Masquerade Ball

Cupid at Heart
The most awaited day had arrived. Ever since early sunrise, everyone in the castle was busy preparing for the grand masquerade ball. All the servants and knights were especially jolly, knowing that they themselves obtained the privilege to join the party. The sooner they finished their task, the sooner they could get ready for the highlight of the night.
 
“Hold still, Hyunmi,” Seulyi told the princess whom she was helping to get ready an hour before the ball. She had placed a corset around the princess’ torso, trying to keep it in place as she tightened the lace from behind. It matched the white pantaloon the princess wore.
 
Hyunmi gasped out loud, flailing her arms in agony. “I can hardly breathe,” she squirmed, begging the head maid to have mercy on her.
 
“I know. That is the purpose of wearing this devilish device,” Seulyi spoke with gritted teeth as she exerted all her strength to pull again. “Hold your breath.”
 
The princess obeyed and inhaled as much air as possible to shrink her waist. Seulyi finally secured the lace in a knot, and let go to admire her masterpiece. Not for long, however, because the crinoline followed soon afterwards.
 
Hyunmi dreaded such formal events. Despite her status as a princess, she was never fond of these fancy dresses. All she longed for was to move around comfortably.
 
She slipped her feet inside the ballroom slippers that matched the red roses in the garden. She then allowed Seulyi to place the structured petticoat around the her small waist. The end of the crinoline was hooked together and safe in place.
 
“The king bought you a dress for this special night,” Seulyi said, retrieving the gown from the wardrobe. She motioned Hyunmi to come closer, and placed the gown over her.
 
It was a beautiful dress the color of red, like any other attire found in the Heart kingdom. There was an intricate pattern etching the front of the dress in gold laces, stopping at the torso as the silky maroon material extended all the way to the floor. The long off shoulder sleeve was held on by the same golden lace, fashioning a design that would expose her bare neck and shoulders.
 
“We must admit, your father has an impeccable taste,” Seulyi said as both she and the princess admired the reflection in the vanity mirror.
 
For once, Hyunmi resembled true royalty, wearing an outfit that only enhanced her blessed beauty. Though she was afraid the Prince of Spade wouldn’t be able to look away and would be swayed by her physical appearance.
 
“Cupid won’t be able to resist,” Seulyi then blankly remarked as if it was an ordinary thing to say.
 
“W-what?” Hyunmi felt her heart race at those words alone. She could only stare at her friend’s reflection, watching the head maid pick up several hair strands to start making a braid.
 
“Even a commoner like me could feel the undeniable attraction between you two.” Seulyi gently braided the top of the princess’ long black hair, and let the rest of it hang loose off shoulders.
 
Hyunmi bit her lips, forgetting she had already stained it with red pigments to give off an elegant look. She did not dare to look at her own reflection, knowing her cheeks had taken on a shade as red as her dress.
 
“Do you, perhaps, suppose the attraction is mutual?” The princess then asked rather bashfully. Every part of her logic knew it was wrong, and her reasonings reminded her it was a dangerous area to trespass, yet her heart could not waver.
 
“I suppose,” Seulyi said calmly, letting go of the princess as she finished the hairdo. “If he asks you to dance tonight despite knowing the danger awaiting him, I suppose we could make that assumption.”
 
The thought itself made the princess grin from ear to ear, and anyone would mistake her glee as her receptiveness towards the courtship. But her focus was never on the prince to begin with. She wished to dance with cupid, more than anything.
 
“Well, I will now excuse myself for I would like to impress the Hatter once he—”
 
Seulyi got stopped when the princess grabbed her by the arm. Hyunmi then got up from her chair and difficulty turned around to her friend with a smile. “To award your kind assistance, I shall now return the favor.”
 

 
The moment the bedroom door was opened, the two ladies were greeted by prince Dongwoo who had been awaiting their presence. He had a look of awe on his face, admiring his younger sister with so much affection. The head maid was a beauty as well and would make a man turn twice to stare.
 
“Have you been waiting in front of my room?” Hyunmi questioned.
 
“I dare not interrupt when you were readying yourself,” Dongwoo spoke. He smiled at her and offered his arm.
 
Hyunmi excused herself from Seulyi, and linked her own arm around her brother’s. Out of the three older siblings, she had always been the closest to Dongwoo. Although their time spent together was not as frequent as it used to be ever since he became a royal advisor to the king.
 
“For whatever reason have you sharpened your virtue of patience, dear brother?” Hyunmi questioned as he led her through the corridors toward the ballroom.
 
“I want to thank you for doing this,” he began, and it made the princess turn to him with a frown. “Father is really concerned about finding an heir to the throne. Your willingness to agree to this is a great sacrifice, but I am certain it makes our father happy.”
 
“I should be happy as long as father is happy. But I have never been fond of this idea of courtship,” Hyunmi said, squeezing her brother’s arm softly.
 
“I know.” Dongwoo’s voice sounded exhausted, and he gently patted his sister’s hand with his own. “I have my own courtship to worry about. So I am hoping to learn several things from the Prince of Spade.”
 
Hyunmi gave her brother an apologetic look. All this while, she was the one throwing a fuss while her brother struggled an equally tough battle. “Will the Princess of Diamond be here tonight?”
 
“I believe we have sent an invite. But I am not allowed to interact with her unless we have set an official date for the courtship to commence.”
 
“How complicated.” Hyunmi disregarded all rules and clung unto his arms like a child reluctant to have her teddybear taken away. “It would be much better if we weren’t born as royalty.”
 
Dongwoo chuckled weakly and sighed along. “But we were.”
 
They had arrived at the front door of the grand ballroom. They stared at each other, and Dongwoo offered her another reassuring smile.
 
“Do not be worried.” He picked up a mask from underneath his blazer and placed it over his sister’s face, careful not to ruin her braids. With the red mask in tact, it only brought out the color of her dark brown eyes that could easily captivate a man. He then wore his own mask to conceal his identity.
 
“I will lend you some of my strength.”
 
With that, he pushed the tall white door to the grand ballroom. Two male servants pulled the entrance open from the inside.
 
The special ballroom was exceptionally stunning during nighttime. The light of the crystallized chandelier shone brightly over the dark night sky outdoor. The room was painted in rays of gold, which greatly contrasted the party attire worn by the guests. Everyone was either dancing on the dance floor, or trying to acquaint themselves with another. The guests’ movements were so easy to read as the royal siblings stood on top of the stairs.
 
“Oh, the prince and princess,” Kihyun remarked when he saw the two appearing together, and lightly curtsied. He was wearing his best red suit—though all his suits were all red to begin with—and looked especially stunning that day. Even the hair between his white rabbit ears were combed backwards for once.
 
“Has the Prince of Spade arrived yet?” Hyunmi asked as her eyes surveyed the sea of people present. The one she was searching for with her eyes was a different person from the one she inquired about.
 
“Certainly, Your Majesty.” Kihyun bobbed his head to his answer. “He has an astounding charisma and aura about him. I am sure you would be unable to look away once you spot him.”
 
Hyunmi glanced at the rabbit worryingly. His answer failed to reassure her.
 
“What about the Princess of Diamond?” Dongwoo then questioned.
 
“She has not arrived yet,” Kihyun answered, noting the princess’ distracted gaze towards the crowd in front of them. “Shall I make your arrival known?”
 
“Yes, please.”
 
Kihyun clenched the golden horn in his hand and blew a short tune on it. “The Prince of Heart, prince Dongwoo, and youngest Princess of Heart, princess Hyunmi.”
 
Dongwoo thanked the rabbit kindly. With Hyunmi’s hand still around his, he carefully guided her to descend the stairs. He knew she was not used to her ballroom attire or to wearing the crinoline, and needed all the help she could get to move around.
 
Though several bystanders of the crowd halted their movements to look at the princess’ rumored beauty, they were unaware of Hyunmi’s growing restlessness. She looked around the crowd, but couldn’t see a familiar face. Though they were all wearing mask, there was no sign of Cupid, or the Hatter, or the March Hare. What if their plan was going to fail before it was set into motion?
 
“I shall go see where father is. Would you be fine on your own?” Dongwoo asked.
 
“Seulyi shall join me soon. Fear not,” she told her brother reassuringly. When Dongwoo left, she pondered why she hadn’t sighted one person she knew. Where was everyone?
 
“Ah, so the rumors are true. The youngest princess does possess remarkable beauty that would make a goddess bath in envy.”
 
The honeyed voice that made her succumb to her own feelings, along with the all too familiar line she still heard in her daydreams was the answer she had been searching for. This was no doubt the words spoken by cupid.
 
Her chest fluttered with the excitement to meet him again. She turned around, spinning her dress with her, and came face to face with the man she could recognize behind the mask. He was smiling at her, and it made him appear as good-looking as always. He was all dressed up, wearing a color that conveniently matched her red dress.
 
“A beauty like yours, there truly is none. You make it impossible for men to look away,” Woohyun spoke in his usual poetic tendencies.
 
“Would that include the son of a goddess?” She found herself asking, unable to stop herself from making such playful remarks. Knowing they were always reciprocated by Woohyun’s charming reply, it encouraged her to keep exclaiming those words out.
 
“Perhaps you have a specific person in mind,” Woohyun replied, approaching the princess.
 
“Perhaps it is the one standing in front of me now,” she said daringly, watching his eyes flicker with surprise. His lips parted slightly, but soon the dimples sunk back with his smile.
 
“I am looking at you now, aren’t I?”
 
The words made the princess suppress yet another bashful smile. She could barely keep herself still, fiddling her fingers together as she crossed one leg behind the other. Her heart, oh her poor heart, if only cupid knew what he was doing to her, perhaps he would’ve spared her some of his most affectionate lines. Perhaps he wouldn’t stare at her with such loving eyes that always left her feeling warm.
 
“W-where is Myungsoo?” She then questioned in an attempt to bend the topic. Knowing they were at a public event, it wouldn’t be wise to have anyone sight her endless affection towards cupid.
 
“He is on his way here. Last time I spoke to him, he has told me of his plan. However, I am not sure you would like it,” Woohyun noted.
 
Hyunmi widened her eyes in surprise, suddenly fearing this unknown plan they had been preparing.
 
“Are you willing to make several sacrifices?” Woohyun asked.
 
Hyunmi nodded with determination. “Life is all about making choices. Sacrifices are bound to be made.”
 
Woohyun had that look of genuine amazement again, which always appeared whenever she showcased her strong desires toward her goal.
 
“Very well,” He said with a small nod. “Have patience, dear princess.”
 
His words always left her weak, and she couldn’t recall when it even started. Perhaps her heart had already reacted to his sweet words ever since their meeting at the balcony. But she found herself unconsciously thinking about him, even as he left her sight.
 
“My youngest daughter,” another voice chimed from the other side.
 
It was clear why Woohyun decided to leave the scene now, for he must’ve seen the king approaching in advance.
 
Her father took Hyunmi in his arms and began to hug her, planting kisses on her cheeks as a formal greeting. But Hyunmi was rendered speechless, staring with curiosity at the unknown stranger standing in between Hoya and Dongwoo.
 
The person’s eyes stared intently at her with such arrogance and coldness, and yet, she was immediately drawn to it, unable to look away. Rather than drowning in his eyes because of the way he melted her like Woohyun would, he had caged her entire being with that one glance. He wore a white colored royal outfit which stood out among the red colored dresses from the Heart citizens. It was clear to see he took pride in his ability to stand out.
 
Despite not being able to memorize people’s faces very well, Hyunmi could never forget such arrogance protruded from one’s eyes. She had seen it before and could only assume the person’s identity.
 
“Hyunmi, I need to formally introduce you to—”
 
The king paused when the unknown stranger held his hand up, possessing enough authority to shut the king’s mouth. He walked to the front, standing tall over Hyunmi. He grabbed her hand in his and kissed it before starting his formal introduction.
 
“My name is Sunggyu, the Prince of Spade,” the man spoke, and his thin lips curved up to resemble a faint cocky smile. “And I am here to court you.”
 
 


Aaahhhhh!!! WooMi makes my heart flutter~ >//////////<
And so, Sunggyu has appeared.

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Blu3Wind
Yay! Won the bid today! I hope you will enjoy the story~ Would love to know your thoughts, so please do leave comments too~ Thank youuu <3

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cheonchoni
#1
Chapter 13: WJDHJSJS ok wow
kiss_me_1219 #2
Chapter 39: Awwwwww. That was soooooo sweet, so heart fluttering. The ending leaves a big smile on my face. :D That was such a happy ending for all the couples. I hope Sunggyu & Dongwoo find their soulmate too, & Sungyeol too with his love for coffee beans. ❤ It was fun to imagine how the kingdoms & the characters looked like especially Woohyun. My imagination of him as cupid is so handsome, sooooo perfect! Sorry Soo, I love you but I love cupid too. :D
infinfic
#3
Chapter 39: Mwoyaaaaa??!!!! You scared meee.... ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ
I think I will love Hades and Persephone from now~~ ♡♡♡♡♡ they are so kind~~
Oh!! Woww~ I never thought being immortal and will be with your love one forever in that godly wayy~!! I only know about vampirely(?) way~
Yayyy~!!! WooMi finallyyy~~~ ♡♡♡♡♡♡

Aah~ agape love~ ♡ will I have it~? Will I~? But I want to always be together with someone I love who loves me as much as I love him~~ ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡ But again love is indeed the most beautiful thing~~
Finally Aphrodite gave her bless~!!
Eyyy~ I think it's not selfish to be with someone you love who loves you back~~ ^-^v

Woohyun is a gentleman~!! He immediately asked the King to marry Hyunmi~!! *clap clap*
MyungYi is the cutest couple heree~~ xD

Woww~ what a good thing to learn~! "The greatest blessings are disguised as the hardest obstacles" I really like itt~ ♡♡♡♡♡ And I think it's right that nothing is purely evil, because everything has reasons~ *nod nod*

WooMi's conversation at the end is so adorableee~~ ♡♡♡♡♡
Awwwww~~~ finally it's happy ending for everyonee~~ I love it sooo muchhh~~~ Thangyuuu sooo muchh for writing this story, mel~~ ♡^-^♡

Noooo~~ as long as HoBi and my favorite ships are together, the story is absolutely perfect for me~~ ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
Fighting Mel~!! And fighting for Crescendity too~!! b^-^d
Oh! Wait... what do you mean with final story???
infinfic
#4
Chapter 38: Aphrodite is (please put any bad words here)... ㅡㅅㅡ
Oh mel.. don't.. WooMi should be togetherrr... ㅠㅡㅠ

As always you wrote Woohyun so well, mel~ ♡♡♡ but I'm glad that Woohyun Oppa is not my bias~ hehet~ xD
I love how WooMi is really knowing each other so well~~ ♡♡♡♡♡
(We need to learn from them, Ho Oppa~!!)

I can see you tried to make a drama, mell... pleaseee just make WooMi togetherr... ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ
I like this kind of "rip heart" romance but I also dislike it... ㅠㅡㅠ
infinfic
#5
Chapter 37: "For him, I'd be willing to lay down my life"
That, I'll do that to a person I love if he willing to do that too~ and I disagree with Hyunmi... being together with someone you love is important... ㅠㅡㅠ I can't ever stand the sadness without someone I love who loves me... ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

Idk why I like Seulyi and Aphrodite exchanged stare~ xD if Seulyi is the princess maybe there will be an interesting fight between them~ xD

Mwoya....
I'm speechless....
Andwaeeeee..... ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ
namu_jinan
#6
Chapter 39: Awww what a happy ending. Thank you for this story. Truth to be told, I rarely commented but I always anticipates updates of this story. This story is really beautiful. Hoya with Biah, Myungsoo with Seulyi, Sunggyu and Dongwoo well uhm I hope they will find their soulmates soon XD
And of course highlighted couple WooMi ♡ Congratulations author nim! I could imagine and feel the story when reading. Squealing would be normal. Its more than that. How to describe? You know.. its like watching 3D videos ahahaha. Once again, thank you and sorry for the long comment XD
julyana23 #7
Chapter 39: Gosh!!! I can't believe it's the end already! I feel bad for not commenting to most of the chapters, but I can assure you that your stories never fail to impress! I've always been satisfied with your works. Good job!!
HunTy1204 #8
Chapter 39: oh noooo ;;;; i'm going to cry that this story has reach its end ;;; but gosh, the happiness, i can feel it!!! XD
anitaklr24
#9
Chapter 39: Wow! A happy ending! It was great story too. Mel don't say it was bad! Your stories are awesome! Don't give up in your dream of being a writer.
Myungsoo and Seulyi are so cute.
Woohyun and Hyunmi have their happy ending!
Now, I will read Crescendity!
Mel, are you going to leave AFF?
Have a great night/day!
Hugs ^^,
Hime_1
#10
Chapter 39: THANK YOU!!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! <3<3<3<3<3<3
Woohyun and Hyunmi together! Hoya and Biah! Myungsoo and Seulyi I'm glaad!! besides the king, and Aphrodite. I wanted to see what will happen to Dongwoo but life isn't all about love haha ,and Sunggyu was gone long ago.. poor baby
My prince Woohyun was just .... ugh.. He's owning my heart and with the end of the story my heart shall never return to me *drama xD*
His parts were so jhfeuh;giahe ir;gia!! beautiful and sweet as always. This story made me go crazy in loving him more and more!!
I didn't expect that Hyunmi will be with him eternally! It's better than Woohyun being a human cuz we don't know what might happen that would lead to losing one of them so early.

Because of the evil sisters, Hynmi managed to make everyone happy.. so realistic.
There will be no notifications of this story updates anymore. I'll miss this story so much!!!!! T_T

I don't know if my tears are flowing because I'm happy for Woomi being together happily or because I'm sad that "Crescedity" is your last story here :(
I saw your blog post and I know it's for the sake of your own book. I hope it will turn out just fine and beautiful, nothing less than what we have known you for as a great writer.. I hope that you won't disappear from here and write some short one-shot stories for Woomi if you can.
You told me you'll be here to write more and more though I can still read more of your stories as I plan to finish HIPS to start with Ephemeral crown and the others.. But I'll miss you so much.. I understand and I will support your dreams as well T_T <3
I was happy that I found you (or you found me to advertise this story xD).. I regret not knowing AFF years back to follow your stories on time

Anyways, much much love. Thank you for this AWESOME story!!!!!! I will be back to read it again someday
<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3