"Princess, are you sure you are okay? I hope you are safe," Elizabeth said, panicking and checking Acia's body.
"Calm down, Betty. I'm absolutely fine; someone saved me," Acia said, patting her to reassure her that she was absolutely fine.
"How.. Betty looked confused. Nobody can enter this place. How is it possible? This place is full of dark magic to keep you hidden."
"It was the immortal prince that saved me," Devilin Welnort Acia said.
"The legendary devil saved you? Are you serious? Is it possible? How come, he is said to be a very dangerous and ruthless person?"
"Is he that bad?" Acia rolled her eyes.
"Hmmm," Betty sighed. "If you hadn't told me that the prince saved you, I would find it unbelievable."
"Does he know your identity?" Betty asked.
"Yes, surprisingly, he knows my identity, but I pretend not to know him," Acia explained.
"Princess, you have to be very careful until we finish the banquet," Betty warned Acia.
"Don't worry, Betty. I will be very careful from now on," Acia replied.
"Just like always, I brought a new dress for you—a low-key dress that won't expose you,", Betty explained.
"Check the time for me, Betty. I think it's time for us to prepare for the masquerade ball now," Acia said.
"The worn-out clock in your room is not working, but I'm sure it's time for preparation now," Betty said as she brought a beautiful but low-key evening dress.
When Betty brought the dress out of the box, Acia looked at it with so much admiration. The gown wasn't too flashy, yet it carried a quiet kind of beauty. It was made of soft tulle layered over satin, light enough to move with every step she took. The top had a neat V-neckline that showed just a hint of her collarbone, decorated with tiny popcorn-like beads that sparkled faintly under the light. The waist was gently fitted, and from there, the skirt flowed down in smooth, graceful folds that brushed the floor. The sleeves were short and slightly sheer, adding a soft, feminine touch. Its color was a calm blush pink—nothing loud, just warm and elegant, the kind of dress that made her look like a princess without even trying.
"This dress is beautiful," Betty smiled as she gave Acia the dress.
*****
Acia wore the dress as some guards came up to take them to the main palace. Acia could only roll her eyes at the stupid arrangement of her uncle. What was he afraid of? she thought. The guards were surely there to monitor her movements. She could only sigh deeply.
"What's wrong?" Betty asked, sensing her worries and feeling how cold her hand was.
"It's nothing," Acia replied with a soft smile.
Betty held Acia's hand as they walked, reaching the palace, which was bright with different colors. Though the walk could make other people, like the princess, feel a little leg pain.
"Princess, are you alright? You know you are not used to walking such a long distance."
"Betty, I'm okay. It's not the first time," she remembered how they had walked like that before when coming to greet the immortal royals.
They stood in front of the palace; it was even more beautiful than she had seen in the afternoon because of the light that shone on the surroundings, and some cars were arranged in the palace. Such a beautiful but crude place. She could still remember how her parents were murdered in cold blood and those innocent souls she scorned. "Such a beautiful catastrophe," Acia remarked.
"Princess, we have to go in there, and don't worry, I'm with you."
Acia knew that going in there depended on her fate, and she prayed in her mind that their escape plan would be successful.
But the issue was what King Lucian had planned. To release her from the cage, he needed to keep her in check, and that's what he did by sending those two guards to tell her that he was watching her every step.
They moved to the entrance and saw two huge men who exuded so much power that she could feel it and could not help but tremble. The two looked at each other as they opened the massive entrance door, as if they knew who it was.
****
Do you know the feeling when you enter a room and nobody even sees you, like you don't exist? That's exactly what happened when Betty and Acia entered. As expected, nobody even acknowledged their presence; everyone continued with their business as if a breeze had just passed by.
The ballroom pulsed with the rhythm of music and the soft hum of conversation. Masks of every shape and size danced across the floor, their wearers laughing and whispering secrets. The scent of roses and champagne filled the air, mingling with the sweet sound of violins. It was a night where anyone could be anyone, and the freedom was intoxicating.
Acia could only smile triumphantly. If this continues, their escape plan is surely going to be a success, she smirked happily.
"Princess Acia," Elizabeth called out, "I want to inform Prince Alex about your arrival, but he seems busy." She pointed to where the prince was.
"Noooo!" Acia widened her eyes. "Don't bring attention close to us. If you go and call him, and his attention focuses on us, the crowd will also get distracted, and the attention will focus on me," Acia explained.
"Oh, but princess, how can we get his attention now and let him know that we are here?" Betty asked.
"Just a low signal will be okay when nobody has his attention," Acia explained.
"Okay, I understand," Betty smiled at her princess's smartness.
"Let's go and sit in the empty space over there. My legs are aching," Acia said as she pulled Betty's hands.
Acia and Betty settled in one corner of the hall as they saw beautiful socialite ladies dressed in different clothes, ready to find the best suitor for themselves.
"There are actually immortals at the party?" she asked in surprise because she thought none of them had come. She couldn't even see the prince, but to her shock, she confirmed that only the prince hadn't arrived for the banquet; the other immortals had, and even his parents had arrived.
"Don't you think it's weird?" Acia asked Betty.
"What's weird?" she answered.
"Why is it that they are waiting for the immortal prince before starting the party?" she wondered.
I don't really know; maybe they just wished to wait for him. Betty shook her head.
Before long someone announced is presence
The prince of the immortal world has arrived; a man standing near the huge door announced his presence.
"Talk of the devil," acia smiled.