The Grand Ball

Mia’s parents took their time to look and explore the castle while accompanied by their daughter, who was feeling guilty as she realized she had gone too far by deceiving Jess.

She was impulsive and did things without thinking about the consequences of her decisions, and the guilt ate her up from the inside. She pushed the matter to the back of her mind and opted to enjoy the ball since this was her first time.

Mia decided to apologize to Jess later on when she arrived.

The ball was at the leisure palace, which shared a border between the border of East Caswell and their village. It was a trekable distance of not less than forty minutes from the Smiths house, and Mia knew there was still time for her sister to join them.

Unknown to Mia, it was raining cats and dogs, and because they were already in the hall, accompanied by loud music and dancing, she did not notice it.

Her desire and eagerness to explore out of bond to the villagers.

Before they even reached the ballroom, the palace were intense as this was the first time she saw the beauty behind this high wall, which was they could hear music filling every part of the castle.

It is going to be a fun night! Is it not, Papa? Mia asked, and her parents nodded in agreement.

The music is so beautiful, yet there is some sadness in them, commented Mia.

The castle is magnificent. Vera Smith commented, looking at the castle in awe.

Indeed! It is beautiful. Michael Smith agreed, looking at the many walls and pillars that supported the castle. If this castle built by the royal family for entertainment was this beautiful, she wondered what the castle where the royal family resided would look like.

Some people walked by, talking and laughing with each other. Several men who passed by looked at Mia as she stood out in the gold dress with beads. Her hair, which was in a ponytail with two locks of hair curled resting on the side, accentuated her looks.

Her beauty and gown had caught many eyes in the long corridor. Mia imagined what it would look like to live in such a beautiful castle with maidservants attending to your every need.

It was the life Mia desired, where she would like a queen.
A tall man who appeared to be wearing clothes that only the richest of the rich could afford came towards them with half of his face covered by a mask, yet one could tell that this man was handsome with decent-looking features.

As he walked by them, his eyes fell on Mia, and he smiled. She raised her head and tucked her chin up as if she was the daughter of a noble. The man bowed his head slightly and asked Mia for a dance.

Mia looked at her parents, who nodded in approval.

We will be there, so your sister can see us when she arrives. Vera Smith said, leaving Mia and the young man to enjoy the night.

Mia took the hand of the man, which was outstretched, and kneeled a little in acceptance of his offer.

They were on the dance floor in the massive ballroom, which still had a lot of space to accommodate more guests when Mia saw Simon coming toward her.
Do you know that man? The man asked.

Not really, but he was our designated driver to the palace, Mia replied.
Pardon my intrusive question, my lady, but are you perhaps a relative of the royal family? He asked.

Mia was caught off guard by his question. She wondered what gave him the impression that she could be a relative of the royal family.

Internally, she was glad he could not detect that she was not from a noble family or the upper class.

What gave you that impression? Mia asked, not answering the question he had asked.
I am surprised that the royal family would have one of their coachmen to convey you and your family to the ball when you are not his relative, he stated.

Mia understood what he was trying to insinuate. She also wanted an answer to this question. Was Jess having an affair with Simon, the coachman to the royal family?

Before she could say anything, Simon had reached where she was.

A word, my lady, Simon said, and Mia nodded. She gave the man she was dancing with an apologetic smile before stepping out of the ballroom to follow Simon, who was walking away from the hall.

I did not even get to know his name, thought Mia regretfully.
Simon took Mia to a private room, away from the crowd gathered in the ballroom.
It was dark, but the lamps on either side of the corridor illuminated the passage.

Mia felt her bare arms prickling with goose bumps as a shiver ran down her spine on realizing the situation she had put herself in.

What would she say to whoever sent the carriage to convey them to the ball? She did not know how Jess knew them or the arrangement she made with them.

She wished her sister would get here sooner. What could be delaying her from arriving on time? Mia wondered.

Wait, where are we going to? Mia asked, shivering.

The crown prince had summoned your sister, and she had failed to hold up to her part of the bargain by disobeying royal order.

Since your parents are old and cannot take the blame for their daughter, you will have to take her place and receive her punishment since you are her sister. Simon said, his face passive.

What type of deal did Jess make with them, thought Mia.

Her footsteps slowed down as she recalled the rumors about the crown prince. There were rumors on both sides, with some saying that the crown prince was known for his ruthless and womanizing ways. He often offered women to his friends for their entertainment and pleasure.

Mia froze. She thought her sister had made a deal to entertain the friends of the crown prince during the ball. That would explain the invitation and why Simon was sent from the palace to escort them.

Realizing the situation she had gotten herself into, Mia slowly turned back and sprinted in the opposite direction. Simon called her name, but she paid him no heed as she ran for her dear life.

Jess had entered the ballroom when she saw Mia running towards a dark alley and decided to follow her. She followed closely behind but lost sight of Mia, who was running as her life depended on it.

She did not realize she had walked further away from the ball, where the guests were, and closer to the den of a predator. She continued walking far away from the crowd.

She was searching for her parents to ask them if they knew where Mia was running to, and did not realize she had taken the wrong passage, which led her into a dark room.
Who do we have here?