The Midnight Ball

7

Note: Bernadette
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That night, another activity awaited, they were all to play, perhaps, every instument available on the planet

They saw with wonder, instruments from all their countries, and more

This time, the whisper was: Play..

Do they did, they played, and played and played.. The notes blurring, harmonizing, something made them into a beautifully haunting symphony, they kept playing till dawn, and they reached their designated entrance with their hands cramped, some where even bloody, to the horror of the Pembroughs who recieved them

After their rest, their muscles were better, but still very much cramped, so that night they didn't dance

They just sat down and conversed with one another

The princesses sat together at first, discussing everything, from siblings and lessons to traditions and politics

Ismie felt a bit uncomfortable, Margarette was watching and listening carefully. Anastasia seemed to be doing the same, but with a less calculating look in her eyes. Out of the three, only Freja seemed oblivious

Adelaide got tired of the serious conversation, and seeing Ismie's wariness, asked her: Ismie, you have an older brother I've heard

Ismie: I suppose so.. I'm his sister, so you can hardly get an unbiased opinion out of me

Adelaide: Well, ladies. Have any of you seen him?

Santana: What dear Addie is trying to ask here is, is he unattached?

Adelaide blushed a little: Well, I..

Santana laughed: You're not the only one wondering. But I heard he got engaged recently. She looked to Ismie for confirmation

Ismie: Yes, he did, to a local magistrate's daughter

Santana: Too bad he's taken, for he is handsome

Ismie: Well, you have their highnesses here, and they're all handsome, but it is indelicate I suppose, as they are some of your brothers, to speak of this matter..

This was said with a look to Anushka, Ramonda and Mariko, who looked disapproving of the current topic of conversation

Margarette: I suppose it wouldn't matter to you, which one then, if any, that you get a proposal from

Lowering her voice: You're such a lost cause, they had to send you here to even attract some attention

Ramonda: I wouldn't speak so, princess Margarette, since you, and all of us, are unattached, and here to take part in the event, as well as for the hope of contriving a marriage alliance

Her tone was calm enough, but her dark round eyes were flashing

Bernadette looked flustered and trying to divert the confrontation said: Well, does any of you like any particular Prince then, so the others would stear clear of him

Anastasia: And why do you suppose just because someone likes a Prince, the others will just make way, maybe one of us likes the same Prince, and he likes her back..

Bernadette: Well..

She looked chastised

Adelaide squeezed her hand, and gave Anastasia a dark look: Well dear Bern, I think them all handsome, and have no particular preference, only that their highnesses, princes Nyongo and Keijirou, are a bit too brooding for me

Margarette: And just because they are, here she gave a slight pause, brooding, you wouldn't like them. A princess must think about the benifit of tge alliance for her country before amything

Her tone was quite haughty when she said this

Adelaide: I do take that into consideration, but I also want to like the man I'm to marry, quite a deal

Margarette: So you do not like them?

Anushka: This topic of conversation is not becoming for princesses. I would prefer if we dropped it, your highnesses

This was backed by muurings of assent from all the others, except Margarette's 2 followers of course

Margarette: Of course..

They were all relieved it was dropped, and their circle dispersed