The poor man got a face full of satin and poofs from my ball gown as I stuck my head out the window in order to stare wide-eyed as the carriage jostled up the twisting road leading to the spectacular palace, a vision of marble and splendor, lit by dozens of torches that flickered in the starry night.
The heat of Alastar’s breath tickled my ear as he leaned in close. “Don’t fall out.”
“I’m not going to fall out unless you decide to push me.” I cast him a suspicious glance. “You won’t, will you?”
Cue his cocked eyebrow. “Will I?”
Odious man. I rolled my eyes and returned to hanging out the window, subconsciously aware that I was practically in Alastar’s lap and that the areas where my skin grazed his were strangely warm and tingly.
We couldn’t reach the Dracerian Palace quickly enough, for I was certain that this was the beginning of my very own magical happily ever after.
“I’m in heaven, I’m in heaven, I’m in heaven,” I muttered repeatedly as I gazed doe-eyed around me at the enchanting splendor of the Dracerian royal palace ballroom—with its glistening chandeliers, gilded marble, and garlands of flowers draping the walls. Dozens of nobles dressed in their finest silks and jewels stood conversing, the bells of their laugher dancing around the domed room.
Eileen squeezed my arm affectionately. “Isn’t it lush? Royal balls truly are fairy-tale visions.”
“Only they’re far more grand than any fairy tale I’ve ever imagined.” I soaked in the magical elegance surrounding me before I felt strangely compelled to share in this moment with one man in particular. “Don’t you think so, Alastar?” I turned towards him only to discover he wasn’t beside us. “Where’s your guard?”
“Over there.” Eileen motioned to the side of the ballroom, where Alastar and Duncan stood rigidly, alternating their attention between us and surveying the room for potential devious threats. I turned away with a disappointed sigh in time to notice Eileen exchange an amused smile with Aiden.
“What’s that smirk for?”
“Nothing. Come, shall we greet the Royal Family?”
All thoughts of Alastar and the lush wonder of the glistening ballroom immediately vanished at the thought that I, Rosalina, was about to be formally introduced to the Dracerian Royal Family. Dazed, I allowed Eileen to loop her arm through mine and lead me towards them, where they sat perched on their thrones on a raised platform to oversee their guests.
The Dracerian monarchy were exactly as I envisioned—blond and extremely regal. They rose gracefully at our approach to greet Aiden and Eileen with fond smiles.
“It’s a pleasure to see you again, Prince Deidric and Princess Eileen,” the queen greeted.
Eileen curtsied. “The pleasure is ours, Your Majesty. Thank you for your generous invitation.”
Midst their polite pleasantries, I eyed the other four royals—the three princesses, gorgeous and elegant in their layers of silk and jewels, as expected—and him, my future husband, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Liam. He was even more the perfect portrait of a prince than I’d remembered: wavy golden hair, large blue eyes, a firm chin, a dazzling dimpled smile, proper posture…not to mention he looked incredibly handsome in his dress uniform. Without a doubt, he was the one.
The princesses stepped forward to hug Eileen. “It’s so good to see you again.” Their gazes shifted to me. “Won’t you introduce us?”
Eileen turned to me. “May I present my dearest friend. Rosie, these are the Princesses Rheanna, Aveline, and Elodie. Rhea, Aveline, and Elodie, this is my adopted sister, Miss Rosalina.”
All three princesses gave me a sweet smile. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, dear Rosie. Eileen has told us so much about you. I’m sure we’ll become the best of friends.”
I curtsied while gaping at them in an undignified, slightly dazed manner. The princesses of Draceria wanted to be friends with me? What a perfect beginning to my relationship with my future sisters-in-law.
“And this is Prince Liam.” Eileen introduced him with unmistakable hesitation, as if she feared my response. “Liam, this is my best friend, Rosalina.”
Prince Liam strode over with the perfect poise expected for his royal title. “I’ve already had the pleasure of meeting Miss Rosalina; it’s wonderful to see you again.”
He winked and my heart fluttered in excitement. He remembered our meeting! Did that mean it had been as memorable for him as it had been for me?
I scrambled for words, preferably something witty to impress, but I now found myself strangely tongue-tied, a rare sensation and one that felt strange to experience around my true love.
He seemed to be waiting for me to speak, and when I awkwardly remained silent, he bowed and gently kissed my hand. I nearly fainted at the romantic gesture.
“Unfortunately, I’m expected to meet several stuffy noble bores, but perhaps we can have another chance encounter at the refreshment table later this evening.”
He released me and turned to be introduced to a group of noblemen who’d just arrived. Dazed, I allowed Eileen to lead me back into the crowds, feeling as if I were floating. What a wonderful meeting with my intended and his family. Our romance would undoubtedly be utterly perfect.
An hour later I wasn’t so sure. Rather than being engaged in conversation with my prince, I’d instead trailed Aiden and Eileen as they tediously greeted one esteemed guest after another, all while shifting impatiently for the ball to officially begin. Were royals expected to talk with everyone? How tedious. When the music finally started, Aiden swept Eileen onto the dance floor, leaving me standing miserably alone on the sidelines, watching as Prince Liam danced with a dark-haired beauty rather than me.
“His intended.” Gavin appeared beside me offering a glass of punch, which I gratefully accepted. “Princess Lavena of Lyceria, originally betrothed since infancy to the late crown prince and now to the new one, Prince Liam. Such a political match won’t be abandoned so easily.”
I studied the couple and noticed Prince Liam was not only not smiling, but he wasn’t even looking at his intended, instead seeming to find the area above her head extremely fascinating. “His Highness doesn’t appear enthralled.”
“Indeed, he has no interest in the match, but one often has little choice in political arrangements.”
“Aiden was part of an arranged engagement before he married Eileen, and that one was broken.”
Gavin shrugged. “True, he was engaged to Princess Rheanna, an arrangement that was very difficult for him to break, but considering Sortileya is more stable than Lyceria and Draceria, their union wasn’t as necessary as Prince Liam and Princess Lavena’s is. It would be foolish for Prince Liam to throw it away, no matter how much he dislikes it.”
I tightened my jaw. “You’re saying that even if Prince Liam fell in love with me, our marriage would still be forbidden?” Oh, what a horrible thought.
“I’m just trying to protect you from inevitable heartbreak.”
I angrily swirled my glass of punch. “True love conquers any obstacle.”
“Real life isn’t a story, Rose, and even if it were, why would Prince Liam fall in love with you?”
I flinched at his biting words. With a skewering glare, I stomped away from the most aggravating of cousins—fourth cousin, twice removed—and found myself drawn towards where Alastar stood guarding. He cocked his eyebrow at my approach, and although nothing else about his expression changed, unmistakable concern filled his eyes.
“Stomping at a royal ball? It looks like something has shattered all your hopes for a magical evening. What’s bothering you, Miss Rosalina?”
“My evil cousin.”
“Sir Gavin? How is he troubling you?”
I sighed, tears stinging my eyes as I relived Gavin’s cruel words. “He says I’m unworthy of Prince Liam not only because I wouldn’t be a prestigious match, but because he believes he couldn’t fall in love with me.”
Alastar’s gaze snapped towards Gavin and narrowed
darkly. “What an ungentlemanly thing to say. Please pay his words no mind, Miss Rosalina; your worth isn’t deemed by your station. You’re a charming girl.”
I managed a small smile as I peeked shyly up at him. “Do you believe I’ll find true love?”
“Certainly, Miss Rosalina, and probably when you least expect it. Speaking of which”—he frowned in the direction of Prince Liam, still dancing with his intended—“how was your anticipated reunion with His Highness?”
I sighed. “It was both magical and a disaster. I finally received the proper introduction I’d been waiting for, only to have my words abandon me.”
“A rare event, indeed.”
Despite his wry comment I brightened. “But at least he kissed my hand, not to mention he was utterly charming, as before.”
Alastar’s scowl deepened. “I see.” He glared at Prince Liam again. “If he was so smitten, why aren’t you dancing with your supposed prince?”
I pouted. “Unfortunately, he’s currently engaged in his obligatory dance with his fiancée, which leaves me time to scheme on how to get him to dance with me again.”
“I see.” Alastar frowned as he studied my expression. “What do you think of him now that you’ve met him again?”
I sighed wistfully and Alastar’s expression hardened.
“What’s that sigh mean?”
“He’s so princely, isn’t he?”
“Define princely.”
“Oh, you know,” I said with an impatient wave of my hand.
“I’m afraid I don’t. Please enlighten me.”
“Well, just look at him.” I motioned to where he spun on the dance floor with the utmost grace. Alastar did, his expression harder than ever.
“I’m afraid I’m failing to understand the definition.”
I took a sip of my fruity punch. “He’s blond, blue-eyed, has a dimple…it’s no coincidence our features match.”
Alastar cocked his eyebrow. “I had no idea true love was so superficial.”
I scowled. “You’re so unromantic, Alastar.”
“I believe that attribute falls to you. I’m surprised you believe genuine affection grows from such shallow ground.”
“I don’t,” I said. “While a handsome man is certainly ideal, I desire a deeper connection. I also want a compassionate man, as well as one who is fun and makes me laugh…”
“Makes you laugh, got it.” Alastar stated it like he was committing my list to memory. I tilted my head.
“What are you up to?”
“I’m merely trying to understand your beliefs on love.”
“If you want to better understand it, you’ll need to witness true love in action, which you can do by observing my dance with Prince Liam. You must help me brew up ideas to make him ask me for a dance.”
Alastar gaped at me. “You want me to help you ensnare His Highness?”
“I’m not trying to ensnare him,” I said. “That’s something only a villain would do, and I am most certainly not a villain. As the heroine, I’m merely creating the opportunity for him to realize we’re a perfect match. Now help me come up with a way to secure a dance with him.”
Alastar sighed and rested his chin on his fist in a pondering pose. “We can try telepathy so he can sense your desires, or perhaps a hypnotic spell would be a better choice.”
I clasped my hands. “Oh, those are excellent ideas, but…” I frowned, considering. I’d never heard of those things actually working except for in stories, but I was willing to try anything. “I’ll try telepathy first. The first dance is ending, so I best hurry.” I turned towards Prince Liam and sent him earnest pleas to ask me to dance, pausing only to whack Alastar’s arm. “Are you helping me?”
“The only assistance I can render is offering the suggestion, but I cannot in good conscience attempt to manipulate the mind of a Dracerian royal.”
I drained the rest of my fruity punch. “You’re no fun.”
The final notes of the waltz trilled to a conclusion and my silent pleas increased. Prince Liam bowed to his fiancée without any enthusiasm before escorting her towards our side of the room. There he cast his eyes about, as if searching for his heart.
I’m right here, I silently screamed. Pease dance with me.
To my astonishment, not only did his gaze settle on me, but he approached and bowed. “May I have this next dance, Miss Rosalina?”
I gawked at him in shock. Amazing—telepathy had actually worked. My heart was doing cartwheels, for I, Rosalina, had been Prince Liam’s first choice of a partner after his obligatory dance with his unwanted fiancée. Everything was going according to plan.
“Miss Rosalina?”
I shoved my empty punch glass into Alastar’s hand before daintily placing my own in Prince Liam’s with the grace befitting any princess.
“I’d be pleased to dance with you, Your Highness.” And I gave him my sweetest and most adorable dimpled smile. He returned it and led me onto the floor. Even though I was about to have what promised to be the most romantic moment of my life, I couldn’t resist glancing back at Alastar.
To my surprise, Alastar’s expression had twisted into one that was rather sullen and grumpy as he glared after us, arms crossed, seeming rather upset that my most magical happily ever after was about to begin.
Chapter 8
Prince Liam was such an accomplished dancer, polished and fluid, just as a proper prince should be. I analyzed every aspect of our dance as he twirled me effortlessly from one step into another. He kept me at a polite distance, his hand—which was thankfully not clammy—clasping mine in a loose grip while his other hand rested lightly at my waist. I waited patiently for the heat of his touch to affect me in some way—whether through ripples or shudders, it varied in books—but I felt nothing from having his hand against my lower back. I frowned. Puzzling.
“Is something wrong, Miss Rosalina?” Prince Liam’s blue eyes swirled with concern. Goodness, his eyes were lovely. Everything about him was handsome and regal. Now I needed to see whether our personalities matched.
I smiled. “I’m quite well, Your Highness.”
He flashed a dazzling smile that I waited to make me weak at the knees. Nothing yet. Hmm…. “I’m pleased. You’re a lovely dancer, Miss Rosalina.”
I certainly was. I hadn’t spent hours perfecting each move in front of a mirror—twirling with anything I could find, whether a pillow or a broom—for nothing. “Thank you, Your Highness. Your own dancing is exquisite.”
He smiled politely and humbly at the acknowledgment, such solid virtues for a prince. “So you’re Eileen’s best friend?”
“I am.” How I thrilled to have such a claim!
“She’s a sweet girl,” he said. “I met her while escorting my sisters to Aiden’s competition for his bride and got to spend a lot of time with her.” He glanced towards her and Aiden and sighed wistfully. “I wish I had any hope of experiencing love, but unfortunately my duty to my deceased brother’s contract makes such a future impossible.”
My heart swelled at his words. Prince Liam clearly wanted a love match. How could I encourage him to break his contract so that he could pursue a relationship with me like he desired?
Our spin across the dance floor put me in view of Eileen again. She sat hand in hand with Aiden, both watching my dance with Prince Liam a bit too closely and warily, as if they suspected I planned on laying a trap to ensnare him right here.
My cheeks warmed at their scrutiny. I hastily tore my gaze away and found it settling on Alastar, who also watched me rather intensely through narrowed eyes, all thoughts of acting as Eileen’s guard seemingly forgotten. His expression seemed a bit graver than usual. Strange. The mystery behind his sour mood drew my attention to him again and again as Prince Liam and I twirled across the dance floor.
“Is something bothering you?” Prince Liam asked. “You seem a bit distracted.”
“Do I?” Goodness, what was I doing? Here I was dancing with my prince, and I was g
awking at the silly guard. I forced myself to look away from Alastar.
“Indeed. Perhaps I need to tell you something witty in order to make you smile, lest no other woman will want to dance with me, considering they’d be under the false impression I’m a poor dance partner.”
I forced myself to smooth out my expression. “You’re a wonderful partner, Your Highness.”
He grinned. “Be that as it may, I shall still endeavor to make you smile. See that duchess in the emerald dress?” He motioned with his chin to the woman dancing nearby. “She seems unusually pale. Do you think”—he made a show of looking around before leaning in close, lowering his voice to a whisper—“that perhaps she may be a ghost? I believe many of the neglected rooms in the palace are actually haunted. Perhaps she resides in one of those rooms. If we watch her closely, we might see her float up towards the chandelier.”
I giggled.
“You have a lovely smile, Miss Rosalina. Still, you seem a bit distracted.”
My eyes were once again drawn to Alastar, now openly glaring. Prince Liam followed my gaze and snorted.
“Wow, I’ve never seen Guard Alastar so sullen.”
“He’s always sullen,” I said.
“Yes, but he’s even more so now.” Prince Liam’s eyes twinkled, as if he found Alastar’s strange moodiness amusing. “I suspect I know the reason. It appears I may not inherit the throne after all.”
“Why ever not?” He had my attention again. Really, how could it have faltered so frequently? Prince Liam’s conversation was quite pleasant, not to mention this really was a lovely waltz.
Prince Liam smirked and glanced towards Alastar again. “Having a royal guard for an enemy makes me concerned that my days are numbered.”
“Oh, Alastar wouldn’t kill you.” The idea was ridiculous, even in the most dramatized story I could come up with.
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