I am not entirely sure as to how I found myself caught in this moment; though I am not one to complain over such a magnificent moment to be caught in.

My back is straighter than a tree that is firmly rooted into the soil, my cheeks have a twinge of an aching pain to them from how hard I am smiling, and my eyes are locked onto two of the most entrancing ones I have ever seen… Dare I call them enchanting?

Before me, is a man that I never could have imagined to be sharing this dance with. He is everything that a woman – whom obsesses over physical features – would so desire. His firm hold on my right hand and left waist only emphasises the strength that his appearance presents. His fashion! While not everybody may like the darkened colours, consisting of mostly black with hints of grey, I cannot help but admire how well he pulls it off. Perhaps it is the way it seems to match his slicked back hair, and his more serious demeanour?

Perhaps.

But, even now, I still return from all of this, to simply gaze up and into his eyes. Behind them… I can see a gentleness, or perhaps that is the way that the candlelight reflects off of them. Could a man, next in line to the Rigelian throne truly be a gentle giant? That would be–

"Berkut!" I let out a loud shriek; one that echoed throughout the ballroom and caused my face to flush red out of utter embarrassment; after finding myself tilted to an angle, relying solely on his arm's strength!

"I apologise, milady." He says, before returning me to my feet. "But you were so far away, I couldn't resist the temptation of seeing you in all of your grace."

"Lord Berkut! I would not exactly refer to that as 'all of your grace,' it was more of a public embarrassment!" My tone must have been somewhat on the harsh side, as his eyebrows furrowed briefly – thankfully, it was only brief.

"I apologise once more, Rinea." He states, then lifts his arm to allow for a careful spin, to which I do comply. "I promise, I shall make it up to you. I would hate for you to take a disliking to me over something so miniscule."

I could not help but relax once more upon such words. His voice was smoother than the finest of scotch and his words were the ice that made the scotch taste even better.

"Lord Berkut, you are quite the gentleman. I would be damned a fool if I was to think otherwise and take disliking over something so petty."

He smiles.

Then, we sway in silence for a little longer. I took the time to really embrace and feel for every given moment; I was really being taken away by the sweet sounds of the orchestra and the coolness of the gentle breeze… And then he spoke.

"Rinea, I would like to get to know you in vaster detail. Would you like to join me in the castle sometime?"

Despite my ears suddenly only hearing the rushing of the blood around my body, and my mind turning into mush – the sort of mush that only a baby could create from their food – I respond. Unconsciously, but I do.

"I would be honoured."