It was good day for a lot of nobles houses in Eldoria, for the long awaited debutante ball had come. All day long, mothers and daughters had conspired, servants had perspired and fathers had drunk their wines or enjoyed their smokes as they pondered on the fates of their daughters after tonight.
The debutante ball was a deciding ball for most. Who would be joining the list of the most beautiful women in Eldoria? Who would be declared the beauty of the season? Who would have the most suitors? Who would fetch the most envious match of the season? Who would be a wallflower and who would be the subject of scandal.
A more important question for those that loved to relish in gossip. Who would fall prey to the dangerous charms of an Ashford?
All those questions would be answered by the evening which arrived very early. When the sun was starting to set, carriages filled the grounds of the royal castle. This debutante ball was unlike any other for it was outdoors and not inside the typical ballroom.
Guests were flown to the hunting grounds on magic carpets and the coachmen, or rug men, serenaded them with the most beautiful ballads as they sailed through the skies.
When the carpets arrived at the hunting grounds, guests were transferred to jeweled caravans for a five minute ride to the real venue, a beautiful desert, with endless sand, held together by magic. Even if the wind blew, the sand would not move.
One half of the grounds had tables under canopies and on the ground around the tables were lanterns. On each table were beautiful red or white roses. And the same roses covered most of the grounds themselves. On that same side of the grounds, beach bed under canopies had also been lined up for those that wished to rest or view the ball without being forced to stand for many hours.
The venue was brightly lit, to avoid mischief, Sigrid had been sure to be generous with the lighting. Every corner of the place had lanterns, there would no cuddling, kissing or secret groping.
Sigrid had even purchased tamed falcons from the bank and they were flying above, or sitting on chairs. Some had even been obedient enough to allow Mauve dress them in tiny silk waistcoats {very gentlemanly and extremely dignified.}
They seemed to be the highlight of the night and most of the guests were very eager to take pictures with them. Some noble lords were already showing off their bravery by letting the large falcons sit on their arms.
Sigrid’s desert ball was unusual, but guests were coming to learn that her balls would probably always be unusual.
Waiters and waitresses, that were dressed similarly close to Disney’s Aladdin in large balloon flared like white pants, blue silk vests served drinks. All that was missing was a monkey on each of their shoulders their shoulders. Some made up for that with a falcon on their shoulders.
The herald that was dressed similar to Jafar, another character from Aladdin walked up to the area where the musicians were and made an announcement. "This is the third time I am sharing this announcement, all the guests that wish to change their outfits and match the desert theme should go to the large tent named costumes. Men and women are using different tents."
Some of the guests had changed indeed, especially the men. Women on the other hand, not so many. They had spent hours perfecting their looks, they were not going to jeopardize this to match a theme.
Sigrid, Roland, Elarin and their ladies-in-waiting were of course some of the very last people to arrive. Sigrid looked like a desert princess in white and gold. The golden part of the dress was mostly from her chest upwards and it looked like golden armor, curved all the way to her beautiful long neck.
She had a white veil covering her head and flowing backwards. The golden crown on her head had a piece with a green sapphire that dangled down to her forehead. The color of the sapphire was the same as her eyes.
Roland was like a desert prince in an outfit that matched hers but where she wore white, he opted for black. On his arms, he wore golden armor. Side by side, they made a striking couple.
The herald declared that the ball had officially started and the debutantes were escorted across a white silk carpet, flanked by red knights. Their unique entrance was eyebrow raising--but applauded greatly.
One by one, their names were called and they were presented before the crown prince and princess. Some of them had opted to match Sigrid’s theme of the desert night, like Lira Ashford, who was draped in silk that shimmered like a dozen tiny broken stars. She glided like an illusion, and gained a lot of admirers.
Whispers had it that would be the beauty of the season.
But this was until Emmah Fairfax made a very late appearance. She materialized after the red knights stepped away from the silk carpet, so her arrival was witnessed by all.
Like as if she had been made aware of Sigrid’s change in the theme, she wore a gown that matched it perfectly. It was woven from mirage silk, the bodice shimmered like a lake of molten lava and gold, and the train.....ooh the train. It was carried by six miniature sand creatures that had been brought to life with magic.
Her hair which had been ruined was even more beautiful than before, neck length dark blonde red pink hair. So unique to Eldoria. No woman had even dared to have more than one shade in their hair before.
On her head, she wore a a small floral crown of crescent white, gold and pink roses. When her name was called, she twirled and a phoenix cried, flying above her and lighting the sky with fire.
She did not walk, she did not glide, she floated like a dream and everywhere she passed, a different scent was released from her gown. Jasmine, peppermint, rose, lavender, freesia, lilac.
Silence followed every step she took, admiration filled every eye. One hopeful debutante fainted.
Lady Jane Fairfax clenched her fists, nails dug into flesh until she drew blood.
Sigrid’s left hand squeezed Roland’s arm, nails digging into his flesh until she drew his blood.
Whispers of ’beauty of the season’ were carried by the air.
There would be no voting, there would be no waiting. What everyone was waiting for, Sigrid had to announce immediately.
Through gritted teeth and a vulture like smile she, said, "As crown princess, I declare, Emmah Fairfax is the beauty of the season."