Chapter 17: Chapter 17

Legaxy

“I don't think that's really necessary, Mama,” I said while cautiously eyeing the red lipstick on her left hand.

Mum rolled her eyes, knowing I was just saying that to delay her task of putting color on my lips.

She knows I don't like to do make-up. Never wore one, not even once, and never will I try — well, not until now…

“Just a little more baby… you're much paler than I thought.” Mum shoved the stick closer to my face which I successfully dodged.

“Mama, I think it's just the room's lighting that makes me look paler — ”

“Oh, hush child.” Mum interrupted with a frown, “It's just a teensy bit, come on. Let Mama do her work on getting you pretty.” she disputed.

She then grabbed my chin, making my eyes widened in horror.

“Mama, no!” I shrieked, quickly turning my head in her grip to avoid the upcoming lipstick.

Thankfully, it hit only my cheeks and since it was just a dab, it didn't ruin the whole look.

But before I could sigh a relief, I heard Mum growled out in pure annoyance.

“Legaxy Hailey Dyme!” She exclaimed, letting go of my chin, “DO NOT test my patience young lady or I swear to God, you're going to leave this house without any make-up on” — I beamed at that which earned me a glare from her — “and without us.” She finishes her warning, making my smile drop.

“You wouldn't dare…” I muttered, terrified at the idea of going to an event ALONE.

Mum saw my scared expression and instead of being bothered by it, she only smirked at me.

“Try me,” she challenged, crossing her arms in front of her chest.

I stared at her for a moment, trying to look for any indication that she was just joking, that she didn't mean what she had just said a second ago.

But then again, I realized, this is Mum.

Her words of contests and defiance are hidden warnings — that will make you worry about what you will do or say next to her, while her simple smirks and innocent tauntings are silent threats — that you should really take seriously before it's too late.

Fortunately, I am familiar with all of that, making me smart enough not to fight back.

So, as a sign of defeat, I slowly nodded my head at Mum, motioning for her to proceed with her work on coating my lips.

She flashed a triumphant smile at me and just like that, she stained my lips with the mentioned cosmetic.

As I felt the sticky wax spreading on my full lips, I let out a loud groan of irritation on Mum's hand.

Why such an innocent bar of color be so heavy on the lips?

And I thought these fake eyelashes mixed with the eyeliner and eyeshadows were far heavier than the rest of the make-up setup.

Mum, on the other hand, ignored my noise of discomfort and solely focused on the task on hand. When she was done, she lifted my chin up and gently move it from side to side, carefully inspecting my face for any signs of imperfections or flaws.

Once satisfied, FINALLY, she set down the lipstick on my drawer and took a soft tissue to clean the small dot of wax from before on my right cheek.

Then, she firmly ordered me to stay still for she will be doing my hair now.

I did as told and accordingly, kept quiet.

I know, by now, a lot of you are wondering why my Mum is dolling me up…

Well, would you be shocked if I told you that the Red Moonball — as we all believed to be canceled — was ordered to resume, or more like voted to continue?

I guess you would be…

But what really shocked me to the core, making me faint once again, was the information that it was because of ME why the ball had to begin again.

Did you faint too?

Not yet?

Oh, okay… Maybe it is just me.

Anyway, back to the breaking news.

Honestly speaking, at first, I thought the declaration was just a sick joke from Dad since for almost three days — after the night I fainted, we — as a family, we're so focused on planning on how to keep the neighborhood safe from the hunting season.

Seeing how big the damage would be and estimating how many lives will be at stake, the Department of Defense — together with the Department of Health of the Hue Kingdom — solidified the decision of suspending the said ball, even if it was hard on the REDless so that we could solely concentrate on protecting the community.

But with just one plea.

Yes, you heard me right…

With just one request to continue from the Mixed Council —after they have learned of my attendance at the ball, which was clearly odd — and everything we plotted on defending both people and property goes to waste.

Ridiculous?

Definitely.

Dangers are lurking everywhere, threats are currently existing, and death tolls will be at their highest when the ball continues to operate.

Yet, thy majesties still agreed to it?

Without even questioning it?

It's a foolish decision, to tell you frankly, and I am still disturbed about it up to date.

What were they thinking?

They were not only risking the lives of their people but also risking the lives of the human race that will be present at the occasion.

And why me, exactly?

This all transpired because of me… But for what reasons?

True that I am a human and a part of the said event's new attendees. Yet, among all the humans invited, why was I the only soul that got the mixed council's attention and even made them appeal for the ball to resume?

Questions.

Too many questions and I'm going mad because this was the first time, in my mixed-race life, that I had no answers to anything.

I felt so vulnerable…

Nonetheless, one thing that's keeping me sane and calm right now — and not run away from this impending catastrophe, was the idea that I'm doing this for my family.

For my brothers especially.

I know this may sound outrageous now, after all my pep talk and internal discussion, but I already accepted my fate.

It wasn't easy, that's for sure, recognizing how dangerous this situation was. However, realizing that I will be providing some kind of effort to save my clan from the verge of extinction, my family from an uncertain future, and my brothers from loneliness, then everything is all worth the risk.

THEY are worth the risk…

Not to mention, bailing out of this means I'm turning my back from my family — a sign of surrender. And I cannot have that on my conscience for the rest of my life.

Plus, I did ask for a solution once, didn't I?

“And my baby… is now… done,” Mum muttered, snapping me out of my trance.

She then turns my seat so I will be facing the mirror attached to my dresser and shortly, she sprayed some hair spray on my hair.

I took a peek and began checking myself in the mirror.

Just having that small glimpse of reflection, made my overall being paused.

Is this, really… me?

My face looked so FOREIGN, so new to me. Even if the makeup was simple and natural — a little bold with the red lipstick, it still made every inch of my features pop. Especially, my silver-gray eyes which were framed by thick eyelashes and dark eyeliner.

While for my hair, it was intricately braided at the top and then tucked into a bun just below my neck. A few curls resting beside my face, making my image softer than usual.

Everything looks… elegantly beautiful.

And I know, deep down, this is me. But, I never look so… beautiful before.

“With that expression, I could tell you like what you see,” Mum commented and I saw her smiling proudly through the mirror.

I only nodded my head, still speechless with my gorgeous image.

Mum chuckled and gave me a gentle kiss on my temple. Then, without another word, she took my hands and both of us left my room.

Currently, Mum and I were slowly walking down the grand staircase, talking casually about anything when I heard the boys' cheerful discussions just ahead of us.

Quickly, my eyes snapped to look forward and, just a few meters away, I caught sight of all the lads in their evening attire. Hairs all gelled back to perfection, except Axel who always prefers his hair down to hide half of his scarred face.

All of a sudden, a realization hit me when I took in completely their outfits.

All boys were wearing GREEN…

And mine was color green too.

Would that mean…

I dragged my gaze from the black-tied, green-suited men to Dad for confirmation and to my amazement, he was wearing the same outfit and color as the boys.

Though his suit was on the darker shade and amusingly, as I noticed him drooling over his wife, I also was quick to note that Mum was also wearing green; a simple silk emerald green dress that was hugging her lovely curves.

Then, my eyes stopped to assess myself.

As I said, I'm likewise wearing green; an emerald green lace mermaid dress with a spaghetti strap.

It's very open and tight at the back, exposing my slim back and round bottom — which I never knew I had. While at the front, it was in a low V-neck, showcasing my big boobs and revealing some cleavage — that, I know, I have but never did I intended to show off.

Regardless, this is strange…

Am I missing something here?

Some kind of dress code or party theme?

I glanced back at Mum and promptly asked, “Why all the green, Mama?”

Mum, breaking eye contact with Dad, glanced at me bewildered.

“I mean, the clothes.” I clarified, “Why are we all wearing green?”

Heeding that, Mum flashed me her signature warm smile — the one that always makes me feel safe and loved.

“Green represents our status, Lily… Just like the werewolf community has, wherein they have designated colors to portray their importance.” She started, stopping midway through the stairs to face me, “The difference with them is, they exhibit their rank all the time by tying their respective colored band around their upper arm. While for us, we show it through dresses and accessories, AND we only flash it at the ball.” She explained and started descending the stairs again.

Oh, well that explains it…

However, with so many colors in the color wheel, why the color GREEN?

I was about to ask that — hastily stepping the last step of the stairs and speed walk my way to the foyer, to try and catch Mum, who was almost out of the door with Dad — when I heard multiple intakes of breath by my side.

My head quickly turned towards the direction of the sound, assuming that something was wrong—

Oh, it was just the boys…

I was intending to ignore them when I caught sight of their angry posture. All were breathing heavily and their knuckles were turning white due to the pressure of clutching it to fists.

Now, why do I feel like I did something wrong?

Anxious, I shifted my gaze upward to look at them and how I wish I didn't.

They were all looking at me intently; slowly dragging their eyes from the top of my head, down to the tip of my heels.

But what got me squirming under their attention was the fact that their eyes were now in their dangerous color; Seth and Howard's were in pure red, while Axel's turned black — a witch thing.

Lord, no…

I made a step back and they followed.

I tried again, and they still strode forward — now with devilish smirks planted on their faces.

Shit!

That's not always a good sign…

All I could think of then, as I calculate my distance from the exit, was how to run faster on these four-inch heels.