Ready For The Ball

Anastasia and I finished getting ready for the ball and descended the staircase to the foyer where mother was already waiting. 

Mother looked beautiful; she was wearing a red mermaid gown, made with silk that hugged her whole body, accentuating her curves. While slimming and gaze drawing, it was modest for a mother presenting her daughters to a prince. Her neckline wasn't too low, her shoulders were covered, and she had a matching hairpiece with a piece of lace covering part of her face.

Mother turned on her heel to turn to us and let out a breath of relief as she closed her fan. "My, my daughters. You both look so lovely. I cannot wait for the royal family to see you." 

"Thank you, Mother," Ana responded. Ana had chosen an off-the-shoulder green gown to bring out her green eyes. It billowed as she walked; a trick that we have learned over the years to divert the eye should she trip and need a moment to recover. At that point, everyone would be looking at her gown, paying no attention to the woman wearing it. Her eyes were dusted with purple eye shadow and she had put small gold flakes on her cheeks instead of blush. Apparently, it was a trick of hers to make sure that the lights accentuated her cheekbones in a flattering way. 

I, myself wore a deep blue gown that had white lace details around the hemlines and waist. The lace was floral and rose from my waist to my bust, which wore a sweetheart neckline and a pendant necklace that belonged to Mother. The sleeves of my gown were bell sleeves and flowed openly and you could see inside them when I put my hands together at my waist. I liked that fact of the dress because the lining was the same color white as the lace. 

Ana and my hair were done similarly, both braided and spun into a bun in the back, whereas mom wore her hair swept to one side. Ana put a ribbon in her braid that matched her dress to tie her whole look together. 

Mother smiled at us and motioned with her hand for us to twirl for her to see. The rustling of fabric flowing made me giggle, reminding me of the sounds when multiple couples dance around the ballroom and the women's gowns slightly whipping each other's as they spun. The thought made me excited for the night and put a spring in my step as we walked to our carriage. 

* * *

Ella

My dress was finally finished and I had let my hair down from its usual high bun, leaving curly waves that cascade down my back. My cheeks were naturally rosy because of my time in the sun during certain chores, so I didn't fuss over makeup at all. 

I took a step back to look at myself one last time before I left, turning left and right, then I asked the mice who were watching me intently. I exhaled and asked "What do you think?" they stood on their hind legs and I took that as a sign of approval. "I think so too," I chuckled then turned on my heel to head out.

I still hadn't figured out how to get to the ball, and I had been planning to walk until I found that the carriage hadn't left yet. I hurried behind it and grabbed onto the back rail, letting my hair flow in the wind as we set off. I figured that it would give my hair a little volume, 'win, win' I thought. 

There was no way that I would embarrass my stepmother and siblings by showing up magically from behind the carriage the exact same time that they exited it, so I waited until I saw the lights of the castle and jumped down, walking the last bit of the way. 

I would let them have their moment entering the ball before I snuck in silently by myself. After all, my main goal wasn't to win the heart of the prince, I knew I wasn't worthy of such a life. I had hoped to simply meet a charming young man who would sweep me off my feet and save me from my stepmother and sisters.