Chapter 2:
As I progressed down the hallway, the noise of the ball became louder. I could hear the scratch of the violin and the clicks of the many ladies' shoes. I thought for a moment, maybe this time could really be it. Maybe, I would find that one girl for me. Then I shook my head and thought rationally. Father invited all of the women here, and he wouldn't know what I wanted if his life depended on it. Just before rounding the corner to the stairs leading down to the ballroom, I stopped. Me, being the area's most eligible bachelor (as Father liked to put it), would be treated with a grand entrance and a speech as soon as I was spotted, no doubt. I poked my head out from around the corner.
The ball room was filled with multicoloured dresses and matching suits for the men. I could easily spot Fredrich, him being the dip in a level-headed crowd. I cautiously scanned the room for any sign of Father. After a minute or two, I concluded that he was not in range of seeing me. I planned to go around the long way, so that I could sneak onto the ballroom floor without being noticed right away. With a deep breath, I began to walk forward, into the open. I moved slowly, but at the same time, fast enough so that I wouldn't look suspicious. When I reached a column, I would stop, and then re-scan my surroundings. I continued this past the grand staircase, until I reached the long side hallway of the rectangular ballroom. I felt so childish, making such an effort to stay out of Father's sight. But I knew that as soon as I was caught, there was a very slim chance of escaping.
"There you are, my boy!" a booming voice came from below. I stopped in my tracks, eyes still looking ahead to the shelter of the column I had just about reached. Only a few more steps, and I could have-
"Attention, everyone!" my Father called out to the guests. The crowd quieted to a murmur as Father stopped the musicians and then announced, "My eldest son, the future Duke of Folsense, has now entered the ball!"
I daringly averted my gaze from the column to the crowd. So many pairs of watching eyes were set on me. Pressured into the moment, I cracked a smile, and stood straight. Father, seemingly excited, bounded up the small staircase that remained between me and the ballroom floor. He put his arm around my shoulders tightly, crushing my high collar into my face.
"The young bachelor, Anton Herzen!" Father yelled.
The guests applauded at my entrance, though they were all shown up by two pink-haired women in the front of the pack. The two, appearing to be twins, clapped and cheered, both with their floral gowns and wide eyes. I recoiled at the thought of them firing questions at me, or trying to woo me in all of the wrong ways like so many others had.
"Where have you been?" Father hissed at me through his crowd-pleasing smile.
"I apologize Father, I-"
"Now now, no time for excuses. Look presentable, and go find yourself a wife!" He said before going back down the steps and dragging me along with him.
We walked together about halfway across the ballroom floor, where we reached a group of people that I recognized as Father's old friends. I waved hello to them before Father removed his arm around me and instead put his hands on my shoulders. He looked me straight in the eye and waited a moment before speaking.
"Anton. I have set you up with quite a few young ladies tonight that I am sure you will like!"
I scoffed at his words. He must have heard it, because his expression turned hard and his voice serious.
"You're 24 years of age, Anton. You should have found a wife long ago! I am trying to be a helpful father, and in return I would like some respect!"
Just before I opened my mouth to reply, I heard giggles and clicks of shoes from behind me. Father's face turned from angry to friendly in a moment.
'Here they come..' I thought
"Ah! Son," he spun me around to face my fate, "this here is Minnie and Mandy! They are the daughters of Lord Andrew. Say hello, girls!"
It was the pink-haired twins from before. Up close, their stone-grey eyes were even larger. I wasn't sure as to if they were naturally like that, or if they widened them to extremes on purpose.
"Hellooooo Anton!" The girls cooed together before curtseying.
The shorter of the two, Minnie, twiddled her fingers together nervously while Mandy twirled a strand of hair around her index finger.
"Eh, hello girls, nice to meet you both." I put on my best gentlemanly act. Just because I thoroughly despised these events didn't mean I had to act like it. Besides, I had the Herzen reputation to uphold.
Father patted my back in an effort to be encouraging, before pivoting and returning to his friends. I let out a slightly relieved sigh. Now all that was left was to get out of the ballroom.