Illusion and Reality

The ball

“Time to leave!” I heard Lucius’s voice.

“I’ll be there in 2 minutes,” I answered from my room. 

Taking a deep breath, I looked in the mirror one last time, my hair was tucked in a low elegant bun. After applying red lipstick that matched the color of my gown, I put the mask on.

Lifting the gown slightly with my hands I walked carefully down the stairs, making sure not to trip.

“You look hot,” came Lily’s voice before I could reach the end of the stairs.

I finally looked at her standing near the door with a smile on her lips and sparkle in her blue eyes, “Thank you,” unlike me, Lily’s dark blonde hair was pin-straight, with pink lipstick. She was already wearing her mask which had a lily instead of a feather like mine. I was almost sure she customized the masks herself.

She looked like someone who belonged to that place, “You look elegant.”

Giving a curtsy, she winked at me. A chuckle escaped my lips and soon the place was filled with our laughter.

“Lucius is waiting outside for us,” Astrid came walking elegantly from her room. Her hair was in loose curls, the mask was emerald with golden similar intricate designs, and there were tiny flowers on the corner.

I looked at her in confusion when instead of the main door she went towards the door that led to the garden. Lily gave a shrug and we followed Astrid without asking anything.

“I will create a portal that will lead us directly to the palace,” replied Astrid looking at our confused expressions.

I was too busy observing her that I failed to notice Lucius, “You look exquisite,” he whispered in his deep voice.

I turned to look at him and forgot my next words, he looked stunning in his black suit and black mask. Finally pulling my thoughts together I replied, “Thank you, you too….no. I mean you look handsome.”

Instead of replying with words, he gave a hearty chuckle.

“We are ready to go,” Astrid announced standing in front of a red circle in the middle of the garden.

“Everything will be fine,” Lucius said.

“Let’s get this over with.”

We all walked into the portal.

Stepping out of the portal my eyes met with the sight of an enormous palace, the elegant windows were scattered generously around the walls in perfect symmetry, the entrance door was open and to welcome the guests 4 intimidating guards were standing on each side of the door.

Lily was right it looked like something from the fairytale.

The faint melody kept getting higher as we reached the main door, Astrid and Lily went inside first. I held Lucius's arm to avoid falling and embarrassing myself in front of so many people. 

“Just breathe, I am here,” Lucius whispered softly in my ear.

The guards greeted us with a small bow. My breathing stopped as I looked at the magical palace in front of me, the walls were purple and golden, two staircases were in the center which led to the floor above. Everything was glowing with a different light.

Some people were dancing while others were casually chatting, the thing which stood out the most was the ceiling or the lack of ceiling. Crystal chandeliers were hanging above our heads but there was no ceiling, instead, a sky full of stars was present there and colorful petals would fall from the ceiling on the floor occasionally. 

My eyes followed a petal falling from the sky, it disappeared as soon as it touched the floor.

Lucius and I made our way towards Astrid and Lily.

“Isn’t this so exciting,” squealed Lily in my ear.

“I can’t believe my eyes,” I looked at everything around me.

“Stop staring at everything like fools and act normal,” Astrid said with a tight smile and I noticed Lucius was no longer standing with us.

“Lucius went to meet the king, try to have a minimum conversation with people, and whatever you do, do not leave my side.”

We stood there with Astrid, devouring the delicious food. A woman with short jet black hair came and started talking to Astrid.

We did not pay much attention and continued talking while sipping some cold beverages.

Lily almost choked her drink when a lean man shorter than Lucius came to ask Lily for dance, Astrid gave a quick nod and she went with him reluctantly.

Astrid continued chatting with the same woman and I stood there sipping wine while observing the magical surrounding.

“Are you here with Lucius and Astrid?”

I looked at the woman slightly shorter than me, in a bright yellow gown and big grey eyes staring curiously at me. Her midnight blue hair was in a braid, tiny stars were sparkling in between her hair, resembling the stars at night. 

The dark mask covering half of her face had moon and stars all over it.

“Yes, do you know them?”

“I am your neighbor, Valeria,” she added with a small laugh, “I met Lily the last time she was here, you must be her friend.”

“I am Samara,” I said with a smile.

Before she could say anything else, a muscular man with golden blonde hair and a powerful aura came towards us. His hazel eyes hiding behind the black mask were moving from one person to another, he must be the king, I wondered. My guess was confirmed when I saw people greeting him, I copied their actions as well. I made sure to hide slightly behind others and breathed in relief when he went to the people standing on the other side of the huge hall.

“You have never seen the kingdom yet, right?” came Valeria’s voice, I almost forgot about her.

Giving a small smile I shook my head, “We didn’t really get the chance yet.”

"Whenever you are bored or want to see the kingdom just come to my house, I live right next door,” she replied in an enthusiastic voice.

“I will?” I replied slightly unsure.

"Do not worry I am not going to poison you, cut your body in pieces and hide it in the lake," she laughed.

“From the way, you said it I am not so sure,” I replied with a laugh.

At the tall woman with similar hair waved at her, “I have to go now but it was great meeting you and hopefully we will meet soon,” she gave a quick hug which caught me by surprise, and left in a hurry towards the woman in a green gown.

“Is everything okay?” Lucius asked handing me a glass of wine.

“Everything’s good,” I replied taking a huge gulp, “where were you?”

“I went to see the king, just a few more minutes and then we can go home,” he said while looking towards the woman in green gown, “who were you talking to?”

“Valeria, your neighbor.”

He hummed in response.

I looked at the people dancing together where Lily was laughing and dancing with the same guy, I smiled at her.

“Would you like to dance?” asked Lucius suddenly.

“I thought you would never ask,” I grinned as he stared at me.

Looking into his eyes, everything around me become blurry and didn’t matter anymore. Only if the situation was different, it was an illusion that I wanted to hide from reality.

We stopped dancing when I felt someone’s presence behind me, Lucius was staring at the person silently. He took a step towards the person, I turned around to look at the stranger but Lucius was standing in front of me.

Looking at that hair I knew immediately who it was, “I hope you will not mess it up this time,” his voice held so much authority.

Lucius did not reply but the knuckles on his fist turned white.

"A toddler can follow the instructions so I assume you can do it too. Do not bother using your brain, the last time you tried to use it you know what happened,” the king said in a mocking manner.

I didn’t hear his voice after that which meant he left. I stood there quietly, shocked by the way he spoke to Lucius. I held Lucius’s hand when I see he wasn’t moving. He turned around walking quickly towards the exit, dragging me with him.

We were waiting outside for Astrid and Lily, neither of us said anything. Astrid and a very happy-looking Lily came towards us.

Mumbling a few words and moving her hands in the air, Astrid opened the portal. Everyone seemed tired and went straight to their rooms.

I removed my makeup, changed my dress, and went to bed but the conversation between Lucius and the king kept replaying in my head.

What work did Lucius mess up that made the king so mad?