Dragon's Love with Dangerous Letters
Chapter 3
Artemis had never been to the castle before; to be honest she's been nowhere near its area. Having the ability to just stand there in front of it made her feel so small to where she was afraid to even go inside unlike those around her that were just striding through the doors like it was nothing. Those doors, sitting there wide open for all who came tonight were almost telling Artemis to walk through and that everything would be just fine.
Taking a deep breath, the olive eyed girl walked forward, her red dress gently scraping the ground as she did so and her red heels strapped around her ankles clicking against the ground. Voices swelled in her ears as she stepped foot into the ball room. A crystal dome filled the ceiling and corinthian style columns lined the ball room walls as white tiles litter the floor and were connected by diamonds of a shadowy color. It was breath taking, a sight almost no peasant girl had ever seen. The dancers in the middle are what made it all perfect, the way they moved so flawlessly and so perfectly in sync with the music. Artemis could only wish to be so perfect but knew that was only a fleeting dream. Nothing could ever be as perfect as what she saw, especially someone of her status.
When the song ended Artemis gave a quick clap before scurrying a crossed the room before the next song started. She was amazed at how well the violins and clarinets mixed accompanied by a piano and four flute players. Nothing could ever capture her attention so well.
"You really did come!" A voice so familiar had so happily exclaimed.
Artemis spun around, her dress moving with her, and locked eyes with those that were like the night sky. That strawberry fluff still making the young man stick out as clear as day. His clothing was changed to something even more elegant than what he had on before, the black and red in his jacket mixing well with the pure red undershirt and black pants that went with the extremely dark brown boots.
The female couldn't help but smile at the pinkette as he cheerily strutted slightly closer, his eyes wandering over her attire which most likely appeared to him a drastic change. His face could literally split in half from what Artemis thought due to the smile he was sporting.
"It's Nice to see you again Natsu." The brunette greeted and gave a faint nod of her head.
"You look amazing Artemis! Red looks wonderful on you." The male complimented and held out his hand, "you mind dancing with me before the song ends would you?"
"Not at all." Artemis chuckled and willingly placed her hand in his.
Natsu led the girl out to the dance floor and placed one hand in hers and the other on her waist, Artemis's free hand resting on his shoulder. Slowly the two began to move and fell in sync with the music just like the other dancers. Artemis could feel her feet gliding a crossed the tiles with easy as the moved along with Natsu's. To the male it was as if she moved without a flaw and knew what to do without even trying to concentrate on it. The way she twisted and turned, not one mistake was visible to him.
When the music ended Artemis curtsied and Natsu bowed in return. He followed the emerald orbed girl over to the banquet table after doing so and watched her pour a drink. For Artemis she had never felt so joyful in her life, dancing with Natsu was something the young girl never experienced before and it made her feel as if she had to do it again.
"Where'd you learn to dance like that? You were really something." The pinkette stated grabbing a glass for himself.
"Nowhere special. As a little girl my mother would twirl me around the kitchen as we cooked." Artemis answered pressing the glass to her lips.
"We'll your mother must've been a really good dancer then for her daughter to move the way you do." A new and welcoming voice chummed in.
The female teen peered over her shoulder to find the young man she had met in the dress shop today. Next to Sting stood a new face, raven hair falling over his right eye, his other eye showing and glowing a devil red. They were both dressed as well as Natsu though Sting wore his clothes in white and the other in black. Artemis turned her body halfway to them and gave a greeting nod.
"It's nice to see you again Artemis. This is Rogue, he's also from my kingdom." Sting explained gesturing a hand to the male next to him.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Artemis Elise." She introduced herself to the male.
"Rogue Cheney." He replied in monotonous way.
"Natsu-San! You're here too." The blonde exclaimed finally noticing the male standing on the other side of Artemis, though the girl could tell an opposite emotion from his voice could be seen faintly in those pools of blue, jealousy maybe?
"Yeah and so is my father." The pinkette replied taking a sip from his glass, a tiny bit of irritation flowing off of him.
"Seems like the whole gang is here then." A rough voice butted in.
It overwhelmed Artemis with how many people were crowding her now, first Natsu, then Sting and Rogue, and now a new male taller than any of them, piercings running up his nose and replacing his eyebrows. His hair was just as dark as Rogue's but a lot more spiked and extremely long and his eyes held the same hue as the raven from Sabertooth. Artemis lost interest in the new male though when her olive toned eyes met with a blue haired teen that seemed like a leprechaun next to this new male. She knew exactly who it was and had been waiting for her appearance for some time. It was Levy Mcgarden.
"Levy!" The brunette squeaked before clasping a hand over mouth.
"It's been awhile Artemis. How are you?" The short female asked walking closer.
"I've b-been f-fine and you?" Artemis answered uneasily.
"Good, oh this is Gajeel Redfox. He's from the kingdom of PhantomLord." Levy informed the brunette, a little emphasis used on the name PhantomLord.
"O-Oh! It's nice to meet you I'm Artemis." She said for at least what felt like the hundredth time today.
"Well it seems like we all know each other now right?", Sting asked taking a glance at everyone surrounding him, "Good! You wouldn't mind dancing with me for this song now would you Artemis?"
"I guess not, no." The said girl replied placing her glass down.
Following Sting out onto the dance floor, Artemis couldn't help but to keep her mind in the blunette over by the banquet table who was now stuck between the two black haired males Artemis had just been introduced too. It looked as if they both wanted to be her dance partner and wouldn't let the other be the one to dance with her. The short teen didn't even seem to have a say in any of it even though she was like the rope in that little game of tug-o-war. Honestly if Artemis could she'd go and rip the girl away for herself but she didn't want any of them to wonder why she did it and she didn't want to be rude to Sting by just leaving him there in the middle of their dance. The brunette had been craving to see Levy for she knew what it meant, a new letter from her cousin, something Artemis hadn't received in so long. She loved hearing from her cousin Celestine who was basically raised by the blunette Levy herself and it was another reason why she would love to get out and visit PhantomLord when she got the chance and meeting Gajeel, it gave Artemis the idea to go back there with him.
It pleased Artemis when the song had ended. She tried to walk over to the blunette still being argued over as slowly as her patience would let her. Levy knew what Artemis was so impatient over so knowing that now was a good time to do this Levy excused herself from the two males and beckoned Artemis to follow. The place she found was rather private for them which was good. The shorter teen took no time in pulling out the envelope in which Artemis's fingers ate up right on sighting it. A red seal kept the envelope closed which made Artemis mad, another thing that kept her from her cousin's words.
"Don't open that until you're at home. You know how dangerous
It is to receive letters from her because of her kingdom." Levy warned.
"I know. I won't open it until I'm locked in my room." Artemis replied gripping the envelope tightly in her hands.
With that Levy gave a nod and walked away. Artemis stood there for what seemed like a good hour, her eyes seemed as if they were burning into the paper. All the brunette wanted was to go home and lock herself away, all for the sake of reading this letter.