Chapter 7 part 3
"Long live, His Royal Highness Prince Bartleby!" The herald called out.
At the top of the staircase, in a regal blue dress uniform, with gold epaulets on the shoulders and medals adorning the chest. White slacks hugged his legs and black boots adorned his feet. A sword hung at his side.
Bartleby met his uncle at the bottom of the stairs and bowed as he saw the doors on the opposite end of the ballroom open. Lady Wyndermere entered and stopped at the herald who nodded and called out. "Lady Sonia Wyndermere of Wyndburgh!" Bartleby felt his breath catch in his throat as she entered.
Her burgundy dress was sleeveless with a jewel neckline. Dazzling beaded lace appliques shimmered down the dress in the light of the crystal chandelier, in the shape of rosebuds. The skirt flared into a shirred ball gown. This gown was made of tulle, on the outside, and satin, on the inside. The interlayer was made of polka dot tulle and organza. Her magenta hair was done in a pair of pendant braids around her ears with a small collection of braids on the top of her head.
Sonic could hear people whispering about her as Bartleby went to her with a great smile. Some of the words were pleasant, complimenting her gown and her hair. However, a woman, a fluffy feline, stood with a gaze of derision. "Drina, go…"
A white molly cat wearing a pink taffeta gown approached the prince from the side pretending not to be paying attention, intercepting him from Sonia as she bumped into him. "Your Highness, forgive me. I wasn't looking where I was going."
Bartleby wasn't fooled and nodded. "No harm done. Now, if you don't mind. Someone's waiting for me." He told her, moving her aside as she tried to ask him to dance. Sonia was rolling her eyes when he finally reached her. He bowed gentilly. "My lady, would you honor me with a dance?"
Sonia curtsied and took his arm, gazing at him with coal-black eyes that shone bright with what Bartleby could swear were diamonds. "The honor is all mine, Your Highness." She let him guide her to the dance floor.
While they danced together, Sonic talked and danced with Sally. "Sally, do you know why people don't like my sister?"
Sally led their dancing the foxtrot. "Most are just jealous of those looks but there are many who would rather he choose another." She smiled at him. "But, tell me, what sort of engine do you think we should put in our car?"
In the crowd, no one saw a figure moving slowly about, green eyes watching the prince and his lady dance slowly. Waiting, watching…
At last, the second set of dances came to an end, and Bartleby led Sonia up to the stage while Robotnik called all of the dancers to attention. "My people, I am pleased to announce that my nephew has chosen his future queen." The guests grew quiet and stepped up to the stage.
Bartleby led Sonia to the center of the stage. "I'm glad that we can finally do this…" He whispered to her. For the crowd, he raised his voice. "Sonia Wyndermere, I have known you since I could talk and I knew that you and I were going to be together forever. I ask you now, before the court of Robotropolis and with your mother's blessing, to marry me and be my future queen and rule by my side, until the end of my days."
Sonia felt tears in her eyes as much as when he'd done this on her birthday and nodded. "Yes, my love… yes, I will marry you and be your queen. But I will be your wife first and foremost." She promised him as she kissed him deeply.
Robotnik and Lady Wyndermere both smiled at each other. He stepped forward. "Well done, my boy. You have chosen a fine match. She will be a fine queen one day."
Shouts rang out from the crowd as people were pushed aside. A figure stepped out of the crowd. "Long live Queen Aleena!" He shouted as he aimed a laser gun at Robotnik and pulled the trigger.
Another figure ran onto the stage and stepped in front of the gunshot. Sonic watched with shock. "Uncle Chuck!" He ran to the elderly hedgehog as he knelt to the floor, a wound bleeding out from his shoulder and staining his fur. "Uncle Chuck…"
Chaos erupted as Sleet and Dingo jumped the would-be assassin. They dragged the wild-eyed lion to the stage. Robotnik glared. "Professor Lionel… I'm surprised and, I must say, a little hurt." He said with repulsion.
"Queen Aleena is the rightful queen of this kingdom!" He demanded. "You're just a human. You have no business even existing." The lion scientist spat at the despot. "You and your wretched nephew will one day bow to the Freedom Fighters."
"The Freedom Fighters' mission is a fraud!" Sir Charles declared. "I am stating here and now that Robotnik is innocent. I committed those crimes and I blamed him to deflect judgment. I even… neglected my nephew's education because I was afraid he might read the papers for himself and discover my shame. I escaped so that I could try and stop the plan for tonight. It was my plan and after seeing the photo…" He looked at Lady Wyndermere. "I realized that I was wrong. Professor Lionel refused to heed my advice."
The professor gasped with dismay. "What? Sir Charles? No! You traitor!" He shouted. "Don't listen to him…. Don't…"
Robotnik looked at Sleet. "Take him to the roboticizer. Run it twice, if you don't mind." He said as he looked at Sir Charles. "Dingo, come with me and keep your gun on him. Let's go treat your injury. I think it's fair to say that you've earned back your second chance tonight." He knew Sonic wouldn't have it any other way. He only hoped the elderly hedgehog was genuine this time.
AN: Finally finished this chapter. This is how I'm going to handle chapters now. I work a lot and I don't want to feel rushed to punish a whole chapter, so instead I write until I go to work at 430 and post it, then I'll write again after I get home at 1am. Then I'll post what I write as another part of the current chapter. When the story is finished I'll combine all the chapters and upload to Wattpad.