Preparing for the Ball

One week has passed since I last sparred with Malti. Since then, Kassim has been invited to a ball by another noble, and we need to be in attendance, of course. I've been thinking about what Malti said back then, but it seems she doesn't see it as a big deal. I guess it's really not a big deal in this world.

The ball will be held in two days time, which coincidentally lines up with my sixteenth birthday. My parents didn't celebrate birthdays, and when I talked to Malti about it, she explained that many demon races don't celebrate either because they live much longer than humans. Celebrating a birthday every year seems trivial when you could live for centuries.

My thoughts were interrupted by attendants barging into my room. They grabbed me up and dragged me across the villa to a dressing room. The room was filled with fine dresses and accessories. Malti was already sitting in the room, getting dressed by some other attendants. Before I could even protest, Malti interrupted me.

"We have to dress nice for this, so why don't you just get it over with?"

I grumbled to myself. She knew I didn't like wearing this kind of stuff. It slowed me down and wasn't practical. It also... didn't feel quite right. I never tried wearing anything like this though, so I wouldn't know. I was led to a seat, and immediately, they started dressing me up like a doll.

"She has sharp features—let's try this."

"No, I think this looks better."

"Try with the blue one. It matches her eyes."

"How about gold?"

"Can I sa—"

I was ignored.

Eventually, they settled on a dark indigo dress, elegant and subtle—the gown draped off of me, flowing like water. Then, the attendant pinned my hair up, exposing the back of my neck. When I looked up at myself in the mirror, I could hardly recognize myself. It was hard for me to even remember what I used to look like. More and more, I was becoming this person, and to be honest, I've slowly started to accept it.

"You look like a real woman," Malti leaned in.

She was wearing a green-gold dress that clung to her figure. She had a refined look, much different from the usual Malti.

"How are we going to be bodyguards wearing this?" I turned back to look at her.

"Don't worry, they have guards at the place... And this is a social event for Kassim; we have to look nice. Can't be wearing that crap you usually wear."

Ouch...

"You look... stunning," said a voice from behind.

Kassim was leaning against the doorway, watching us. He was already dressed up in white silks that draped off his body. The silks had a thin gold pattern lining that reflected the light, highlighting them. His gold rings and earrings were also present, as well as the ornate golden accessory that held his braid together. Even though the clothing choice was quite minimal, he still had an air of royalty around him.

"That's what you're wearing to the ball? Really?" Malti said.

"I'm trying to look more humble. What? You disapprove?"

"I think a prince should look... well... like a prince. You look like some common noble."

"You think a common noble has silks like these? What do you think, Sern?"

What? Why do you have to drag me into this?

"Well... I think it looks good on you." I responded.

"See? Thank you, Sern. And I think that dress looks beautiful on you."

Malti snorted. "She would agree with you on anything... That's not a fair judgment. Sern would say that about me too, right?"

I mean, I would.

"Well, then she would be lying... because even with that dress, all your muscles make you look like a gorr—"

Kassim couldn't finish his sentence. Malti lunged at him, grabbing his mouth. Kassim thrashed around and broke from Malti's grip, turning to sprint out the door.

"A gorilla!" He screamed on his way out.

Malti rushed after him and wrestled him to the ground, where they rolled around, trying to get the better of each other. I stared for a few seconds, then started dying of laughter. A prince and a bodyguard wrestling on the ground like children. I couldn't remember the last time I laughed this hard.

"Guys... you're ruining your clothes..." I said between laughs.

"Sern, help me!" Kassim struggled to speak.

"Don't help him, Sern!"

Malti was pushing Kassim's face down with her hand while Kassim was pushing Malti's face upward. I couldn't stop laughing until they rolled into me, making me fall.

"Ok, now you're both getting it!" I jumped into the chaos.

All of our clothes got torn up as we pushed and pulled each other around. But it was so much fun. We were all laughing, throwing stupid insults, and having a good time. Kassim and Malti, these two, felt like true best friends. People I would be friends with for the rest of my life in this world.

Just two days until the ball.