<Part 3>

Next day, we both were on our way to Amber's house. The sun was shining brightly though it was 11 only. I got to know that she lived just near our neighborhood. So It took only 20 minutes.

Her house was a small cozy one. There was a small walkway between the gate and the main door. Sarah pushed the iron bar gate. It was small, barely reached our waists. Small flowers made of iron embellished the gate. On both sides of walkway were the most beautiful flowers I had ever seen. The main gate was no less amazing. It was a simple wooden door with a pot was hanging in the mid. There was also a door knocker designed into a cupid. It was cute.

All this decorations were new for me.

Sarah knocked twice. Amber opened the door and let us in. Interior was little different from outside. Wooden floors with big paintings hanging on the walls, it all gave a more…..15th century vibes. Her mother was cooking in the kitchen. We both said her greetings and then Amber showed us the way to her room. It was on the second story. A long corridor and then a room at the end. But oh my sweet lord, her room looked another world. All things red and …white… It looked quite captivating. Though beside me, Sarah seemed unfazed.

"Shut your mouth gurl or a fly will be enter." Amber laughed.

"This was same my reaction." Sarah announced.

"Bu...t this is really amazing!!Right?"

"I know."

We sat there and talked about different things. Suddenly Sarah's phone started ringing. She excused herself and went out of the room.

"I want to tell you something, Mehak."

"I'm all ears. Amber. Go on."

"I don't know why but Sarah won't agree to this. I have gotten this invitation from the royal ball."

"What? When?" My eyes enlarged with curiosity.

"When Sarah went to you."

"But I just can't tell Sarah, she is always so apprehensive about the royal castle. I get it like there are some stories."

"Which stories Amber you are talking about?" It was Sarah who was then standing at door with her hands on her hips.

"Nothing." Amber looked sad.

"Well it should be nothing." She eyed Amber. Like she signaled her to shut up.

"Ok. I got news. Mom and dad are going for a business trip for15 days. And they are going to leave tomorrow." Sarah said.

"Oh that's nice." I gave her thumbs up.

"Sarah!" I asked her, trying to be as careful as possible because mad Sarah is the last thing I wanted to see. "Can we go to royal ball?

"WHATTTT!!!!"

She shouted but not on me but to Amber specifically.

"Like what did I tell you Amber? Never talk about royals. So you were telling her about this."

"What's wrong in that, Sarah?" I asked.

"No. Mehak and Amber you don't understand. You people haven't heard the rumors about them."

"Come on Sarah. How can we know they are true?" Amber counter questioned her.

"Like seriously, nobody ever confirmed those rumors. And they are royals. How do you believe them to do so low?"

"I know nothing. But to be honest Amber, it's just I am scared for you. That what if something bad happens to you, I'll never be able to forgive myself."

"I know." Amber held her shoulders. "And secondly, I don't want to go alone."

Ok now I was feeling a third tire.

"What do you mean?" I asked her.

"It means, let's go together all of us. How is that?" She asked excitedly.

"What? We are not even invited. And what about those rumors? What are these? Please tell me." I showered her with the questions.

"Listen. Every girl in the town is invited. You don't special ticket. Just have to take a red rose with us. And as far as rumors are concerned," She stopped and put her hand under her chin. She was trying her best to give a best answer.

"Umm. They say." Sarah wanted to say something but Amber nudged her.

"I will tell you. You know girls." She quoted with her fingers. " They try their best to lure the young prince, thinking he will marry them. But when they get rejected, they start spreading rumors. Like."

"Like?"

"Oh come on Mehak & Sarah. It's nothing, and see the ball is next Friday. Uncle and aunty will not be here. So you will not have to worry about them. Huh?"

"But,"

"No buts Sarah." Amber sat on her knees and held her hands.

"Please. It will be first ever chance to visit any palace and to see royals with my own daymn eyes. Don't break my dreams. Sure I can't be a princess but have I got no right to even enjoy royal luxuries. It's just a matter of 1 week and we will be back. Please" She took my hand as well and looked at us with her puppy eyes.

Isn't she emotionally black mailing us? I laughed.

"You never turned out my any request, Sara? Please give me this last favor. Please go with me both of you." She glanced both of our faces. I turned my face To Sarah. She did same. We did some deep discussions in our eyes. And then there was bright glint in her eyes.

"Amber …" Sarah stood up.

At this, Amber looked like she just gave up all hope.

Sarah turned to other sides.

She is a clown. I can literally see her face trying best to suppress her laugh even from her back.

"I," A long pause.

"Don't"

.

.

.

"Have a dress." She turned and bursted like a bubble.

"Oh god Amber, look at your face . You looked like a dying whale."

"Get lost." Amber, half frowned- half smiled, said.

"When to start our preparations?" I asked.

Amber happily engulfed both of us in her notorious bear hug.

She broke the hug and said. "Soon."

..................

Time flew like a butterfly from one flower to one another. Slow and swift.

We said our good bye to my mamo and mami. They left the country for business trip.

On the Friday morning, three of us were in Sarah's room. There were three shiny long gowns.

Somehow we got them. And by somehow I mean online shopping. And I don't knnow how we got this lucky to get these royalty dresses. Okay though they were expensive, but all money belonged to my mamo. So it was okay. Let's appreciate Sarah for her generosity.

"This is yours."

"This once yours and this is mine." Sarah gave us our chosen ones.

"And now get out of my room, and find yourselves any place to change."

I went to my room and Amber to guest room.

My gown is red one. I never wore red. But out of nowhere, now I want to act rebellious.

To be honest, my mum's one slap, I swear, one slap can cast a pious spirit in me.

But just once mum. Sorry mum and dear god.

Bright red gown reached my ankles. And my red tights were, thank god, and were not so tight. There was net around my arms, decorated with red crystal. I wore the pendant my Nano gifted me previous year.

It was a small one but with super shining crystal.

I brushed my hair and straightened them. For once, I was not going to tie my hair. SO I let them fall on my back. Yess. My hair is long and reaches my back.

I left my room. And oh my… two queens are standings before me.

We three gathered in the lounge. We were waiting for the carriage. Sarah told me that a royal carriage receives their guests.

"I am feeling so much anxious." Sarah held my hand as we stood in front of our doors with the red roses in our hands. She was literally shaking.

"Hey , RELAX." I pressed her hand. "Everything is gonna be okay. Just for today. Tomorrow we will make up some excuse and will come back. How is that?"

She nodded and now looked more relieved.

It was 7 in the evening. Clouds were spreading like a grey sheet on the sky. Far in the street, we could hear a faint sound of bell ringing and horses clopping.

"Yes it is here." Amber whispered excitedly.

A royal carriage came to a halt in front of us. The door opened and a very handsome young boy came out.

His hair were pink. And lips were plump pink. He was wearing a black royal uniform. Gold embeliishing every corner of his dress. Ans when he smiled, he eyed turned into half moon.

Oh my dear lord, he was beautiful.

And

Handsome.

Is he a vampire?

"Hello my beautiful ladies!" he half bowed us.

"Here is your ride from our dear prince." He told opening the door.

We three just stood there, staring him like idiots until the atmosphere got awkward. He got awkward too and started scratching his nape.

"Sorry for my rudeness ladies, I am the right hand of our prince. I am Park Jimin."

"Oh hi Mr, Park Jimin." Sarah shyly replied.

"Jimin will do it." He smiled and motioned us to sit inside.

"Yeah sure." I replied and got into carriage. My still awestruck friends then followed me. Jimin came in the last. He sat across us and then signaled the driver.

Our journey began. It almost took 1 hour. My sweet cousin who was so worried a while ago was now laughing and chatting with the jimin. I don't know why but my heart was getting heavier as we were approaching the castle. So I didn't pay attention to what they were talking about. I put my head on window and looked out for the beautiful clouds. As the castle was on the hills, carriage was getting higher and higher. And now clouds looked only an arm length away. It was fascinating. It seemed as were flying towards the sky.

Sarah shook my shoulder. Then I came to know that all three of them were out of the carriage and Sarah had been calling my names a few times. But I guess that does happen you are such a nephophile.

I was kinda embarrassed. I gathered my gown and Jimin helped my getting off.

"Sorry I think I got caught away."

Jimin smiled and said, "I think you loved the view."

"Yeah. I did."

Then I look around. There were many carriages and there were sooo many beautiful ladies. But come on , I am no type to feel inferior. But then I felt a shiver down my back. When I saw something standing on the balcony, a black silhouette. When I turned my face to look clearly, cause your this sister is blind and can't see far clearly without my spectacles. So I squinted my eyes. The silhouette stopped in his midtrack and then left .

Weirdo.

But that creepy feeling cresting up my skin never left me even for once.

.....................…