The ballroom was filled with laughter and merriment, the high spirits were contagious and Aria, too, had begun smiling genuinely. She watched all the acts and performances with amazement and interest, and her focus made the performers put on their very best to amaze her more.
Soon enough, it was time to dance. Her gaze had met those of some of the young men she had seen earlier, and they all seemed rather smitten. She sat waiting for any one of them to ask her for a dance, but not even one advanced towards her. Her smile began to fade slowly, and her spirits began to dim. Perhaps they didn’t want to ask her to dance because she hadn’t danced with the king yet, but even he hadn’t asked her to dance.
She leaned into her seat resignedly, and she forced herself to smile faintly as she watche
