The Ball

That night, the Orison family went to the royal ball, even though they knew that, it was just mere excuse to mock them. But Esmeray had a plan in her mind, she would throw all of Diana and Elizabeth's insults at them.

They entered the palace, wearing their best clothes. All eyes were on them, but they kept their calm, something what a royal would always do. When everbody arrived, the royal family came and stood in front of everyone.

"Thank you everyone, for being here", King John welcomed.

"Today a ball was arranged for every kingdom to know each other and so, we could join hands to destry Maleficium and the Lore king so; we could we could finally bring peace into this world!" he announced.

"What's this about peace?", Esmeray asked.

"Probably, this was about bribing the other kingdoms so, they could give us an enough amount of men, to destroy Maleficium", Arthur reasoned.

"Destroy? But that's wrong! Why can't we all live without hurting each other?", Esmeray argued.

"Because living without the other and hurting others, is peace for them, they think peace can only be achieved when the other doesn't live", Arthur sighed.

"And the other reason for this ball, is that we want all of you to meet my dear sister, Princess Maria and her daughter, Esmeray Orison", Diana introduced.

All eyes now fell upon rhe Orison family, and gossip started.

"I knew that was the reason we're here", Maria sighed.

"Well, if we're here, then let's play along with it", Esmeray smirked.

"How kind of you to invite us to your ball! Please why don't you spend time with us then?", Esmeray asked.

Diana and Elizabeth got suspicious.

"Mother, what're they up to?", Elizabeth asked.

"I don't know, Let's see then", Maria said and went down the stairs.

"So, if you're the Princess of Kestramore then why don't you live in a palace and why are you wearing such a dress?", a woman asked.

"Because I left my royalty a long time ago, and married a baker", Maria smiled.

"A baker!? Why on earth would you do that?", the woman was shocked.

"Because of love, and very glad that I did, now I have all the happiness in the world", she answered.

"Always acting so cocky, Maria. Why don't you tell the truth that you're acting all happy, to show that you're not regretting your decision", Diana mocked.

"What did you say?! I'm regretting?!", Maria was all red with anger.

"Yes, regret. How is it possible to marry a baker and be happy after you leave your royalty?", Maria rolled her eyes.

"How dare you!?", Maria shouted.

"I'm just telling the truth",

"Maria, calm down", Rthur whispered to her.

"How could I? She's insulting you!", she shouted.

"Mother, calm down. She's only speaking what she thinks about you, that she's a woman who just thinks that money can buy happiness. After all, that's why she married the general", Esmeray entered the conversation.

"Young lady, looks like your parents didn't teach you any manners!", Diana tried keeping her smile.

"But my parents always thought me to tell the truth, no matter who is in front of you. And besides, the truth is bitter. If you and Elizabeth can talk bad about my mother and her family, then why can't we just speak the truth.", she crossed her arms and kept speaking.

"You're not going to lock us up just because we're telling the truth, right? because you seem very angry. And you always say that if someone goes against me, I'll throw them up in the dungeon. Are you showing your true self in front of everyone?"

"I'll make sure that you'll rot in the dungeon forever!", Diana screamed.

Everybody was watching her and then gossip started about her.

"Apparently, that's going to happen to me if I keep talking right? So, if a person can't even speak in her kingdom, then how are others going to work together, she probably will only think about herself and keeps the profit", Esmeray concluded.

"Young lady, you seem to be telling the truth", the woman said.

"And to answer that question of yours, I married a baker because I loved him and I knew that he'll treat me right. Even if you marry a king and he doesn't love you or treat you right then your life is a burden, which you have seen, Diana", Maria answered.

"We may not have all the rihes in the world, but we're very happy. We don't need money to buy happiness and our clothes are simple because we believe we don't need beautiful clothes to make us beautiful, as we already are beautiful inside. Embracing ourselves is important but most royals are only taught to look good and behave good to other royals", Esmeray smiled.

There was complete silence in the room.

"I really think your way of thinking, I hope that one day, all of us can think like that", the woman smiled and shaked hands with Maria.

Suddenly, there was a huge noise in the room. A man came running to them.

"The Lore king is here! The Lore king is here!", he cried.

"Everyone hide inside your houses!", Maria shouted.

All the people ran out the palace, while the Lore king slowly came inside. His footsteps echoed in the whole room. People hid inside their houses and locked all doors and windows.

"Mother! Why is everyone running? He's not going to kill us, is he?", Esmeray asked, while running.

"Esmeray! You don't know anything about him, he's a cruel and vicious man. He must want something horrible, as always!", Maria told her.

Esmeray was till confused about him, she had only heard his cruel tales but never believed it.

"Apparently I was not invited in this royal ball, now let me ask you something; why wasn't I invited?", the Lore king asked with his sneering red eyes and a raised eyebrow.