I darted through the crowded hall, slipping between dancing couples and clusters of chatting nobles. The dining room offered a momentary reprieve from the crush of bodies - fewer people lingered there, most preferring the music and dancing in the grand hall. A long table laden with refreshments stretched along one wall, crystal glasses catching the light from above.

  That's when I spotted her - a figure in deep amethyst-purple, the color of the Darkstar, scanning the crowd. Even with her color-changed hair and elaborate mask, I'd recognize that posture anywhere. Ariella. She had changed her hair to match her costume - now it shimmered deep purple, cascading over her shoulders in the same arrangement she always wore. She never was very inventive with her hairstyles.

  She moved through the room, clearly searching for someone. For me, perhaps?

  I approached from behind, tapping her shoulder lightly. "Looking for someone?"

  She whirled around, eyes narrowing behind her purple mask. When she saw my eyes, her shoulders relaxed. "Liv! Lady Marigold was asking for you; you didn't sign the cards for the gift bags."

  "Oh, pish posh. I'm having fun, Ari! When was the last time I got to do that without schedules and protocols?"

  Her expression softened slightly. "What have you been doing with your stolen freedom, then?

  An idea - deliciously devious and utterly irresistible - popped into my head. I couldn't help the grin that spread across my face.

  "I've been... making new acquaintances." I said casually. "But I've just had the most wonderful idea. Let's swap!"

  Ariella blinked. "Swap what?"

  "Our looks! The color clips in our hair and dresses. You become me for a while, and I'll be you!"

  "That's absurd. What possible purpose would that serve in an anonymous function?"

  "Fun! Isn't that enough?"

  "... If that's what my queen desires." she said with a small smile. "Though I think you're becoming drunk on freedom."

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  "Perhaps I am! Come, there's a small parlor just down the hall."

  I led her through a side door into one of the palace's many anterooms. This one was dimly lit, used for storing the dining chairs for the duration of the event. The moment the door closed behind us, I began removing the runic clips from my hair.

  "Here, help me with the ones in the back." I instructed, turning so Ariella could reach them.

  Her fingers worked quickly, removing each clip. My hair gradually returned to its natural brown as the mana effect faded from the disconnected clips.

  "Your turn." I said, turning to help her with hers, then replacing them with mine.

  We worked in companionable silence, exchanging clips and reattaching them to each other's hair and dresses. The blue of the Icestar slowly spread across Ariella's purple-tinted locks, while my hair took on the deep amethyst. Then I helped her pin her hair up and let mine down. It was a shame to ruin Elara's work so early, but it was happening sooner or later.

  Once our trade was complete, we stood side by side before a small mirror on the wall. The resemblance was uncanny - not perfect, but enough to fool someone who didn't know us well. Our similar builds and the masks helped sell the illusion.

  We returned to the dining room, now more crowded as guests sought refreshments between dances. My eyes immediately caught sight of a familiar ruffle-shirted rogue entering the room, his head turning as he scanned the crowd.

  "I need to grab a drink." I said to Ariella, squeezing her hand before stepping away. "I'll be back in a moment."

  I moved toward the refreshment table, watching as Raphael continued his search. When his gaze landed on Ariella, his face lit up with recognition. Without hesitation, he strode toward her. I bit my lip to suppress a laugh as he swept a confused Ariella into a bow. Her posture went rigid with surprise, but she was too well-trained in courtly manners to cause a scene.

  "Found you." Raphael said. "Though I must say, you didn't hide very well."

  Ariella's eyes darted around the room. "I... what?"

  "Our game." he prompted, looking slightly confused by her reaction. "Hide and seek? You suggested it yourself just moments ago."

  I could see the exact moment understanding dawned on Ariella's face - her eyes narrowed briefly in my direction before a slow, smile spread across her face. She might be surprised, but Ariella had never been one to miss an opportunity.

  "So I did. You found me rather quickly."

  Raphael offered his arm. "Shall we claim your prize then?"

  As he led a still-adjusting Ariella toward the dance floor, she shot me a look over her shoulder that clearly said: 'You'll pay for this later.' I merely raised my glass in a toast and giggled.

  With my two companions thoroughly distracted by each other, I slipped away from the main ballroom, wandering into the less-frequented corridors. These were the same hallways I'd walked thousands of times, yet tonight they felt different - like I was exploring them for the first time. I twirled in an empty corridor, my skirts flaring around me, and laughed aloud simply because I could.