Thank you Empressakura and Dream plane for the reviews! It always makes my day when people review so don't stop now! Sorry for the late post, but I'll be posting a lot more often now. I'm home all day every day for the next two weeks so... yah, check back for more updates because they will be there. I liked writing this chapter a lot, christophor… or Kace? That is the question. If you guys are already shipping people, put your ships in the review section. I would love to hear what matches you guys make in the review section. Please review and Enjoy!
….
I turned around and flashed a fake smile and a mocking curtsy, "Christophor."
"Rose, fancy seeing you here." He gave a short bow.
"What are you doing here?" I said abruptly.
"I could ask the same of you."
"You knew that I was coming." I said, practicing my glare on him.
"Yes, well, it seems you're not the only one who gets sudden invitations to balls. Our friend Aaron here invited me to be his plus 1 to the ball this evening. I decided to surprise you. Oh and let me apologize for not coming after you when you threw your temper tantrum." He said matter of factly. I had just noticed the prince standing next to him and gave an impressed look.
"I didn't know you had friends."
Ebony stepped between us, "You two need to stop attacking each other. Just get along for a few hours and then you can go your separate ways. Right, Aaron?" She looked at Aaron who had his gaze set upon Aura across the room. Aaron snapped his head towards ebony as if he was coming out of a daze. "I'm sorry, What was the question?"
"Ok, watch how it's done." She said taking charge, and walking away from us. I never in my entire life expected her to do what she did next. We all looked at each other in pure amazement. "Is she-" I started.
Christophor has his mouth hanging open, "Yes, she is."
Ebony was having a conversation with the foreign prince across the room. Aaron, who had his gaze fixed on Aura again, didn't even notice what his sister was doing. I looked back towards Ebony and saw her pointing between me and Christopher. She then pointed between herself and the prince and directed at the dance floor. "Fine" I mouthed while rolling my eyes. "We should probably go dance, just to get Ebony off our backs." I murmured with fake enthusiasm. I put my hand on his arm and we walked to the middle of the dance floor next to Ebony and the prince. I was watching them closely to see what was so bad about this prince. I saw him say something to Ebony and she laughed. It took me by surprise because it was real laughter. I wouldn't call myself an actor, but Ebony and I have a great fake laugh. We actually practice together each week. Ebony and I have been close since we were little and her parents consider me family. They let me eat dinner with them, even though I am of lesser class. A lot of times those dinners include large delegations from surrounding kingdoms, forcing me to socialize. And laugh at their less than funny jokes.
The orchestra began a new song that just happened to be a slow Mangrailian love song. I felt my cheeks redden as I saw every man dancing around pull his partner closer. With the exception of Ebony and the prince, of course, and her cheeks were almost as red as mine. Of course this song plays when I do my obligatory dance. Christophor seemed just as visibly annoyed as I was, and he made sure to keep his distance from me. Although, he seemed to feel awkward dancing without talking so he started a conversation at a low whisper:
"Kind of weird how this song plays when we're dancing together, isn't it?" I guess it was kind of weird but not really. I twisted my face into a questioning look,
"Why do you say that?" I asked, trying to make sure we were both on the same page as to why this was a weird occurrence.
"Don't you remember? The wedding?" He said laughing.
"Oh, yah!" I said laughing along with him, "What were we, 13?" Ah, the wedding. It was the marriage of one of Ebony's second cousins to some foreigner. I volunteered to help serve tea and cakes at the reception, and Christophor happened to be there handing out the gift baskets. When the newly married couple invited anyone who attended to come dance, 14 year old Christophor asked me to dance with him. As we were walking to the dance floor, his servants' coat got stuck on one of the square wooden tables with a shimmering golden tablecloth. His coat took the entire tablecloth with him and we never got to dance. We cleaned up the mess to the mangrailian love song that was playing right this very moment. We were still laughing so hard that the head maid had to come shush us.
"I'm sorry." Christophor said hurriedly.
I looked at him and smiled appreciating the gesture. "It is very much alright. I'm also sorry for completely embarrassing you back there with Ebony and her brother."
He laughed and nudged me playfully, "If that's what you want to call it. And I humbly accept your apology." As he smiled down on me, I really wanted to move closer to him. It would be a daring move on my part, but why not? It seemed to me like we had made up, unless I had gravely misread the situation. The song would end soon, so I had to make up my mind, and quickly. I shuffled closer to him and gently laid my head on his chest. He pulled me even closer and we continued dancing. He was significantly taller than me, so when I looked up I saw his tousled auburn hair and deep brown eyes. He kept locking eyes with me, and as I looked deeper into his, I noticed a fire that I hadn't noticed before.
We stayed that way for the next 4 songs and then it seemed that the ball was over. As the last song ended I lifted my head off of his chest but his hand held firm in mine. I grinned at him,
"I have to go now, Christophor. Hopefully we'll see each other soon."
He let go and kissed my hand, "Until we meet again."
I laughed heartily, "Ok, Christophor, there's no need to be so dramatic. Goodbye."
He waved as he made his way up the large staircase and I waved back. A grin was still plastered on my face when I realized that I was the last person left in the room. I really hope Ebony just went back to her bed chambers. Perhaps she and the prince went on a walk around the castle, and I didn't catch her leaving. She would most likely be in her room, so that's where I decided I would go. I quickly left the ballroom, hurrying to solve this mystery.
