Finally work ended. I ducked out the back entrance and went down a narrow alley, rather than take the main road therefore avoiding as many people as possible. (They always passed strange looks in my direction.)
As I slid between the backs of houses' yards and through the winding back streets to my house I thought about tomorrow, Saturday. I would probably need to go grocery shopping then stop by downtown to visit my family.
At last I arrived at my tiny house discreetly tucked between the larger houses of Main Street. I unlocked the back entrance and entered into my kitchen. It was quiet inside as I flicked on the lights and walked to the front door to see if any mail had been slipped through my mail slot. I picked up the jumble of mail lying on my floor and flipped through it. Several letters of advertisement from various stores, a bank statement, a very late card from my friend in Lithia wishing me a happy 19th birthday, and a bill from the water company. I sighed and started back towards the kitchen to start a grocery list, when I heard a carriage outside. I peeked through the curtains of my front window to see if one of my neighbors had a visitor. I was astonished to see a red and gold gilded Carriage bearing the Kings Crest outside my door! A well-dressed page ascended the steps to my front door as I looked in dismay down at my flower covered clothes. A dull knocking sound came from outside my door and I tentatively opened it a crack.
"Excuse, me", stated the youngboy eloquently, "Is this the residence of a Miss Jessica W.?"
"Yes.", I managed to squeak, "that's me."
"This is an official invitation to the prince's ball.", he stated matter-of-factly.
"Oh", I replied as I took it from him, hands trembling.
"Good day, ma'am.", He bobbed in a quick bow, then return to the carriage.
I followed it with my eyes from the doorway as it raced down the streets and back to the Palace. I carefully opened the envelope, never allowing the thought that this could be a mean prank leave my mind. Inside a creamy white invitation written in shimmering gold ink gleamed. It was beautifully written in a steady hand, clearly skilled in the art of calligraphy and fancy lettering.
It read:
"To Miss. Jessica W., I hope that I will have the honor of your presence at a ball to celebrate my 22nd birthday, being held in one week in the Castle's Grand Ballroom. Please, present this card at the gates before you attend this event. Sincerely, Jason II M. Thomas, Prince of (name of land)"
I looked at it very closely, making sure to observe it thoroughly. I could hardly believe my eyes, it seemed to be authentic! Could I really be invited to the ball? The ball where Chef caproni will be? Me? An unlucky, blue-eyed, great-granddaughter of a want to be murder?
"Wow!", I breathed with a sigh. A moment passed and then I realized I was anything, but ready for this.
