Sunday, January 6, 2013

A New Year's Eve Masquerade

The new year is already upon us being the fifth day of January and I can now say I am actually completely rested from the events that transpired on those days of the holidays. I, indeed, spoke of the planned events for Christmas day but I did not explain of the New Year party that was held at the palace of Krespania. So that is what I will write to you about and maybe interest you with the particulars of our lovely gala.

Last Monday the palace of Krespania held it's annual masquerade ball. It is one of the balls that I truly love because each person must be dressed as something or in a certain theme and must have a mask covering at least part of their face. 
My costume this year was a peacock, and I came wearing a vibrant satin blue gown that was pinned up on the right side to reveal a golden layer of material beneath and it included an elegant headdress that represented the arcing feathers that peacocks display, around the back of my head. I admit it was a slight annoyance when I tried to dance with it on but one thing you must remember is that style and fashion in the court is so important that one must grin and bear the worst discomfort for the sake of it. 
The chamber was redecorated for this gala and sported yards of deep royal purple draped across the ceiling from one end to the other with strips of gold intermingled. The chandeliers had trimmings of the same fabric hanging from the arms and decorative gold fruit were the centerpieces of the table. The ballroom had an extra festive appearance to it this year and I enjoyed it immensely.

The party did not begin until I arrived in the room and made the public appearance and then the dancing started and all festivities with it. This is the part my brother hates the most and if he can, leaves to me. It is because he does not like the attention of everyone in the room directed at him in expectation and I can sympathize with him that it is rather uncomfortable but it is to be expected of the royal party therefore it is not something we can avoid.
There were many eyes on me but confidentially only one set of eyes really mattered to me. It was the eyes of a handsome young man who belonged to a noble family of Krespania and was invited to every event that took place at the palace. His name was Alessandro de Garza and we had known each other since I became ruler of Krespania when I was eighteen.
He has dark black hair and warm, caring eyes that rather captivated my attention and proved to be distracting other times. His smile is contagious and his laugh charming. He is always considerate and I cannot think of a more gentlemanly person.
He was waiting on the sidelines for me to pass by and at the soonest available moment asked for my hand in the first dance which I reserved just for that purpose, truth be known.

We moved and swirled to the lovely symphonic melody the orchestra played and glided across the polished marble floors of the room, each of us without a care. I had this bubbly happiness that almost threatened to spill over as we danced and I cannot recall ever having such a feeling before, but it was truly blissful. I knew earlier that day this night would prove to be memorable and it was swiftly becoming more than that. All the people began to dance with their partners after we started but in my eyes it was only the two of us. All alone in the vast wide ballroom.
I suppose it is typical and unoriginal to say such a thing but if you had experienced that moment and been there as I was, you could only describe it as that.
But enough with my sentimental monotony that you must surely be growing tired of. I shall continue to explain the rest of the night.
After dancing we repaired to the feast hall and chatted about all different subjects and topics while we ate until a few minutes before midnight came upon us. Then we returned to the ballroom for punch and more dancing and as it struck twelve Alessandro and I slipped out to the garden as the first of the palace fireworks exploded and lit the sky with a bright sparkle of color before slowly diminishing into the ebony background. There he held my hands and gazed at me, with the colors of the fireworks reflecting in his eyes, and we wished each other a happy new year. There was something that made that night so special and I can almost predict it will be a good year and perhaps...I smile excitedly about this, maybe even include a wedding. Who knows?
Whatever it be I also wish you a happy new year and may you live prosperously in your kingdom or country.

-Emerald de Gavrillac
 Queen of Krespania

2 comments:

  1. Oh my dear Emerald, how I wish I could have been there. What a costume I would have worn! But alas for me.
    Still, it sounds as though you didn't miss me. I too am wondering what this year may hold. Don't forget me when you start making wedding plans. Happy New Year!

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  2. I too wish you could have participated in the party. It would have been some much more exciting. And do not worry, you will be the first to know when I start planning.

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