The best night of Abigail's life started with the dress she was wearing; every time she moved, the bouffant skirt shimmered a fading and brightening purple. The sleeves glittered, and the cut off at the shoulders shaped her perfectly. Her hair had also been braided to perfection by Carla, her bed mate, and she had arrived to the ball in the most comfiest of shoes, her own, as the orphanage could afford nothing more. She was grateful she was even attending the ball, as the invitation had been made into something of a lottery by The Governess. They could only afford to send one girl, and that girl had to be over 18 and fit the size of whatever dress was chosen. After that, the winning girl would be chosen through a diplomatic vote by the whole house, and not everyone in the house was very friendly. Abigail wasn't thin by any means, so when the rules were announced, she didn't want to try her luck, but Carla convinced her otherwise, "This opportunity is a gift...and think, maybe the Prince likes curvy girls." Thankfully she had turned 19 two days before, and there were only ten others who were about the same age. All they had to do was wait for The Governess to bring back a dress, they hoped, she chose at random; Madame Gertrude was strict, but they found, at times, that she wasn't completely cruel. Back she came the most beautiful gown, the house wondered how they could afford it. The Governess explained it was a borrowed number from her niece, who had no interest in the dress for the one night. One by one, the ten girls tried on the gown, Abigail unfortunately the last in line. She watched as some of her sisters were hopelessly laced up into a dress that was too big for their thin frames. This gave Carla hope for her friend, which sank into Abi when she shook her in delight. Three girls managed to fit the dress before her, but finally it was her turn. Carla helped her lace up and when Abigail looked in the mirror, the gown fit like a glove. She had never felt as pretty or as beautiful as she did in that short moment before she was forced to take it off. Madame Gertrude locked up the dress for the night, saying the vote would take place on the day of the Ball. It was an agonizing wait for everyone, after being so close to a winner. Now a vote would decide... Abigail knew she'd been fair to her fellow sisters in the orphanage. On certain occasions, she'd even shield them from the unfair punishments Madame Gertrude sometimes gave them...but would any of them want her to go to the ball? Or, would they be jealous she was one of the lucky ones? Finally the vote came. The Governess took them all for a walk in the back gardens and had the candidates stand in a row, ordering anyone who wished to vote for them to stand behind them in a line. It felt like a miracle she had gotten the most people standing behind her, and she hugged and thanked everyone of them that did. Now she was here, at the Prince's masked Ball; still an orphan, but just as pretty as any other Lady or Duchess in the room. It was all a dream come true. There was so much food, so many guests and so much dancing. A man asked her to dance and she was transported through a sea of colorful gowns as she twirled, swapping partners in a new dance called The Escapade. She caught onto the steps very quickly, until one of her partners led her away from the music. "You, are an excellent dancer." He remarked. She blushed under her mask, her animal of choice a purple owl to match her dress. In response she curtsied, "I dance a lot at home. It's how me and my friends stay entertained." "Well, it has certainly paid off." She took note of his bright white teeth when he smiled, his mask covering the rest of his face quite fully; It was that of a silver fox. "Would you like some wine?" "Yes, please." He led her over to a table and passed her a dark glass. "Its so lovely to be here, isn't it?" She gushed, "At the Prince's Ball." "I'd say yes, only not to damper your enthusiasm, but he does have them very often. I always have to go." "But not not ones open to the public, and not so hastily prepared." The Fox leaned forward, "There's a rumour about that." "Ooh, do tell." She giggled, and his smile grew brighter. "It seems the King wants the Prince to marry as soon as possible. This Ball was their compromise to see if he could find love." She was taken aback,"That's unfortunate." "How so?" "One night is not nearly enough time to find love. A nice looking jovial companion maybe, but not love." The Fox burst out laughing, "Jovial?!" "And while I do appreciate his lack of prejudice towards those of lower class being allowed to attend, we are still wearing masks. What rules must the Prince follow in this arrangement? Say he finds his love, then finds out that she's just an orphan with no family or title...would he still be allowed to marry for love? I feel like the King would greatly object. Would the Prince fight to marry her?" "Yes." His answer came without hesitation and was very direct. She questioned his response, "Do you know the Prince that well?" "I have been to enough Balls to know, that the Prince is headstrong and wishes not to be judged by his title or what his father wants him to do. He knows he will be King, and the responsibility that holds, but he also wants to know the values of his people and be closer to them." "And he thinks a lowly born wife can give him this?" Her partner offered a hand to head back to the dance, "He does." They danced a while in each others company before he brought her in close again, "Why do you think he will fail at accomplishing this in one night? It's his only chance." She looked around the room, "Does everyone know of this rumour you speak of?" "Word travels fast. If they didn't before, they do now." "So how then will the Prince know if this girl is true, or if she only wants his power?" "Ah, he has plans for that." He dipped her into his arms, "He will speak with her family. See where they live, how they act around him and he will see who is superficial and who is not." "We're slipping back into prejudices again." She warned, extending an arm for him to pull her back. He laughed his loud laugh once again, "Alright then, what would you have him do?" "Go through with the engagement, but take as long as possible to plan the wedding. In that time, get to know the one you plan to marry. His father will still think he's getting married, while he will have the time to see the brides true colours show." The fox stopped dancing, and they were left in the middle of the ballroom. "That's a good plan, if he can stall for time, but I hear the king is an impatient man. How long would he have to wait? And if he did find out she wasn't right, how would he then break off the engagement? He made a promise to his father." "Well I don't have all the answers." She laughed nervously. He smiled, "It feels like you do." Something caught his attention behind her and his smile slowly disappeared. "I'm sorry miss, it has been lovely talking and dancing with you, but unfortunately I must mix with the other guests. Enjoy the rest of your night." "Of course." Abigail curtsied and he bowed in return. She watched him rise and then set off through the other dancers towards the Royal Stage. In awe, she saw him converse with and then sit down right next to the King. With despair she realised she'd been talking to the Prince himself...and she'd called him prejudiced. She had to find Madame Gertrude quickly and tell her they had to leave. In her rush, she bumped into a newcomer, her blue dress almost similar to Abi's. She curtsied and apologised, "I'm so sorry." "Don't worry, it was a mistake." The girl curtsied in return, her blonde falling in her eyes and the two broke away. Later that night it would be said that the Prince spent a long time talking to a girl in a wonderful dress. Some say it was purple, while others say blue. Despite asking if they could leave, The Governess refused, instead spending extra time speaking to her sister, Lady Tremaine, about her two daughters, on the far side of the room. Abigail wouldn't hear anything about the lucky girl until a Royal Guard showed up at the orphanage, and asked her to try on a shoe; a shoe that fit the girl the Prince was going to marry ...and with all the luck Abi seemed to be having lately, this shoe fit, and it was very uncomfortable.
