An Invitation ?

...She reached the ball room.

Usually the ball room would be a quiet place and guess what ,

...

it was quiet !

but it was quieter than the usual. She opened the door and found herself inside a lavishly decorated room. Flower trails entangled the elegant and brilliant high ceiling- ed ballroom adding nothing but beauty into everything. Luana was speechless , she have never seen anything frescoed beautifully like that.

''wow'' She covered her mouth with delight , she was happy , happier than ever.

She turned around to take a good look at everything. She saw her Grandfather Phillip and Her aunt Marianne looking at her in awe. She turned towards them and asked ''Soo how do I look?'' .

''Absolutely gorgeous '' Phillip exclaimed .

They celebrated Luana's eighteenth birthday, in a very hidden city manner. Philip , Luana and Marianne changed into comfy clothes again celebrated her birthday as the Hidden City functions in a very different manner , they did not care about the customs and traditions other kingdoms followed , and worshipped as if they were their god . So Luana was not familiar with any of the weird traditions and rules that other girls in her age did on their eighteenth birthday. Luana has read about the parties and other ceremonial occasions the noble people outside the Hidden City celebrated. Like Masquerade balls and proms . She haven't ever been to a ball before . and she never likes parties, As for her opinion ,

''parties are equal to nuisance plus more nuisance''

''Uncle , You have been with Luana for almost an entire day so lemme borrow her now '' Marianne winked at Phillip took Luana's hand and started to run away.

''What , I've only been with her for five hours ! that is unfair !! '' Phillip joked . He watched the pair disappears into the mansion.

''Oh Cath , are you watching ? look at Luana , look at your little Lune , She growing more more beautiful and stronger day by day . You should have been here Cathie , And you Marcus , you always told that you'll hold grand banquet when Lune turns 18. Life is cruel isn't it ? '' Phillip sighed and smiled through his tears. He saw a perfect combination of Marcus and Catherine on Luana . He was proud of Luana , very proud.

The rose gold sunset poured over Luana and Marianne as they ran away in to the west side of the Mansion , where Marianne has her room . Entering the room Marianne said

''Aren't you curious about my gift ? ''

''Huh? '' Luana was confused, soothing evening breeze washed her face making her hair flutter in the air.

'' but you guys already gave me a present '' she trailed off in a soft tone which matched the smooth gentle breeze which brushed against her skin

Marianne laughed heartily and looked far beyond the evening sky '' He did , but I didn't . It's about time Luana , we can't make you stay here locked and, on your birthday .. can we? almost every knight on your age wonders beyond the walls of our Hidden city , outside the word . aren't you interested ? ''

Luana chuckled lightly .'' I'm inexperienced and I clearly do not possess the ability to defend myself, I can barely swing the sword unlike you ...you know it Auntie''

Marianne knew that Luana was trying to lock herself up , even though she smiled ,laughed and acted like she's fine , Marianne knew how sad Luana was on her birthdays. Luana didn't want to attract attention because she was afraid of the rumours about her. Even though it's been eleven years since that incident, the rumours and ridiculous false gossip flew everywhere nonstop.

Marianne swished her hand and got a red coloured envelope from nowhere and handed it to Luana.

yes ,

The envelope was fancy and very red in colour, It looked expensive and very fancy. Luana tilted her head . '' Um what is this ?''

Marianne gestured her to open it . Luana understood and opened the envelope carefully trying not to damage its velvety interface because she liked the envelope. Inside the envelope there was an invitation and Luana read its content .

~INVITATION~

This is the token of acceptance without it you will not be accepted inside.

~ bal masqué ~

''Huh ? what is this ? '' Luana asked tilting her head and looking at her Aunt, Marianne.

''What do you mean what is this , take a good look at the invitation you dumb girl'' Marianne's eyes glistened with joy.

''Hmm what a weird invitation '' And she read the contents again.

''Invitation, this is the token of acceptance, without this you will not be accepted inside, bal masqué. bal masqué? a masquerade ball, A BALL ? A MASQUERADE BALL? '' she looked at her aunt's eyes in disbelief .

Marianne was beaming at Luana.

''wait a minute '' Luana first thought that this invitation is for Marianne. But there were no names in the invitation. which meant anyone who comes with the invitation could attend the occasion. That's when brain processed the information . it was for her!

''You will attend that '' Marianne beamed even more at her niece.

''But -

Luana was cut off by Marianne '' No buts , you will attend . Lune , you should go , I know that you don't like crowded places but, go , it will refresh you . A nice little social gathering wouldn't hurt you''

Luana knew her aunt's personality. If she want something she will get it, and if she did not succeed getting what she wanted she tends get what she wants anyways , she was known her stubbornness and her determination, Marianne was the lead knight of each and every mission Duke Phillip conducted, on the battlefield , Marianne was fierce but when it comes to family she is always soft. Luana didn't want make Marianne sad but she wondered if she should really go.

''What about Grand- pa? did he-

''He agreed '' Marianne said cheerfully

''We, Uncle Phillip and I talked and came to a common agreement that you should go out for a while. People at the Hidden city knows how to conceal their whereabouts very well . Plus this is a masquerade. Concealing one's identity is one of the rules. '' She added.

Luana knew there is no point of making excuses to dodge the whole ball thing yet she tried.

''And why do you all think that I SHOULD go out? I am doing perfectly fine inside the mansion, if I get bored I could practise on my powers and read a book and If I go really really bored I could go for a walk in the garden '' Luana asked she flung her arms in the air. She did not want to go outside.

''Oh practising Powers ! That's all you do .Ask yourself Lune , you know more than us. sometimes what you really need is a refreshing , peaceful time to treat your own self ''Marianne said with a hint of sadness . She knew that Luana was suffering in inside. She knew that Luana was stressed.

With that Marianne took her hand and went inside. Luana was confused as Marianne started to giggle . Marianne turned Luana around and swished her hand . Luana's cosy jeans and sweater were replaced with a open necked, velvety black gown which fitted Luana like a glove.

Marianne swished her hands over some makeup tools as well. A second later Luana found herself in front of a mirror . Luana was instructed to close her eyes , She felt various types of makeup brushes on her face.

In a minute Luana was transformed into a perfect princess.

''Woah'' A sound escaped from Marianne' s lips . She was proud , she was so proud that Luana was her niece and she was proud at her work at the same time.

Luana opened her eyes , she was surprised ''wow is this really me?'' she thought. Her pink lips were tinted with a delicate red shade. Her eyelids wore a beautiful natural shade of peach gold, her long fluttering lashes ,Her jewelled Brown eyes and her silky brown hair matched perfectly with her velvet- black dress .

''BEAUTIFUL!'' Marianne exclaimed.

''You've been out more than once Lune , make sure to wear it, and don't wander yourself in the streets there are creeps hiding in the shadows '' Marianne said.

''E X A C T L Y there are creeps , and I should not attend the ball '' Luana pulled her one last string to stay at the city.

Marianne draped a cloak around Luana '' Nu- uh , stop acting I know that you are exceptionally remarkable at protective and defensive powers , don't close your mind link , contact me if anything happens. '' .

''But-

''

Luana felt her feet floating in the mid air , great...

she is being teleported , teleported into somewhere she haven't been , not even once in her life .

''But I don't know how to dance ! '' Luana completed her sentence.