Swirling dresses, blooming with the music of the night and the passion of maidens underneath them. The men's feet never missing a beat even as the music swelled. Couples swayed like flowers in a summer breeze. The setting sun illuminated the tall stained glass windows, casting reflections on the dance floor. The ceiling was higher than the eye could see, and faux starlight speckled about the walls. The interior of the castle sent it's inhabitants to another world, where they forgot their duties, their stresses. Surreal and beautiful surroundings caused the blacksmith's daughter to feel out of place.
Aerilyn stood in the midst of it all, mystified by the beauty of the ball. Her calloused hands were clasped together in front of herself. She was grey in a vivid rainbow environment. But soon enchanted, she became too distracted to feel self-conscious of her ragged, dull dress. It was dirt in comparison to the other dresses but her eyes were elsewhere as the music faded almost suddenly.
A figure appeared at the top of the staircase. Tall, strong, masculine, all eyes were on him. He was golden, glittering, glorious. Skin the color of sand brightened by a blazing sun. Eyes of burning coal. Aerilyn watched him, at first astounded by his beauty.
But very quickly, his glamour diminished. Just a intimidating stranger now approaching her. His glimmering gold aura vanished, leaving him a muted tone against the ethereal colors, like Aerilyn herself.
She stared at him, trying to recover the magic he had about him, but all was lost.
Out of all the girls in the room, why her? Why the rugged daughter of a blacksmith? He could've just as easily chosen one of the feminine beauties that were now entranced by the scene unfolding. She felt the jealous gazes of the women lingering on her as they observed her. She was nothing special, and they knew it. And scoffed in surprise when the man spoke to her.
"Care to dance, miss?" He held out his hand. His deep voice echoed in an obnoxious and sickening way that somehow had the other ladies swooning. Aerilyn found it much less appealing. She may have swooned, but in nausea rather than affection. The stranger appeared to not have noticed her discomfort. She felt small and fragile with the man looming over her. Like he may break her.
"N-no, I..." Aerilyn began to protest but before she could react, his arm was hooked around her waist. Wide-eyed and squirming to get away, she shoved him away, gently but hard enough to get the point across. But the sensation of her hand on his chest was unexpectedly soft. She looked up to watch as his face began changing before her. Blurring into softer, angelic features from his sharp shapes before.
"My lady?" The voice echoed once again, but this time it was melodic and soothing. The girl with the rough hands wanted to hear more of it.
She blinked, and more edges of the man had softened. He was warm, glowing, feather-light. In stark contrast to the man who had stopped at the top of the staircase. The stranger was transforming, like a butterfly fresh from the cocoon.
And the butterflies in her stomach couldn't compete with the fluttering of her heart. She took the soft, well-manicured hand in front of her and felt herself being drawn in again. Body to body. But this time, she didn't mind. She felt nothing but magic now as they danced to the soft music. In sync they moved, none of Aerilyn's usually stiff physique peeking through her sudden fluidity. Sleek shining silver glowed about the figure she was pressed against, warm and inviting.
She never wanted to leave.
"Aerilyn."
A gruff calling of her name woke her up and she sneered at the sun streaming through the curtain. But as she remembered what day it was, she sat up and rushed to get ready in her finest.
Today was an important day.
