Alcingeria Chapter Forty Two: The Ball

This is it, the big day is here! Princes Estaire's fifteen birthday. She's hosting a ball to celebrate and has invited Redmond and his friends. Is this really going to be a happy and cheery occasion?

Chapter Forty Two The Ball:

Thursday July 1^st 1690

I opened my eyes. Today was the day of Princess Estaire’s ball.

            “Good morning.” Lawrence said cheerily from across the room.

            “How can you be so cheery when you only sleep once every forty eight hours?” I asked with a laugh.

Lawrence shrugged.

            “You get used to it.” He replied.

He had no trolley of tea this morning. Then again I suppose there would be food and drink at the ball.

            “You should get changed into your ballroom clothes.” Lawrence said.

I nodded, grabbed the clothes and shoes off my nightstand and went to the bathroom to change. I slipped into the clothes and stepped out into the room again. I placed my old clothes on the nightstand.

            “Not too shabby.” Lawrence said, sizing me up.

            “Thanks.” I replied with a grin.

Lawrence motioned to the door.

            “You really should be going.” He said.

I started walking to the door but stopped short.

            “Wait, you’re not coming?” I asked him.

Lawrence shook his head.

            “A servant cannot attend a ball as a guest, and the official list of servants for the ball has already been comprised. If I show up and I’m not on the list, I will be suspected of being a spy, or worse.” Lawrence stated grimly.

I nodded. I didn’t really understand, but to an extent I did. Maybe he was being paranoid, maybe he wasn’t. Regardless it wasn’t worth the risk.

            “Okay then. I’ll see you later then.” I said with a wave as I stepped out the door.

            “Indeed, sir.” Lawrence replied.

As soon as I stepped out of my room I heard the faint sound of music coming from below. I descended the staircase and came to the grand entrance. I saw people walking through the entryway. Some were old, some were young, but they all had one thing in common; their clothes. They all were dressed in formal attire. They must be here for the ball. I walked to the ballroom along with the other people. With each step towards the ball room the music grew louder. When I approached the door I saw the colorful banners studded with roses. The doors were open and inside I could see that more tables had been set up than when Lawrence and I were last in here. I walked inside and looked for a place to sit. I saw the others beckoning me over to a table. I walked towards them and took a seat.

            "You’re just in time, Redmond.” Don said.

Just as the other people who were coming in behind me entered the room and were seated, someone closed the doors. In front of us was a stage surrounded by tables. There was a band playing fast, upbeat string music along with some percussion. They all had various instruments like violins, cellos and drums. There was even a piano! Behind us was a large dance floor and above us were balconies. In minutes the band stopped playing and stepped off stage. A man wearing a crisp black and white tuxedo stepped onto the stage.

            “Good morning everyone! We are all gathered her today to celebrate the fifteenth birthday of our own Princess Estaire Yuka!” The man said proudly, as if he was Estaire’s father.

Everyone in the room applauded. I joined in. After a few seconds the man on stage raised his hands for silence.

            “Now without further ado, I present Queen Yuka and Princess Estaire!” The man said as he stepped off stage.

Almost instantly, Princess Estaire and her mother stepped onto the stage from behind. Movement on one of the balconies above caught my eye. I subtly looked up to see three guards on a balcony. They were armed with bows and arrows. They must be the guys who ensure that someone doesn’t attack Estaire or her mother. Princess Estaire stepped forward. She was dressed in an elegant silk dress that was pink with white trim. There was a red rose pinned in her black hair. Her unusual light violet eyes flashed.

            “Greetings to you all. I am honored that you all attended my birthday ball today.” Estaire said formally.

Her mother just stood behind her, looking as imposing and threatening as ever. I saw Estaire look around and I saw her starting to sweat.

            “Anyhow, let’s get on with it shall we?” She asked with a slightly nervous smile.

She stepped off the stage and her mother followed her. The band got back on stage and started to play the upbeat music once again. A chatter arose from the guests as they got out of their seats.

            “Well this should be fun!” Stella said enthusiastically.

For the first time I noticed what everyone else was wearing. All us men had our tuxedos and bowties on. The girls all wore elegant dresses in the same colors as their regular clothes. Erin wore a green dress, Stella wore a white one, Tabatha wore one that was black with green trim and Martha wore one that was beige.

            “I’m hungry.” Macalister mumbled.

            “There’s food over there. Help yourself.” Don said with a grin, pointing to the other side of the room where a series of tables sat with various foods on top of silver platters.

Servants walked around the room with similar platters held in one hand. They carried food and drink to the guests. Macalister stomped over to the food and began taking some for himself.

            “Doesn’t fit in does ‘e?” Walden asked.

I turned around in surprise to see Walden behind me and laughed. He was wearing a black and white tuxedo. I wouldn’t have laughed… If it weren’t for the fact that he was a fairy who was fifteen centimeters tall wearing a miniature tuxedo. He looked ridiculous.

            “Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up pal.” Walden said with his arms crossed over his chest.

            “Come on Walden, you look good.” Erin offered.

            “Gee, thanks.” Walden said as if he were surprised that someone actually complemented him.

Macalister returned with a handful of small pastries. He shoved them into his mouth one by one. Don laughed at him.

            “Buddy, show some manners! This is a ball!” Don mock scolded.

I noticed that people had started dancing to the band’s music. Men swung their women expertly around, guiding them through the dance. Walden whistled in appreciation.

            “Man, if only I could do that.” He said.

            “You’d need to be about five feet taller.” Don remarked.

            “Shut up.” Walden snapped.

I then had a striking thought.

            “Walden! You can’t be here! What if someone sees you?” I asked in a harsh whisper.

Walden scoffed.

            “Keep your shirt on pal, I modified my invisibility spell so only you guys can see me. As far as anyone else knows, I don’t exist.” Walden said.

I exhaled in relief and nodded.

            “Well, well Estaire! You’ve certainly grown up!” I heard a man say.

I turned around to see Estaire being greeted by her guests.

            “Yes, I haven’t seen you since I was little, inspector.” She replied.

            “Please, call me Francis!” The man scoffed.

Just then the band changed to a louder song so whatever was said behind me was drowned out. Stella began dancing on the spot in perfect time to the music. Erin joined her, but she was awkward and uncertain. She wasn’t as good as Stella. Tabatha began dancing a little too. Francella and Raymond looked to each other, shrugged and began dancing as well. Pretty soon we were all moving in time to the upbeat, loud music.

            “This is fun!” Erin said with a smile.

            “I’m glad you like it!” I heard a voice say over the music.

I turned around to see Estaire dressed in her elegant silk dress.

            “Oh, hi Estaire.” I said.

I noticed that she didn’t have her strange book on her.

            “I’ve been overwhelmed by guests. Like Inspector Francis Adams over there.” Estaire said, pointing to the man I saw greet her earlier.

            “Are you okay? You seem nervous. You seemed nervous on stage as well.” I remarked.

            “Oh, yes I’m fine. I just… I have a bad feeling. I know it’s silly, seeing as it’s my birthday ball. Regardless I just can’t seem to shake this feeling…” Estaire trailed off.

            “Hey, it’s fine. The guards are here to protect you and your mother. Nothing’s going to happen.” I reassured her.

She nodded.

            “I know, I know. I think I’m just a little overstressed. It’d be good for me to wind down a little here.” Estaire said.

            “That sounds good.” I said.

            “Well, I should probably finish greeting my guests. I’ll see you later.” Estaire said as she walked off to greet other guests.

I started to dance a little to the music.

            “What does she mean that she has a bad feeling?” Erin asked.

I shrugged. It confused me as well.

            “Who knows?” I asked.

Erin just shrugged herself and walked off.

            “I see you get along quite nicely with the princess.” Stella remarked.

            “Well, I suppose.” I replied.

            “It’s pretty cool though. Being friends with the princess I mean.” Stella admitted.

I didn’t know what to say to that, so I just stayed silent. Stella walked off. A few feet away I saw Don. Tabatha walked up to him.

            “Hey Don. Do you… Uh… Want to dance?” She asked nervously.

Don’s eyes widened in surprise, but they quickly returned to normal and he flashed his trademark suave grin.

            “Of course I do.” He said.

Tabatha smiled. I smiled too. It probably took a lot of courage for her to ask Don to dance. The band was playing a different, more upbeat song now and everyone was dancing and spinning around. Tabatha and Don joined without missing a beat. Don placed one hand in Tabatha’s and the other on her waist. They began to dance. Don spun Tabatha outward as soon as a long, droning note came on and he pulled her back as it ended. They both had huge grins on their faces. Don now held Tabatha close, took a step back in time to the music, spun Tabatha around and they were back to their starting position right as the song ended.

            “Don! I didn’t know you could dance like that!” Tabatha exclaimed.

Don smiled and shrugged.

            “It’s a gift.” He said.

            “I… I had fun.” Tabatha said.

            “So did I.” Don replied enthusiastically.

Raymond and Francella came back from the food table with little desserts.

            “Don, that was amazing!” Francella said.

            “I didn’t know you had it in you.” Raymond remarked.

Don started laughing and clapped Francella on the shoulder.

            “What do you take me for?” He asked heartily.

            “Apparently a great dancer.” Raymond chuckled.

I laughed. I was happy for Don and Tabatha. When they first met, I could never, ever see them having feelings for one another. I saw Don smiling and laughing along with the other guys. Tabatha was talking and giggling with Stella and Erin. Ceberus and Martha were still on the dance floor and William was over at the food table. Feeling hungry, I walked over to the table with the food and grabbed a plate, serving myself some vegetables and small pastries. When I had my plate filled, I grabbed some utensils and sat down at an unoccupied table. I began eating some vegetables. I looked up to the balconies above to see that even more guards were now stationed. Some women dressed in witch clothes, men dressed in armor and men dressed in casual clothes (who I assumed were warlocks) were present in the upper balconies. They just stood there, observing. I heard the clicking of heels in front of me and saw Princess Estaire walking towards me. I smiled politely.

            “Hello, Princess.” I said respectfully.

            “Please, just call me Estaire.” She said with a smile.

I nodded and Estaire adjusted the rose that was in her hair. At long last, I decided to ask about all the roses.

            “Estaire?” I asked.

            “Yes?” She replied.

            “Do you know why there are so many roses around the castle? They’re numerous in the garden and they’re everywhere.” I said.

Estaire grinned widely and touched the rose in her black hair affectionately.

            “I simply adore roses. Don’t you?” She asked.

            “Um… Well… I don’t know.” I said.

            “I love them so much, I had them planted in the garden, and placed all throughout the castle.” She explained.

I nodded in understanding as I looked to all the guests that were in the room.

            “Who are all in here?” I asked casually.

            “Oh, military officials, highly ranking law enforcement officers, detectives, nobles from Valgate and other people who have known me since I was a child.” She replied.

I looked around and couldn’t help but notice that there weren’t any kids Estaire’s age here.

            “Are any of the guests your… Friends?” I asked.

Estaire looked to the ground and sadly shook her head.

            “No. There are very few people my age that are of nobility.” Estaire said.

            “Why does nobility matter?” I asked.

Estaire was silent for a moment, then continued.

            “When I was young I had a friend named Hugo. He was a very nice boy. I was only nine years old when I knew him. We were good friends, but my mother forbade me to be his friend because of his commoner status.” Estaire said sadly.

I frowned. I felt bad for her. She didn’t have any friends her own age because her mother only allowed her to be friends with nobles.

            “That’s terrible. I’m sorry.” I said.

Estaire nodded in appreciation. Her expression suddenly brightened.

            “Well, enough doom and gloom. This is my birthday after all!” She exclaimed.

I grinned. It looked like she didn’t like to be sad or wallow in self-pity. That was good. After a few more minutes of talking, Estaire’s mother called her. Estaire looked over her shoulder and her shoulders sagged. She looked back to me.

            “I’m sorry. My mother needs me for something. It’s been nice talking with you.” Estaire said with a grin.

            “Likewise.” I replied.

Estaire walked off to her mother. Queen Yuka did not look happy. They were too far away for me to hear what was said, but the queen pointed at me while frowning at her daughter. I could see Estaire saddening. I looked away.

I spent the next few hours dancing, laughing and joking around with my friends. Tabatha and Don laughed and danced together some more. I didn’t see a smile fade from either of their faces once. A few hours after talking to Estaire, I casually looked up to the balconies above to find that the guards, witches and warlocks weren’t there anymore. Where’d they go? I figured they were changing shifts or something and shrugged. Judging by the color of the light that was let in through the many windows in the ball room, I guessed that it was early evening. Time really flies when you’re having fun!

Author's Note

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