The tea has refreshed me a little, so I shall continue.

* * *

As I walked along to the front gates, arm in arm with Geroux, it suddenly struck me how right this felt. Could all the ugliness surrounding our meeting; my father, the gambling debt, the kidnapping - was that all some hideously unconventional way for the universe to bring us together? I knew that agreeing to accompany Geroux tonight meant a lot to him. But in that moment, under the night sky, I had to wonder if tonight meant even more to me...

Or maybe I was simply hypnotised by the dress.

Just outside the gates was our horse drawn carriage. An alabaster coach, with curved sides that met in the middle at the top, was hitched to four pure white horses. Almost every inch of the carriage itself was covered in tiny lanterns, giving it the appearance of the the brightest star imaginable. It looked so inviting, so spectacular.

"Oh Geroux, it's beautiful," I said, almost at a loss for words.

He stepped over to the carriage and opened the door.

"After you," he said, offering his hand to help me into the coach.

Before Geroux got in, he took one last look around, then spoke to the driver.

"Stick to the outskirts of the forest to get there, its safer that way."

The driver answered with a simple, "Sir," and Geroux hopped inside the coach and sat opposite me, as my dress took up the length of the seat.

With a gentle flick of the reigns from the driver, the horses set off and we were on our way.

* * *

Taking the outskirts, instead of cutting through the forest, had made us somewhat tardy. Many other carriages were arriving at the same time as us.

We pulled up behind a line of carriages and decided to venture forth as some horses were playing-up further in the queue.

We were one of the last people from this wave of guests, so nobody had really seen us. But as we made our way inside the venue, they certainly noticed our arrival. I did not see anybody that I knew, but what I did see was lots of poorly masked whispers about Geroux.

"Did you see him?"

"That's the one from the place in the forest."

"Did you hear about his old wife?"

"I heard he's into the occult."

"He's more handsome than I imagined..."

When we had finally passed the rabble, I turned to Geroux.

"Do not listen to them," I said to Geroux, squeezing on his arm.

"I never do," he said. "I'm just glad you pay them no mind either."

The men at the door were making polite conversation with everyone while taking their tickets. When it was our turn we received no conversation and instead curt professionalism as we were quickly ushered through the entrance.

I had been to this palace for an event years before, but one never gets used to such grandeur. Carved timber chairs, chaise lounges and the dining tables were trimmed with gold and royal red velvet fabric. A chandelier so huge and majestic, hung from the ceiling. The ceiling itself was hand painted with meticulous detail. There were paintings of angelic creatures, in different scenes all joined together with an unrivalled artistry.

Not to mention the guests in attendance. It was a veritable rainbow of Ball gowns and hair styles. Some people even wore masks, rather odd, since this was not a masquerade Ball.

And then I saw a familiar face walking hurriedly toward me. Chantelle had obviously spotted me the instant I stepped inside.

I suddenly wished very much that I had worn a mask.

"Geroux, could you fetch me a drink, please?" I asked gently unlinking from his arm.

"Certainly," he said, unaware of my incoming sister. Chantelle reached me just as Geroux had disappeared into the crowd.

"Well, well, well? Belle I had no idea you would be here... with him. I have to admire your courage. Showing your face in high society after everything that has transpired."

I noticed that she was wearing the dress I saw her trying on in the magic mirror. She looked me up and down and gestured to my gown.

"Belle - we've discussed this colour on you."

"I know its nothing compared to your... what is that? A bed spread that you fashioned into a commoner's gown?" I retorted. "You always were very thrifty."

Chantelle need not have applied so much rouge - her face was almost glowing red with anger. A man joined her side. I did not even need to look up to know who it was, he had a tendency to drench himself in awful cologne.

"You remember Pierre?" smirked Chantelle.

"Unfortunately," I replied, without making eye contact with Pierre. Chantelle had placed her hand on Pierre's chest and I saw she was wearing one of my rings that I had thought lost long ago.

"Chantelle, it's ironic you were born into money. You have become quite the vagrant - you're so good at stealing from others - their rings, their boyfriends..."

Chantelle's lips pursed - she clearly was not expecting a challenge from me.

"That man I saw you enter with," began Chantelle, "That wouldn't happen to be the famous Geroux, now would it?"

"Yes - he is my date," I replied, unfazed.

"Your date... is your abductor? How modern," she cooed, stifling laughter. "I cannot wait to tell the ladies about this!"

"Tell them whatever you want - I do not care," I said as nonchalantly as possible.

"You know, rumour has it he murdered his wife," Chantelle purred, as if she had played a winning hand of Poker.

"He did not," I said, a little too defiantly to sound convinced of Geroux's innocence.

"Well, you know what they say about rumours?" she said, leaning in closer to me. "They're usually so much tastier than the truth."

I suddenly felt so small.

All the things I wanted to say had vanished from my mind. The amount of times I had run this conversation through my head - I had so much to say. I was the one in charge. I was going to tell Chantelle how it is... but I could barely muster the courage to speak.

"Speaking of which, we told family friends that you had fallen in with the wrong crowd and there was nothing to do but disown you," whispered Chantelle, with a degree of ferocity.

"Honestly, why did you come Belle?" asked Pierre, finally saying something. "Nobody wants you here. You're just embarrassing yourself."

It will always be a mystery to me whatever it was I saw in Pierre.

I noticed a few people in the crowd closest to us had overheard - the whispers had begun.

"Excuse me," I said, tears welling in my eyes.

"Enjoy the Ball Belle - I'll make sure it's your last one," called Chantelle, as I ran off.

I made my way into the powder room. Full of women reapplying makeup, all lost in a sea of conversation of who came with whom and which lady has the nicest gown. There were soft pink chaise lounges scattered across the room with a beautiful, long mirror on the wall, lit by dozens of candles. This setup created enough light to check your skin up close, but enough darkness to have a private cry in the back of the room.

After a moment or two I sorted myself and went back into the Ball room to find Geroux. He was looking for me and did not take long for us to meet.

"There is some hold up with the drinks, they haven't been able to serve any yet - its very tense, people really want their drinks," he said, then Geroux noticed my reddened eyes. "What's wrong? What happened?"

"This was a mistake - coming here, thinking I would be able to stand up to everyone. What was I thinking? I... I just really wanted to enjoy my night with you and now... I just wish I never came to this stupid Ball," I said, holding back tears.

I explained to Geroux what Chantelle had said, how she vowed to spread rumours about us. Essentially blacklisting us from future events.

"And I know you were looking forward to this too, it just breaks my heart," I said, intending to say more, but Geroux took my hands in his and held them to his chest.

"Well, if this is going to be our first and our last Ball together - let's make it one that nobody will forget," he said, a devious grin spreading across his face.

"And how do you propose we make such an impression?" I asked.

"I have a plan," he said, wiggling his eyebrows.

* * *

How sweet, the mantle clock has brought me a handkerchief to dry my tears. Remembering my exchange with Chantelle has upset me again. I will collect myself before continuing on with the story.

_____________

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