Today's the day. The annual Crystal Ball, held every year on my birthday.

Will I survive it? I have no idea. Last year I accidentally-on-purpose tore my dress on a table ledge. At least that's what I told Mom. Pfff... she actually believed me. I cut it with a knife, obviously.

It's not that I hate wearing dresses. I just hate wearing them at balls. I'm expected to keep them clean and don't spill cherry juice on it. Or tear it. I hate acting all formal and polite too. It's just not who I am.

If I had my own way (which I WILL when I'm queen), people could act any way they want, wherever they want. If they want to start a food fight at a banquet, then so be it. I won't judge.

In regards to the dancing part of the ball, it's not that bad. I get a chance to dance with some cute guys from all over Elizua and beyond. I'm also a decent dancer, although sometimes my dress gets in the way and I end up stepping on it.

Then there's the presents. Oh, the presents! I get so many I can't even count them all. They're my favourite part of the whole thing. Obviously. Who doesn't love getting presents?

I wonder if that Kitsunaku I saw last week will be there. I haven't seen her since that night. I still can't get her out if my head...

I slip on my dress. This year it is midnight blue velvet with tiny silver sequins scattered on it. There is silver lace along the hem. The sleeves are long and flowing. There is silver ribbon sewn around the bodice. It's a stunning dress, but I don't feel right in it.

I tie a silver ribbon around my neck to finish the look and then attempt to fix my hair. Usually I wear it wavy and tangled, but I can't really have it like that for a ball. So I grab my curlers and begin wrapping them around strands of hair.

I slip on my black high heels and slide a silver sapphire ring onto my ring finger. Then I unwrap the curlers and run my fingers through my now somewhat curlyish hair. I don't have time to make it completely curly. I prefer it this way anyway.

I'm ready.

I make my way downstairs and into the ballroom at the back of the castle. It's a vast, rectangular room, with high ceilings. A silver chandelier adorns said ceiling, dozens of blue flames flickering above us. Tables are scattered around the room, each one with a spotless white tablecloth and a vase of crimson roses. The tall windows are decorated with dark red curtains, tied with black ribbons. Hundreds of people glide passionately along the dancefloor. A pile of presents sit in one corner.

Outside, the full moon shines through the windows and casts silver light along the floor of the ballroom. Stars twinkle in the sky. Snow falls silently onto the ground.

The scene feels almost magical, like Okaniro herself had shone her light down on this ball.

I step into the room, treading slowly. Some people turn and stare at me. I recognize some of them, mainly from past balls and parties. Many of them are royalty or of noble descent.

I go and stand in the middle of the floor. The people form a circle around me, bowing and curtseying. I smile politely at them, but inside, I hate this kind of attention. They think bowing pleases me? To be honest, it just annoys me at this point. Whoever made up the myth of bowing being polite is either a liar or plain stupid.

"Shiroko!" My mother runs from the crowd towards me. "Didn't it all cone out amazing?"

"Uh, yeah." I nod, because Mom is right, it did come out really amazing.

She's looking at me funny now. I stare back, trying to place that expression. She looks... kind of like a mixture of wistful and excited.

"You ok?" I eventually ask, giver her my own funny look, raising my eyebrows.

"Oh, yes, of course, darling. I was just thinking about... Well, you're sixteen now, and there are a lot of eligible men her, and--"

I hold up my hand to shut her up. "Mom. If you're suggesting what I think you are..." I am NOT about to go down this road.

Mom looks sheepish now. "Yes, but we have to start thinking about the future."

I sigh and scan the crowd behind us. Most of the boys all look the same; blonde hair, blue eyes, vacant smiles. There is no one that really stands out.

I tell Mom this and she just gives a look, like, "So?"

"I want someone who is different from the rest, Mom. Not some random rich kid. I want someone who is unique."

"Like who?" Mom challenges.

I blush, thinking about the multiple boys I have met over the last few years. Tsubasa, Kaito... There's too many to name. They were all special in their own way.

I look back at the crowd again, trying to see through the masks of the boys there, trying to see what they're like inside. But it's impossible. Maybe if I was a spiritual elamoon rather then, well, an elemental one.

"Shiro..." Mom begins, but before I can hear the rest of what she's going to say, I waltz away from her, and hide in the crowd, which is beginning to disband so they can all go back to dancing.

I look down at the ground, my eyes welling with tears. I know all my parents want is the best for me, but sometimes they never think about what I want. I never have an opinion in anything. Everything is already lay out for me.

I begin to run towards what I assume is the door. That's when I bump into her.