Disclaimer: For the millionth time – not mine. Please don't sue!
A/N: Thanks for all your reviews. Please excuse any typos – I was trying to get this to you as quickly as possible. By the way, the song, Too Lost In You is also not mine and is actually sung by the Sugababes. I have edited some parts of the lyrics to suit my story.
Chapter 15:
The Annual King's Ball: Part 1
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Sarah blinked a few times; hoping that what had just happened was another one of her 'visions'.
She surveyed the people at the ball to see if any of them had heard what King Malcolm had said, but they were all caught up in the excitement of the King's announcement.
Sarah turned back to the King.
"You are joking, aren't you?" Sarah mentally crossed her fingers, hoping that he would say yes.
"No, I can assure you that I am quite serious."
"But I can't possibly be engaged to her! I do not want to marry her." Christian blurted.
Sarah looked over at Christian, irritated. Who did he think he was to treat her like that? She had feelings too.
The King spoke up again, "You are not really going to be engaged. Just pretend that you are. For what other reason can Sarah be here as our guest?"
Christian thought for a few seconds. "Cannot you say that she is just visiting?"
"I could, but everybody in Linnarch would be suspicious. Few people enter our kingdom and if they do, it is for royal marriage purposes such as this."
"But as if they would believe that." Sarah said.
"Linnarch has had foreign kings and queens in the past, though it is very rare and very secretive. I doubt that you have heard about it at all."
Sarah let out a groan of frustration. "You still have not explained everything; nobody will believe your story."
The King's face darkened. "Let us not fuss over things like this. The people of Linnarch will accept my reasoning as king. Now we had better move on to our table."
The King led Sarah and Christian up to the front of the hall where a magnificent table had been set up. Queen Amanda was waiting for them.
Sarah flounced down onto a seat. The crowd had begun to recover from the shocking news they had just heard and had started to clap at the news. Sarah squinted at the crowd, trying to see if she could recognize anybody. She saw, Vivien with her fists clenched tightly with an unhappy expression on her face. She looked almost purple with rage and Sarah had to stifle a giggle. At least some good would come out of all of this.
High Chancellor Ryan stood up to say the opening speech. He droned on for a while about Linnarch's happiness about the future marriage and how Sarah would make a lovely Queen. Sarah wondered what life would be like married to Christian. They would not be able to handle each other.
When the High Chancellor finally stopped speaking, Sarah almost cried with happiness. Finally! Sarah's happiness was soon disappeared when the King then stood up and said, "To begin the ball, I now call on Prince Christian of Linnarch, to dance with his lovely future bride, Princess Sarah of Kyrria."
Sarah glanced at Christian. She would have to dance with him? Christian looked at Sarah with distaste but he still stood up and held out his hand.
Sarah looked uncertainly at it for a moment and then took it. Christian's hand felt warm and comforting, unlike the actual person himself. Sarah took a deep breath and followed Christian as he led her down to the dance floor.
Sarah placed one hand on his shoulder whilst the hand rested in his own, and waited for the music to begin. She came up to just above his shoulder and so that meant she could avoid making eye contact with him. She stared at the ground, nervously and she could feel his breath fanning her face.
Christian pulled her a little closer to them – as close as they had been when they had kissed…
"We need to get a little closer for this dance." He explained to Sarah, as if reading her thoughts.
"Oh." She gulped. "I am not too sure that I will know all the steps to the dance."
"Just follow me. I think you will be able to manage that." Sarah glared but then stopped when Christian reprimanded her.
"Try to look in love – or at least happy."
Sarah tried to think how she would look like if she were in love. Probably like some sick fool.
Sarah just concentrated on smiling.
Finally, the music began. Sarah was surprised to find that she recognized the tune. It was a song that was very popular in Kyrria.
You look into my eyes
I go out of my mind
I can't see anything
This love has got me blind
I can't help myself
I can't break the spell
I can't even try
Sarah at length looked up at Christian. He was focusing on dancing. Sarah studied him. Did he know the words to the song too? Sarah, without realizing it had started to sing the words.
I'm in over my head
You got under skin
I got no strength at all
In the state that I'm in
And my knees are weak
And my mouth can't speak
Fell too far this time.
Sarah half-expected the Prince to tell her to shut up but she saw that he was smirking. He was probably laughing at her.
Sarah closed her eyes; she could not look at him anymore.
Darling, I'm too lost in you
Caught in you
Lost in everything about you
So deep, I can't sleep
I can't think
I just think about the things that you do
I'm too lost in you
Sarah remembered her feelings when Christian had kissed her before. It was unlikely that it would ever happen again.
Well you whispered to me
And I shiver inside
You undo me and move me
In ways undefined
And you're all I see
And you're all I need
Help me darling
Help me darling
She could not help thinking about Christian. Something had happened to him to make him the way he was. Sarah remembered how Scarlet had mentioned that she had had a sister. Perhaps Christian had been in love with her? Somehow, the thought of Christian loving somebody else unsettled Sarah and she had no idea why.
I am slipping away
Like the sand to the tide
Falling into your arms
Falling into your eyes
If you get too near
I might disappear
I might lose my mind
Sarah really thought that she was losing her mind and tried to change her train of thought. She was not successful.
Darling, I'm too lost in you
Caught in you
Lost in everything about you
So deep, I can't sleep
I can't think
I just think about the things that you do
I'm too lost in you
I'm going in crazy in love for you darling
I'm going down like a stone in the sea
Yes, no one can mess with me
Sarah could see Tom in the crowd of people surveying them as they danced. She had originally wanted to go to the ball with him. He was really friendly and certainly not ugly. Sarah felt confused.
Darling, I'm too lost in you
Caught in you
Lost in everything about you
So deep, I can't sleep
I can't think
I just think about the things that you do
I'm too lost in you
Sarah tried to calm her nerves. She had managed to dance with Christian and they had not had a fight so far. It is practically a miracle. Sarah chuckled to herself.
"So, Christian. Not feeling like insulting or arguing with me at the moment?"
Christian looked startled, as if he had not realized that she was there. He then looked down at her and smiled quirkily.
"No. But the night is young…"
I'm lost in you
I'm lost in you
I'm lost in everything about you
So deep, I can't sleep
I can't think
I just think about the things that you do
I'm too lost in you
The music stopped and Christian and Sarah stopped moving also. They stared at each other for a second and then both rapidly looked away.
He had been so quiet throughout the dance whereas Sarah thought that they would spend most of the time trying to kill each other.
"Well, nice dancing with you." Sarah said stupidly.
"Yes, it was." He replied mysteriously, all the while still holding Sarah.
"Okay then. Maybe you could let go of me now?" Sarah suggested gently.
Christian hastily removed his arms and they parted awkwardly.
Sarah could hear an old lady say to another, "There is nothing like a young couple in love."
Sarah blushed. In love? She did not think so.
Sarah went to return back to her table but a young man stepped in front of her. Sarah tried to think of who it was and soon realized that it was Philip.
"Hello." Philip swallowed.
"Hello." Sarah said back to him, politely. "I have not seen you in a long time."
"Would you like to dance?"
"Of course." Sarah graciously answered. She had actually wanted to find Tom and talk to him but Philip looked as if he would be heartbroken if she said no.
Philip roughly grasped Sarah's hand and tugged her along. His hand was sweaty and cold, causing Sarah to want to snatch her hand away but she did no such thing. She felt a bit sorry for Philip and astonished that he had a crush on her.
They began to dance and Sarah soon discovered that Philip was an awkward dancer. He moved clumsily and, much to the chagrin of Sarah, constantly stepped on his partner's feet. Sarah looked at her table and saw that Christian was beside himself with laughter, which did nothing to improve her mood.
When the dance had ended, Sarah excused herself and went to look for Tom again but saw that he was already dancing with somebody else. The blood rush to Sarah's face as she watched him and his partner dancing together. His partner was beautiful, with bright green eyes and an abundant amount of red hair.
Scarlet.
Sarah watched them dance together and saw that they were having a great time. Scarlet threw back her head with laughter at something Tom had said. He then bent down to her ear to whisper something and Scarlet laughed some more.
Sarah struggled to overcome her rising indignation. He was supposed to be in love with her. Well, she had certainly thought he was. Sarah liked Scarlet and reasoned that she should not be envious of her friend.
Sarah was so involved in her thoughts that she did not notice that somebody had been standing next to her. He whispered "hello" and Sarah jumped.
She turned and found that Damon, Scarlet's brother, was standing there.
"Well, well, well. What have we here? I doubt that the Prince will be very pleased to see his fiancé ogling another man." He taunted maliciously. Sarah supposed that he sounded like his was being friendly, but Sarah could detect a trace of spite in his manner.
"I was not doing anything of the sort. I was admiring Scarlet's dress." Sarah lied, though Scarlet was wearing a very attractive dress. It was a light blue colour and it hugged her figure. Sarah, despite it all, felt her jealousy rise again.
"Sure you were." Damon snickered. "So, you are to marry Christian. That is very interesting indeed. Most interesting. And very unusual might I add."
Sarah knew that there was an underlying meaning to his words and she remembered how when she had first met Damon, she had had one of her 'visions' (A/N: See chapter 10).
"It has been done before." Sarah retorted, going against what she had originally said to the King about his 'excuse'.
"May I introduce you to a friend?" Damon inquired but before Sarah could respond, he had already fetched his friend and dragged her over.
Sarah was annoyed to find that his friend was in fact, Vivien.
"Why hello, Vivien. How do you do?" Sarah spoke through gritted teeth.
"As if you actually care. So you are going to marry Christian, are you? I should not be surprised. I mean, a little scheming vixen such as you could be capable of anything." Vivien snubbed Sarah pompously.
It took all of Sarah's etiquette lessons to control her temper and not punch Vivien, which was something that she felt very much like doing. Instead she replied, "I have never had to scheme to gain any attention from the Prince – unlike some people." Sarah emphasized the last word so that they knew that it was Vivien she was referring to.
"Now, if you will excuse me." She said and glided away, feeling as if she were on top of the world. Score one for me, Vivien nil.
An announcement was them made by High Chancellor Ryan.
"I would now like to call on our royal couple, Prince Christian and Princess Sarah, to come up to the front."
Sarah made her way to where the High Chancellor was and saw that Christian was already waiting there.
"It is that time of night that we most look forward to – the Baci."
Sarah frowned. What was the Baci? She could see that Christian had started to redden. It cannot possibly be something bad, could it?
"It is custom for the Prince and his choice to start off the Baci, and tonight it is fitting that it is Princess Sarah. So without much further ado, Prince Christian, approach your future wife."
Sarah still had no clue as to what Christian was going to do. He reluctantly moved towards Sarah and put his arms around her.
"Christian, what are you doing? Everybody is watching." Sarah whispered furiously.
Christian stared at her dumbfounded. "I am trying to administer the Baci."
"It would be nice if somebody could explain to me what that is." Sarah responded dryly.
Christian rolled his eyes, incredulously.
"Baci means kiss. Obviously."
A/N: Sorry to stop it there but at least I updated quickly. Once again, sorry about any typos – I was trying to get this to you as quickly as possible. If you have any questions let me know! And Review review review.
Tamaran Girl: Sarah sort of likes Tom, or at least think she does. Tom is not that old but he is older than Christian and Sarah. Around the late twenties. I should make that clearer (author hits her head at her own stupidity). I'm in the process of editing my story so thanks for letting me know. Thanks for your reviews. I love it in stories when there is that whole love/hate relationship thing too. As for your suggestion about the fire…sure! I will try and include it in one of the upcoming chapters (at least by chapter 20).
kkroonie: Sarah and Christian have that whole love/hate relationship. There is also a bit of a love triangle happening. Sarah likes Tom but she is in the process of liking Christian though she would never admit it. This is the same with Christian and his feelings towards Sarah. As for if they will get together…I cannot give away the ending but as a hint, I really like Sarah and Christian as a couple (if that isn't too subtle).
Mizz Breadstyx: Vivien will have a lot to do with the next few chapters. You have probably just seen some changes. There will not be anything major I don't think. Just that people will treat them differently, a lot of girls will be jealous, you will see Tom's reaction in the next chapter, and so on. Anyway, thanks for your review. Just one thing, why are you called Mizz Breadstyx? Just curious.