The moon dance

Chapter 9 the moon dance

It's the day of the moon dance. Everyone throughout the manor is rushing to do final adjustments to everything. When I awakened I was instantly taken to eat a small breakfast. After that I was dragged off to bathe, get dressed into my beautiful dress and get my hair thoroughly brushed and styled into two braids on the side of my head trailing behind into a bun then the rest of my hair flowed down. Then they added flowers to add a more elegant look. By the time they had finished getting me ready it was at least 9pm. It starts soon. “Come on Eloise” my father says, barging into my room. I stand up and turn to face him, I suddenly feel awkward so I avoid eye contact and observe my hands. “You look stunning my daughter, it's time to go” he says, changing tone from rushed to shocked. “Very well then” I reply. We step outside and I see Rosaline, she looks away trying to ignore me. I acknowledge it and make my way to the carriage. The carriage ride is quiet, and hard to bear, it is almost suffocating. We finally arrive and make our way in, I've never felt so out of place. It's weird the interior feels familiar. “May I have this dance?” A man says after approaching me. He has bright green eyes and blonde hair. “Of course sir…” I say as my parents gesture me to accept we go off and dance with many other potential couples swaying across the floor. “I never got your name” he says looking into my eyes “It’s Eloise, I never got yours either.” “Well Eloise. My name is sir benjamin, but you can call me ben for short.” “ Are you a knight?”I asked, “Indeed I am a knight, working for his majesty is such a pleasure…” The music ends and we say our potential goodbye’s while we meet yet another potential suitor. This is exhausting after many dances and many people, everything starts to become absolutely suffocating. Tired and uneasy by the amount of people I step outside for a chance to breathe. Turns out I found the gardens, it seems we are next to the forest. I walk further into this huge mystical garden with a huge variety of flowers aligning the path making it the most magical place I've ever been. I come across a beautiful fountain surrounded by roses, I stare into the water. It's now midnight and the moon is reflecting to the water adding to the glistening and array of colors bouncing off the surface. “Is the party not to your liking?” A voice I am positive to have heard before says behind me. I turned, shocked that there was another out here with me. When I turn around I see him, I never got his name… but his red eyes are unforgettable, “Aren't you the guy who found me the other day?” “ah you mean when you were playing with the bear?” “I wasn't playing with the bear, I happened to run across it” “you never answered my question”he says switching direction of conversation. “The party is fine… just a lot…” we look into eachothers eyes, the moon highlighting his making the sparkle “I don't believe I ever got your name” “Mine is Eloise, I don't believe I ever got yours either.” “well lady Eloise, my name is Eclipse and well I am the king of this kingdom due to my fathers passing last year” “king?” he plucks a rose from the garden and holds it out to me “May I ask your family's permission for you to be my queen?” … I'm sorry WHAT?!?!?!? His eyes asking for approval and putting me into a trance. How do I feel safe right now… with him. “I-I suppose” he nods and puts the rose in my hair, taking my hand and we dance when the moon is at its highest. I feel connected to him right now rather than the distraction of the forest. We looked into each other's eyes once again and he places a gentle kiss upon my lips then leads me inside. We make our way to my parents. “May I have Eloise to marry?” OH GOD WHY?!?!? My parents are shocked but excited and say “of course your majesty” they bow before him. Out of everything this was the least expected he turned and looked at me “looks like we are engaged” he says with an adorable smile on his face. “If you don't mind I would like to get to know you some more.” my father buds in “oh your majesty you could stay at our manor it's not as fancy as your palace but-” “I Would love to, as long as Eloise accepts.” he looks at me with kind eyes to ask for approval. “I don't mind.” I say, responding “Great be there tomorrow your majesty… if you wish to” “Alright I’ll be there around noon tomorrow” eclipse says turning his attention back to me. “May I have this dance” “of course”.