I hesitated slightly before opening the box. Yet then I pulled the ribbon with trembling fingers and took the lid off. Inside, there was a small black envelope with golden edges on top of golden tissue paper. My name was written on it with beautiful gilded letters.
I got out a little card from the inside and read:
Lady Larissa Artess of White Archipelago,
His Majesty Emperor Demir Darmerion Derwood requests the honour of your presence at the Royal Masquerade Ball to be held at the Royal Gerdian Palace on the 7th day of Ferrorsun month.
The festivities will start on the 7th hour and every guest is required to wear a mask. All masks will be off at midnight.
Biting my lip, I removed the shiny tissue paper and gasped when I saw the main gift. A beautifully crafted white mask
