Chapter 15 - Grace's Inaugural Ball - and How Hard It Was to Prepare

            Starya kept asking Grace so many annoying questions about her Inaugural Ball.

            "What kind of music do you like?"

            "What's your favorite color?"

            "Do you like group dancing or couples' dance?"

            Grace finally turned around and said: "Why can't you just read my $&^%ING MIND like you seem to do the others you have somehow captures?"

            Starya's only reply was, ''There is so much blocking and self-denial in your mind that there is no way Queen Beryl can get into it.''

            ''Why would Queen Beryl want to get into my head?''

            ''She wants to plan your Inaugural Ball, with the perfect party in store.''

            ''Okay. Why can't she just do it?''

            ''There are a lot of repressions and denials inside it. We need a double strength power to get in there.''

            ''Fine. Bring it on.''

             A knock came on Grace's door. She opened it.

            ''Good afternoon. My name is Emily, and I will be, um, getting inside your brain.''

            ''Oh. And how might you do that?''

            ''Well, the first thing is, there is a lot clouded opinions on what you like and don't like. Beryl said there was.''

            With sarcasm, Grace replied, ''Wow, the Great and Powerful Queen Beryl.''

            ''Huge defense mechanisms, too. Lots of pain in your past-related to your mother. I see a lot of rejection and abuse on the family's part. How do you feel about that?''

            ''It's very hard to deal with. Fact is, the fact that I was adopted was a comfort to me.''

            ''Have you formed any opinions about things in college?''

            ''What??''

            ''College. Could you not help yourself to your own opinions in college?''

            Just then, Emily gasped.

            ''I see something you don't remember. May I bring it up to you?''

            ''Um, sure.''

            ''Well, this may be hard to stomach, but there is a memory of an old woman doing nasty things to your younger self.''

            ''Old man? Who? How??''

            ''I think he may be your adopted grandmother.''

            Suddenly, a flood of memory came back to Grace. There, in the presence of a complete stranger, was an aunt on her father's side putting her hand down her little bike shorts. Grace began to cry uncontrollably, saddened by her new pain.

            ''It's good to let your feelings out in front of me. That rage and grief is natural.''

            ''Natural? That's good, right?''

            ''Yes. It is good.'' She held up a tiny clock, which stopped when she pushed the button. Starya and the horse-headed youma Emily brought to the room were frozen solid in motion.

            ''Go ahead and cry or get angry as long as you need to. I have stopped time.''

            Grace raged and screamed for what seemed hours. Then, she was healed and relieved.

            ''Are you better?''

            ''I feel better now. Does that help the cause?''

            ''Yes. In fact, Beryl has begun to choose several things for your ball already. I hope to see you there.''

            ''What should I wear to the Ball?''

            ''Whatever makes you feel like a true princess. It's up to you.''

            As Emily walked out the door, she turned and offered this bit of advice: ''Be careful. Heliodor is still somewhat awkward at the dancing. However, he is very good at the Samba.''

            Grace pulled out a long red strapless gown with sparkles and gold heels. For a finish, a thick stone choker with a large pendant made of red jade and matching earrings. She felt fabulous. She put on her makeup and red satin mask and was ready.

            Soon, there was a carriage waiting for her, on which Starya and Grace rode to the castle. Once she was there, Starya led Grace to the Doorway of the New Citizen, with Beryl waiting intently.

            Beryl held Grace's face, and said, with sadness, ''I am sorry about the kind of family you were given to. It was my fault you were given to them.''

            Then, Beryl went to her position, and Grace entered the throne room. Inside was a series of glowing candles floating in the air as far as the eye could see. Grace was stunned at its beauty. She could also see Emily and another girl standing in their positions, both smiling at her.

        "To those who brought this young woman down here, she has been quite a challenge, but as you all know, I have made her the Commander of North America. Her name is Grace Elizabeth, in the vein of Nephrite."

        Grace pulled off the mask she wore. Emily and the other girl applauded, and they both stepped away.

            "As is the custom, the first dance the Commander has is shared expressly with the Queen, or the Crown Prince, whoever is the more appropriate partner," were Beryl's next words.

            Heliodor, this time in red lines in his suit, came up to her. ''I have been told I dance a pretty mean Samba.''

            He actually did. It was very fun and exciting, as were the rest of the festivities. At one point, Grace went to the back wall to look at the former Shitennou, one of whom was a blonde, young-looking man in a blue lined suit. She hoped to see him very soon.

            After a time-stop of resting after the ball, Grace was refreshed, and took on her training the very next day.