Ascend
By: blue lady

Chapter Twelve – Waltz to the Moon

I sighed as I buried my face further into the layered silks of my bed sheets, ignoring the noon sun's attempts to reach me. I should be enjoying this moment, as it was rare to find me still in bed at this hour of the day. At this time I would have already attended several meetings and signed hundreds of diplomatic documents. However, the council had made sure that I was not to do anything today - for tonight was the night that would set off a week's of celebration in honor of my upcoming coronation. The council wanted to make sure I looked my best for the occasion.

"But that doesn't mean they have to lock me in my room." I flung my bed sheets aside roughly, opening the bedroom window. It was a beautiful day outside and here I was cooped up in my room. I breathed in the fresh breeze as it flowed gently into my room, dispensing the stifling air. Then a rustle of fabric caught my eye. Turning to take a closer look, I could feel the reality of the situation began weighing heavily on me. There all laid out on my dresser was the dress I was to wear for tonight. It came earlier this morning attached with a simple note: "Please wear this tonight". It was quite obvious whom the gift was from, for it came wrapped in blue cloth and pinned simply with a golden feather. Also judging how madly my handmaidens were giggling I knew it could only be from one person.

"Clarence Sol Alsenurn." I sighed, looking out the window once again. Tonight was the night I would meet him for the first time – my husband-to-be. So the council had made it their business that I looked perfect tonight. For my betrothal to Clarence had not been officially announced yet and either side could still chose to revoke the union. I bit my lip, catching a glimpse of myself in the windowpane - I guess it wouldn't hurt to get ready a bit early.

The ballroom was in full swung when I finally left my bedroom. I lingered in the hallway, noting that even from here I could hear how the various instruments blended sweetly with the obvious laughter and good cheer of my guests.

"Are you alright, your highness?"

I turned, startled, realizing that I was not the only person in the hallway.

"Yes, I am fine, Marcus-san. Just a little nervous that's all."

I watched as the door hop smirked beneath his brushy moustache his evident amusement twinkling in his eyes, "If you don't mind me asking, how many times how you done this?"

I smiled, seeing his point, "Countless of times."

"That's what I thought, now get in there and charmed the socks off of them."

"Why did I even bother coming?" I mumbled dryly to myself, not at all surprised by the lack of response. Lina and Gourry were currently busy putting it away at the buffet table; Filia and Slyphiel were currently engaged in an animated conservation on the healing powers of herbal tea while Zangulus and Martina were completely wrapped up in each other hardly noticing anything else around them. Maybe it'll be best if I went to bed early tonight, it sure didn't seem that I would missed

Then my ears perked up noticing the sudden halt of string instruments and incessant chattering that was once prominent in the lively atmosphere. Everyone had turned to watch the ballroom entrance their head bowed in respect as Amelia stepped into the room. I started at the strong sense of regalness that overflowed from her. During our travels it was easy to forget Amelia's royal upbringing as she never acted the part. However, now she stood before us dressed in rare Solarian blue velvet carrying herself with a graceful ease common to those of her class. I looked away the sight of her suddenly painful to me.

"She looks great doesn't she Zel?"

I looked down at the smirking redhead who a moment ago was on the other side of the ballroom busying herself with the buffet table. I shrugged in response, hoping that was hint enough for her to drop the subject. I was in no mood for Lina's silly antics. Unfortunately, Lina Inverse was never the one to take a hint.

"Lina, what are you doing?" I demanded, as the redhead grabbed me forcefully by the forearm.

"Thought you'll like a dance…"

I relaxed a bit, letting Lina drag me onto the dance floor "You can always just ask me-"

"With Amelia."

I planted my feet firmly causing Lina to almost bowled face first into the ground.

"Hey what's the big idea?!"

"No, Lina."

Lina gave me a sly look, "Ah, Zel don't be so shy. You know you want to."

Lina went to grab my arm again but I firmly crossed them across my chest.

"Zel, don't be stubborn." Lina warned me, pulling vainly at my shirt.

"I am not going to indulge in one of your silly games." I responded, swatting her hand away.

"Silly, huh?" Lina asked with an evil twinkle in her eye, "Well, the way I see it you will be dancing with Amelia tonight."

"Well, I say I'm not." I replied firmly, wondering why Lina kept looking over my shoulder.

Lina smiled at me sweetly, "You know I hate to be wrong."

Then with her petite arms she pushed me through a crowd of dancers and right at the feet of a startled Amelia.

"Zelgadis-san, are you alright?" Amelia asked, bending down to help me up.

"Yeah, yeah I'm fine." I replied, glowering at Lina, who only winked in response. Then cupping her hands around her mouth she yelled, "Hey Amelia, I think Zel wants to ask you something?"

I gave the evil redhead another seething look, before turning to find Amelia's big blue eyes sparkling at me with curiosity, "Zelgadis-san, you wanted to ask me something?"

"Well, you see…" I could feel my face slowly warming up as Amelia continued to stare at me, her eyes full of innocent curiosity. Curse you Lina! Curse you! "I was wondering - if it's okay with you - that is If you don't mind…if you would-"

"Dance with me, please?"

I was startled to find a young man next to me in a sweeping bow his hand held out to Amelia.

"Of course, I would be honored" Amelia nodded, smiling politely, "However, can you please wait my friend and I were in a middle of a conversation."

The young man turned to look at me as if he just noticed my presence. His face flushing slightly he gave me a contrite smile "I'm sorry if I interrupted something. Please continue."

I stood, at a lost for words, as both of them looked at me with polite curiosity, "Never mind, Amelia."

"Are you sure, Zelgadis-san?" Amelia asked her brow crinkled in worriment.

"Yeah, I'll talk to you about it later."

"If you say so, Zelgadis-san." Amelia conceded, still not convinced.

"Nice to meet you, sir." The young man nodded politely before leading Amelia onto the dance floor.

"What the hell was that?" Lina demanded as she stomped over a confused Gourry in tow.

"Someone asked Amelia for a dance." I replied simply.

"Zel, you really suck at this kind of thing, don't you?"

I shrugged, watching Amelia and her partner dancing in and out of the crowd.

"Don't be down, Zel" Gourry said, giving me a big pat on the back, "There's always another chance. Just ask her after she's done dancing with that guy. You know…"

Gourry's voice slowly faded away as I caught another glimpse of Amelia. For as long as I've known her, gracefulness was definitely not a word I would use to describe Amelia. However, she was simply gliding across the dance floor, keeping in perfect step with her partner. Her navy velvet gown flowed around her like water, accenting the beauty in her every step. She was obviously enjoying herself as her whole complexion was alit with amusement. The smile on her face was blissfully carefree and her cerulean eye were sparkling with unabashed admiration for the man before her.

I could feel myself blush as my dance partner once again caught me staring at him. He really was quite handsome. The smile that graced his lips made his leaf-green eyes glow captivatingly, strongly emphasizing his striking looks. A little, gentle butterfly seemed to flutter wildly in my chest as his eyes continued to gaze into mine.

"So do you like the dress?"

"Excuse me?"

"The dress, do you like it?"

"Oh, yes. It's very nice" I replied a bit confused, "The fabric feels wonderful and the designs were really intricately done…"

I noticed how his smile seemed to grow more and more amused as I continued my ramblings, why would a guy be so interested in a woman's dress?

I stopped, staring hard at his face, "L-lord Clarence Sol Alsenurn-sama?"

He bowed low, brushing his lips lightly across my hand, "Nice to finally meet you, Princess Amelia-sama."

"Hmmm…looks like they've stopped." Filia commented from behind her wine glass.

"Finally, they've danced long enough" Lina huffed, "I wonder what they're whispering about?"

I looked up noticing that Amelia and the man had indeed stopped dancing and were now talking quietly to one another.

"Hey! Hey! I can't see!" Lina yelled as several dancers begin blocking the couple from view.

"Lina, I really think we should just leave those to two alone." Gourry said thoughtfully, "Amelia seems to like him well enough."

"Yes, Lina-san and he seems to be a quite a gentleman." Sylphiel agreed.

"He's also quite a dish but of course he's not as handsome as you, Zangie-darling." Martina said, snuggling into her husband's arms.

"Did I ask for your worthless two cents, bimbo!" Lina growled turning on her.

"You're lucky that I even graced you with a comment, you lowly commoner!"

"Why you!"

"Hey, they're leaving."

Everyone stopped to look at the blonde priestess's comment, noticing how the princess and her dance partner were currently walking towards an empty balcony.

"Trying to get some privacy, huh? Amelia must really like him." Martina giggled.

"Shut up!" Lina scolded, giving her head a slight jerk towards my direction.

"I'm going to bed." I replied, setting my glass on a nearby table, "Good night everyone."

I ignored them as they tried to call me back. It was really none of our business; Amelia could like anyone she wants. I couldn't care less about Amelia or her attractive male friend. Besides a strange, tight feeling had been building in my chest ever since I noticed the pure admiration gleaming in Amelia's eyes.

I shook my head - it was nothing a good night's sleep couldn't cure.

"Court me?"

Clarence-sama only nodded, smiling gently at me.

"Not to be disrespectful, but what's the point we are already promised to each other."

"Yes, which is why I want to do this. I want us to have a chance to get to know each other. Actually to be more precise I want to give you a chance to get to know me better."

He smiled at me briefly before leaning on the railing next to me, "Marriage should be for love and I don't want to rob you of that privilege. Also I don't want to be married to someone who doesn't love me. One-sided love is not a pretty thing."

My sudden grasp caused me to choke a little as I scrambled to find something to say, "You mean…"

Clarence-sama nodded solemnly, holding my hand gently in his, "You may not believe it but I'm in love with you."

"But how?" I asked, scarcely able to breath "We've just met each other."

"To you this is our first meeting, but for me it is not. I have been watching you for a long time princess."

I only stared at him a lost for words.

"So I ask for a month to court you - to have a chance to let you love me as much as I do. Please princess?"

"And what if you fail?" I covered my mouth shocked that I voiced such a thought.

Clarence-sama only smiled at me, his green eyes crinkled in understanding, "If you do not love me I will not force you into a marriage you do not want. I will break the vow and let you be free to marry the one you love. So Princess Amelia-sama will you honor my request?"

I looked at him his handsome face full of earnest, the wind ruffling his short chocolate brown hair, "Yes, I will allow you this request, Lord Clarence-sama."

He smiled at me and I felt my breath catch in my throat. He grabbed my hand and gently brushed his lips against it, "Thank you, Princess."

Offering me his arm we began walking back to the ballroom together, "Also one more thing. Please just call me Clarence."

"Alright, C-Clarence." I could feel my face heat up at the intimacy expressed in that one word – that one name.

Throughout the rest of the night Clarence's face shone with a blissfulness and gaiety that warmed my heart - making me wish I could give him this happiness forever.

Author's Notes

This is just a re-edit of ch. 12. Don't worry nothing plot-wise got change just some minor areas like using the wrong words and stuff. Fanfiction's new quick-edit stuff is a pain in the ass! It works fine on PC but is horrible on Macs!