5

The Nobles Ball was tonight and Saranna looked like an empress that came down upon her people.

Her curls were wrapped in an unruly bun, making it look royal yet rough, giving her an attractive style.

Her turquoise dress was a ball gown that had a long trail, and the dress enhanced and shaped her body type. Her blue eyes matched her reddened lips, and her nails were painted sky blue. Her creamed hands held her silken blue fan. All this done by the best in the kingdom.

And yet, a self-dressed maiden still looked better. Far better.

Saranna may have looked like an empress, but Ayvanna was a goddess.

Ayvanna wore an olive green sparkling trumpet ball gown with a sweetheart neckline. It was off shoulder so it showed her naturally tanned skin. It had a double tiered skirt which had a small trail, making her look petite yet regal. The dress' color accentuated her eye color and her pink tinted lips matched her hair do, which was left to fall on her shoulders naturally.

Personal maids also went for the Nobles Ball, to guide the regals they were serving. If the maid as dressed good, it improved the reputation of the noble and the maid may even get the opportunity to dance with well-bred and well-preserved men, which could lead to arranged marriage and unity between houses. This means the maid could have a good life, serving her husband, giving birth to strong children and maintaining peace between houses.

But if the maid was dressed better than the noble, the noble would become a laughing stock, and their initiation into the society and court could be ruined. Sometimes, maids and servants try to do this on purpose to revenge the way the noble treated them. But very rarely, the maiden either does it for themselves innocently or are really beautiful.

Ayvanna was naturally beautiful and without even make up she would still shine, and instead of wanting attention, she wanted to blend in.

"Blend in my lady!" The maid who was dressing her up shouted, then looked around and reduced her voice, "With your beauty, you could bag any man you wished! You could leave this place and become a noble! You could have the good life!"

"That may be what you want Gizem, but I want to live a peaceful life. I'd rather be a maid all my life, marry a footman and have peace, rather than prostituting myself, marrying a two-sided regal and living my life in regret." Ayvanna admonished. She twirled and admired herself in her slightly cracked mirror.

"But thank you Gizem. Its really nice." Avyanna turned to the brunette. Gizem was looking down with an unreadable expression.

"Of course my lady."

"And I did tell you to stop calling me that," Ayvanna put her hand and the shorter girl's shoulder, "We are both maids after all." Ayvanna then chuckled, "I do have a name."

"But-"

"No buts in this. Let's start over."

Ayvanna moved back a little and then did a little curtesy. Well, an exaggerated curtesy. Her gown teetered when she moved, making her look like a bobbing jellyfish.

"Good evening ma'am. I'm Lady Ayvanna. Its an honor to meet you,"

Gizem giggled and followed her lead.

"I am Lady Gizem, the pleasure is all mine,"

Interrupting their charade, the sound of distant trumpets blew, indicating the arrival of guests. Gizem then froze up and tensed.

"I-I must go Ayvanna. I-I'll see you at the ball then!" She then rushed out, her black maiden's gown flapping behind her.

Gizem was a newly employed maid in the palace, and was always to herself. She rarely talked with other servants and always woke up really early and slept very late so no one would see her. She had a shell that Ayvanna desperately wanted to crack to see the true girl inside.

Ayvanna then remembered her job. Go to the ball, take care of greetings and follow the princess, and leave. Simple as that.

She walked to her door, took a deep breath, opened, and almost fell in shock.