Dalia's Dilemma

"Dalia, Dalia! You stupid girl! You have to wake up, now! " Her mother, Drusilla, tried to wake her up.

Dalia was a heavy sleeper. But it was not her fault. She had to do two odd jobs to support her family and younger sister's education. They were having some financial difficulties ever since her father lost their fortune due to his gambling addiction. Her mother had her bad habits! She was so obsessed with vampires that she changed her name to Drusilla from Lincy. According to her, Lincy was too human! Well, she was a human, They all were.

"Mother, just let me sleep a little more! It's still another hour before my shift starts!" Dalia groaned as she put a pillow over her ears to avoid all the noises coming from everywhere! Why is there so much rush today? And why on earth her mother is already awake and waking her up?

"You are not going anywhere today, Dalia. Get up!" Her mother threw the pillow and shook her.

That's when it struck her. Today is the day of the ball. Every girl would be prepping up for the event. How much for hating the tradition and avoiding it for years? Why had her father lost all that money? They were not extravagantly rich, but they were leaving a decent life.

Her mother's weird obsession over vampires and her efforts to match up to their fashion ruined the remaining chances of any recovery. Her father was now an alcoholic and tried to work at places. But his ego was too stubborn to work well anywhere. It was up to her now.

"Can't Cali go in my place? She is more interested." Dalia asked for the umpteenth time. Caliste's eyebrows raised with joy as her eyes widened. She wanted to be in her place. She was like her mother. Honestly, she wanted to be a vampire someday.

Dalia wondered if she is the only abnormal one. She despises that race the most.

Vampires drank human blood for their strength. They are the most deplorable and unapologetic race. And yet they were whom everybody fancied. Except her!

"No. Caliste will join next year. She is not of age." Drusilla shifted her eyes between both of her daughters, making a decision. Well, they both knew how brutal vampire laws were. Only someone above twenty-one can take part in the balls.

She grumpily stood up, earning a smile from her mother and sister. They were too excited for her liking. They wanted her to join the ball for three years now, and finally, she was participating, even though it was not something she did out of choice. She was doing it for the fortune it will bring back if she is selected. Drusilla was certain Dalia would get picked up that night. She was tall and pretty with nice wavy chocolate brown hair and eyes.

Even though the ball starts in the evening hours, the girls have to reach the venue before two hours. A lot of security scans and procedures were there before someone could make it into the ball. Of course, they had to be most careful about whom they let inside the castle where the most influential vampire family lived.

Dalia has to start early to be able to reach Norwich in time for the ball. Her mother has managed to secure a ride for her in one of the fancy carts, god knows how. Of course, they will be going along with her. Not to drop her, but to see the castle for themselves.

Dalia had help that day to get ready even though it was not something she wanted. The corset was too tight, and the dress barely left any space to breathe! Why was her mother forgetting that she was still a human? She still needed air, unlike the vampires!

Once she was ready, she wanted to leave her makeup to a bare minimum. She was not fond of them. Yet, she had to sit idle and cope with all the things put on her face to make her look more beautiful. Once done, her mother and Caliste were clapping their hands in approval. But when Dalia saw her face, she was aghast. That girl in the mirror was not her! Yes, she was beautiful in every possible way, but not her.

"How did you manage to afford all of this, mother?" She asked, looking at her pastel blue dress.

The dress had a lot of stonework near her neck and burst area, and they kept on going down as they were scattered here and there. Towards the bottom, there was a beautiful floral border design. It was full of stonework in light floral embroidery, enhancing its beauty. It was a beautiful dress and would cost a fortune. They did not have that kind of money. Otherwise, why would she agree to be a blood bag wrapped up in such a fancy manner!

"Don't worry, Dalia. When you get selected as one of them, we can afford ten more such dresses. They know it." Drusilla smiled.

"Yes, I had my doubts. But look how beautiful you seem now. No one can deny such beauty. I am confident." The one assisting her the whole time spoke for the first time. It only made Drusilla more proud, but Dalia unhappy. She never wanted to be there, and now her chances were high?

Not long, they heard a horse neigh, and then her father entered. He nodded his head with an approval look and again went for somewhere. He stayed lesser and lesser, and whenever he was at home, he was barely talking.

Soon another carriage arrived, and they knew it was their cue to leave. Drusilla and Caliste all looked again at the mirror and then at Dalia before hopping inside the carriage. It was a long ride, but they could not wait to reach the palace.

After a long and tiring journey, they finally managed to reach the palace. At first, Dalia was worried about being one of the few getting selected, but the moment she saw the number of girls swarming to the castle, her worries vanished. They were just too many of them. No one would even notice her in that pastel-colored dress. She was thankful her mother did not think of buying a brighter color. She would vanish in the crowd, and no one would notice her.

A bright smile replaced her fret. Her mother and Caliste mistook it to be a sign of confidence. After a certain point, they had to leave her. But Dalia knew. They were probably going to loiter there for some more time before actually leaving. The ball will last the entire night, and the rejected ones will be escorted back by royal carriages.

As soon as Dalia got inside the restricted area, she exhaled a deep breath. But that's when she realized how difficult her clothes were. Dalia wasn't like most of the girls here. She had to work two jobs, and she never had any time for corsets. So it was too uncomfortable for her. All she wanted was to get rid of it as soon as possible.

She saw a royal guard approaching her. She smiled at her as a terrible yet, great idea struck her evil mind. She walked as fast as she could in that heavy dress,

"Yes, ma'am? Is there any need?" The guard covered the rest of the distance, seeing her hurrying towards him.

"Yes. I need to freshen up." Then she raised her eyes and looked at him with bigger eyes to make him understand where she wanted to go.

The man smiled, realizing her demands. He called a female worker and asked her to help Dalia with the lady's room. Dalia was more than happy. She was going to get rid of that corset, if not the dress itself. She was beginning to miss her bland, simple clothes already.

Dalia was glad the room was empty. It was an impossible coincidence for a lady's room to be available, but she was happy. Dalia made sure that no one was around or, see her while changing. It was going to be hard to do it alone, but she was determined.

She took out her dress, making sure there was no damage to it. If she would not be able to make it, then they will have to return it. They will have to pay the rent. She was terrified, even to find out the cost. She again looked in every direction before trying to get out of her corset. It was tricky, but she had to do it.

She gasped and then looked at the ceiling. It was impossible to get rid of that thing without help. She looked at her dress. Probably she has to manage this somehow. She grumbled and cursed under her breath before walking towards the dress when she heard someone walking in. She quickly took her gown and tried to cover whatever she could. She flustered at her condition, and her heart raced as the footsteps closed.

"I wanted to get rid of my corset. Will you help me?" Dalia asked in a faint voice. She was not sure if the person behind her could hear her. Dalia was already blushing for requesting something so odd to a stranger woman to help her with her corset. She did not even turn to see who it was. She was shy to even look into the yes, even if it was a woman.

There was no answer. Dalia sighed. Of course, why would someone who was competing against her help her? She just waited for the girl to get out of the room and buried her face in her dress when he felt a pair of hands helping her undone the knots. She was grateful. She stiffened her body to make it easier for the person. She was going to thank her once done.

Soon, her corset was loose enough for Dalia to remove it herself. She swiftly moved to a darker area and quickly removed her corset. She put on her dress and came back to thank the girl.

But to her utter dismay, there was the most handsome man she had ever seen standing there with the weirdest smirk possible!

And then she did the stupidest thing possible. She ran.

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