As Evie carefully opened the envelope and pulled out the invitation, her eyes widened in surprise. The invitation was elegantly printed on thick, cream-colored paper, with the Lord of Havethrone's crest embossed at the top. The message read:
"You are cordially invited to the Lord of Havethrone's All Hallows' Eve Masquerade Ball
On the night of October 31st, join us for a evening of mystery and merriment as we celebrate the spookiest of nights. Don your finest attire, along with a mask to conceal your identity, and come prepared for an evening of enchantment and surprise.
Date: October 31st
Time: Sundown
Location: Havethrone Manor
Please RSVP by return post to let us know if you will be joining us for this bewitching evening.
Sincerely,
The Lord of Havethrone"
Evie's face lit up with excitement as she turned to Anny. "Oh, Anny, can I go? Please? It sounds like so much fun!" She bounced up and down, her eyes shining with anticipation.
Anny's expression turned stern, and she shook her head. "No, Evie, you're too young to be attending a gathering like that. There will be all sorts of people there, and it's not safe for you." Her voice was firm, but Evie could detect a hint of concern beneath the surface.
Evie's face fell, and she pouted, but she knew better than to argue with Anny when she had made up her mind. "But why not, Anny? I'm almost grown up, and I promise I'll be careful." She tried to sound reasonable, but Anny's expression didn't soften.
Anny's eyes seemed to cloud over, and she leaned in closer to Evie. "It's not just about being careful, child. There are...things at Havethrone Manor that you don't need to be exposed to. Vampires, for one." Her voice was barely above a whisper.
Anny's voice was laced with a deep-seated distrust, and her eyes seemed to bore into Evie's very soul. "You know how I feel about those creatures," she said, her voice dripping with disdain. "They're unnatural, and they don't belong in our world."
In reality, vampires had been living among humans for centuries, and while some humans loathed and feared them, others had grown accustomed to their presence. The high-born vampires, in particular, had integrated themselves into human society, often holding positions of power and influence. However, Anny's aversion to vampires was rooted in a deeper concern, one that went beyond mere prejudice.
Evie had grown up seeing vampires in the village, some of whom were respected members of the community. But Anny's reaction was different, and Evie knew that her concerns were not just about the vampires' supernatural nature, but about something more specific.
As Evie looked at Anny, she could see the deep-seated concern etched on her face. But Evie was determined to convince Anny to let her attend the masquerade ball. She took a deep breath and began to plead her case.
"Anny, I understand your concerns, but I'm not a child anymore. I'm almost grown up, and I promise to be careful. Besides, the vampires are not what you think they are. They're just like us, but with certain...differences. They've been living among us for centuries, and they've proven to be valuable members of our community."
Anny's expression didn't change, but Evie could see the faintest glimmer of curiosity in her eyes. "Valuable members?" Anny repeated, her voice laced with skepticism. "You call them valuable members? They're not even human, Evie."
Evie took another deep breath and tried to reason with Anny. "I know they're not human, Anny, but they're not monsters either. They're just...different. And they're not all the same, just like humans. Some are good, some are bad. But the ones who will be at the ball are from the high-born families. They're respected members of our community, and they deserve our respect."
Anny's eyes narrowed, and she leaned in closer to Evie. "You're not listening to me, child. It's not just about their nature or their behavior. It's about what they are. They're predators, Evie. They prey on humans, and they're not to be trusted."
Evie felt a shiver run down her spine as Anny's words struck a chord within her. She had heard stories about vampires preying on humans, but she had always thought they were just stories. But as she looked into Anny's eyes, she saw a deep-seated fear that made her wonder if there was more to the stories than she had initially thought.
But Evie was determined to convince Anny to let her attend the ball. She took another deep breath and tried to appeal to Anny's softer side. "Anny, I understand your concerns, but I'm not asking you to let me go alone. You can come with me, if you want. We can go together, and you can see for yourself that there's nothing to be afraid of."
Anny's expression softened slightly, and Evie could see the faintest glimmer of uncertainty in her eyes. "I'm not sure, Evie," Anny said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know if I can trust them."
Evie saw her chance and took it. She reached out and took Anny's hand, looking up at her with pleading eyes. "Please, Anny? Can't you just try to understand? I promise to be careful, and I'll do everything in my power to make sure nothing happens to me."
Anny looked at Evie, and for a moment, she saw the little girl she used to be, full of wonder and curiosity. And in that moment, she knew that she couldn't deny Evie the chance to experience the world for herself. She took a deep breath and nodded, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Okay, Evie. You can go to the ball. But you have to promise me two things: you'll avoid as many vampires as possible, and you'll be back home before midnight. Can you do that for me?"
Evie's face lit up with excitement, and she nodded eagerly. "I promise, Anny! I'll avoid the vampires, and I'll be back home before midnight. I swear!"