How to cure a Dark Lord

I sat before the vanity mirror, watching as Mirabel dolled me up one step at a time. At some point, I almost didn't even recognize myself.

Back at Mirideth, there was barely any festivities that warrants a change of appearance as such. And even if there were, I wouldn't be the one to attend.

Mirabel had made me bathe in milk and rose scented oil. I almost shed tears at the huge waste but she said it was Gilbert's orders and she dared not defy. After the bath, she applied some oil to my skin to keep it from chapping out.

The dress I had to wear was beautiful. I couldn't imagine I was the one to wear it. A ball had the color of a summer night sky, a rich, deep blue. It also had intricate flower patterns embroidered unto it. The sleeves fell at the shoulders leaving the top part of my arms bare.

But my major concern wasn't how beautiful the dress was, but how I would successfully navigate in it. The dress was too voluminous for me who was usually fond of walking quickly and covering long distances in a short time. There was a possibility that I would trip and fall.

Next she did my hair. She had parted my hair into two portions, upper and lower. Then she made an intricate braid at the top portion and then rolled it into a bun. She left the lower part to fall down my shoulders and back in waves.

She added light red paint to my lips claiming that it brought out the color of my eyes, but I say it just made me look weird, like a blood sucker.

She added some scented oil to my neck and and claimed I was ready with a squeal.

"You're sure to be the most beautiful lady at the ball today." She said openly admiring her work. She must be proud of her creation.

I fought the urge to roll my eyes. "I truly doubt that."

She turned to me, visibly upset by what I had said.

"Well, even if you've touched up my looks, I'm afraid my manners and etiquette is still the same as the day I arrived from Mirideth."

Her eyes subtly widened in understanding. "Oh, Miss Frieda, I'm not a noble lady. But I could tell you how I've observed that they behave."

Just as she was about to open her mouth, a knock was heard on the door and she went to get it. Then she turned to me with a mischievous smile that made me wonder who was at the door.

"Miss Frieda, Your escort is here."

"My escort?" I asked.

She nodded. "Yes miss. He will accompany you to the ball. Every one is coming in pairs." Mirabel said with a wink. What she was trying to insinuate I would never know.

She took my hand and helped me out the door where my escort was waiting. I didn't know whether I was surprised or not but I sure was pleased that my escort was Victor Conrad, the man I had met yesterday. Was that the reason why he had told me he would see me today then? Because he would be accompanying me to the ball?

He bowed and I curtsied.

"Good evening, Miss Frieda. I say you look exceptionally stunning tonight." He spoke as his eyes took in my appearance.

"And you look equally handsome." But it was more of a tease than a compliment. Luckily for me, he couldn't even tell.

"I apologize for not being able to tell you yesterday that I was going to accompany you tonight. It skipped my mind when Gilbert came calling."

I waved it off. "It's alright. I am actually glad that it is you and not someone else." Someone like the Dark Lord, I thought to myself.

I didn't miss Mirabel wriggling her eyebrows aggressively at me. I wished I could tell her that whatever she was suggesting would never come true so she shouldn't get too disappointed afterwards.

Mr Conrad took my hand from Mirabel.

"The ball must have started by now. Shall we?"

I responded with a smile that matched his and he helped me down the stairs.

"Are you nervous, Miss Frieda? This must be your first ball ever." He asked while expertly guiding my steps to match his. He didn't walk to fast or too slow, but rather, he made sure our steps were in sync so I wouldn't find it too difficult to match his pace.

I shook my head at the question. "Not really. And yes, this is my first ball ever."

"The same goes for me. And I must say I am a bit excited too."

My head whirled to him in disbelief. He nodded.

I guess I wasn't the only one. As we got closer to the ground floor, we could hear the sound of the violins playing in the grand ball room.

In the hallway, one could see the lavish decorations and adornments. The king really didn't spare any cost to get this done. It was quite impressive for the ball of the decade.

The hallway was also littered with people, mostly in pairs who trooped into the ballroom for the event. Some people stopped to greet Mr Conrad. Because of his status in the kingdom, he must be quite popular.

The different colors of different ball gowns felt kaleidoscopic I thought I might have a headache.

Walking past the grand double doors of the ballroom, I noticed the massive transformation the room had undergone. Red and golden drapes hanged over the large ceiling to floor length window and was opened to let in the glow of the moonlight.

A massive crystal chandelier hung above our heads as the major source of lighting. The little reflections the crystals gave were like having the stars indoors. It was quite impressive.

Servants trooped in in an organized fashion, supplying the needs of the guests who were present in the hall. I noticed there was an elevated platform that would serve as a stage for the host. Another higher platform stood behind that and the golden throne of the king of Kerva sat on it. The Dark Lord was not here yet.

As my eyes went over the decorations, a young couple approached Mr Conrad and I.

"Good evening, Mr Conrad. Such a pleasure to see you again." A man, Mr Conrad's peer who was sharply dressed as he was said. He held the same pleasant smile as my escort.

"Mr Jonathan. The pleasure is mine. How long has it been since I last saw you? Must be at the wedding." Mr Conrad said and the other man nodded. I noticed the woman standing behind him was pregnant. She seemed to be in her seventh or eighth month, but yet she still managed to look radiant in a dress that was free enough to accommodate her bump.

"Yes. The wedding." Mr Jonathan continued. "And even then you couldn't stay very long."

Mr Conrad's face held an apologetic look. "I do apologize for that. Work calls and I couldn't decline. He tilted his head so he could get a proper view of the man's wife who stood shyly behind him.

"Hello Victoria. I must say you look quite lovely tonight." Mr Conrad took her hand from her husband's hold and placed a light kiss behind it.

The woman named Victoria scoffed with a smile. ""Aw, thanks! It's amazing what swollen feet and a tiny human kicking your ribs can do for a woman."

I tried to hold back my laughter at that response but failed so I turned it into a fake cough. This made everyone turn to me

"I see you haven't lost your sense of humor." Mr Conrad shook his head in amusement.

"I may lose my appetite and my senses, but definitely not my humor. But Victor, aren't you going to introduce us to your date? I don't think I have seen her before.". Victoria said.

Mr Conrad subtly brought me forward.

"This is Miss Frieda of Mirideth. The daughter of Horace Evans."

Victoria's brows drew together in thought. "Horace Evans, as in the former head physician?"

Conrad nodded. "Yes she is."

"Wow. I've heard so much about him from my father. Hello Miss Frieda. Are you a physician too?" Victoria's frown turned into a beautiful grin

Before I could reply, Mr Conrad beat me to it. "Yes she is. As a matter of fact, she is the reason for the celebration. She is the physician who cured the Dark Lord."