4 It's showtime!

At the dining hall

"Mom, dad I hope you don't mind that I can not accept your dress for the masked ball." said Liz while chewing on her partridge.

The queen and the king glanced at their daughter.

"Why, baby is it not to your liking? Is it not luxurious enough?" asked the queen panicly.

"Should we order a new one? But we barely have time."

The queen was at the edge of a panic attack.

"Honey, you should let our daughter speak out her mind before jumping into conclusions." said the king while holding the hand of his wife to comfort her.

Liz then nodded gratefully to her father.

"It's not like that mom, dad. In fact, it is beautiful but I already ordered a dress and this dress means a lot to me. I hope you understand." explained Liz to her parents.

"Ok, baby mommy has misunderstood you a dress which is emotionally attached to you is even better! We respect your choice." said the queen without asking the opinion of the king.

Somehow it really amused Liz and a bright smile was formed on her face which however, disappeared quickly.

Nevertheless, it did not escape the sharp scrutiny of the royal couple.

"Look honey, my baby just smiled at me. Mommy is still in baby's heart." claimed the queen happily.

"Are you sure that she smiled at you and not me?" mumbled the king grumpily.

"What did you say?!" said the queen in a threatening voice.

Sweat formed on the king's brow.

"Nothing honey, I just thought how beautiful you look today." said the king in a high-pitched voice.

The queen knew the king was lying.

Everytime when he lies, his voice would turn as shrill as a hyena.

It is deafening.

"So you are saying that on the other days I look ugly?" asked the queen with a scowl.

'This old man just has digged his own grave. No one can help him now' thought Liz.

The king did not know whether to laugh or to cry.

"No, honey of course you look always beautiful. But today you look especially beautiful." responded the king still in a high-pitched voice.

"That's it today you will sleep in the garden. Don't you dare to step in the palace." the queen said in a threatening tone.

"Honey, instead of arguing over small matters we should focus on the masked ball for Eleanor." suggested the king with a calm voice.

"So you are saying I'm a drama queen?" retorted the queen.

'Now the old man has dug his grave even deeper'

The king did know how to respond and just bit his lip.

"Two days." stated the queen.

"But, honey I –"

The king was interrupted by the queen.

"You wanna make it three days?" replied the queen.

The king shook his head like a child who does not want to be punished by his mother.

"Furthermore, who wants to smile at such an old man like you?" remarked the queen.

"Then why did you pretend to be deaf?" muttered the king.

"Now I am also a pretentious bitch in your eyes? Three days."

The king could only accept the punishment.

Afterall, his wife was terrifying and furthermore he is a wife slave.

"Eleanor your fiance Ares will also be at the masked ball. You may will not recognize him." said the king firmly.

"You fool. She will recognize him. Afterall, their hearts are connected." claimed the queen dreamingly.

Liz almost choked on her own saliva.

'How could Eleanor's parents be so shameless?' wondered Liz and just shook her head.

…..

The day of the masked ball

As Liz slipped in her dress Lilly clapped her hands in excitement.

"Eleanor, you look so beautiful. You look like a goddess." complimented Lilly Eleanor with beaming eyes.

"Silly, you are overreacting."

As Liz checked herself in the mirror, she was stunned.

'Indeed, the princess truly is a beauty' thought Liz.

Liz is wearing a long golden gown. It is as golden as the sun like the first dress in All-kinds-of-fur which her real mother read for her.

A bitter smile appeared on Liz face.

'Mother, would you be happy to see me like this?' wondered Liz with a longing gaze.

"Ehm Eleanor your parents asked me to give you this."

Lilly then handed Liz a diamond necklace.

Remembering what the majestic azure dragon told her, Liz politely refused.

"Tell my parents I'm grateful but I can not accept it."

Lilly then nodded.

Then Liz put on her mask.

'It's showtime baby' thought Liz while licking her lips sexily.