THE ROYAL BALL:Part Two

Crow watched as Terra and Evirelda spoke to the guests while he sat in a tree; hidden in it's branches. He saw Eve and Elizabeth together and scoffed at their closeness. If the lycans' reports of the princess were correct then it was dangerous for those two to be together. Ceaser could easily fight them if ever there was need to but Crow feared his feelings for the princess would affect him. If Ceaser stayed away from her then she would die soon from the curse he had placed on her after retrieving his body. On the other hand if Ceaser saw her with the markings then he would lift the curse by simply touching her.

'Where are you?' Ceaser's voice said I'm Crow's head.

'Keeping an eye on your mother as you had instructed, sire.'

'Lies! I can tell you are lying to me.'

Crow sighed and jumped down from the tree. No one had heard the sound so he silently made for the door back into the palace. He could feel the gaze of someone on him but he decided against checking who it was. Elizabeth was smiling from ear to ear when she spotted the man she had helplessly fallen for. She nudged Eve who was busy trying to look like a good girl by listening to her lover's mother. Elizabeth didn't give up in trying to get Eve's attention.

"Look!" she whisper screamed,"It is the man of my heart!"

"What?" Eve asked looking around,"Where?"

Elizabeth used her head to point in the direction where she had seen Crow but he wasn't there anymore. She frowned and turned back look at Eve who was still searching for the man who had stolen her friends heart. Eve looked at her friend and saw her shake her head in dismissal. She looked at the wide open door and thought of going inside as well but she would quickly be noticed. The sun set faster than expected and they were soon ushered in. The royal families were given rooms first; couples then children. The princesses were asked to share rooms to make room for the other guests which wasn't well accepted by them but they had no choice. The West wing where Ceaser's room was located was off bounds. The only people allowed were close family members, close friend and selected servants. Eve was delighted because it meant she could go there as she was his cousin.

"Why don't you go there now?" Elizabeth asked as they unpacked their laguagge.

"I'll go later on. Besides, we'll be having supper together, won't we?" Eve answered shyly.

Eve picked a white dress to wear for supper only to receive a glare from Elizabeth.

"What?" Eve asked innocently even though she knew what her friend wanted to tell her.

"Don't give me that nonsense! You will not wear white! You said he ever only saw you in white when you met so surprise him and wear something different." Elizabeth said as she looked through the pile of dresses.

"What do you suppose I should wear? Everyone will be wearing red or black or pink. What if I don't stand out?"

"That's it! Wear black. It will create a contrast with your deathly pale skin and pure white hair. We'll paint your your lips blood red and then you'll look absolutely amazing and he'll fall in love with you and..."

"Black?! I will not! Blood red lips? What am I trying to look like?! A harlot?!" Eve protested firmly.

Elizabeth's mental image of the improved Eve faded into a white background. She knew Eve would never agree to it but a part of her was feeling hopeful. She stopped searching through the gowns and threw herself onto her bed. She looked at Eve who was now straightening out one of her white gowns and frowned. She pushed herself into her side and rested her head on her open palm.

"What if I wear a black gown with you. At least we'll be harlots together."

Eve turned to face her friend with a contorted face that held so many emotions that Elizabeth didn't know which one was more dangerous. She turned away and got up from the bed. Elizabeth chose to wear a sky blue dress while Eve chose to wear a pale blue dress instead of the usual white gown.

"Surely you can't refuse to paint those lips." she said in a sad tone.

"It's not like you'll let me go even if I don't want to. Do it." Eve answered as she sat in front of the mirror.

Elizabeth excitedly walked to o Eve and braided her baby hairs into two braids that were long enough to go around her head twice. The braids that ended next to her ears were braided into a third braid that was in the middle of her head while the hair at the back was left to hang free.

"There. Isn't it lovely. Now put for me love. Say mhhh..."

"Mhhh..." Eve repeated.

Elizabeth applied the red semi liquid substance on Eve's lips leaving her lips looking blood red and lucious. Elizabeth smiled delighted that Eve looked lovely. They left to go and have dinner with the others. Other princess, queens and women of nobility were walking out of their rooms, speaking about how they would be winning the heart of the prince or if not, the heart of one of his friends.

They were ushered to the hall were six huge tables were arranged in a circular pattern with chairs on the outer part so everyone would have a view of the host royal family. Two tables were reserved for the royal family of Dreg and special guests. They noisily took their seats and waited in anticipation of the arrival of the special guests. A few minutes later, the king and queen arrived with their daughter, Evirelda. They took their seats and waited a while longer for Ceaser to join them. Three minutes went by in suffocated chatter and the guests tension was increasing.

"When will the young Prince be joining us, milord?" asked the second most powerful king, king Briceaus.

"I'm sure he is on his way. He was having trouble with the outfit I'd chosen for him; he didn't like the color." Julius said loud enough for everyone to hear and then he whispered to Evirelda,"Go and check where your brother is."

"You mean his grace. Why of course I will." Evirelda said.

The girl got up gracefully and walked out of the room quietly. She returned running a few minutes later screaming 'mother' the whole way.

"Mother! His grace has just gone out saying he can't come out because he is unwell." she said breathlessly.

"What?! Unwell?!" Julius asked half screaming.

Some people rose from their seats at the surprising news. The table became noisy with collective whispers and gasps. Terra got up to go and see if Ceaser was actually unwell or if he had lied so he wouldn't have to have dinner with the guests. Julius stated to have dinner with the others and reassure them that the ball would take place. When dinner was over, the guests returned to their designated rooms.

"Maybe he ate something bad or he's having trouble adjusting to the weather here." Eve said to no one in particular as she changed her clothes.

"Why don't you go and see him so I can sleep." Elizabeth suggested tired.

Elizabeth yawned as she slumped onto the bed. Eve remained quiet as she undid her braids. When she was done, she combed through her hair slowly and pondered whether or not to visit Ceaser.

*

*

"I just thought it would be lovely to make sure that everyone who attends the ball should be equally curious to see us, that's all." Ceaser said to Terra as he combed Evirelda's hair.

"You embarrassed us! You think this is good!" she reprimanded him.

"Relax my queen. We'll surely show our faces tomorrow morning." Crow interjected calmly.

Terra frowned deeply and walked out of Ceaser's room feeling disappointed in her son. She should have known that Crow's behavior would rub onto him after they had spent eleven years in each other's minds. When she entered her room, Julius was already there sitting by the window. He had a chalice in his hand and in the other hand he had a bottle of wine. He poured the liquid into the chalice and swirled it in his hand for a few seconds.

"What did he say? He lied I guess." he said.

"Why ask when you already know?" Terra asked as she walked to the chair he was sitting in.

She started to massage him so he could relax a little bit. He hummed in pleasure and placed a hand on her's. He turned his head to look up at her and she brought her head down to plant a kiss on his lips. Their kiss deepened and soon groans and moans filled the room. Julius placed Terra on his lap as he gently caressed and kneeded her body.