Chapter Three
The palace ballroom was adorned with garlands of lush green leaves and white roses, as petals from pink and yellow flowers rested upon the red carpet, which covered the grand staircase. At the top, stood two palace guards dressed in a royal blue and white uniform. Their backs stood prominently tall as they held the rich oak doors open. And gentle music from the royal band added to the light and happy atmosphere.
A pair of cerulean eyes searched through the crowd of Lords, Ladies, Dukes, Duchesses, Barons, and Baronesses. Why am I even looking for her? Yamato wondered. He walked on, ignoring the longing flirtatious stares of the young ladies. Finally across the room, he spotted her not too far away as she turned around in his direction. Their eyes met, as they both stood frozen, as if they were the only two people in the room. My God, she looks so…
Sora's eyes remained locked with his. My God, he looks so…
"Oh Mattie!" cried a girl as she wrapped her arms around his body from behind him. Lady Jun, he thought dryly. Ugh! Talk about pushy gir-hey! What's that? Is that hurt I see in her eyes?
Sora's head turned away. Why do I feel so-so…hurt? Could it be that I am jealous? She cast a glance back to see him being pulled on the dance floor. She shook her head free of these thoughts as she made her way to her dear friend, Mimi, a young Baroness. "Mimi, how wonderful to see you," she said as she was enveloped in a hug.
"Likewise Lady Sora. But what is the matter?"
"Nothing," Sora replied as she looked to the dance floor, trying to see if she could spot him.
"I see. Boy problems." She laughed at her friend's shocked face.
Before Sora could try to deny it, her friend was whisked away by Lord Joseph Kido. A sigh escaped her lips, as she was alone again.
"Ahem."
Sora turned around to find black hair and blue eyes. "Lord Byron, good evening."
"And good evening to you my lady," he said as he kissed her hand.
Oh no…he's going to ask me to dance, isn't he? I cannot dance with him, the son of my father's enemy! Plus I do not like the way he was looking at me when we first met.
"I'd prefer it if you would just call me Byron."
"All right," Sora nodded. Oh please don't ask me to dance, oh please don't ask me to dance, oh please don't ask me to dance…
"Sora, you look even more radiant from the last time I laid eyes on you. Would you care to dance with me?"
He had to ask, didn't he? "Well, I'm not so sure this is such a good idea." Her eyes turned away from his intense stare.
His hand gently brought her chin up. "Don't let our parents never ending feud stop you from having a good time with me. Dance with me, please…"
Ugh! Now what am I supposed to do. Her eyes glanced over to see Yamato dancing with that girl again and she began to feel something stirring, though she had no idea what. "You're right. Lead the way."
Yes! Father should be pleased. This plan is working out perfectly, he thought as he put his arm around her.
Two dances later…
Yamato looked like he was about ready to fall down dead from dancing. How does she always manage to do this to me? It's no wonder I hate these social events! His eyes wandered around the dance floor and widened as he saw whom that bastard Lord Byron was dancing with, Sora. It was easy to see Sora was quite uncomfortable. "Excuse me Lady Jun," he said briskly as he detached himself from her. He did not know why, but he felt compelled to protect her. Plus, he was very suspicious of Lord Byron's real intentions. That guy was probably up to no good.
"Excuse me," Yamato said to the dancing couple. He watched as they stopped and turned to him. "May I?"
"I don't think-"
Sora cut Byron off. "Why off course Yamato. Byron, do not be so greedy, you already danced with me. Now, it's his turn," she said as felt Yamato's arm replace Byron's. And as soon as he stomped away, Sora let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you so much!"
Yamato smiled at her and replied, "No need for any thanks my lady. It was my duty as a gentleman to defend and rescue all the beautiful damsels in distress."
"My night and shining armor!" she laughed as the slow tempo of the music transformed into a fast waltz.
His smile grew wider at the sound of her laughter. It sounds like music, he thought as they both glided across the dance floor, never once breaking eye contact.
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A smile lit up Lady Shannon's face as she watched her daughter and Lady Lorna's son dancing. "Look at them Lorna. Aren't they beautiful?" Aww…she's fallen for him.
"Yes, they're perfect together. Absolutely perfect," she replied as she smiled at her son, who didn't even notice. Aww…he's fallen for her.
"Wow, Philip there are some serious sparks between my son and your daughter," Giovanni said. Finally Yamato has shown an interest in a girl, and I couldn't be more pleased with who it is.
"It looks like our wives have noticed that too," Philip pointed out. Oh Sora, my dearest daughter, you have never made me happier. I was getting worried when you were dancing with that weasel Lord Byron but now I see you are in good hands now and forever. "It looks like I no longer will have to put her in an arranged marriage seeing as how she and him are falling in love."
"Although we were planning their marriage ever since they were children, I'm glad we didn't make it official," he agreed with his friend.
"Yes, it is better that they marry out of love rather than being forced to do so. They'd probably resent that."
"Well you and Shannon didn't resent your marriage."
"Well Giovanni, I guess I was just as lucky as you and Lorna were."
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"Is it me or is the room spinning?" she asked as she looked upon his handsome face in question and bewilderment.
Yamato brought his lips to her ears. "It's you. I did just spin you," he whispered.
Sora shivered as she felt his hot breath. How does he do that? It seems like he is the only one that can make me shiver like that…but still…I like being in his arms and mmm…I love that smile. Could it be that I was wrong about him? He seems so charming and sweet…not once has he made some arrogant or insulting remark.
A smile lit up his face as he saw her shiver and blush. I love doing that to her, it's great fun and she's not really that annoying. In fact, I like holding her in my arms…
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Lord Jonathon Farera stood by his son's side. "The plan isn't working," he sneered.
"I'm sorry father, but how am I supposed to get her alone? Unless…"
"Unless what, Byron?"
"I get my friend Taichi to distract Yamato. I'll tell him to find out everything he can about her. He's so dense he'll think I actually like her."
"Good, son. Now do you have that bottle and clothe?"
"Yes father. I just pour some onto the cloth and make her breathe it in, right?"
"Precisely. That should knock her out and make it easier for you to carry her into our carriage while everyone is preoccupied with the music and dancing."
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Four and a half waltzes later…
"You haven't once looked away from me."
"Nor have you," countered Sora.
"Why haven't you stopped gazing into my eyes? I guess even you are not immune to the Ishida charm," he smirked as he saw her blush.
"Please stop flattering yourself." Sora rolled her eyes in slight annoyance as she fought to control the burning color of her cheeks. I don't like him! I don't like him! I don't like him! Then why am I blushing? Stop it Sora!
Yamato tried not to look disappointed at that remark. I guess she'll never like me. Wait a second, I don't like her! So, why is it that I feel so-so…dejected? He thought as he spun her around. Hmm…why does she only blush for me? Maybe she does like me. Let me see what I can do to make her blush. Might as well have some fun.
Sora saw a devilish smirk creep up onto his face. Uh oh, what is he planning to do?
"It's okay sweetheart, I know what you're thinking," he whispered in her ear. His hot breath on her ear caused her to shiver, and as he pulled back his face to look at her, he saw a faint blush creep upon her cheeks.
"W-What?" she asked weakly. Can he tell that I lik-no! I do not lik-oh who am I fooling?
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Byron watched with envious eyes as he saw her blushing in that pretty boy's arms as they waltzed in time to the music. His fists clenched tightly as his icy stare intensified on the two. Father thinks I will kill her, but I have other plans. Better and bigger plans that include her and me together, with no Lord Yamato around. "It's only a matter of time, Sora," he whispered.
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He can't possibly know what I'm thinking. He's trying to find out what I'm thinking! "Oh really," Sora challenged.
"Well it's quite obvious my dear. You have fallen prey to my charm," he said confidently.
Sora rolled her eyes and stopped dancing. There he goes again with his stupid mouth! "Fallen for you? Ha! That's a joke. Why would I ever fancy you?"
A frown replaced the confident smirk he had on his face. "I think you have that reversed, princess. Why would I ever fancy someone like you?"
"And what pray tell is wrong with me?" demanded Sora.
"Well you certainly aren't like the other girls. You're not as lady like as they are. You climb trees and fire your mouth off like a gun and-"
"Stop it right there your majesty! I have heard all that I need from you," Sora spat as she turned away from him. She was about to take a step forward but Yamato's arms stopped her. "Let go of my waist."
"No, not until you listen to me," he angrily told her as he spun her around to face him, with his hand still resting at her waist.
Sora yanked his arm off her waist as she asked, "Stop acting like this. It isn't very proper to-"
"Proper? And you walking away from me when I was about to say something is proper?"
"Listen, I don't care what you have to say to me."
"Sora, you'll listen to me," he said as he grabbed her chin. "And you'll look at me when I talk."
"Like hell I will," she said as she brought up her hand to slap him, but he was faster and caught her.
"Nice try, princess."
Sora yanked her hand free. "Just leave me alone!"
Yamato watched her stomp away. "What a nag," he said to himself.
"I heard that!" she yelled.
"Nag! Nag! Nag! Did you hear that too?"
"Close your mouth you pompous arrogant ego-inflated imbecile!" she threw over her shoulder as she stepped outside.
What? No one insults me like that and gets away with it! He then took off after her, but just as he was about to get to the door, someone with big brown hair intercepted him.
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Just when you think Sora and Yamato are getting along, they end up arguing! What's going to happen to her? Will Lord Byron have his way? What will Yamato do? Find out in Chapter 4!