I was able to make what one would call as "fashionably late" entrance to the ball. Getting ready had taken far longer than anyone in that palace would have thought possible and I tragically found myself lost several times on the way. Accidently, of course. But I couldn't avoid the ballroom forever and at long last I stumbled into it. I blamed Fate. I stood in the doorway, refusing to completely enter the room. The chandelier had been lit and the place cleaned, but beyond that a few flowers, the room was void of decoration. That was a good sign. I had been worried Wyni would go mad and litter the place with far too much and decor The floor also wasn't crowded. Edward had apparently kept the guest list short, and there were even a few folks in attendance that I recognized. Mostly women, but familiar nonetheless. The rest were a varying mix of young men whom I had never before seen in my life. I moved from the doorway into the room and leaned against the wall. The ones from outside of Daven would be interesting to watch, at least.
I spotted Wyni's friend Lady Selene. She was surrounded by a small group of three or four young men, tossing her red curls and giggling, obviously enjoying herself. Why had she come? Out of all of Wyni's friends, I liked Selene the least. Wyni always said Selene was really nice, but I mused that if they were such good friends, why weren't they with each other? Wyni and Miranda had to be somewhere near. I looked past Selene and her companions to search for Wyni.
Though I didn't see my stepsister, I did see someone else.
"Katrina!" A dark-haired figure broke from nowhere in the pattern of guests and glided toward me, smiling as if she had just uncovered some buried treasure. Princess Chanya.
I groaned and tried to look away.
The action, of course, did not miraculously hide me like I wished. Chanya dashed up and grabbed my hands, just like we were old friends. I tried to pull away, but the girl had surprisingly strong grip.
"Hello, Katrina," she said. "How are you? I haven't seen you in such a long time!"
"Absence makes the heart grow fonder," I said through clenched teeth.
Chanya rambled on as if I hadn't said a word. "I was looking for you. Princess Wyni said you were in your room getting ready, so we both decided to wait for you. Now I don't know where she's off to. Oh, dear. But I don't blame her with all these people. I'm trying to introduce my cousin around. I had to drag him here." She stared at me for a long time, suddenly freshly seeing me. "Perhaps you'd dance with him, Katrina!"
"It's Kat," I said. I didn't say a thing about her cousin. If he was anything like Chanya, I didn't want to dance with him. In fact, I would pick Chanya over him.
Chanya's gaze turned desperate to the crowd. "I can't find him!" Then laughed. "Oh, well. Maybe he's off dancing with some lady. I hope so. Father would be so pleased."
"Pleased?" I echoed before I could stop myself.
She nodded and turned back to me. "I probably would have left him home had my father not insisted I bring him. But Father will be delighted if we find a niece-in-law here."
I rolled my eyes. "Is everyone using this ball as a marriage auction?"
Chanya stared at me in surprise before she laughed. "It seems so, yes!"
"Are you looking for a husband?"
"Me? No, not really. I'm rather too young for marriage, and my father even warned me not to come home engaged."
"You're lucky. King Edward is probably hiding somewhere selecting someone for me."
Chanya nodded. "That's actually what my father would do. He's much too picky about my suitors. Whenever he lets me have them, of course"
"Same actions, different motives." Was I really willingly participating in this conversation?
"Exactly! Can't there be a common ground? I'm worried Father will make some horrible test for my suitors."
I laughed. "What would he do? Marry you to any man who can withstand a pelting of apples or something?"
"Probably. That's where it is no longer funny."
"Oh, dear!"
Chanya shook her head, turning serious. "And yet his own nephew is practically thrown to your ball, Kat."
I shrugged. "I wouldn't worry about it. If all else fails, we can give your cousin to Wyni."
"Not a bad idea. I think I'll introduce them to one another. Again. They did sort of meet at the wedding. That is, if they can be found." She turned again to look.
If Wyni did indeed marry Chanya's cousin, she'd have to go live in Tek. The deal seemed sound to me. I raised my head and tried to search the room, an impossible task. What had I been thinking with my initial assessment? What small guest list? What had happened to a small affair?
I didn't see Wyni. In fact, the only people I could see were the especially tall ones. The ballroom wasn't what I would call crowded, but the giants managed to somehow constantly block everyone shorter than themselves. And then there was the dancing. The court musicians had assembled in the corner to play a rather lively tune. With all the twirling in the room, it was impossible to get a good look at each person. If only they would stay still!
I decided to concentrate on those dancing. Wyni loved to dance. But it was no use. I saw no one I even remotely recognized. I was about to turn away when something slid into the corner of my eye. My head snapped around to follow it, but the image was gone. Curious, I studied that area of the room. No one familiar.
Then a dancing couple moved past, revealing momentarily the man behind them before he turned around. Long black hair tied at the neck, pale skin.
I left Chanya and started toward the man. I had to get a better look at him.
Unfortunately, I lost my sense of direction the moment I left the wall. The strange man disappeared into the mosaic of people. I stood on my toes to see better. Almost instantly, a black head appeared. I dropped back onto my feet and swerved in the other direction.
A man walked in front of me, nearly causing a collision. "Excuse me, my Lady. I didn't see you there-"
I ignored him, gave a soundless scream of exasperation, and stepped past the man, who shrugged and went on his way. I scanned the room again. Where had the black-haired man gone to? If only that prince-or-whatever-he-was hadn't gotten in the way. Angry, I turned around.
The black-haired man stood only a few feet from me! I couldn't help but smile at the irony. Earth and sky, what were the chances of that? At least, I hoped it was the right man. The ponytail was the same. He was speaking to someone, and had his back turned to me. He wore a black cloak that ended above a pair of black breeches. I stared, racking my mind for who this familiar man could be.
He must have sensed my stare, for he turned his head around. I reddened and stepped back. He gave me a small, disinterested smile and nod, barely seeing me. Then he turned back to his conversation. But that quick action was enough. A pale, handsome face and dark eyes. The image burned itself into my memory and brought up remembrance of the trip into the city weeks ago. This was Wyni's market admirer. I wanted to laugh. I wondered if she or Miranda knew this man was here. Wouldn't they be thrilled? Except that Wyni had said she was afraid of him.
But why was he here at the ball in the first place? Surely Edward hadn't invited him. Invite someone his daughter didn't like? Never. But then again, I doubted Edward had met all of those he had invited. In that case, it was all just an innocent mistake.
I looked at the man again. He appeared not unlike a prince or nobleman. He was old enough, quite possibly, to be a king even. Yes, Edward had certainly invited him. I walked back towards my wall, trying to shake away any concern over the strange man. He was just one of many guests. No one to worry about.
Suddenly, my foot hit something on the ground, throwing me off balance. I saw a flash of blue, followed by the red carpet of the floor and a stinging in my nose. "Hey!"
"Oh, I am so sorry, Princess," said a male voice, sounding genuinely apologetic.
I coughed up a piece of dust I had inhaled during the fall. The servants hadn't cleaned well. "I certainly hope you're sorry!"
"I am, Princess, I am! I honestly did not see you. I did not realize where I was."
I tried to pick myself up, but it was impossible to have any power over my own legs in the confining green skirt. What was this man's problem? He was apologizing as if he had accidently killed someone. I suddenly regretted answering him instead of pretending to have been knocked unconscious.
A large hand appeared in front of my face. "Please, Princess, allow me to assist you." For the first time I noticed the quality of the voice. It was pleasantly deep, not too deep, but rich and flowing, with a slight accent on the consonants to make them stronger.
After one last failing attempt to stand up on my own, I grudgingly accepted the hand. "Thank-you- ah!" I gasped as the hand easily pulled me to my feet.
"I didn't hurt you again, did I, Princess?"
"No, just when you tripped me... " My voice trailed off as I looked up into the face of the speaker, and I gasped again.
I was staring at the most handsome man I had ever seen. Light brown hair framed a perfectly-chiseled face, lit by cloud-grey eyes. But my favorite feature was the smile: large, perfect, if not serious and rather worried. He wasn't gigantically tall, but at least a head and a half above me. Oh, fine, I had to admit it; he was very tall, and strong looking, like a warrior out of some old tale.
Something suddenly came over me. My heart melted right then and there.
He smiled again. Such a perfect smile. But this time the smile was smaller, more concerned, as if only glad I didn't appear hurt. "Princess, what were you saying? Are you quite certain that you are all right?"
I realized I had been staring. I tore my eyes quickly away and turned them to the floor. "Um..." My mind drew a blank. "I... I wasn't saying anything important."
"Something about tripping?"
"Huh?" I wanted to smack myself. How stupid I must have sounded. Say something, I commanded myself. Something half-ways intelligent, preferably. Say something funny. See if this serious one can laugh. But it was no use. Inspiration had fled. Even I could think of something to say, my tongue felt like lead.
"Are you positive you aren't injured?" The man's handsome face was now even more worried. And the smile was gong.
And here I was staring at him again. My face went hot.
"Princess?"
Finally, inspiration struck me. "How did you know I was a princess?" The words stung at my lips on their way out. Real brilliant.
His frown faded into a semi-relieved smile. "Your title was obvious, Princess Katrina."
I smiled. He knew my name! "Really?"
"Since you are Wyni's stepsister."
My smile vanished. "You know Wyni?"
His smile softened, as well as his grey eyes. "I do. You're very lucky to be part of her family."
I wanted to gag. "Um, yes."
His dreamy expression suddenly slipped. "Oh, forgive me, Katrina! I may know who you are, but I doubt you know of me. I must introduce myself properly." He fell into a grand sweeping bow. "I am Prince Rowan the fifth of Aratia, and I am most honored to make your acquaintance."
"I'm sure you are." Some of my confidence returned. But not nearly enough.
After making that impressive speech, he did not straighten up, but took my hand in his and brought it to his lips. I blushed, but was too surprised and pleased to pull my hand back. Not at all did I mind the kiss. Rowan was very sincere, a true gentleman. Compared to him, Braxis was a peasant. All thought of the mention of Wyni fled from my mind as my heart started to pound.
So what if this Prince Rowan happened to be a little serious? I'd work that out of him. Suddenly, I couldn't wait to tell Edward, Mother, and Grandfather that I had found someone. I felt something around Rowan. It was wonderfully intoxicating, a spell I'd like to remain under. Yes, that's what it felt like. A spell. It was delightfully surreal. Was this what love at first sight was like? Certainly, I'd be criticized for my former insistence against marriage, but I didn't care. Let them all laugh. I was in love, and I would be married willingly against my will, first, before Wyni-
A wave of sickness washed over me. Wyni. I had absolutely forgotten about her. Rowan had just mentioned her! How could she have slipped my mind so quickly?
I cleared my throat, which was painfully dry. "How do you know Wyni... Prince Rowan?" His name was difficult to say.
"How do I know Wyni?" He straightened up, and his expression again softened. "Well..."
At that moment, speak of a demon, Wyni sauntered up, grinning broadly, as usual, looking absolutely lovely in peach silk. As usual. I again felt like a weed.
"Hello, Kat!" she sang, flashing me her smile. She flipped a stand of blonde hair off of her shoulder. "I see you've been talking to Prince Rowan."
There wasn't a sign of jealously on her face. "I certainly have," I muttered. I shot a glance at Rowan. He was gazing at Wyni.
"That's great!" she said. "Isn't he wonderful?"
I felt as if I had been smacked with the broad side of a sword. Apparently you think so, I thought, but I didn't dare say it.
"Thank-you for the compliment," Rowan said. "I was just telling Katrina how we know each other."
"I'll tell her!"
"Indulge me," I said dryly.
She took no notice of my sarcasm. "Rowan and I have known each other for... well, it seems like we've known each other forever. Our mothers were friends. She was Aratian, you know. They were best friends, and remained so even after my mother came to Daven. As a result, we spent many of our summers together."
The sword that had smacked me turned, and the sharp side was driven into my skin.
"Rowan and I haven't seen each other for several years, however," Wyni continued. Her bright eyes were no longer on me, but focused on Rowan.
His eyes, in turn, were locked with hers. It was sickening to watch. Had this been what I had done? "This ball has turned out to be the occasion to get to know one other again," he said.
The point of the sword stabbed itself into my heart. No wonder neither Selene nor Chanya had been able to find Wyni. A blast of pain shot from my hands, and I realized they had been clenched in tight fists around an imaginary Wyni's neck. I shook them loose, then sneered at the two. "That's certainly obvious."
The spell of Rowan had been smashed into pieces. I felt incredibly stupid. I had practically thrown myself at Rowan's feet. And my thoughts... how foolish. The embarrassment stung. I had been planning an entire wedding, and all the while the groom had been best friends with my stepsister. Well, the situation was over, little harm done. No one needed to know.
"Well, I'm glad you two have met," Wyni said, remembering I was present. "I'm just surprised at myself for never having told you about Rowan."
What an idea! That certainly would have spared much.
Rowan nodded politely to me. "Wyni may have said nothing of me, but she told me about you today. Again, it was a pleasure to have met you, Katrina." Without even pausing to notice my blank stare, he turned to Wyni just as a new song started up.
"Would you like to dance, Wyni?" he asked, offering his hand.
She laughed as she accepted it. "Of course, Rowan."
Fuming, I watched the two of them leave. The spell may have been broken, but the wound remained. I had to admit it to myself: Rowan was incredible.
So why in earth and sky would I expect him to pick me over Wyni?
"He's not a bad dancer."
"Hmm?"
The voice had come from behind me. Directly behind me, in fact. I had been so busy watching Wyni and Rowan that I hadn't heard anyone approach. Surpised, I whirled around to face the speaker, a young man a few years older than myself. He seemed rather familiar. That was happening a lot. He hadn't been at the market, had he? No, whatever familiarity was there was much more vague.
He nodded after Rowan. "Your friend. The one with Princess Wynafrette."
I rolled my eyes and snuck a look back at Wyni. "Does everyone know who she is?"
The man smiled. It was kind of crooked, but still a nice smile, I supposed. "Sure seems like it, doesn't it?"
"Tell me about," I muttered.
"She seems to be a good dancer, also," he continued. "Not that you'd be interested in dancing with her. But anyway, like I was saying, your friend is not a bad dancer. Not that I'd know, of course."
I laughed. Who was this fool? "I hope not."
"What do you think?"
"About what?"
"Is your friend a good dancer?"
The question struck me as odd. It was something I'd like to know, not that I knew. "How would I know? He hasn't exactly asked me to dance. He's too busy dancing with Princess Sunshine."
The man's green eyes widened in surprise, but his eyes opened up into another grin. "Princess Sunshine? Is that what you call her?" He laughed. "I approve."
I looked back at Wyni. She was laughing at something Rowan must have said. "I'm glad someone does."
"And your friend," he said. "What name do you give him?"
"Why would I give him a name?" I asked. Rowan was too perfect for a cruel nickname like Wyni's. Somehow I felt silly just thinking that. I had met Rowan a grand total of once and here I was judging his perfection. I tried to swallow it all back.
"I don't know. Why would you call anyone Princess Sunshine?"
"Why not?"
"Maybe your friend isn't worth a name," the man said thoughtfully, glancing at Wyni and Rowan, who were now half-hidden by others. "Yes. That's probably it. Too tall, too strong for you. No girl like you would like that."
My mouth dropped open. "What do you mean by that?"
He just smiled. "What do you think I mean by it?"
"How am I supposed to know?" Several heads turned to look at me. "Go stare at someone else!" I yelled at them.
Eyes wide, they turned away.
When I looked back at the man, he was laughing. Something about his laugh struck me as familiar, but I was too angry to think about it.
"Why don't I give you a name?" I asked with a snarl.
He stopped laughing. "Why don't you?"
I took a deep breath, an attempt to calm myself. "All right. I will. Let me just think of one horrible enough for you."
"Ooh. Horrible. Make sure it's your worst."
I couldn't help but smile a little. "I've changed my mind. You don't deserve one."
He put on an expression of disappointment. "Drat. I eavesdropped on you and your sister all that time for nothing."
"Is that why you're here?" I asked, composed. "You were listening to us talk?"
His face twisted into indecisiveness. "Well... no, not really. I came up just as those two left."
This was getting ridiculous. "Then why are you here?"
"I was going to ask your sister Princess Sunshine to dance," he said, as if the answer was obvious. "She's your sister, I think. But instead, I've just entertained myself by making you mad. Let me apologize by asking you to dance."
I blinked in surprise and studied his face. The grin was still there. I couldn't tell whether he was teasing or not.
He took a few steps toward me. "Just accept!" His eyes shifted to look in the other direction. I followed them. "I have to find someone to dance with in case my cousin spots me." His face was suddenly nervous.
"Cousin?" I started to laugh. "You're not by any chance Princess Chanya's famous cousin, are you?"
"You have me discovered," he said. "You know Chanya?"
I nodded. The man rather did look like Chanya. He was taller than her, but he shared her black hair and darker skin, though his hair was straight. "I know her. She was looking for you. In fact..." I peered over his shoulder. "She's coming this way."
He spun around. Indeed, Chanya and some blonde-haired prince were headed in our direction. "Dragon's blood," her cousin muttered. He turned back to me. "You have to dance with me!"
I giggled and shook my head. "No."
"Why not?"
"I want to see you in trouble."
He peeked back at Chanya. "I'm not. We're dancing."
"What? No we're-" I barely had time to shriek before the man grabbed my hands and pushed me backwards. "What do you think you're doing?"
"Dancing," he said, suddenly nonchalant. He forced me into a proper dancing pose. "Just play along for my cousin."
I shrugged and relaxed. "Whatever. But I should tell you that I'm not the best dancer."
He stepped on my toe. "Neither am I."
Chanya and her partner passed us. Chanya gave a delighted cry. "Aw, so you two have finally met!"
"I wasn't supposed to dance with him!" I hissed. "Wyni was!"
Chanya winked at me. "I just wanted someone to keep him from running off. You're fine, Kat! Conrad, my father will be thrilled when I tell him." She and her friend went off.
I looked back at my partner's face. "So you're using me to look good in front of your cousin? That's the only reason you're dancing with me?"
He shrugged. "Well, yes. That's pretty much the reason. You don't mind, do you?"
I shook my head. "No, I'm not especially bothered by it." That was the truth.
"Good. I didn't want to offend you or anything."
"It's good for me, too," I said. "If anyone asks me, I'll just say I'm using you to impress my stepfather."
He laughed. Wonderful! We're a great partnership. Neither of us care for the other."
"Yes, we can be miserable dancing without feeling guilty."
"Miserable is the right word. You just crushed my toe."
"You deserved it. So Conrad is your name?" I asked, remembering what Chanya had said.
He nodded.
"Blow, blow, thou gentle wind, I say," I quoted, smirking. "Blow Conrad's little hat away."
Conrad groaned. "Please don't do that."
"You don't like it?" I laughed. "It's from that Goose Girl story."
He rolled his eyes. "I know. Conrad's the name of the servant boy that takes care of the birds. I haven't gotten that line for a long time, though. People would do say it all the time to me when I was little. It's so annoying."
"I'll remember to say it more often, then."
Conrad decided to change the subject. "You are the Princess Katrina, right?"
"It's Kat," I said. "I hate the name Katrina."
"Kat, then. I assume you don't want the Princess title, either?" He raised an eyebrow.
I nodded. "You're getting the idea."
"I recognized you, of course."
I squinted my eyes at him.
"I was at your parents' wedding."
I nodded. "I thought you looked familiar. I don't really recall seeing you there. Must have been out of the corner of my eye."
"I was off wandering around. I hate parties. But I did see you."
"Ah." I really had no response after that. Fortunately the song seemed to coming to an end. Now I had to think of something else to do.
He stuck out his hand. "Would you like to dance some more?"
I shook my head. "I'd rather not. No offense, but you really are a bad dancer."
"You are the same." He sighed and looked around the ballroom. "Kat, do you know how to get to that balcony?"
I followed his gaze to the little area above. "Yes. Why?"
"I told you that I hated parties. I thought we could perhaps go up there and throw stuff."
