Chapter 5

The first ball of the social season is always the most important. It—of course—opens the season in which all girls of age look for husbands, and when most visiting nobles arrive. It was Eliena's job, as the heiress, to look her best and make an excellent impression. The first ball was also the showiest one—all the women wore extravagant ball gowns and the men dressed in their finest, carrying swords—real or useless. Eliena's gown was cut in the typical ball gown style—a close fitting bodice with a full skirt. Her dress had two thin double straps holding it up; with a neckline scooping just a touch lower than was considered appropriate. The bodice of her gown was gold, while the skirt was crimson. Those were the royal colors—the king and queen would also dress in them. (No one else was permitted to.) Eliena's black hair was swept up in an elaborate updo, finished with a diamond-loaded tiara that was dotted with rubies as well. Around her neck simply hung her ember stone, which had mysteriously changed from blue to yellow when she'd donned the gown. She wore dangling yellow diamond earbobs, and the amethyst ring George had given her sparkled on her finger.

"What lucky man is escorting you tonight?" Numair asked, fingers intertwined with Daine's as they waited at the top of the grand staircase. It was to be announced that Numair was courting Daine, which was why they were there. Eliena was waiting for her parents.

"No one, actually. The knight who was going to was called away," Eliena replied, clearly not at all troubled by this news.

"Well, you'll just have to fight off everyone wanting to dance with you then," Daine teased. Eliena made a face.

"That's why I hate these things," she muttered. "Only the worst of men get their courage up to ask me to dance!" Daine and Numair laughed as the king and queen joined them.

"What's so funny?" Alanna asked.

"Nothing," Eliena replied, glaring at her friends. "Who's taking me down the stairs?"

"Leo," Jonathan said, and the squire stepped out from behind them. Eliena smiled. Leo wore brown hose, a white shirt, and a green tunic that brought out greens in his eyes.

"Thank the gods," Eliena remarked. "I was afraid you'd get someone I couldn't stand!" Jonathan chuckled.

"Would I do that to you knowingly?" he wanted to know.

"Yes," Alanna and Eliena replied. Jonathan frowned.

"Daine—" Eliena turned and saw that Daine and Numair had already gone down.

"Your Highness?" the herald asked. "Are you ready?"

"Yes," she replied. Leo took her arm and looped it through his. "Come on, Leo. Don't make me look bad." He smiled wickedly and Eliena rolled her eyes. "I shouldn't have said a word."

"Her Royal Highness Princess Eliena of Conté and Squire Leonard of Pirate's Swoop!" the herald proclaimed. An aisle was cleared. Leo walked Eliena all the way to the dais, where she stepped up and curtsied her thanks. He kissed her hand and stepped away. "His Royal Majesty King Jonathan IV of Conté and Her Royal Majesty Queen Alanna of Olau and Conté!" Eliena grinned from her throne as her parents descended the staircase. They'd done it countless times, but always managed to captivate everyone. The Lioness had been watched by the ladies of Court for her attire—and had quickly been expected to wear something different. That evening, she wore a dress like Eliena's, only with two thick straps and a square neckline, but hers started yellow and darkened to crimson, and had embroidery. When you looked closely, it was clear that there were lots of lionesses rampant stitched into the skirt. Once the king and queen were seated, Eliena rose. It was now her duty to welcome everyone.

"Welcome to the first ball of the social season. There are many beautiful young women who will be presented to you this year, as well as many brave new knights. As always, we hope you enjoy your evening." Eliena sat down and the music started up. Many men rushed over to her—including several pages. The first one to get to her was the young Lord of Millsbrook. He was only nineteen—his father and mother had died the summer before. He had sandy blonde hair and midnight blue eyes.

"Your Highness, would you honor me with this dance?" he asked, bowing to her. Eliena smiled.

"It would be my please, Lord Jason," she replied. He took her hand and kissed it, helping her to step down. The other men grumbled and walked away. Meantime, Jason adeptly took Eliena into his arms and they began to dance. "You were knighted while I was in Carthak, were you not?"

"Yes, I was. It came in handy, too. We're not far from Legann, and I needed to help in the war," he replied. Eliena nodded. "I hear you nearly died."

"Yes. Magic blocked my lungs and arteries," she explained. "My mother saved me." Jason smiled.

"I'm glad she did. We all would have deeply mourned if you had died—probably more than when your grandparents—bless their souls—died so suddenly," he told her. Eliena blushed.

"Oh, I doubt that," she dismissed. "But thank you anyway." When the song ended, Jason returned Eliena to her throne.

"Your Highness dances marvelously," he praised.

"Thank you, Lord Jason," she said. He left, and Eliena was glad that she'd agreed to attend a dinner at his home.

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Eliena was allowed to leave early, so she did. Wandering through the halls, she slowly undid her hair, letting it spill down her back. She shook her head, allowing her curls freedom. She sighed. As she passed Numair and Daine's room, she saw the lights go out and heard Daine giggle. A smile played at Eliena's lips—she knew exactly what was going on in there! Almost to the royal wing, she saw a light coming from Thayet and Raoul's chambers. The door was partially open. She knocked.

"Come in!" Eliena went in and saw Thayet reading in an armchair. "Eli!" Eliena shut the door behind her and sat on the bed, facing Thayet, who put down her book.

"Am I interrupting anything?" she asked. Thayet shook her head.

"No. I just put in an appearance at the ball, in one of my older gowns. Raoul and the Own were called out, and they're no fun unless he's there—even if he does complain a lot." Thayet smiled. Now that's love, Eliena thought. Raoul complains about the balls all evening, but goes because Thayet loves them, but she can't go without him because they aren't fun.

"You know some of the women will be gossiping about how long you stayed and how you wore an old gown," Eliena remarked. Thayet sighed.

"Yes, but they'll talk anyway. I've learned to put up with it over the years. Just as I've learned to deal with the men who tell me I should leave Raoul, because a 'pretty thing like me' shouldn't be married to an 'oaf like him.'" Thayet shook her head. "I've never understood why people think that two people can't be together because they don't look alike." Eliena thought of the things she heard about her parents—people who still complained that handsome, charming Jonathan could have done a lot better than short, temperamental Sir Alanna.

"I don't understand it either. But there are a lot of things I don't understand," Eliena said. She thought of how she would be a goddess one day—she didn't think she deserved it.

Thayet smiled. "On another note, that is a beautiful dress."

"Thank you—I liked it." Eliena rose. "I should be getting to my rooms before someone comes to check in on me!" Thayet laughed.

"See you later, Eli," she called after the princess. Eliena waved and shut the door.

Walking just a little farther down the hall, she reached the stairs that lead to the royal wing. She walked in and nodded to the guards protecting the stairway, making sure only certain people entered the wing. She held up her skirts as she climbed the short staircase, and entered her wing of the palace. Her room wasn't very far down the hall, so she soon reached it. Eliena opened the door and lit her candles. She changed into her nightshirt and went to sit on the windowsill. She looked out the window and sighed. It was times like then when she wished she had someone courting her… or that she was married. She hated being alone in her room at night. It used to be that Daine, Leo, and Neal would sit with her for hours after a ball, and they would talk about everything that they had seen, laughing. But with Daine wrapped up in Numair, Neal and Eliena not speaking, and Leo getting serious about being a squire, those days were over.

Eliena used her Gift to bring her brush to her from her vanity. She brushed her long hair and she watched out the window. Not for the first time recently, she wished her room was on the other side of the hall—so she could overlook the gardens. She smiled to herself as she remembered that she could ogle the muscular knights, pages, and squires who practiced shirtless in the practice courts. But her smile faded when she thought of the beautiful gardens—with their lights, there was always something to see at night.

Bored, she got up and put her brush back. She climbed into bed, used her Gift to dim the candles, and went to sleep.

Author's Note- wow. That was actually pretty boring to write. Anyway—things will get more interesting later, and there will DEFINITELY be upcoming fluff! REVIEW.