The Midnight Ball

6

Note: Mariko
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It was as if whatever forces drove this thing, took inspiration from their singing that evening..

They were taken to the other shore and through the strange forest again

They were dancing again, but this time they heard a whisper: Sing

And Ismie felt an undeniable compulsion to do so

She sang

They all did.. Even Bernadetter, Iliana, Anushka, Mariko, and Freja, who looked either too shy or proper to do so, back in the grand hall

They sang and sang and sang, all night long..

It was wild, with abandon

It was beautiful, and a little frightening, though Ismie couldn't remember why..

By dawn, their voives were hoarse. Some couldn't even speak

They were led to bed, having not rmembered what passed last night, Ismie, dreaming of beautiful foreign lyrics, sung into the night

That evening when they gathered again, the girls' voices were still hoarse, broken, some more so than others

The princes looked worried, more so because none of them could voice his concerns

Navid danced again with Ismie, she smiled at him

She didn't talk much, he talked a lot, letting her know more about him and his country, she was happy for the reprieve, he more so for giving it

When she danced later with the other princes, no one bothered chatting like Navid, except Ferdinand, who cooed and lamented, and told her to drink this or that, for her voice

She smiled obligingly, but to one who knew her, it wasn't as warm as the smile she gave Navid

By the time Keijirou came to claim a dance, she'd been sitting on one side of the hall, deep in thought, humming to herself

She stood, he bowed and she curtsied. He offered his hand, wordless, and she accepted

He led her into a Waltz, and after a few minutes, asked: May I ask where you heard that song

She looked puzzled

Keijirou: The song you've been humming, it's native to our empire

Her eyes widened

His hands tightened the tiniest bit: You didn't know..

It was a statememt

His look penetrated her, but wasn't unkind

She still felt uncomfortable, and found herself telling him: It came to me in a dream..

She didn't see Margarette close by, their dance ended, and he led her off the floor. He bowed and left, just then, she came whispering: So, you've set your cap on him.. What, is Prince Navid not enough for you.. So cruel.. Leading the poor guy on.. But no matter, he only pities you, and Prince Keijirou, there is no way he is interested in a boring, awakward, clumsy girl such as you

Ismie couldn't help herself, she tried ignoring her before, and it didn't help, so she looked at her, dark eyes sparkling: If that is what you think, then why do you even bother telling me

She didn't give her time to reply

She went where Ramonda was sitting, talking with both Mariko and Anushka

Ramonda looked at her meaningfully: Are you alright?

Ismie smiled: Yes, thank you

Ramonda: If she keeps bothering you, all you need to is tell me

Ismie's eyes crinkled, her smile widening and becoming warmer. She liked Ramonda even more now. She wouldn't stand by when someone else was bullied