Mixed Blood

Chapter 7- The Autumn's Ball

Arabella sat in her room in front of her mirror. Her mother was braiding her hair and adorning it with flowers. She and her mother looked so similar, the only difference was where Bella's hair was silver, Consuella's was gold. Her mothers beauty matched her kindness. Bella noticed this while looking at her mother who was beyond focused on fixing her only daughters hair for the upcoming ball.

After her mother had finished putting the finishing touches on her hair, Bella pulled her Ball gown out of her wardrobe. The dress was lavender silk with silver detailing embroidery on the trim. It was a huge ball gown, the skirt spanning two feet out from her on each side. The bodice was form fitting, having a strapless top with a scalloped sweetheart neckline with more of the silver detailing.

Bella put on the dress. It fit perfectly and enhanced her beauty. The color of her dress matched perfectly with the lavender flowers her mother had put in her braided hair. Her mother placed a tiara on her head that was studded with diamond which were encircled with silver leaves with delicate engravings. The trim on her dress complemented her hair perfectly, bringing out the color.

Consuella brought out something that was only for the most special of occasions. It was similar to make up, though made from natural roots, saps, and flowers. Her mother brushed on a pink shade to brighten her cheeks, they glossed her lips with a red sap from an exotic plant. Last, her mother brought out the most special substance of all, she brushed a white shimmery dust (which is found inside of flowers which only open at midnight) on Bella's  cheekbones and around her eyes. She dusted it lightly on the tip of her nose, her Cupid's bow, and her collarbone.

Bella looked absolutely glowing all the elements working in harmony together like an orchestra playing a beautifully complicated piece.

Her mother gazed in the mirror at her daughter and smiled. She was growing up right before her eyes, growing in kindness and beauty.

"You're ready dear." Consuella said, after a few moments of admiring her daughters beauty.

"We should be on our way shouldn't we?" Bella asked.

"Yes, your father will meet us outside with the carriage." Consuella said.

Her mother walked towards the door her gown flowing around her. Her dress was gold with red flowers adorning it, the bodice coming up to her neck into a halter.  Her hair was pulled into a bun, with gold flower pins encircling it.

Bella followed her mother out of the mansion. They made their way towards a white carriage with gold detailing. Augustine was already waiting inside of the carriage in a red waistcoat and black dress slacks.

They got in the carriage which was pulled by two pure white mares. They made their way towards the grand hall to the west side of the kingdom. They had all formal events in the grand hall, it being a beautiful ball room and banquet hall.

When they arrived Bella's parents made their way into the banquet hall to socialize with the other parents while Bella took in the sight of the ballroom. The floor and walls were white quartz yet they were marbled with black. The ceiling had many luxurious candle lit chandeliers hanging down. There were humongous quartz pillars where the banquet hall met the ballroom.

When Bella had descended the stairs to the interior, she turned around to see a spectacular scene at the top of the stairs.

At the top of the stairs was El. She was wearing a pure black silk gown with a sweetheart neckline. There was a black lace underlay which went up to her neck and capped her shoulders. The bodice cinched at the waist and flowed out. But the shocking thing was the silk cut off at mid thigh and only left the sheer lace to span to the floor. It was obvious that El had cut the dress, not because it was sloppy, on the contrary it was masterfully cut and hemmed. The reason it was obvious was that no one in the kingdom would create a dress that would show the leg. El's copper hair was lightly curled and laid perfectly on her shoulders. She had a clear glossy lip and a bold black cat eye. She had her black silk gloved hands on the railing of the staircase and  on her hip. She looked like she owned the place and Bella almost started to believe it.

El made her way down the stairs to Bella.

"You look amazing!" Bella said a huge smile on her face.

"Not everyone seems to think so." El said. "And so do you."

"Thank you." Said Bella.

"Let's go see the ballroom." El insisted.

The two girls made there way to the ballroom, El getting perplexed stares along the way.

"What a bold choice." Said an older woman, passing by the two.

At that the two girls giggled.

"If only Pierce could see you like this." Bella said.

"I don't think it would make any difference, he might even think me worse for it." El responded with little enthusiasm.

"If only Hal could see you." El said emphasizing her words.

"El!" Bella said, "He's blind!"

"And why do say that anyway?" Bella asked curiously.

"He's the one who's blind, not me Bella. I saw you two when we were
picking flowers, and I see how you look at him. And how he...gazes in your general direction." El said, laughing a little at her last line.

Bella's cheeks flamed, she knew what El said was true but couldn't bring herself to admit it.

They watched as couples young and old danced gracefully over the dance floor. Bella knew that El would not be dancing at all tonight, but if Bella was asked she would have to dance, she wasn't very good at saying no. Meanwhile El could say no to absolutely anyone since she absolutely hated dancing.

Swarms of royal teenage boys flocked to and from the girls. Half of them asked El to dance and she politely (not really) refused. The other half raced to get to Bella first and once they asked she knew that she had to accept. For the first hour of the ball Arabella was found dancing with dozens of boys, some who tried to hold her a little too close, while El was found off to the side of the ball room watching Bella, acting as her guardian.

When the boys had stopped asking the girls to dance Bella and El took a seat in the banquet hall to have a rest. Her feet were killing her from all the dancing. Plus some of the boys were inexperienced and stepped on her toes. The seat she chose to sit in faced the staircase so she saw any late comers to the ball.

She saw something that made her jaw drop.

She saw Hal, Pierce, and Kirra on the staircase.

Authors note: Hey!! I just want to thank everyone who is reading my story! I know I know, there's only like 4 of you but it still means a lot. I really appreciate feed back so don't be afraid to comment. Thanks for checking out my book.

I'm dedicating this chapter to Dizza4evah 
You've commented what? 90 times, I know they may not all be serious comments but I appreciate it girl. Thanks for always reading my book, voting, and listening to my rants.