Chapter 13: A Gift Unlike Any Other
1026 Words
Only two days had passed since Amelia's first swordsmanship lesson with Lucien.
The palace had returned to its usual peaceful rhythm.
Every morning, Amelia spent her time reading in the Royal Library or exploring different parts of the palace, while Lucien buried himself in royal duties and military reports.
Although they occasionally crossed paths, neither of them mentioned their training.
Amelia assumed Lucien was simply busy.
What she didn't know was that the palace servants had become unusually occupied.
The corridors were filled with people carrying decorations, rolls of expensive fabric, fresh flowers, and beautifully wrapped boxes.
The royal chefs were preparing extravagant meals, while musicians rehearsed from morning until evening.
Amelia couldn't help but wonder what was happening.
One afternoon, while walking through the palace gardens, she stopped a passing maid.
"Excuse me."
The maid curtsied.
"Yes, Lady Amelia?"
"I've noticed everyone seems especially busy lately."
"Is something happening?"
The maid looked surprised.
"My lady... His Highness didn't tell you?"
Amelia blinked.
"Tell me what?"
The maid smiled.
"In three days, it will be His Highness Crown Prince Lucien's coming-of-age birthday celebration."
Amelia's eyes widened.
"His birthday?"
"Yes."
"It is one of the most important celebrations held by the Imperial Family."
"Nobles from every corner of the empire will attend."
"The Emperor and Empress have been preparing for weeks."
Amelia stood there in silence after the maid excused herself.
"His birthday..."
"He never mentioned it."
A small smile appeared on her lips.
"Then I should prepare something special."
The more she thought about it...
The more difficult it became.
Jewelry?
Lucien already owned treasures beyond imagination.
A sword?
He had the finest craftsmen in the empire.
Books?
The Imperial Library held thousands.
"What kind of gift could surprise someone who already has everything?"
Then suddenly...
An idea flashed through her mind.
Her eyes sparkled.
"A performance."
Back in her previous life, one of the most beautiful art forms she had ever admired was ballet.
Elegant.
Graceful.
Filled with emotion.
She smiled to herself.
"This world has never seen ballet before."
"Perhaps... that will be my gift."
---
The following morning, Amelia requested permission from the Empress to borrow several palace maids for a special project.
The Empress looked curious but happily agreed.
Soon, a small group of maids gathered before Amelia.
"My lady..."
"What will we be doing?"
Amelia smiled.
"I'm going to teach you a dance."
"A dance?"
"Yes."
"It's called ballet."
The maids exchanged puzzled glances.
None of them had ever heard the word before.
Amelia laughed softly.
"Don't worry."
"I'll teach you everything."
---
For the next several days, the palace courtyard became their practice hall.
Amelia designed elegant costumes herself.
Unlike the heavy gowns noblewomen usually wore, these dresses were lighter and flowed beautifully with every movement.
The skirts spread gracefully whenever the dancers spun.
The sleeves were delicate, giving every movement an almost magical appearance.
Even the palace tailors were amazed by the designs.
"My lady truly has extraordinary ideas."
Training, however, was far from easy.
"Again," Amelia encouraged.
"Keep your backs straight."
"Point your toes."
"Move together."
The maids stumbled countless times.
Some lost their balance.
Others forgot the steps entirely.
Whenever they became discouraged, Amelia smiled warmly.
"We still have time."
"We'll improve together."
Little by little...
Their movements became more elegant.
By the final rehearsal, they moved almost as one.
The maids couldn't stop smiling.
"I never knew dancing could feel so beautiful."
---
At last...
The day of Crown Prince Lucien's coming-of-age celebration arrived.
The Imperial Palace was more magnificent than ever.
Crystal chandeliers illuminated the grand ballroom.
Golden banners bearing the royal crest hung from every pillar.
Nobles from across the empire filled the hall, dressed in their finest attire.
Music echoed softly as guests exchanged greetings.
Lucien stood beside the Emperor and Empress, welcoming everyone with his usual calm expression.
Although many guests offered expensive gifts, nothing seemed to catch his attention.
Then Amelia stepped forward.
"Your Majesty."
"Your Highness."
"I have prepared one final gift."
The Emperor smiled.
"Oh?"
"And what might that be?"
Amelia returned the smile.
"If everyone would kindly follow me."
Curious whispers spread through the crowd as the royal family and the nobles followed her into the palace's grand performance hall.
The lights dimmed.
The room fell silent.
A gentle melody unlike anything anyone had heard before began to play.
Then...
The curtains opened.
The maids stepped onto the stage.
Wearing the flowing dresses Amelia had designed, they began to dance.
Their movements were light.
Elegant.
Almost dreamlike.
As they spun across the stage, the audience watched in complete silence.
No one had ever seen a dance like this before.
Then...
Amelia appeared.
She stepped gracefully into the center of the stage.
Every movement flowed effortlessly into the next.
She twirled lightly across the floor as though carried by the music itself.
The soft fabric of her dress floated around her like flower petals caught in the wind.
The hall was captivated.
No one dared speak.
Among the countless dancers...
Lucien saw only Amelia.
The music faded into the background.
The nobles disappeared from his thoughts.
His eyes never left her.
"Beautiful..."
His heartbeat quickened.
Without realizing it, a small smile appeared on his face.
The Emperor noticed.
So did the Empress.
The two exchanged knowing glances but wisely said nothing.
When the final note faded, the hall remained silent for a heartbeat.
Then thunderous applause erupted throughout the room.
The nobles rose to their feet.
"What an extraordinary dance!"
"I've never seen anything so elegant!"
"It was breathtaking!"
Amelia walked over to Lucien and bowed politely.
"Happy coming-of-age birthday, Your Highness."
"I hope you enjoyed my gift."
Lucien looked at her for a long moment.
Then, for perhaps the first time in his life...
He smiled openly.
"It was..."
He paused, unable to take his eyes off her.
"...the finest gift I've ever received."
At that moment, Amelia simply smiled, believing she had succeeded in making his birthday memorable.
She never noticed the way Lucien looked at her.
But everyone else in the room did.
And little by little...
The Crown Prince's heart was no longer his alone.
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