their head, "I heard the castle is vast. As big as the village," said her mother that had her father continue with the conversation but Lisa didn't listen to it. Instead, she turned her head to look outside at the trees.

As they neared the castle, they were able to see glimpses of it from afar, and they continued to ride in the carriage. She clutched the mask that was in her hand. It was a masquerade ball. If it weren't for the ball and Momo's persistence of wanting to attend the ball tonight, they wouldn't have got the opportunity to wear dresses like these or go in the carriage now.

When the carriage passed through the big pillars, Lisa looked at the leaves and creepers that decorated the gates. The land was vast with trees and gardens that were beautiful like one would imagine heaven to be. Like Lisa, there were some men and women who were busy looking at their surroundings.

Lisa took her mask that was gold in colour, tying it around her face before they would reach the entrance of the castle.

The carriage finally came to a pause and the door of the carriage was opened for Mr. and Mrs. Harris to get down first who was followed by Momo where she had to make sure she didn't step on her dress. Two servants came forward to straighten her dress once she had stepped down before they moved to help Lisa.