Of Thorns and Glamour

The Ball

The ball was tomorrow my handmaid reminded me, making sure the dress and mask fit perfectly, a few additions to it as well. My mask was simple but hid most of my features covering my face, nose up. The dress did sparkle and shimmer to my mother's instructions, so I knew there was no hiding away from the crowd even if I wanted too. It was all a bit much, but I understood that was the point of this extravagant ball. To show my families power, and that we have control over them. I could feel my knees wobble, my handmaid held my shoulders and told me that it was going to be alright. I took it to heart and she helps me to get undressed once she was done making sure everything was correct with a few tailoring parts she could do herself.

"What if I do find them?" I ask her, as she helps me out of my dress. "I mean I know that is for the best, but what if father disagrees on my choice?" I thought about how she was glad I had not fallen for someone already, but I could feel my heart sink as I had enjoyed Inchiki's company a bit too much.

She took a moment to formulate a response, but gave a heavy sigh, "You know your father will have his way in the end," she warns me, "he went through hell just to marry your mother and make her his. It destroyed a whole star system just for that war to finally end in his favor." I nod reluctantly, remembering the legends which were always a little bit construed from the truth.

I let out a sigh, and once finally dressed in much more comfortable clothing I sat down at my vanity. "Yes, I know," was all I can say to her and with that she dismisses herself. I gave myself a long hard look in the mirror and before me it changes to something else. It was still me, but seems corrupted, and it grins back at me. I couldn't take my eyes off of her, but she starts to speak back.

"You know what you have to do." I shake my head, not really understanding what I was seeing and I rub my eyes. "You have to-" a knock at my door interrupts my reflection, but before I could answer my father enters my room.

I felt dread overwhelm me, maybe thinking he figured out that I was speaking to Inchiki, who was forbidden from entering our palace. "I have a few things I wish to discuss." I feel my stomach drop and I stood up a little too quickly to curtsy, brushing my clammy hands against my dress while my head spins dizzily.

"Of course father." He gestures me to sit down at one of my chairs, so I did. He stood over a foot taller than me, making my room feel too small for the both of us. His black eyes follow my movements, like a predator ready to strike. I wished I wasn't alone, at least having mother nearby could prevent him from doing his worst.

He spoke again, "I know what you are doing with asking for a masquerade ball," I swallow hard, "I agreed to it nevertheless, but you will not marry someone who is not in favor." I remember the discussion I had with Cyntias, already giving me this warning. "At the end of this ball, you will be engaged for marriage, for the future of the family." He steps closer to me and grabs my chin with an iron fist at tilts it up at his, "Do you understand?" I could feel the heat of my skin leeched by his touch and my breathing quicken while his dark eyes bore into mine. 

I couldn't move, and I felt as though I would pass out. "Yes father," I respond finally, and he lets go, but not before he could get a last word.

He leans into my ear, "You will give me what I want, or so help me I will replace you." He stands up straight and looks down at his nose at me. His piercing eyes burns into the core of my soul, and then he walks out of my room slamming my door shut.

I fell to my knees and felt my whole body shut down. I didn't know what to do so I just stayed like that until I could feel the strength in my legs to at least move to my bed. When my handmaid came back I ask to not be bothered for the rest of the night. She seems frustrated as we had more to prepare for, but I didn't hear from her for the rest of the day.