Dia found a raven at her window as she was journaling. It has an envelope in its mouth. Hesitant, she took it from the beak of the animal.

Using her elephant topped envelope opener, she found it was an invitation. From Umbrum. She could tell by the type that was used.

It read as such:

I know all of you hate my guts, with very good reason, but let's forget about that for a moment. For a single night.

In the northernmost territory of Noctaria, there is a single island. There, a ball will be thrown. A Midnight Masquerade, going from sunset to sunrise on the 23rd of June.

Again, it's a masquerade, so please put in some effort into your appearance. Food and drink will be provided.

-Umbrum

That was it. No riddles, nothing too suspicious, no reason to suspect anything. It's straightforward, isn't it?

Dia couldn't shake the feeling that it was a trap. But whether that was due to the wording of the invitation or the fact he tried to invade her home country, she did not know.

Still, a party is a party. And masquerades were pretty trendy at the time.

There's no way Noctave will show up, but I guess that means I can spend time with Tellulah. That sounds like fun!

After writing a quick letter to Tellulah, she made a list of possible costumes, eventually deciding on unicorn. They existed, but they were very rare and heavily protected animals.

Dia went to the market to find the items of her costume. She didn't trust her servants to do the job well. They'd probably get the most expensive and gaudy items, anyway.

She found a unicorn mask, white with long eyelashes and a faux horn painted gold, in the colombina style. She bought a flower crown made with flowers imported from Noctaria. It reminded her of the picnic she and Moonflower went on, not so long ago.

The dress was not that fancy, it was cut just below her knees and showed a meadow in the springtime that had a unicorn grazing alongside a pegasus.

It allowed for more mobility than the sunset dress she wore on her mother's birthday.

After much searching, she found a unique pair of heels that were made to look like golden hooves, like those of a unicorn's. They weren't cheap, but they were worth it.

The accessories were mostly floral, but she had a fantastic excuse to wear her unicorn earrings..

Once she got back, she had a response from Tellulah.

"I can't shake the feeling this is a trap. Corporius and Noctaria got into a series of wars, and we only formed an alliance once Umbrum disappeared. I fear now that his return will put us at risk of another terrible war (redundant, I know).

Considering that every god I know (except Halucina) has gotten an invitation, I am on edge. He has to be plotting something more. But I will come, along with my husband, Tiempiel, if only out of curiosity."

I can't blame them for their suspicion. I've read about the many wars that Noctaria had with Corporius, I see why Umbrum is so widely feared. Seriously, that stuff should be illegal!

Though, maybe he has changed. Maybe this is just a ball he's putting on for fun.

Dia put her masquerade costume in her closet before going to dinner.

Cumulus and Iris were talking about the upcoming ball.

Cumulus was explaining his conspiracy theory to Iris, who was having none of it. "Don't you see? The masks, the north, the dark-it's all a part of his plan to take over!"

Iris was only half-listening, adjusting her sleeve's cuffs. She was the sort of dress in office wear all the time to show her hardworking nature.

"Uh-huh. And you're totally not looking too far deep into this. Not at all." Her voice was heavy with sarcasm.

"You can't actually say you trust him!"

"I don't, and I don't need to make up reasons. If Umbrum really wanted to take over, he wouldn't do a ball! He's not a supervillain!"

Dia quietly slid into her seat, her parents too caught up in their argument to notice. This wasn't a rare occurrence in Dayspring Castle.

When Dia drifted off to sleep she thought of Noctave. She also remembered her bringing up marriage during their first kiss. It kind of put her off, but she thought it about it more deeply.

If we marry, will that start an alliance between Noctaria and Illuminana? Or will me and her need to start our own country? What would we name it? Where would it be?

There aren't any royal couples of the same gender yet, so I guess we'll have to be the first. With us being immortal, we don't really need to worry about heirs.

She turned on her side. Of course, they're always a possibility that me and Noctave won't work out. It's sad, but it's a possibility I need to consider.

I hope that doesn't happen. Please, Philliana, don't let it happen.