Arc 4: Chapter 73

Elenor was forced to get up at dusk as maids walked into her room to prepare her for the annual ball. It had been some time since she had to wake up this early so the whole morning she felt groggy and dazed as they got her ready.

Every year the annual ball in Vaidia had a theme. This year was a masquerade theme which meant she had to wear a mask throughout the ball.

She wore an off shoulder dark red wine ball gown. It had no designs on it but it created a mature yet graceful look on her. Her hair was put up into a bun with her front pieces curled and set to the sides of her face.

Her makeup was heavier. Her dress was paired with thin earrings and necklace which complemented the whole outfit. Once she was dressed, the maids left her room without uttering another word, leaving her alone.

Elenor gazed down at the vanity. On it had her pair of black silk lace gloves that had ruffles that wrapped around her wrists and her mask she had prepared. It was a black and gold designed mask which had an elegant yet mysterious charm to it.

She sighed to herself as she stared into the mirror. Her face had matured since a year ago. She lightly laughed as she reminisced about it.

A month has passed since the incident with Hera happened, resulting in Alec being taken away from her. She hasn't seen him since that day and now she didn't have a partner for the annual ball as well.

'And he said he would come back and see me.' she scoffed to herself.

"Sister?" Elenor heard Ray's voice from the door.

"Yes Ray?" she turned to him and smiled.

On the bright side, she was able to become closer to Ray who finally fully trusted her after many attempts. Maybe it was from all the food she gave him but nonetheless she did win his trust.

Ray admired her figure before walking up to her. "Sister..you look so pretty!" he exclaimed.

Ever since they became close. Elenor noticed that behind that wall he built to protect himself, he was adorable and very bubbly. It reminded her of those times she used to play with her next door neighbours children.

She pinched his cheek, "Thank you Ray."

"What time will you be back?" he asked, holding her hand.

Elenor pondered a bit before shaking her head, "I'm not too sure but by the time I return you might be asleep."

"Oh…" Ray looked down at the floor dejectedly making her feel guilty.

"I'll secretly bring back some desserts for you as an apology okay?"

"Okay!!"

Elenor laughed at how fast Ray returned back to his usual self. She pressed a small peck on his forehead before leaving the west building.

Lloyd heard what had happened and did try to console Elenor and even suggested that he would be her partner. Rosina agreed to it instantly when she heard Lloyd suggest it but Elenor declined their thoughtful offer.

"I rather go to the ball alone than with someone who isn't Alec." she said.

Richard nearly did the same but Elenor quickly shot it down before he could even say it. She knew Isabella really wanted to go to the ball with her brother so she wasn't going to ruin it for her.

Upon reaching the royal palace where the annual ball was held, before she entered she wore her mask and handed the invitation to the butler standing at front. He checked the invitation before bowing.

"Welcome Lady Elenor." the butler greeted before allowing her inside.

She gave a nod at the butler before walking inside where many guests like her had already arrived. She swiftly made her way over to the food and beverages section, grabbing a glass of red wine.

She took a sip of it and scrunched her nose in satisfaction. She hasn't drank any alcohol since she left Elaelind. She continued sipping on the wine slowly as she took a good look at the whole area.

It was hard to tell who was who as they all wore masks that ranged from covering only their upper portion of their face to a full mask.

"Elenor!" she heard her name being called by Isabella and Rosina.

She turned to the direction of their voices and waved at them. She took one look at them before asking,

"Where's Lloyd and my brother?"

"We were going to ask you that." Isabella replied, her arms crossed clearly irritated by the fact she got separated from Richard.

"What happened?"

"When we arrived, the butler called another servant who then took them away. We've been looking for them this whole time." Rosina answered her question.

"Now that you've mentioned it...no wonder many were looking around quite frantically."

As if on cue, loud trumpets were heard, catching everyone's attention up to the staircase where the king of Vaidia stood.

Everyone bowed, lowering their heads as they gave their respect to his majesty.

"Rise." he spoke before a small smile appeared.

"I thank and welcome everyone who attended this year's annual ball. I have decided to have a little fun in this year's ball." he stroked his beard before continuing.

"Find your partner before the dance begins. Those who arrived with their partners, find them and those who arrived alone find someone to be your partner."

The king nodded, satisfied by his speech. "I'm sure you all will find your partner after all it is easy."

'Easy? This ball has thousands of people!' Elenor thought to herself, pitying Rosina and Isabella who had been searching even before it was announced.

"Now..begin!"

After the king ended his speech and the game began, everyone hurriedly tried to find for their partner or someone to be their partner.

Not wanting to be part of it, she tried her best to make her way to the furthest end but she kept being bumped into many gentlemen who were either trying to find their partner or asking her to be their partner for the night which of course she declined.

After numerous attempts and glares, she heaved a sigh as she watched the chaos the king had created with this game. She didn't have her drink as she knew she would spill it amongst this mess.

In the sea of people, Elenor noticed Hera standing alone, watching everyone around her. She noticed her easily even with her mask on was because her hair colour was striking and the only one who had this hair colour.

Elenor paused for a moment. Alec wasn't with her which was surprising because she had been hearing gossips about how he never left her side since he became hers. She was, of course, sour about the gossips but she couldn't do much about it other than suck it up.

But this time he wasn't with her. She felt her heart racing as she trailed off in her thoughts. Perhaps he was trying to find her right now in the crowd. She clasped her hands tightly together, she missed him.

While she tried to look in the crowd for a man with black hair, she felt someone tapping her shoulder.

She quickly turned to the person with a smile thinking it was Alec. Her smile halted as she looked at the gentleman in front of her. He was wearing a dark blue tuxedo and had a matching colour mask.

She stared at the man in front of her before noticing his white hair and tan skin. She frowned a bit before mumbling out,

"Sir Judas?"

The man smiled warmly and nodded, "I'm surprised that I was able to find you so quick Lady Elenor."

Hiding her disappointment, she smiled, "We really do meet at such odd timings don't we?"

Judas chuckled, "Indeed."

Elenor looked at his white hair once more. Other than Hera, Judas was the only one who had white hair. Before she could process everything properly, a voice spoke loudly.

"Time is up! Ladies and gentlemen, the game has ended! Please take off your masks and reveal your face to your partner!!"

Elenor sighed, in the end although she did think to herself that the masks barely hid any faces, she didn't manage to find Alec.

"Shall we take it off at the same time?" Judas asked.

Elenor lightly laughed at the dumb suggestion, "We already know how each other looks like."

Judas had a small pout, "You could have played along."

She laughed, this time a bit louder before nodding, "Alright, on the count of three. One...two...three."

They took their masks off before looking at each other before bursting into a short fit of laughter.

"It's good to see you again." Elenor said, holding her mask in her left hand.

Judas grinned, "It's good to see you again too."

Her eyes drifted back to where Hera had been standing the whole time. This time, a man dressed in an all black tuxedo and mask stood beside her.

Alec was standing beside her.

"Lady Elenor would you like to have a dance with me?" Judas asked and on cue music began playing.

She wanted to reject it but when she saw Alec guiding Hera to the dance floor she accepted it on a whim. She placed her hand in his extended hand and made their way over to the centre of the ballroom.

As they danced to the rhythm of the music, her eyes would often return back to Alec who didn't look over at her direction.

She felt her heart breaking. After not seeing each other for a month he didn't care? His focus was solely for Hera.

'Well this sucks.' she thought to herself as her gaze dropped to her feet, an anxious feeling bubbling up inside her.

"Is my dancing bad?" she heard Judas sheepishly ask.

Lifting her head up to meet his yellow eyes, she shook her head. "Not at all."

Taking one last look at Alec who had his back turned to her, she let out a small sigh. Judas noticed and looked over where her gaze fell at.

His eyebrows lifted ever so slightly, "Lady Elenor, if I recall that is your butler am I correct?"

"Yes."

"May I ask why is he with my younger sister instead of being by your side?" he questioned with his head tilted to the side.

Elenor stared at him baffled by what he had just said. "..Younger sister?"

Judas smiled brightly and nodded, "Yes, Hera is my younger half-sister."