It was a rather bleak day out as it was raining, well technically, it was storming. I only sighed out and sat down in a random seat near the back of the lecture hall, soaked in rain. I mean, the rainbow peeking out from the clouds was beautiful and the sun peeking over the clouds as if reminding me not to lose hope, but I still hated being drenched. I then quickly sat my stuff down and went to the bathroom to fix my makeup and straighten up my clothes as I peered at myself in the mirror.

I had long pin straight hair that I had half dyed the color of emeralds and the other half black. I had slightly upturned, soft hazel eyes and soft Ivory skin that held neutral undertones. I was dressed in an off white dress with lantern sleeves and a square neck that reached my calves paired with a petticoat underneath and a black corset over the dress. I paired the dress with black Victorian heeled boots and fishnet. I dressed like this every day, the corsets were tiring to tighten properly sometimes, yes but I looked magnificent.

I quickly cleaned up my makeup, making sure to only follow the faded liner and being careful to clean up smudges. Thus, almost making me forget to breathe and left the bathroom, returning to my seat with a sigh once done. Of course, it stops raining when I go inside the building, I soon got out my notes as the professor entered the room, quietly tapping my nail on the desk from sheer boredom. However, just as I was contemplating skipping, I heard something, it was like a rustling then a tapping on the bottom of my chair which definitely threw me off for a second as I looked behind me only to find no one. What in the fuck? Was the first thing I thought as I felt under my chair to find an emerald colored sticky note. How did they know my favorite color? Was the first thought I had when I saw the sticky note, scanning the contents.

Come to this address and use the name 'Esmeralda' .

Wear the dress I mailed to you

-Your Admirer

'Your admirer' who in their right mind would have the hots for me? I thought after reading the note and stuffing it in my bag, rolling my eyes. Noting the address jotted on the note, ultimately deciding to go, as it was a public place and if it was a joke I wanted to confront them. Once classes ended, I checked the mailroom for a package and lo and behold, there was an expensive looking emerald green and silver box that had 'For Esmeralda' written on the top in silver which made my cheeks warm up. However, on the box was another note in the color emerald.

You thought I was kidding with the note?

Everything you need for the event is here.

While there look for someone in the same color as you.

-Your Admirer

With my face bright red I practically ran back to my dorm room, actually excited to see the contents of my package. Almost immediately after I stepped into my room I opened the box to find a masquerade mask the color of emeralds with emeralds and pearls adorning the edges of it while black lace lined the outer edge. Underneath the mask was a pair of black heeled boots and a small box. The small intricate box held a set of Emerald earrings where teardrop shaped pearls dangled down off a chain of silver with a matching silver necklace. Underneath that was a beautiful emerald colored ball gown that came with a white corset to put on underneath.

I hesitantly put on the expensive looking corset, gently tightening it so it beautifully shaped my waist but it wasn't hard to breathe. Soon I put on my boots because I knew it would be hard to put them on before the petticoat and dress. Next, I put on the petticoat then, the dress which fit me perfectly, it fell off my shoulders and flowed into sleeves, and the bottom was a normal ball gown. I was breathless as I looked at my reflection as I looked absolutely beautiful.

I soon did my makeup and my hair, placing on my necklace and putting in my earrings. I was breathless once more as I looked in the mirror as my phone buzzed with a text.

UNKNOWN NUMBER: A car will be sent to pick you up shortly, please wait in your room

Read

5 minutes later

UNKNOWN NUMBER: The car has arrived, please leave your room.

Read

Not only is that odd, that was fast was my first thought as I turned my phone off and grabbed a small purse that went with my ball gown as I put the necessities in it like my phone, cash, etcetera etcetera. I soon stepped out of my room and rushed out the front, praying I wasn't seen as I spotted a fancy car parked out front. "Way to be discreet" I grumbled to myself as I walked over and gave the name that was on the note to which they stepped out and opened the door for me. "Thank you" I mumbled out as the driver helped me in the car, but once I sat down and my dress puffed up making me whine out as I got situated before they closed the door with a chuckle. I let out a small huff as I buckled in and watched the lights of my city fly by as they drove and the music quietly hummed as we approached the destination.

What have I gotten myself into this time was my first thought as they pulled up in front of an extravagant mansion. I stepped into the line of masked strangers all dressed in an arrangement of different colors as I hurriedly put on my mask and once it was my turn I tensed up before remembering the note. "Esmeralda" was all I said before they allowed me in, allowing me to relax. The mansion was beautiful as I roamed, staring at the Victorian mansion in complete awe. I once again remember the note as I sighed and looked for someone wearing the same shade of green.

I then locked eyes with a beautiful yet handsome woman dressed in a white button-up, emerald green vest and black leather pants. Her curly red hair was down and behind her mask I could see emerald green eyes. She wore a pair of emerald earrings and an emerald brooch on her button up which brought her outfit together. Her mask matched mine as did her boots, which made it clear she was the person.

When I realized she spotted me my face warmed up to a bright red as she made her way over to me with a glass of champagne in hand. "Care for a dance, little rose?" The woman asks as she lifts my hand to her lips with a bow, making my cheeks heat up to a deeper shade of red. Her voice was as soft as a raven's feather with a soft rasp to it making it her own unique sound. "You're a bonny little lass y'know that?" the woman said as she brought me closer whenever the dance called for it, her compliments causing my heart to race. "Are you the owner of this mansion?" I asked softly "I'm asking because the mansion is beautiful" I added in a quick panic as I averted my eyes making her chuckle.

"No, however I am the host of this ball" she says with a slight smile as she twirled me around to the music then pulled me close again. Her statement immediately making my eyes widen behind my mask just from pure shock. Just how loaded is this woman? was my first thought as she let out a laugh "you're adorable, lass" was all she said. "Also it might be wise to say, I'm the one behind the notes and the dress, you may call me Emeraude" she said with a devilish smirk. It was that moment that I felt my gut churn, had this beautiful woman been stalking me? I asked myself as I stepped back, Emeraude stepping forward until I was backed up against the wall.

I was trapped as she put one arm by my head to trap me there, heat rushing to my face as she brought a stray strand of my hair to her red stained lips. "Little rose, don't you know I've been in love with you for quite some time now, I'm not letting you get away that easily~" She whispered in my ear as she let go of me and soon after that the ball ended leaving me flustered beyond words as I made it home.