NOVEL NEXT Chapter 62: Tonight's Ball
I was so enjoying Foundation Day so far that I didn't even realize it was the last day of the week-long celebration.
Me and my friends are enjoying ourselves the class 2-A's cartoon-themed cafe when Ariella finds their cookies and tea a bit to her liking. Maggie is also enjoying herself as well, given the fact that she has a sweet tooth.
I later heard she was planning on visiting the food stall where her long-time crush Ryeo was stationed. Ahh, our friend is in love, indeed.
"I can't wait for tonight!"
I was just about to take a sip of this deliciously-brewed barley tea when I heard someone sitting near our table say those things. My curiosity was immediately piqued upon hearing that.
"Yes. My love has already invited me. How about you?" said her friend seated right next to her.
"Of course he also did! See you at the cultural hall later."
And then they both squealed in joy after that as they made an exit out of here.
With my eyebrows drawn together and with my forehead creased, I looked at my friends, saying this statement.
"Tell me exactly what would happen tonight?"
In return, Maggie and Ariella looked at me as if I was a person from another planet. Well, I assume then by the way they look at me right now that I am the only person who doesn't know what event would happen tonight.
"Well, at the end of Foundation Day, Gilead Academy held its annual ball as the event's highlight, that is why it was put at the end in the first place. It was then a tradition ever since Prince Arthur graduated that the said event would always take place in the castle's cultural hall according to his request, since he is an alumnus of the school himself." Ariella thoroughly explained to me.
"And you know what the best part is?" Maggie beamed, to which I responded with a blank stare.
"It has been a legend that whoever you will be dancing with in the annual ball would also be the person that you will end up in the future. Isn't that so romantic?" she quickly added, quite dreamily I must say.
Well… that is just so… I don't know. Too cliche'?
"Uhuh…" was the only thing that came out of my mouth after hearing her words.
"Come on, I know it is only a legend, but just look at our dean…" Maggie kept on blabbering about this so-called legend that is so absurd for me, if you ask me.
"He met his dazzling wife at the annual ball when they were both enrolled here. They are the living proof that the legend is indeed real." Maggie pushed through with her words. I saw Ariella gave her a nonchalant look.
"Didn't his wife just die, bless her soul," she said in a low tone but as a matter of fact.
Maggie barked a nervous laugh. "I mean the dean… is the living proof that it is real."
I smiled at my friend to keep her hopes up. Well, we all know why she is so hyped up with this event anyway, and it would be bad for us, as her friends, if we smashed it into tiny little pieces.
"Well, if that is the case… then I wish you good luck with the guy on the food stall downstairs. What was his name again?" I smilingly said that made her face flush.
"Ryeo. Ryeo De Caprio."
"Right. Best wishes to you and Ryeo… in advance."
I was still feeling a bit giddy myself for this event until we went out of the cafe and strolled for a while when I suddenly realized something.
Didn't Ariella say earlier that the annual ball would be held right at the castle's cultural hall?
Ohhhh… I mentally smacked my forehead with my palm for that. She indeed said that it will be the venue for the ball. And that would be tonight! What should I do? And why did those three gentlemen miss telling me something about this?!
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-THIRD PERSON-
Meanwhile… At the castle, Lancelot was comfortably seated in the lobby while playing chess with Lucas and sipping on his favorite tea when he lifted his head all of a sudden upon the approach of handmaidens.
"If you may, we would like to ask you what color would be the best theme for the cultural hall for tonight's event?" one handmaiden asked while bowing her head.
Lancelot carefully placed the cup back to its saucer before paying any attention to the servant.
"Red would be nice, to give it more of a royalty theme, I suppose." Then he looked at Lucas and said, "Wouldn't you agree, Lucas?"
"Why, yes." Lucas smiled at the servant, a smile that never fails to captivate a girl's heart. "Lancelot's suggestion is great indeed."
"Well, then. It would then be red for tonight's event." the servant repeated and then off they went.
After sipping his tea, Lucas returned his gaze at the archbishop seated in front of him and asked, "Remind me again what would be tonight's event?"
"It is the annual ball…. Held at the end of the Foundation week celebration?" Lancelot responded.
It was then when something had suddenly dawned upon their minds and as if on cue, their eyes went round when looking at each other.
"We forgot to mention this to Krisella!"
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{Now back again to Krisella's POV…}
I suppose all of the students of Gilead Academy would be at this annual ball thing tonight. Should I stay at Alex's house for the night? You know, just to hide from my classmates so that they won't know that I actually live in the castle for more than three months now?
"Krisella seems getting hyped up just merely thinking of the ball, I see." Ariella pointed out that made me cough a nervous laugh.
"No…" I immediately responded without much thinking which surprised my friends with my sudden answer.
Then I cleared my throat and tried to think of how to get out of this awkward situation.
"No… because I actually didn't know about this in the first place and so, I don't have an outfit to wear for the event." I nervously laughed once again.
"So I regret to inform you that I wouldn't make it tonight." And I ended my statement feigning my apologetic tone.
'Ah! Nonsense! Did you already forget that you have a friend who owns a tailor shop?" Ariella crossed her arms over her chest.
"And a friend who is a makeup artist?" Maggie added, doing the same pose as what Ariella is currently doing.
I almost rolled my eyes with my own foolishness. Just when I thought I would save myself from this awkward situation, I nearly forgot that I was blessed with such supportive friends.
I don't know if I am indeed blessed or cursed in that manner.
"Haha, yes, how could I ever forget?" I said, barking another halfhearted laughter in the process.
"Trust me, you don't need to spend a single penny. Just leave the rest to us." Ariella winked. I don't know if it is a good thing or not.
And so it was agreed then that I would meet them at Ariella's shop, which is a few walks away from here, after I asked permission with my grandmother… is what I said to them to which they all bought immediately. They even offered to go with me but of course, I immediately refused this kind gesture even though I felt bad about it.
Later that day, I did my thing of bidding my temporary farewell to go on my way back to the castle. With haste, I run my way away from them and out of the school. But as I turned to my right to go to the route that I have always taken, it was then when I bumped into something… or maybe someone, I am not sure at first.
Yesterday I accidentally bumped into Prince Arthur's fiancee'. Now, who is it this time?
"Can you be a little more careful next time?" said that masculine, arrogant voice that I immediately recognized.
"Alex?" I said in disbelief. "What are you doing here? We could be seen by someone else, you know…"
But good thing there aren't any students loitering around here for they are too busy with the activities inside the school.
"That is why you will be wearing this."
He handed me a red circular cap to which he instructed me to wear it immediately. Upon placing it in my head, I could notice myself and my shadow slowly fading.
"That is an invisibility cap, invented by the prince himself for his mischief that I just recently found in our secret hideout. Now, come follow me."
I did as I was told with this cap still on me. But after a few walks, I immediately recognized where he will be taking me to.
"I can't go and hide at your house now. I was specifically invited by my friends to go to the annual ball." I stated and arched my eyebrow at him, but of course, he wouldn't see it.
"Do you know about this whole thing happening tonight?"
"I am too busy to even remember it exists. Lancelot was the one who sent me in here to pick you up." he immediately responded.
"Well, lead me then towards the castle to personally ask Lancelot's permission to attend this ball tonight," I said. "It would really create confusion with my friends if I suddenly go missing tonight, am I right?"
I heard him sigh before he agreed to my words.
"Fine. Follow me then."
And then off we go towards the castle after our brief conversation.