Chapter 5
The Royal Gala

.:Nya:.

Oh god, how could she possibly forget?! She's a princess for crying out loud and she managed to forget the biggest event of the year! The palace was like a hive, every staff, cook and maid was buzzing away, bringing the palace alive. Even her brother was darting around, checking everything is correct while Cole and Lou concentrated on the guest's list like who is showing up.

This gala celebrates the birth of Ninjago and only the rich and noble households can attend this special feast. All other families just celebrate it at home. It's held every year and she forgot it!

Her heels clicked away at the marble floor as she quickly paced towards the ball room where the guests would be. The ball room was at least half the size of a football stadium. Five large chandeliers were hang in a line to light up the room and rich velvet drapes hung over the large windows. On one side, there were many tables set up with four chairs surrounding them but there was one that would hold ten. Four seats were for her, her brother and Lou and Cole but the other six are for the heads of the six very important bloodlines that have been loyal to the royal bloodline.

"Princess Nya, is the ballroom up to your expectations?" The decorator asked her. She and Kai decided to change decorators for the ballroom once every three years and this is the young girl's first time. She looked roughly the same age as Nya, her round blue eyes pierced through Nya's own. It reminded her of someone but she couldn't remember.

"It looks great Danielle but is it possible to have a small vase of flowers on each table?"

"O-Of course!" And the girl darted off instantly. Nya quickly looked at each table to make sure each table had name tags and the name of each family was spelt correctly. But something surprised her. They have one more family joining them this year.

Walker.

Instantly, the smiling and kind faces of Ed and Edna filled her mind but would that mean Jay is joining them? She's not sure if she could face him again… Her behaviour that afternoon was unacceptable, especially for a princess.

"Nya! Where are you?" She heard Kai yelled out and she turned around to see him frantically walking into the room since she and Kai aren't really allowed to run.

"What's wrong?"

"Have you seen Danielle?"

"Yes, she ran off that way… why?"

"I'll explain later." And Kai quickly walked in the way Nya pointed. She sighed and hurriedly went to her room so she could get change. She closed the room and kicked off her heels –not in a princess manner- and she ran to her closet. She looked at all of her dresses and pondered on which one to wear. The black one, the blue one or the red one.

Although black gown does look like she's going to a funeral but there's the red or blue one. Blue is her favourite colour but the royal colours are red and gold… Perhaps she can change it this year.

She closed her eyes and let her fingers choose the silkiest dress. Once she decided, she pulled the dress out and opened her eyes. The ball gown she happened to choose was spectacular; she didn't understand why she had never seen it before.

The sweetly pleated strapless neckline on sky blue gown rests above a flatteringly fitted waistline. A lacy border surrounds the top and bottom of the bodice, before the exuberant skirt falls in layers of ballooned ruffles to the floor.

She loved it. She was shocked as well to why she had never noticed this beautiful silky dress. She stripped down from her red contemporary dress and carefully changed into the gown. She then tossed the red dress into the laundry basket and she picked up the hem of the dress and went to her shoe rack. This year, she's not going to wear heels either. Many people will expect her to dance with Cole and she haven't mastered the dance in heels yet.

The flat style has a slight lift in the heel and the pristine fabric makes the shoe into a ballerina design. Ribbed material forms a band in front. A bow applique is enhancing with a crystallized accent of brilliant shimmer on these shoes. She then went to her dresser and pulled out a pair of post earrings. Glistening Cubic Zirconia gems of different sizes and cuts were attached and equalling a length of one and a half inches.

Just because she was a princess does not mean that she needed someone to help her get dressed and undressed. Including her hair. Speaking of hair…

Nya quickly went with a half-up and half-down style. The foreground divided into an off-centre parting. By doing this, it keeps the casual glamour with the volumed crown and a fall of smooth, loose curls. She then quickly applied some foundation and she left the room in haste. She was about to go down the stairs when she felt arms encircle her waist.

"Nya, my love, you look gorgeous and ravishing tonight." She heard Cole's deep voice beside her ear and she felt her cheeks go red.

"Oh… Thank you Cole." And she turned around to see him in a suit although it looked like he would rip it in half with his muscles. "You look great too."

"Thanks love." And he leaned down and kissed her lips. She didn't want to return the kiss but luck was on her side when it was a quick one and he left to go towards the kitchen.

.:Jay:.

He sat quietly in the back seat as he parents blabbered on about the gala. Apparently they haven't been invited to it since the death of the King and Queen but this is also Jay's first one. He hasn't been inside the palace but he has been outside.

Normally, he would join his parents with the conversation but there was nothing for him to say this time. He was going over waltz' moves so he doesn't make a fool out of himself and all table manners.

So Majesty for Kai and Highness for Nya… He'll probably stuff it up anyway. But what about Cole and Lou? They're not royal blood but Lou was the caretaker for both of them and Cole will be married into the royal bloodline. This is deeply confusing him. His fingers keep nervously playing with the end of the sleeves or fiddling with his collar.

"Wow, the palace looks outstanding tonight!" He heard his mother exclaim and he looked to see the fountain was lit up and the palace had lights casted on them. Many people had parked their cars and many women and men –some with linked arms- headed towards the entrance. The car was parked and he made his way with his parents into the palace.

The creamy wall colours were a golden colour from the lights and the marbled floors were polished so brightly that he can see his own reflection in it. The noise was lively and he could hear a string orchestral playing a waltz. Servants were walking over with silver trays in their hands with a wine bottle and six glasses.

Once they walked into the ballroom, they were handed each a wine. Jay himself only tasted wine a couple times on his birthday. He took a small sip and enjoyed the rich taste. This would have been expensive wine…

"Ed, Edna, it's so good to see you can make it!" He heard the jolly voice of Lou and he shook hands with his parents. "And this must be your son Jay, am I correct?"

"Yes sir." And Jay bowed his head.

"Very good manners." But Jay slowly drowned out the conversation between the adults because his eyes were captured by a beauty of grace. Nya was walking around, smiling and talking with a couple guests before going to greet another pair. Her raven black hair contrasted with her stunningly creamy skin. Her bright amber eyes twinkled and a gorgeous smile decorated her lips.

But their eyes met too soon for his taste and Nya came walking towards him and his parents.

"Nya, you look so beautiful!" Jay's mother exclaimed and Nya beamed radiantly.

"Thank you Edna, my brother told me he brought it a month ago, I've never realised it until this afternoon. Oh, good evening Ed and Jay."

"Good evening your highness." Both Jay and his father chorused. Jay looked up to see a lightly, faint blush adorning her cheeks. But more footsteps came and Jay looked to see Kai and Cole walking towards them… Ah! Why his parents and he is now the new centre of attention?

At first, Cole's eyes showed a bit of anger but it faded when they landed on Nya. Jay then turned to face Nya who looked away with a sad look on her face…

Did something happen between Nya and Cole? Was that why she was crying?

Jay felt his jaw twitch when Cole placed an arm around her waist and the young inventor could easily see the discomfort in Nya's face. Her eyes no longer twinkle and the beautiful smile turned into a forced smile.

"Ed, Edna, I'm so glad to see you two come. I have some important business I would like to discuss with you." Kai's mighty voice forced Jay to look away from the couple. Important business?

"Oh, Is Jay your son?"

"Yes, he is."

"Good, I'll let him in with the important business. Would you three like to stay after the gala so we can discuss it? I don't think some of the guests will leave me alone." He heard Kai sighed sadly and as if on a queue, a voice rang out from the crowd. A small, round man waddle towards Kai.

"Your majesty, this is a splendid ball but may I ask you a question?"

"Of course." Kai grimaced but he placed a hand on the man's shoulder and led him away from the group. Jay's eyes once again looked around and he saw that the crowd started to part as the orchestral played a new piece.

"Oh, Nya, Cole, that's your queue to start the dance." Jay heard Lou say as he pushed the couple's backs towards the centre. Jay watched Nya carefully. Alarm spread in her eyes as Cole led her to the dance floor. His arm held one of her hands and the other went on her waist and they slowly waltz to the music. Gradually, other couples came onto the dance floor including his parents. He waited along the walls and he watched Nya again. He didn't know anyone else and he didn't want to barge into his parent's love life.

Nya's eyes didn't seem to match up with Cole's and Jay could see the man's lips moving. Jay looked away and walked outside onto the balcony and stared over Ninjago. The stars sparkled brightly, brighter than Ninjago's own warm lights. The moon of course was the brightest.

"What are you doing?" Nya's puffed voice was heard and he turned away to see her standing behind him with a smile, the moon light reflected off her skin and her beautiful earrings.

"I'm just looking at the gorgeous view." Jay replied with a smile and she chuckled soft before leaning over the rails and look down. He did the same and stared at her face.

"What about you?"

"I got a bit tired."

"Oh… Hey, I umm… don't mean to intrude but… Why do I get the feeling that something bad between you and Cole?"

"You noticed huh? Is it that noticeable because it would be bad for us if it's out in public." He heard Nya sighed.

"I don't think so. Inventors need to be observant in case is their inventions fail or explodes." He told her softly. Her eyes seemed distant now, a frown marred her lips.

"Nothing bad happened between us… It's just something is missing."

"You don't have to say any more if it bothers you… I shouldn't have asked at all. It's not even my business."

"No, it's fine really…" Jay's look softened as Nya looked down below. Her dark hair cascaded down her bare back.

"May I have this dance my lady?" Jay asked her as a new song is being played. He bowed down a bit as he extended a hand but he trained his eyes on her. She smiled and took his hand and he led her to the dance floor… Hold up. What is he doing? He doesn't even know the dance moves for this song. Wait, he does, it's the same as the other. Phew, that's a relief.

Jay placed his right hand on her waist and the left one slipped into her right hand. Nya started to move her feet to the slow song and Jay looked down and he moved his left foot to the left like Nya did with her right then she step diagonally and he did the same. Then when a solo violin part entered, Jay let go of her waist and spun her outwards with his left hand and she squeal with delight and he brought her back in before spinning them both around and he quickly lifted her underneath her arms.

As they continued to dance, he saw many people staring at them, muttering and whispering. He couldn't tell if it was positive or negative words they were exchanging. He spun Nya around and he caught some couples moving in to join them and his parents were one of them. Then he saw Cole looking at him by the punch bowl.

He didn't look happy; almost angry and jealous. Jay looked back to Nya whose cheeks were bright red and a smile adorning her lips. Once the music stopped, they both stopped dancing and applause was sounded. Nya did a small curtsey towards him and he did a bow. She then quickly fled to her fiancé's side. Jay let a small sigh leave his lips and he moved back towards the window with his parents in toll.

"You danced pretty good son."

"Dad!"

"You and Nya looked like a perfect couple too."

"Mum!"

Jay felt his face turned bright red and he turned his head so he was staring at the city once again.

Sorry for the long wait but I redid this chapter at least four times because I kept changing the ideas. But thanks to those who reviewed and please leave a comment!