* * *

The ballroom by the time the clock struck twelve was already full with laughter behind the masks and fizzing sounds of champagne. Behind the masks were people of most different agendas - spies, perhaps - but the masks kept their secrets safe, as tonight everyone could be anyone they want. As if their usual masks of powdered face were not enough.

As more and more guests arrived to the palace and more and more greeted each other and paid respects to the already present Queen of Prussia there was puzzlement over where the host - His majesty Frederich II - was? It was until the moment the formerly 'infamous' Baroness von Essen whispered news in a hurry to Her Majesty that the answers were given. Her Majesty stood up and upon asking for everyone's attention announced: "His Majesty unfortunately cannot attend this masquerade due to official affairs that he hurriedly needs to attend to." Her Majesty sighed knowing that His Majesty yet again abandoned her to host the courtly events in Berlin while he prefers to stay in his Sanssouci residence. So much of a long-anticipated (one-sidedly) meeting!

The masquerade still carried on disregarding anyone's feelings. It was a merry evening full of dancing and laughing, as the boundaries between good and bad were so thin thanks to the masks. Her Royal Highness Princess Amalia was found scandalous dancing and enjoying female company for a dance. Furthermore, the Princess decided to occupy the King's seat as her own in his absence. Well, he was not there, was he?

Grafin von Polentz who attended to the Queen that evening showed clear hostility towards the Baroness who recently got cleared of false charges of treason. The two have been old enemies for a long time now. What an irony that they both wore dresses tailored from same fabric.

The masked ball was concluded with the last dance between her Majesty the Queen dressed as Demeter Goddess of harvest and masked Herr von Haugwitz from the King's household. The Queen was seen heavily breathing, as she was sure not in "right form" to dance coupled by the fact that it was a really long time since she last danced with anyone, especially her own husband King Frederick II.

It was now time to announce the winners of the contest among ladies and gentlemen. The winners were the ever beautiful Claudia d'Orleans from France (travelling incognito) and the flamboyant Frenchman Louis-Charles de Beauvoir, Marquis de Chagny for their gorgeous autumn deer costumes. It seems deer antlers bring luck, indeed, as we found out that evening.

Now the 'formal' part of the evening was over. What happened will stay between those who were present that night.

(( OOC pictures will be posted on ning later on~ ^w^ Thank you for coming to the masquerade! And special thanks to tjay - our Princess Amalia - who built and organised this event most splendidly ;-P))