VII. June 21st, 1989

I hate mornings.

Particularly, this morning when I could barely get out of bed. I told Asena and Dawn I couldn't join etiquette class because my waist hurt like hell.

They thought I was on my period, but I'm not. It was a different type of pain, like...having sex a bit too rough last night kind of thing.

I lay in bed and stared at the ceiling.

The pain from this morning passed, but I didn't want to get out of bed.

I didn't want to admit to Asena and Dawn that I may have somehow got too rough with masturbation last night.

But, the more I thought about it, the weirder it sounded.

Did I hurt myself because of masturbation?

You'd think I know my own limit.

When someone knocked on the door, I sat upward, "Yes?"

"Miss Mira. Baroness Elena is here to see you," Bennett says.

"Give me a second!" I need more than a second. Maybe, a few days. Carefully, I got off of bed and fixed myself. When I felt like I couldn't look any better, I opened the door, "Hi."

Behind Elena and Bennett were two young girls with boxes in their hands. Bennett bowed and excused himself.

"May I come in?" Elena asked.

I move aside, "Sure."

Elena and the other two young girls walked in. They left the two boxes on the table without saying a single word.

"How may I help you?"

Elena smiled, "These are for you."

I stared at the boxes.

"Go on. Open it."

I removed the ribbon and opened the bigger box. Out came a light purple cocktail dress, "Wow." I run my fingers down the beaded trail.

Elena smiled, "I believe you may need something for the ball."

"Is this really for me?"

She nods.

I placed the dress down and opened the second box. In front of me were simple but expensive earrings and a necklace.

"Do you like it?"

"Oh, yes, but this is too much."

"Nonsense." She grabbed the necklace and wrapped it around my neck, "A gift."

From Emmett?

The man barely acknowledges my existence.

"If you believe you do not deserve this, you're wrong." She turns my body, "And no worries, all the girls will get a dress."

I smiled, "Okay." Who am I to deny such a fancy gift when everyone is getting it. "Can I try it on?"

She nods.

I grabbed the dress and went behind the divider. With my old clothes on the floor, I pulled on the dress only to need help with the zipper. "Can you please help me?"

"Come."

I waddled out of the blind and turned to my back. From the mirror, I noticed how Elena was staring at my back. When I didn't feel anything sliding up, I asked: "Is everything okay?"

She smiled, "It's nothing." She grabbed the zipper and pulled it up. "From here on forward, make sure to tell the maids to help you put on your dress."

Weird advice, but okay.

I rushed to the mirror and pulled out the necklace from under the high neck. The dress didn't show much of my curves but it was still cute.

I approve.

"I'm pleased that you like it."

I adjusted the short sleeve and turned to her, "It's nice."

Elena stood behind me and adjusted the dress until it fit perfectly. She pulled my hair back and smiled, "I wonder-" she says.

"Wonder what?"

She turned me until I faced her. "Such innocent eyes.".

I almost wanted to laugh at her statement. "I don't believe people can have innocent eyes."

Elena combed her fingers through my hair, "Your eyes say: You grew up in a warm environment. Values and ethics are strongly embedded. Great role models."

I chuckle, "My family gives their thanks?"

She walked to the table and grabbed the last box, "You understand your limitations. Yet, you can't help yourself and will always take that step over the line, Which is why-" she hands me the box, "he will always hurt you."

I hold the box, "What?"

Elena smiles, "Shoes are from me."

Hesitantly, I open the box to see a pair of white heels.

"Dance to your heart's content."

"But, I didn't take your dance class," I said.

"Does it matter?" She questioned, "You won't be seeing these people afterward."

True.

After the gifts, Elena left the house to attend her own business. Each day, we continued our etiquette class until it was the day of the party.

Inside the bedroom, Gwen and I prepared for the big night. There were bubbles in my stomach, and I blamed it on the anxiety of attending a high-class party and two dozen donuts.

"Where's Asena?" I asked.

I haven't seen her since last night. After etiquette class, we were all tired and ready to sleep. Surprisingly, I wasn't that sleepy, probably because Elena told me I didn't need as much support in comparison to Gwen and Asena.

So, I decided to stay up a bit later to read. That's when things got weird because I swore I saw Asena run into the woods.

When I called Bennett and told him about what I saw, he said Asena was in her bedroom sleeping. I asked to check in on her, and surely enough, she was in her bed.

After that, I decided to call it a night.

"Emmett told me they're spending a few moments together to talk about whether or not Asena is staying with him."

I guess she wasn't terrifyingly running into the woods last night.

I grinned, "Oh, Emmett huh."

Gwen's cheeks turned red, "Stop it. You know he's a Duke."

"Duke Emmett, even better."

While the stylists got us ready, I teased Gwen about her crush on Emmett and how she would make an awesome Duchess one day.

She called me delusional, but she didn't deny any of my statements.

Together, Gwen and I slipped on our cocktail dress. I frowned when Gwen's dress was alot sexier than mine. Don't get me wrong, mine is cute, but I want to show off my tits too.

"That's a beautiful necklace," Gwen says. "Matches your bracelet."

My brows furrow together. I thought Elena said everyone gets a gift. "Here, you wear my-"

"Miss Gwen," Bennett appeared out of nowhere, "Miss Mari. We apologize for being a bit late." Two men appeared with two cases of jewelry.

Our mouths gap open.

"A gift from Duke Emmett."

While Gwen checked out the jewelry, I put on my earrings. I guess I don't need to share the jewelry with her. After I finished, I went to look at the other jewelry. I grabbed one of the bracelets.

"Miss Mari," Bennett says.

"Yes?"

"I wouldn't recommend that."

I pouted when he made that statement. He's right. What I'm wearing now is more than enough. If I put any more on, I'll look cheap.

Bennett looked at one of the women and they stepped up. "May I?" she asked.

I nodded.

The woman throws a soft white fur coat around my shoulders.

I turned to the mirror and a smile crept up my face. Somehow, the white fur coat really pulls the whole outfit together, and it's warm too.

After we finished, Gwen and I rushed to the black car. The music was on full blast and we sang at the top of our lungs. Inside the car was a bottle of alcohol, clearly for pre-gaming.

Bennett told us Asena would not be riding with us since Emmett would be escorting her to the ball.

Something about tradition and class.

When we arrived at our destination, the driver opened the door and our eyes widened at the sight of the palace. After our initial awed, reality sets back in and I notice the infinite amount of cameras directed at us.

They all screamed simultaneously about something. One of them punched a mic at me and asked a question, but I couldn't hear him. Gwen got in front of me and answered it, but I couldn't hear her either.

I pulled on her dress, and when she said: "Goodbye" we made our way to the front.

We gave our names, and they allowed us to pass.

"What's wrong?" Gwen asked.

"I couldn't hear a single word out there."

Gwen shakes her head, "Next time. Lower the music."

"I think it's too late for that."

Gwen laughed and together, we walked down the massive hallway and into the ballroom.

The ballroom was precisely what you would see on TV except it was much more extravagant. Unlike the TV, here you could see each fine detail. My fingers smooth down the carefully crafted steel.

I've always imagined my appearance at a ball - well, not always, maybe since the day we got the invitation - but I didn't think it'd be like this.

Everything looks amazing, but somehow, it feels a bit lackluster.

I guess the upper-class life just isn't for me.

Down the stairway with multiple other people, Gwen and I look at the artwork on the wall. The ball hadn't even formally started, and there were already alot of people. It wasn't too long after we arrived that more guests came.

9:00 pm.

I sip on the cocktail drinks they offered, "Where is Asena?" I asked.

Gwen shrugged, "I'm not sure. I hope she's okay."

While I was enjoying the alcohol and swaying to the classical music, Gwen attempted to locate Asena. It was futile since the only people around us were high-class strangers and waiters.

The music was boring, but somehow very soothing. Soon, they started announcing people's entrance.

Gwen and I stood near a table and watched as they announced each family in.

"Baroness Elena Norton!"

I placed down the glass and clapped.

I know that person!

"This explains why Asena isn't here yet," Gwen said.

"I wonder how they're going to introduce her," I said.

Gwen shrugged.

9:55 pm.

We were on the couch surrounded by other ladies who listened to Elena talk. It turned out Elena taught not of the lady's etiquette. While Gwen chatted with everyone else, I stayed quiet and ate the food.

I picked up the glass.

"Slow down," Elena says, "The night is still young."

I listen to her and slowly sip the drink. She's right. I should pace myself, the night is still long from over.

10:00 pm.

"Introducing, Duke Emmett Celeste and Miss Asena Jupiter!"

With a palm on top of Emmett, Asena walked down the stairway with a soft smile on her face. Unlike the other dresses, hers was tailored to fit every inch of her body.

I take another sip from the glass.

That is it.

That is how you make an entrance.

The glass in my hand lowered itself when I spotted a man stepping into the room. I know it sounds foolish, but I think my heart stopped beating the moment I saw him.

Deep grey.

My hand tightened on the glass and I reminded myself to breathe when our eyes met.

No.

It's all in my head.

In a room full of people, why would he look at me?

How silly.

"Introducing, Grand Duke Lucianus Kairos Desdemona and Lady Lilith Kearne!"