4: The Ball
1352 Words
Chapter 4: The Ball
Alice
Getting ready for the ball, my excitement was evident in my demeanor. I rarely went out with Lucien, but on the few occasions when I did I made sure to make myself presentable.
I had the maids take special care with my hair and makeup, letting the dress pull everything together.
I was almost done with my preparation when I heard hurried footsteps outside my chamber, then a knock came through.
“Come in.”
The door opened, and one of the footmen bowed deeply.
“Your Highness,” he said hesitantly, “the prince has departed for the castle in the family carriage.”
“What?” I blinked as my fingers curled into my skirt.
“When did he leave?” I questioned the savant.
“Five minutes ago your highness.”
“And Lady Genevieve?”
“S-she went with his highness.” He stammered out.
My heart sank as I heard the words that left his mouth.
‘What did he mean by leaving me behind?’
He hesitated before adding, “You are to follow shortly—in the second carriage.”
The second carriage.
The one reserved for lesser nobles. Guests. Wives who were… inconvenient.
“I see,” I said softly, but my mind was in utter confusion as to why he wanted me to be in the beautiful dress he brought when he had no plans of me being beside him at the ball.
By the time I arrived at the ballroom, the music had already begun.
The grand doors opened, announcing my presence, but the applause was little to none. Heads turned—not in admiration, but curiosity. Whispers and judgmental gazes followed me like shadows.
Why is she alone?
Did the prince not escort his wife?
Who would want to escort a wife who takes up room for two?
I tried not to pay attention to their side comments. Gathering the little confidence I had I walked further into the hall. I scanned the room until I found Lucien.
He stood beside his mother, laughing lightly, perfectly composed. When his eyes finally met mine, surprise flickered—quickly replaced by something smoother.
He approached me as though nothing was wrong.
“Canary,” he said warmly, kissing my cheek. “You look beautiful.”
You left without me,” I said quietly.
“I had to arrive early,” he replied easily. “Diplomatic matters. You understand.”
I nodded, even though my chest ached.
Then an announcement of Marquess Bon Aldridge family’s arrival came in and I noticed the shift in Lucien’s facial expression.
He was excited.
“Enjoy yourself,” he added, already glancing over my shoulder. “I’ll be busy tonight,” he added, his eyes resting on Rose Aldridge—the eldest daughter of the Aldridge family.
And just like that, he walked away.
The Aldridges were the richest noble family in the kingdom and Rose was seen as the white flower of the kingdom, being the number one beauty in high society. Young noble ladies looked up to her as she usually pioneered new fashion trends.
Compared to her, I was a Fat eyesore.
I knew Lucien had dealings with the Aldridges. If he wanted to take the throne after his father, he needed the support of a strong family like theirs but looking at him interacting with them and the smiles he gave Rose made my stomach churn.
I was wearing a beautiful dress but I now felt ugly, the compliment I had received earlier from Lucien now meant nothing.
The air got suffocating and I turned to make my way to the balcony, but before I took a step, a second announcement came in, introducing the delegation from Dogona Empire.
The doors opened once more, and immediately I felt a shift in the air. Like something was drawing me to the open doors.
Silence rippled through the hall as the werewolves of Dogona entered. Powerful. Commanding.
Then I saw him, casually in the midst of the delegation, him alone oozing a dangerous aura.
Since I developed a crush on Lucien in school, I had never looked at any other man the same way nor felt any type of way towards them. Lucien had always occupied my thoughts till this very moment.
The very moment this stranger’s eyes found me, everything else blurred.
The pull was immediate. Violent. As though something deep inside my soul had been wrenched awake.
‘What is this feeling?’
He walked toward me slowly, deliberately, as though the crowd did not exist.
“May I have this dance?” he asked, extending his hand.
I hesitated, wondering why out of the other beautiful slim ladies did he walk up to me.
I looked toward Lucien—he wasn’t watching, still engrossed in the conversation he was having with Rose.
So I placed my hand in the stranger’s.
As we moved across the floor, something inside me loosened. His touch felt electric and awfully comforting. He led confidently, as though he trusted me to follow.
“What was a gorgeous lady like you doing standing alone?” His deep voice sounded in my ears.
It was then that I focused on his features, his black hair was slicked back neatly, and unlike Lucien grey eyes that complemented his fair skin tone and dark brown wavy hair. This stranger had green eyes that stood out shining like jewels. One look and I felt like I was being seen through down to my soul.
His towering height and muscular build would make anyone feel intimidated but I felt safe in his presence. Lucien was tall and had an athletic physique but the feeling around him never hit me the way it did with this total stranger.
‘Alice! What the hell are you thinking—comparing your husband to a man you just met’
“Seems you have a lot on your mind,” he added giving me a charming smile.
“Sorry—thank you for the compliment. Actually—I was waiting for my husband,” I replied giving him a small smile.
His brows raised in surprise. “You’re married,…your husband must be a lucky man.”
His words that should have made me feel proud instead had the opposite effect. Anyone who knew about my marriage to Lucien, felt sorry for him and even wondered why he would want to be with an overweight and weak vampire. The negative remark from practically the whole kingdom makes me question my relationship with Lucien sometimes.
While I was lost in my thoughts, still dancing with this handsome stranger, I could feel the piercing gazes of the people and the ball.
“Of all the ladies in the hall, he chose her to dance with,” a lady in blue scoffed.
“Men from Dogona must lack good taste in women,” another lady replied.
“I heard Dogona women are hairy and ugly,” the lady in blue added
“Looking at what he is dancing with, the rumors must be true,” a lady with a ponytail added joining the conversation. Her words caused the other ladies to laugh.
“Too bad, he is such a handsome man.”
I tried not to take in their words, but the goosebumps that showed up on my skin said otherwise.
“Hey look at me, “ his words brought me back and I looked into his eyes. “Don’t pay attention to any of their nonsense… in my eyes, you are the prettiest lady I’ve ever seen and better than they can ever be,” his word came out with so much conviction that it was hard not to believe him.
My cheeks flushed and a smile tugged at my lips. Just when I was about to thank him and flow right into his arms as we danced, Lucien’s frame came in between us.
“What do you think you're doing Alice!” Lucien’s words came heavy as he grabbed my hand, intercepting it from reaching my dance partner.
- Writer
