THE ROYAL BALL (PART ||)
825 Words
For several long moments, Octavia and Aurora could do nothing but stare.
The elegant young woman standing beside the king and queens...
Was their friend.
Arina.
When the royal family had taken their seats, Arina caught sight of the two stunned faces across the ballroom.
She gave them a tiny, apologetic smile.
Aurora blinked several times.
"...She's really a princess."
Octavia slowly nodded.
"I can't believe she never told us."
"I kept wondering why she disappeared every few days."
"And she always avoided talking about her family."
Aurora folded her arms dramatically.
"When I see her, she's explaining everything."
Octavia laughed softly.
"I think she deserves a chance."
Aurora sighed.
"...Fine."
---
The orchestra filled the ballroom with elegant music as guests laughed and danced.
Servants moved gracefully between the crowds carrying sparkling drinks and beautifully prepared desserts.
Every corner of the palace shimmered beneath the crystal chandeliers.
Yet Aurora wasn't paying attention to the beauty around her.
Her heart had begun beating faster again.
She slowly turned.
Her eyes wandered across the ballroom.
A nobleman...
Nothing unusual.
A group of laughing ladies...
Perfectly normal.
Then...
A woman dressed in deep crimson.
Something about her felt...
Wrong.
Aurora frowned.
Before she could think further, the woman disappeared into the crowd.
A strange chill crept down Aurora's spine.
She whispered to herself,
"There are people here... hiding who they really are."
She looked toward the royal family.
Then toward the crowded ballroom.
Without knowing why...
She instinctively moved a little closer to Octavia.
---
Not far away...
Lincoln stood beside one of the grand marble pillars.
Several noble ladies tried to begin conversations with him.
One complimented his appearance.
Another praised the royal family.
A third attempted to invite him to dance.
Lincoln politely excused himself from each conversation.
His attention remained fixed on only one person.
Octavia.
She laughed with Aurora exactly as she always did.
Her beautiful orange-red curly blonde hair shimmered beneath the chandelier light like threads of sunset.
For the first time in years ...
Lincoln found himself smiling without realizing it.
---
A tall young nobleman approached Octavia.
He bowed politely.
"My lady... would you honor me with a dance?"
Octavia smiled kindly.
"I'm sorry."
"I'd rather stay with my friends."
The nobleman forced another smile.
"Surely one dance isn't too much to ask."
She shook her head gently.
"No, thank you."
As she tried to step away...
He caught her wrist.
"Please."
His grip tightened.
"I said no."
Her voice remained calm.
Several nearby guests noticed...
But no one wished to offend the influential noble family.
Octavia attempted to free herself.
"I don't wish to dance."
He leaned closer.
"I insist."
Fear flickered across her face.
Aurora immediately stepped forward.
"She told you no."
The nobleman ignored her.
Before either of them could react—
A calm voice spoke behind him.
"I believe the lady has already answered."
The entire ballroom seemed to fall silent.
The nobleman turned.
His face immediately lost its confidence.
"Y-Your Highness..."
Lincoln stood before them.
His expression remained calm.
But there was unmistakable authority in his eyes.
He looked at the nobleman.
"You should release her."
Without another word...
The nobleman quickly let go.
"My deepest apologies."
He bowed repeatedly before disappearing into the crowd.
Lincoln turned toward Octavia.
"Are you alright?"
She rubbed her wrist gently.
"Yes..."
A small smile appeared.
"Thank you."
"It was nothing."
Their eyes met for the first time.
Neither spoke.
Neither looked away.
For a brief second...
The crowded ballroom disappeared.
---
Then...
The familiar feeling returned.
Cold.
Gentle.
Like a breeze carrying the scent of rain and pine through the air.
Octavia's smile slowly faded.
Her heartbeat quickened.
Not again...
She glanced around the ballroom.
The feeling grew stronger.
Closer.
"He's here..."
The mysterious man from her dreams...
She had never seen his face.
Yet somehow...
She felt he was near.
Lincoln noticed the sudden change in her expression.
"Octavia?"
She looked at him apologetically.
"I'm... sorry."
"I just need a little fresh air."
Before he could reply...
She quietly walked away.
Lincoln watched her disappear through the ballroom doors.
Something told him not to let her go alone.
After waiting a respectful moment...
He followed.
---
Meanwhile, Aurora remained inside the ballroom.
The strange feeling surrounding the palace grew stronger.
She looked across the dancers.
For a split second...
She thought she saw someone's eyes flash an unnatural shade.
When she blinked...
Everything was normal again.
"Am I imagining things?" she wondered.
Just then, a young man with dark hair and warm hazel eyes approached her with an easy smile.
He bowed.
"May I have this dance?"
Aurora blinked, surprised.
Then she laughed.
"You're brave."
He chuckled.
"I've been told that before."
She smiled.
"Well... I suppose one dance won't hurt."
As he led her toward the dance floor, Aurora couldn't help feeling that despite the hidden dangers surrounding the palace...
Perhaps tonight also held something beautiful.
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD