Crystal
Have you ever looked at yourself in the mirror and been happy that you're pretty? I believe everyone is beautiful in many ways, be it facial appearance or body shape it doesn't matter, everyone is beautiful to me.
But the world I live in? Nah, they don't think so... Beauty here is ranked by facial and body appearance. And guess what is unfair?
The rich only get to be beautiful because wealth brings beauty or handsomeness in my world. If one grows up in a line of wealthy family, they will be born handsome or beautiful. But what about the poor?
They will be ugly! Beauty comes with a price, even for the rich they have to purchase skincare products and take good care of their skin.
And what about me? I was born pretty! Every time I look in the mirror, I feel disgusted by my image. I was given a false identity!
My parents, down to my ancestors, were super poor and not good looking. But where do I come from? Why am I different?
Sounds weird, right? One should be happy if he or she is attractive, but to be honest, I am not... Why so?
Because in my village, I am different. Even among my elder brothers, I look alien. We all look alike, but I am still different looking attractive while they look less attractive.
I have lived nineteen years of my life in hiding, always covering my face with a veil or using make up to mask my identity.
Where did I get this beauty from? You might want to say maybe my mother cheated on my father with a noble, but that's not possible because I am a splitting image of my father, a more cuter and attractive version of him. So is this beauty a blessing or a curse?
If it's a blessing, why do I have to live in hiding like I committed a grievous sin?
Looking again at the mirror, I sighed in frustration and touched my smooth face. I smiled, my two deep dimples showing and I immediately frowned.
"I need to get rid of this face," I spoke calmly, using a thick veil to cover most of my face, only creating space where I could see. I was breathing slowly well, I am used to it now, so no too much stress.
"Crystal! Are you done?" I heard Mother's voice, and I got up quickly.
"Yes, Mother!" I replied, carrying my bag. Today, Mother and I are going to a cloth store to get a dress that I will wear for the coming of age party being hosted by the king for the commoners. Though the nobles have theirs, since I am not of noble birth, I can't attend it.
I am not really in support of it, but it is a command by the king that any girl who clocks nineteen must attend the party and must find a suitor to marry her off before she clocks twenty.
I don't want to marry and have kids. It was never in my plan. I just want to live freely. I don't like anyone or ever have a feeling for a guy before, so I don't know how I would get married.
"Crystal!" Mother shouted again, getting impatient.
"Coming, Mother!" I replied, checking myself in the mirror before I opened the door and met her angry face.
"I am sorry, Mother," I spoke calmly and held her hand. "Let's go now," I added, and she sighed and held my hand while we went out of the house.
"Where are you two going, Mother?" my eldest brother, Luther, asked, looking at us.
"We wanna go get a ball gown for Crystal for the coming of age party this evening," Mother replied, and my brother smiled.
"Sure, Mother. Take care out there," he spoke, and I waved at him. He nodded and waved back.
We walked to the cloth store, which was two streets away from our house. When we reached there, Mother sat down, catching her breath, while I stood waiting for her to rest.
"Ain't you tired?" Mother asked me. I smiled and whispered, "No, Mother."
She shook her head in frustration. "You are a lady; you should act like one. You know I have warned you to stop training with your brothers. They will make you like themselves one day!" she spoke, clearly frustrated.
Mother hates when I go out to train with my brothers because she believes females are meant to be fragile while the males are strong and responsible for protecting the females. But I am not buying into her idea.
I believe, as a female, you also need to be strong to defend yourself when faced with difficulty.
"Ma'am, here for a dress?" The shop owner approached us with a smile. Mother nodded and stood up.
"Yes, I need a ball gown for my daughter here," she said, pointing at me.
"Follow me," the woman said and took us to a section where many beautiful gowns were hung. But their prices were too high because they looked eye catching.
"Is there a place where we can see lesser prices?" Mother spoke, her voice laced with embarrassment.
"Ah- yes," the shop owner replied awkwardly and directed us to a place where low quality gowns were hung. My face turned sour immediately when I saw them.
I don't like wearing gowns and skirts. Just looking at the gown made me pissed. Must my parents go through tough times just to get me a dress? I felt bad for them.
"You don't like them?" Mother questioned with a disappointed look in her eyes.
"You know we have little money for now," she whispered, and I immediately flashed a pleasing smile to make her feel better.
"I do," I spoke, and she smiled.
"Good, we will take this one," she said, pointing at a blue gown adorned with a few stones. It was plain but looked better than the rest of the dresses there.
"Go put it on," she handed the dress to me, and I went to the changing room to put it on. I felt really uncomfortable in the gown.
When I came out, Mother exclaimed in surprise. "This is perfect," she spoke with a pleased smile.
I nodded and changed back into my pants and shirt. I handed the dress to the shop owner, mother paid her and she packaged it and gave it to me.
"What next?" Mother asked as we left the shop.
"Ummm… mask?" I spoke.
"Yes! That's important," she replied and held my hand, dragging me to a shop across the cloth store.
Wearing a mask is also a tradition in the ball. It's actually a masquerade ball for the purpose of choosing a suitor. But the strange thing is, how can you choose a suitor when you can't even see their face, huh?
"Crystal!" I heard a voice, which made me and Mother turn in that direction.
"I will be expecting you at the ball party tonight. I have interest in you," Collin, my elder brother's best friend, spoke, and my mother looked at me with a smile.