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[Font= Times New Roman]If one thing could be said about Airlia Winter's talents it was that when it came to the annual Winter family ball; she lived up to everyone's expectations. While she was just a child when she attended the first time her poise and elegance regarding the event was unchallenged.

She was graceful, kind to all, never missed a step in a waltz and more often than not parents would order their children to be more like her. She was more than the apple of her mother's eye for during the ball she was adored by all.

Referred to as the little lady of Taika she was refined and polished and many of the younger attendees looked up to her. In fact, for so many years Airlia had attended the ball that the code to being perfect during it was etched into her very skin.

Quite often she received marriage proposals from people seeking to arrange a marriage for their sons and her politeness and discreetness in declining such offers were quite widely known and appreciated.

So now as she stood by a full-length mirror and slowly dressed into a white gown. The Winter Ball was a formal event. During the winter all women had to wear white to attend and Airlia had outdone herself. Three months had been spent in making her gown in France where it had been uniquely custom designed and tailored for her.

The gown had a halter neck with lace and beading designs that had taken days to create. It was cinched at the waist and from there flowed down in an almost mermaid gown shape. On the sides of the dress, there was tulle that cheated a very defined waistline and gave the gown a more ballgown type appearance. From her shoulders, diamonds flowed to the back of the dress like chains that looked like sleeves. But no matter how detailed the dress might have been, the back of it was the true masterpiece.

The dress had an open back with a thick diamond collar dripping jewels in oval shapes that draped across her back like an endless stream of pure diamond necklaces. The back of the dress resembled an armor of jewels designed for a Victorian princess. And the sight was superior to any dress Airlia had worn before.[/font]

Reducio

[Font= Times New Roman] After the dress was on her Airlia looked at herself in the mirror for a long while. She twirled and watched the dress glimmer in the light seeping through the window.

She looked beautiful, and a lot older than she truly was, but alas that was intentional.

Truth be told Airlia was not too keen on going today. She did eventually enjoy herself every time, but there was a nagging feeling at the back of her mind that was warning her about something... Something bad.

For years it had been a tradition for the Winter family to arrange marriages. The only exception so far had been her own mother, but seeing as how keen her mother was to the ways of the old, Airlia knew her turn to marry someone she didn't know was coming.

So when she sat by the makeup table in the corner and started brushing her hair she sighed. Today she would wear her hair up, so the back of the dress was showing. She didn't feel as nice while getting ready as she usually did. So instead of doing something intricate, she made a simple elegant hair bun that was tight at the back of her head. Swiping a curl of hair from her face she brought it delicately into its place before putting on some lipgloss and the tiniest bit of mascara.

She was admired for natural beauty and as such was not permitted to use much makeup at all.

With a nod to her reflection Airlia got up, walked out of the room and downstairs to inform her mother she was ready to make their way to the castle.

Today was a big day and she was not allowed to mess it up. [/font]