Gowns of Glory
a dazzling spectacle
Here goes nothing, or everything?
I’m drowning in dread as I stare down the line leading to the ballroom entrance. Everyone is draped in vibrant greens, reds, blues, and yellows, colors that marks our abilities, layered with unique fabrics and textures that set us apart. The castle halls are filled with an anxious buzz as I look at the people around me. Men adjust their cuffs before slipping their hands into their pockets, while women check their nails and smooth the sides of their gowns.
I was fortunate enough to receive a dress from my town's talented seamstress, who stitched gold-lined rose patterns onto forest green fabric. The intricate detailing starts at the collar, with the top half of the dress hugging my curves before flaring out at the waist, continuing the rose design. My hairdresser, though a stranger, was equally talented and knew exactly what I wanted. She fashioned a small braided crown at the front of my head, leaving the rest of my loose brown curls to brush against the cap sleeves and cascade down my arms.
You’ll meet other sorcerers from across the world, make sure to talk to everyone you run into! Understanding my mom’s words a bit better now as I stand in line alone.
The chatter of guards and other sorcerers draws my attention over my shoulder. With extravagant gestures, the guards attempt to guide everyone into the growing line.
There wouldn’t need to be guards telling us where to go if they replaced every flower painting with a map of the castle. I think to myself, standing next to a sunflower painting and a table with a small leaf potted plant.
I reach out with my left hand, feeling a tingle in my fingertips as the plant sways in its personal rain of gold, reminding me of the plants I used to nurture back home at the conservation.
“Ma’am,” startling me in his rigid voice. “No use of magic in the King’s hallway.”
I give a gentle nod without looking back and intertwine my fingers, calling my magic to come back.
My gaze falls upon the couple in front of me, draped in rich yellow fabrics. The woman's sun-kissed skin glows as her corset expands with each breath she takes. The man beside her is wearing an all-black jacket with a large sun illustration embroidered on the back.
Light Soccers.
The man whispers something to her while holding up a hand to her ear, making their public discussion a little more private. She forces a fake, yet convincing, laugh that makes him grin.
I hold my own hand a little tighter.
If only the King could’ve postponed his draft, Henry could’ve been here with me. My thoughts rattling off.
My exhale was a little louder than expected, causing the couple in front of me to glance back simultaneously before quickly turning to face the front of the line.
Finally, I think in relief.
The straps of my black heels dig like dull knives into my ankles. The ballroom entrance looms over me, questioning if I’m ready for tonight, forcing my mouth to go dry.
It’s go time - I am ready for this. I need to start manifesting, that’s what Aunt Christie said I should do to make myself feel better. Or was that hyping myself up? Yes! She said that hyping myself up was a good thing and that I should do it often! Or are those self-affirmations?
The guard at the door gesture the light sorcerers in front of me to enter the ballroom. Too nervous to witness their first steps, I glance up at the ceiling, trying to procrastinate on what comes next.
Mom and Aunt Christie would be so proud of me right now. This dress is surprisingly comfortable. I’ve never walked in heels before, but every girl has done it before so it can’t be hard. I took all those dance lessons with cousin Johnny. He’s 8 years old but-
“You can enter ma’am“ the guard states. I hold my dress up and trickle through the entrance. At the corner of my eye, I catch a glimpse of another guard rushing to his side to exchange a concerned look.
Something probably went down in the kitchen, needing to start my affirmations.
I’m pretty. I’m smart. I’m-
Awestruck by the view of the ballroom from the top of the stairs. The entire ballroom is drenched in a velvety golden glow, chandeliers hang from Chateau Versailles painted ceilings, complimenting the black and white marble floors. Six white pillars wrapped in lush vines stand off between each other, creating a rectangular area for us to dance. The left-most wall features a dark oak wood that stretches from the floor to halfway up the wall, letting the moonlight peak through the glass panes that finishes the ascend up to the ceiling. While the right-most wall continues Chateau Versailles inspired paintings intertwined with panels of dark oak to match the opposing wall. The carpet beneath me is a crimson red, contrasting the gold railings down the stairs that’s lined with fully bloomed red and pink roses.
I’m in the presence of an unknown territory.
Royalty.
“Ahem!” the guard reminding me that I need to keep walking.
Okay Rhea, you can make it down there.
I’m Pretty. I’m smart.
I feel the edge of the first stair ledge.
I got this.
I straighten up, bring my shoulders back, loosen my clenched hands, and look straight ahead. I see the the King and Queen up on thrones in the distance.
I’m Pre- “AH!” an impulsive squeal escapes my lips, my gaze locking to the fibers of the carpet beneath me. The pang in my ankle reminds me of my mistake.
The orchestra slows to a hesitant draw, lively chatter turns into concerned whispers, and footsteps fall to a screeching silence. For a moment, my heartbeat is the loudest sound in this room. I slowly look up to my reflection in the whites of everyone’s eyes.
Well, shit. I’m pretty, I’m smart I guess.
I succumb to my unforgettable entrance and force myself to breathe. As if everyone didn’t just witness me fall from grace, I reach out to one of the roses hanging off of the railing. A sense of warmth fill my fingertips as it grows to me, steadying my pulse. The room feels still, but with the vine’s embrace me, it lets me pull myself up to stand tall again.
The room slowly falls back into it’s joyous energy. The pant of someone running fills my ears as I straighten my out my dress. When I look up, I see him standing before me—a man with short jet black hair, and a black suit adorned with a metallic red-laced pattern, complemented by a skinny red tie.
A fire sorcerer.
His serious demeanor is heightened by his eyebrows scrunching together, but his bottom lip is quivering as if words are fighting to get out.
“Oh, uh—hey,“ he says, realizing that he’s late to my rescue, looking down down at the rose vine beside me. I gesture the plant to shimmy off of the stairs, golden sparkles following its retreat.
“Hi.“ looking up at him, nerves racking through my body again as I look into his fiery eyes. “First impressions are my thing - did you know that?”
I glance back at the ballroom, where heads swivel between their conversations and I, like spectators watching a tennis match.
“I can see.“ giving an awkward chuckle that breaks his seriousness with a soft smile. ”An amazing entrance, really.”
He stretches out his arm, “I don’t know if you’re with anyone tonight, but may I help you down to the main floor?”
I slowly take his arm, “Sure. Thank you.“
We slowly walk down the stairs in unison. I’m wishing I listened more closely to Aunt Christie’s lessons about the ball. Christie loves to ramble and I was trying to drown out her voice by slurping on my soup at the dinner table:
Rhea, you were selected to compete in this year’s Aetherial, because you are the most talented sorcerer in our town. When you leave to compete, the first event is a ball, but it’s not just any dance. On this night, sorcerers are chosen at random for a “Power Sprint“. This is to start the rivalry in the competition early. We won’t know exactly what your competition will look like until you’re there, and since we aren’t allowed to be there to help you - you’re going to have to use your own senses to guide you.
But remember - as long as you have a seed, you have everything you need.
And stop slurping your soup, it’s not very lady-like.
The corners of my lips tug upwards.
Usually, you can still bring an outsider as a date for this event, but the war came up sooner than we thought. They didn’t postpone the competition this year since it’s supposed to “boost moral“. I know you and Henry used to have a thing-
“Hey are you okay? You’re gripping my arm kinda tight there.“ snapping me back to realize we are on the ballroom floor now. I loosen my grip on his arm.
“Sorry about that.“ slightly embarrassed.
Our footsteps remain in sync on the marble floors. We continue walking together, like he enjoys our quiet company together. As we walk, a woman in a light blue gown and a silver wave pendant in her hair gives me a sneering look before turning back to her entourage of men, who are all dressed in shades of blue.
Water Sorcerers.
He pulls us away from her, as if he wasn’t bothered by her harsh display.
“By the way, what’s you-“
He is interrupted by the King’s assistant who’s voice could be heard through the entire castle.
“Welcome Sorcerers to our Tenth Annual Aetherial. A competition to see which power reigns supreme and who can put on the most dazzling spectacles.”
My heart falls into the pit of my stomach.
“Three of you were selected at random to perform a small show right here tonight - in front of our very own King and Queen.”
“The Three Contestants are….“ the Jester takes a beat to pull out a piece of paper, “Rudy Simmer, Bellera Quinton and Rheanon Vesper.“
Nausea crashes over me like a tidal wave.
“Um.. excuse me. I have to perform now...“ Rudy loosens his arm from my death grip and makes his way to the center of the room.
The Jester falls back into the crowd. Rudy take center stage. The chandeliers soften their glow.
Rudy places his hands together in front him, takes a deep inhale, and exhales embers like the start of a volcano eruption. Stretching his hands apart, fire move like taffy between his palms, then commands a flame to sit in each separate hand. The red metalic lace on his jacket turns into a blood-shade of red, infusing from the energy of his magic. He circles his arms slowly until there are rings of fire on each side of him. Once the rings become steady, he throws his arms up, launching the rings up to the ceiling and letting them burn out before they get too close to the chandeliers.
The audience gasps as the temperature in the room rises.
Rudy takes his right hand again to throws up three balls of fire into the air. It hangs in the air like targets as Rudy moves his entire body like a dance, forcing heat and energy to follow his lead. The flames dance until he finds a bow and arrow made of fire in his arms. Rudy’s jet black tips are now a bright orange, like molten lava. He takes the flaming bow and arrow, and shoots all three targets without a single miss, leaving nothing but smoke to disintegrate into the air.
The audience is stunned before erupting into an applause, making the floor shake with celebration. The tips of Rudy’s hair burns out to black.
He takes a bow and walks back through the audience, waving and smiling at celebratory smiles.
“Great job out there!“ I yell above the continued clapping.
“Thank you.“ Rudy says with a kid-like grin, looking the most relaxed he has been so far tonight.
The lights come back up to it’s usual golden glow when Bellera steps up onto the floor.
I could recognize that silver pendant in any crowd. Her smile is unwavering, sweeping over the audience - until her eyes find mine. In that moment, her smile turns into a smirk, sharp and cunning, sending a surge of heat through me. My hands instantly break into a sweat.
She pulls her canteen from a fold of her dress, summoning the water to dance around her like silk ribbons. Bellera quickly gets settled into her rhythm, she raises her arms up, forcing her ribbons above everyone’s heads. With water suspended in midair, she fluidly moves her upper body like a wave, guiding the water to shift into different creatures. First it was a butterfly, then it was a wolf, then it was a whale.
The audience's amazement grows with each new animal.
Bellera, feeding off this amazement, throws her arms to the ground, and water instantly freezes to ice when it touches the floor. She steps on the ice with ease and begins skating in her heels, her light blue dress billowing behind her like the gusts of a snowstorm. With one hand, she pulls more water from her canteen and lays it down in front of her to create a hill, while melting the ice behind her to be reused. The sound of her heels cutting through the ice creates a vicious hiss. Audience members who are standing the closest to her rub their arms, fighting the frigid wind.
With her entire body, she builds one last ice hill that towers everyone, even over the King and the Queen. When she reaches the peak, Bellera pauses, then claps her hands, and in an instant, the ice melts into a cold, shimmering waterfall.
The audience’s gasps could not soften her plummet to the floor. Instead, we watch as the water underneath her turns back into silk ribbons, wrapping her like a safety net, bringing her back down safely.
The audience erupts into a roar as she gathers all of the water back into her canteen and takes a bow, before walking back into the audeince.
“Wasn’t she amazing?!“ Rudy shouts as we both applause.
She was amazing.
“And I thought no one was going to be able to top my performance.“ he says to me.
“Hey, what’s your name again?” Rudy asks innocently.
As long as you have a seed, you have everything you need.
I take a breath, feeling the energy around me, feeling like my mom and my aunt are standing right here with me.
“My name Rheanon Vesper.“
I say and walk away to settle into my spot - the center of the room.
Well, this is the second time tonight everyone’s watching me.
I look at everyone around me. I look up at the vines that crawl that pillars. I look at the roses that hang from the stairs.
It’s go time.
I slowly begin to spin, inhaling the energy in this room, I lift my right hand to ask the vines to grow to me. Gold shimmers blanket every tendril as they stretch towards me, carefully weaving through the audiences’ feet. My body filling with a familiar buzz as I dance around the vines, guiding them to grow vertically and horizontally, as if I’m sculpting something alive. I can feel everyone hold their breath as they realized what I made - a swing set.
I sit on the thorn filled seat, revealing that I can dampen the sharpness of thorns to my own touch.
I swing on the swing set, continuing to feel all the vines from the floor to the ceiling. I find small sprouts on them, like small pits of energy waiting to be unleashed. I swing higher, I taste metal on my tongue, and gold begins to rain down on each of the pillars. The audience is star-stuck watching individual sprouts grow, revealing new layers of pink and red with every blink.
They’re shocked to discover that these vines are not just vines - but they’re adorned with roses.
Captivated by the vibrant colors, I give a final swing and leap high into the air. I reach my arms out and release my magic out with a explosive burst, commanding pink and red petals to rain down upon everyone. As I descend, I call for a vine to grasp, and I swing around watching everyone try to catch all of the rose petals. The scent of a blooming garden fills every inhale.
I hop off the vine back down the middle of the floor.
The audience’s excitement rumbles through my veins as I try to catch a glimpse of every smile amidst the falling petals.
Walking off the stage, I take in the linger of excitement in the air. Even Bellera, stands there holding a rose petal, clearly reconsidering the competition. She looks up at me, her face exposing a hint of doubt, and I return her gaze with a confident smirk, letting her know I’m not the one to mess with.
The King’s assistant returns to the center of the room, raising his hands to calm the applause. "Well done, everyone! Truly a magnificent display of power and skill. This is only the first of many performances of this competition season. But for now, the night has just begun!"
I look towards the King, who’s unwavering gaze gives me a sense of both encouragement and uneasy tension, like an unspoken standard that I’m expected to reach.
I turned my head to see Rudy rushing towards me.
“Wow Rheanon. You know, usually it’s the guy giving the flowers on the first date.“ Rudy says with an flirtatious undertone, putting his arm back up, gesturing me to take his lead.
“It’s Rhea!“ I say in return, grabbing his arm. “I can treat a boy to some flowers.” I say with smooth confidence.
“Well, can I at least treat you to a dance?“ a warm smile lighting up his face. The tips of his hair lighting up a faint orange.
I brush a rose petal off my shoulder and look up at him, returning his smile.
“Let’s dance.“
First - thank you SO much for reading! This has been fun yet challenging to write, which I think is the type of combination that every writer wants to feel.
A little backstory:
I think one of my favorite things to do when I finish a book (other than post my rating on Goodreads) is re-imagine and/or interpret parts in different ways. I was inspired by the book Powerless by Lauren Roberts, as well as my conversation with a friend about our love of The Selection Series Kierra Cass when we were younger. Both of these books have the Ball/Dance scenes that make me want to get in my sparkliest dress and head to the dance floor.
So I thought - why not create a version for myself, and for you.
I hope this gave you the excitement and thrill that it gave me when I was writing it.
Want me to continue this story? Let me know :)