A BALL INVITATION

Lucifer paced through his room, tapping his staff against his hand, a smile on his face. "Marriage, huh?" he thought. "To my enemy." He glared at the mirror before going to sit.

A knight entered. "Khalid!" Lucifer said as he knelt before him.

"Your Highness, you invited me?" Khalid retorted.

"How are you preparing for the ball?" Lucifer asked, adjusting his position. "You know they could attack us unaware. They've got nothing to lose. They've done it before and could do it again."

"The armies have trained all night, and I know they're ready!" Khalid replied. Lucifer gestured for him to rise, and he turned to the door. As he held the knob, Lucifer's deep voice stopped him.

"Did you see her?"

"Lord, who?" Khalid turned back to him.

"At the bush after the meeting when we halted for a while. Remember?" Khalid stared, confused. Lucifer sighed.

"But there was no girl with us?" Khalid blinked.

"Never mind!" Lucifer turned to his glass and brought it to his lips.

"She's a hunter. If not, what would a lady be doing in the bush at that time?" Lucifer narrowed his gaze at him. "Though I didn't see her, she must be fierce!"

Lucifer raised his palm, and at once, Khalid shut his mouth. "Have they sent the formal invitation?" he asked.

Khalid opened his bag and produced a rolled-up paper. "Your Highness, this came in earlier, though I don't know the contents," he said. He took it from Lucifer's palm and opened it. His eyes scanned the words, then he smirked. "Finally got invited to my wedding."

He tossed it into a basket. "Khalid, go ahead with some armies to survey the territory for any coup." Khalid turned to leave. "And get the servants preparing for the feast."

The Flames Empire bustled as news of the engagement and marriage spread like wildfire. At the palace, maids and servants hurried about.

Mirabel entered through the back door, securing her horse in its stall. She heaved a sigh as she gazed at the antelope in her hand. Entering the palace, Melissa ran to her side. "What's happening? Why is everyone in such a hurry?"

"I'm sorry, but the emperor is the only one who can answer your questions, my lady," Melissa replied.

"Don't worry; prepare this," Mirabel said, handing her the antelope before racing to her room. She hung her bow and arrow on the wall and ran her fingers through her hair, dust falling onto her shoulders. After changing out of her dirty clothes, she rushed to the tub.

Once out of the tub, she dressed quickly. She chose some shoes, sat before the mirror, adorned herself with jewelry, and finished her look.

Walking down the stairs, her gown billowed behind her. She approached the table and bowed before her father. After taking a seat, the emperor gestured for Melissa to draw near and open the large dish. The sweet aroma of the antelope filled the air, enticing everyone present. She served each of them before pouring wine into their glasses and bowing.

Mirabel fed Moana a spoonful of the meal, then offered another to Elsa's mouth.

"Ugh, I'm grown!" Elsa protested, rolling her eyes.

"Fine," Mirabel said, "but this will be the last time."

Mirabel glanced at the emperor, who gritted his teeth and bit his lips. "What was the outcome of the meeting?" she asked.

The emperor bit his lips again and grimaced. He took a sip from his glass and set it down. "The council of elders of Millwood proposed a peace pact to end the enmity between our two empires. This time, there will be a marital union between the Flames and the Nightshades."

"You mean we're being forced into marriage without our consent?" Elsa exclaimed, her cheeks flushed and brows furrowed.

"Calm down, Elsa," Mirabel said.

"No! Royalty is the worst thing that can happen to anyone. Getting carried away by what they want makes you forget who you are. Only a foolish man would trade the value of his family for that," Elsa countered.

Mirabel stood up and slammed her fist on the table. "Enough! I'm not going to sit here and watch you insult a worthy man."

"Suit yourself. You say all this because you know you won’t be chosen anyway..." Elsa leaned in closer, taunting her. "You're not the most beautiful princess, after all."

Elsa took a bite of an apple, threw it aside, and stormed out, slamming the door. Moana jumped at the noise and ran to the emperor, hugging him tightly with her eyes shut.

"I'll go talk to her," Mirabel said, bowing before leaving with the tray of food.

Standing before Elsa's door, Mirabel held the tray and wiped tears from her eyes, hearing Elsa's sobbing voice. "If you shut the doors to the world, the walls to a sister's heart won't be too thick to pass through. Remember that!" she called. "I’m not leaving here until we cry and laugh together like we used to."

The door opened suddenly, and Mirabel almost fell back, but Elsa caught her. Elsa turned and walked to her bed, with Mirabel following her. She placed the tray on the table, ready to mend their bond.

"You know our parents love us," she said, holding Elsa's palm tightly as Elsa tried to pull away. "It's just like throwing stones at us. We can either keep running or gather those stones and build something unique."

"He could say he doesn't want to be part of the pact," she continued. "He has the strength and might to conquer them."

"He's not just your father; he's the father of the entire empire—Emperor Flames the Seventh." Mirabel raised her head, her fingers trembling. Her face was flushed, and her eyes were swollen. "He'll lose everything."

"And we're the price?"

"Well, that's not how I see it," Mirabel smiled. "What I’m trying to say is that he should risk something rather than risk everything."

"I'm so scared, Mirabel." Elsa ran into her arms, seeking comfort. Mirabel leaned in to whisper in her ear.

"Why worry so much? Trust me. I'll make sure you’ll never be with Lucifer. Besides, every narrow path is an opportunity for privacy."

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