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Chapter Nine
Over the next few days, the court was in a flurry preparing for the ball. Typically, Ayorthaian nobles are quiet and reserved, or so I've been told, but their voices erupted in joy when someone mentioned the ball. All of importance in Ayorthia were invited, and the announcement of war would be made then.
Orlando commissioned a fairy tailor to make my dress. I was excited to attend a ball, I'd only been to one before and I was ten, and to be on the arm of a prince! Orlando and I almost seemed to be courting; he flirted with me constantly and loved hearing everything about my life. He even asked me about my family. I told him of Roan and Iris, my family's mistreatment of me, and my boy's clothes. He listened intently and offered no criticisms or judgments.
With the ball quickly approaching, one day I was rushing from dinner through an empty corridor to meet Orlando. I suddenly smacked into someone and fell backwards. Slowly, I sat up, my head reeling, to see Jerrold. He was standing over me, holding his hand out as to help me up. Needless to say, I stood up on my own.
Jerrold laughed. "Ah, yes!" he exclaimed in a familiar voice. "Daria is never the damsel in distress."
I clenched my jaw. "Not that it matters to you," I replied. "Since you've abandoned me, your highness."
Jerrold ignored the sting of my sarcasm. "I'm looking forward to escorting you to the ball," he said.
It was my turn to laugh. "You can't be serious," I replied.
Jerrold nodded. "Well, who else would take you?" he asked.
I felt anger flame up throughout me. "Obviously Jerrold, you're not the only prince who wishes to escort me to the ball," I said placidly.
"You're going with Orlando?" Jerrold snorted.
My fists clenched with rage. "Yes," I said intensely. "Because he wouldn't lie to me about something as important as his true identity."
And with that, I curtsied lavishly, turned on my heel, and walked away. Jerrold called my name, but I kept walking steadily to my room. I fell asleep furious, and missed my meeting with Orlando.
The ball finally came. I spent the day getting ready with Queen Claudia herself, as well as a few of the court ladies. As I stood in front of the mirror, admiring myself, I decided that I looked attractive. Not to be vain, but I did.
The dress, fairy made, flattered me everywhere. It was a bright sage green, with a fashionable, low cut square neck. It had a full bottom that parted in the middle, revealing a cream petticoat made of intricate lace flowers. I had a simple cream beaded choker around my neck. My hair was piled onto my head, woven into a soft knot and dotted by a few light purple flowers, with a few curls falling down around my face. My favorite part of my gown was my shoes. I'd walked into my room last night to find them placed on a table, with a note saying, "I hope to see you wearing these tomorrow night." The note was unsigned. I figured they were from Orlando. They were small and make of sparkling glass. I thought for sure I'd break them, but when I tried them on, they fit my perfectly and bent with me.
A knock at the door pulled me away from my reflection. I opened it to find Orlando. His eyes grew wide as he looked me over, and I grew somewhat uncomfortable.
"I'm sorry to stare," he said suddenly, "but you look beautiful."
I smiled. "Thank you," I replied.
Orlando looked nice too. He had on a red tunic, worn for special occasions, I'm sure, embroidered with intricate patterns in gold thread. His breeches and boots were black, and he had a sword at his waist, as well as a deep green sash across his shoulder. I assumed it was to denote his princedom.
We walked down the corridor to the stairs, and Orlando's arm moved from being hooked around mine. His hand slid down my arm and he intertwined his fingers with mine. His hand was warm and strong, and I couldn't stop the smile from moving across my face.
We continued to walk down a long, tall white and gold hallway, until we reached a tall doorway. Looking out from the doorway, a set of white stairs spilled down glamorously into a large ballroom. Couples swirled around each other, dancing to the Ayorthaian music. The king and queen sat on their thrones, overseeing.
"Your titles, please?" a man asked Orlando and me.
"Prince Orlando Aubrey Fredric of Ayorthia, Duke of Amonta," Orlando said smoothly.
"Lady Daria of Jenn," I said lamely.
"You're Lady Daria? A man told me to read your brother's titles for you," he said.
"Um, okay," I replied dumbly.
Orlando moved his hand back up my arm and hooked his elbow around mine, and began to descend the stairs.
"Orlando Aubrey Fredric, Prince of Ayorthia, Duke of Amonta," the man announced to the room, "with Lady Daria of Jenn, Countess of the Elf Forest and Duchess of Bast."
I didn't know Roan was the Count of the Elf Forest of the Duke of Bast! I noticed the entire room had stopped at started watching Orlando and I walked down to the ballroom. I became uncomfortable. I shouldn't be here. I smiled slightly and followed the green velvet carpet to where King Aubrey and Queen Claudia sat.
"Your majesties," I said, curtsying as neatly as I could.
"Father, Mother, you know Lady Daria," Orlando said, nodding at his parents.
"Oh yes," said the queen. "How wonderful to see you dear."
The king just smiled. "Go and enjoy yourselves," he said.
Orlando grabbed my hand and pulled me onto the ballroom floor. He danced gracefully, moving with rhythm and leading me. He was a wonderful dancer. He was a wonderful everything.
While he was twirling me about the floor, I noticed Jerrold dancing with some red-headed wench. She was tall and skinny and wearing a flowing black dress. He was smiling and engaging her in conversation. He caught my eye, raised his eyebrows, and looked away. The surge of jealously I felt I pushed away from my mind.
The next few hours were wonderful, dancing with Orlando or the occasional count or duke. I stopped only twice to drink. Finally, Orlando grabbed my hand and led me to a tall, open glass door. Jerrold caught my eye, but I looked away. You coward.
Outside, the terrace was decorated with fairy lights and glowing fountains. "This is beautiful," I remarked to Orlando, looking around.
"Not as beautiful as you," he replied, looking at me.
As I turned to laugh at his lack of creativity, he put his hand around my waist, pulled me close to him, and kissed me.
Afterwards, when I opened my eyes, I saw someone in the corner of my eye. I turned to see who it was.
Jerrold.
He was standing at the opening of the door, his jaw opened in shock, staring at us. I wished I hadn't seem him; I assumed he though the same. The look on his face made me want to cry. He looked so sad, and betrayed. He walked back into the ballroom and disappeared. I felt a feeling wanting me to run after him, to apologize. But I didn't.
Orlando hadn't seen him. He continued to talk and entertain me, occasionally kissing me lightly. When I finally went to my room, he escorted me and kissed me again.
I opened the door, giddy. Jerrold wasn't even on my mind.
Until I saw him sitting on the couch in my front room.
I stared at him. "What are you doing here?" I asked.
He looked up, his face expressionless. "Surprised to see me?" he said rudely. "Expecting Orlando? Your beloved?"
His words stung me. My eyes flashed as I grew angry. "You!" I cried. "How dare you insult him! You're not half the man he is!"
Jerrold laughed coldly. "I'm not am I?" he said.
I scowled. "At least he's truthful with me. He's not a liar. He tells me important things, like the fact that he's a prince!" I cried.
Jerrold's defiant look fell from his face. He paused; he sighed. "You're right," he said.
"Beg pardon?" I replied, shocked.
"You're right," Jerrold said simply. "I should have been honest with you. I didn't reveal my identity to you because I didn't know if I could trust you. I was wrong. I didn't want you to find this way. I'm sorry.
I pursed my lips. What should I do? "I-um, accept your apology," I said slowly.
Jerrold smiled. "So, we're okay?" he asked.
"No," I blurted out. "But we're not as bad as we were."
He laughed. "Okay, I'll take that," he replied. He bowed, and left.
What just happened?
Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep that night.
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