Fall for Me

nine

~ l e o r a

IDRISS HAD TOLD us not to overdress ourselves, and right now, I felt overdressed.

Janne and the other maids had outdone themselves but standing right here in the doorway of the ballroom, I definitely felt that it was too much, compared to the princesses stood on the other end of the ballroom. They wore simple but carefully stitched gowns of light blues and purples. My pale coral gown fluttered about my legs every time I moved, swaying gently and brushing against my legs. The bodice was covered in gold lace and pearls, glittering under the lights. My hair tumbled down my shoulders in dark waves, a thin band of leaves and crystals of gold laced into the tresses on the top of my head, stretching past my temple and disappearing behind my ears.

All the decorations used the the ballroom during the welcome party had been stripped and replaced with sashes of red and gold. A glossy wooden table occupied almost half of the room. Leather-backed chairs had been pushed underneath and candelabras stood majestically in the center, the flames of the lit candles flickering delicately with life. There were more guards than usual stationed around the ballroom. The king had undeniably placed them there in case of another attack. They were all being cautious.

Everyone turned their heads in my direction as I stepped into the room. I silently thanked the Lord that I didn't trip. On every face was the expression of pure awe, their mouths agape. I was aware of their probing eyes as I made my way through the guests and toward the princesses who were beaming at me, having taken in my appearance already.

"Your maids have worked wonders, Leora!" The younger of the twins, Aurorae, enthused, her eyes brightening as she took in the details of my gown and headpiece. The others nodded beside her, clearly agreeing.

"Thank you, but you are all incomparably enchanting tonight. The prince will be delighted when he sees you!" I exclaimed. Aurorae blushed a deep pink.

"You think so?" Her eyes were like stars winking down from the midnight sky, gleaming with eagerness. Before I could reply, the sound of the doors behind me flinging open reached my ears and someone's voice cried loudly.

"His Majesty, the King of Aecho, and Her Majesty the Queen, and their daughters, Her Royal Highnesses, the princesses of Aecho!" A man with ruffled hair called out, his thin figure bending in a bow. "And His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince of Aecho, Ashton Layne!"

I stiffened when I heard his name. It was like a single bell toll in the midst of silence, and like an echo in an empty cave. I turned slowly, my eyes lifting. The thunderous beating of my heart pulsed in my eardrums, drowning out the whispers of the guests and the quiet chatter of the princesses. He was gazing at me, the corners of his lips tugging upward in a smile that was seemingly barely there. His flawless, reflective silver eyes burned into mine, sending involuntary shivers coursing through my body. Clothed in a suit of pure gold and white, he looked incontrovertibly striking. He made his way over, and I was pulled out of my entrancement.

"Happy Birthday, Your Highness," I curtseyed and the other princesses followed suit, mumbling their greetings. The prince leaned in and his lips grazed my cheekbones. My knees suddenly went weak.

"Have I not told you before to call me Ashton?" He whispered in my ear, his breath tickling my neck. I held back from pushing him off me and merely staggered back without a word. Something flared inside his eyes but was gone within a split second.

Glancing at me one last time, he pushed past me and went to welcome the other princesses. I drew my lips between my teeth, and something speared at my chest, releasing an aching feeling which raked against my heart. I forced it away, letting myself drift away from the shadows of the back of the ballroom. 

I was still slightly irritated at the fact that Ashton had lied to us and only led the princesses and I here for reasons regarding marriage. Maybe the princesses were alright with that and were maybe even used to it, but I certainly was not. I did not want to spend any more time in Aecho. I wanted terribly to just go home and return to my family where I knew I was safe.

From across the room, I spotted Euphoria. She looked unsettled between two broad-shouldered men who were gulping down goblets of wine. Her bright eyes skimmed the crowd and landed on me. I grinned and she returned it, hastily excusing herself and hurrying over with the fabric of her red skirts grasped in her hands.

"I am so glad I am away from those boorish men," she sighed, tucking a stray lock behind her ear. I must have looked surprised for she explained to me that the king had tasked her with making sure the men, who were nobles from another country, were comfortable in the palace. "They have no respect for others, and look! They have finished all the wine!"

Just as Euphoria had pointed out, the bottles of wine, which had been full when I first entered the ballroom, had been emptied. The men seemed unfazed by the immense dose of alcohol, trudging around the room aimlessly and eyeing the finely-dressed women. Everyone purposefully avoided them. A sudden thought occurred to me.

"Is the prince really going to marry one of us?" I blurted without a second thought. Euphoria didn't look shocked at the fact that I knew. Instead, her eyes were brimming with disinterest.

"It's foolish, really. How could you just marry someone you do not even know?" Euphoria flailed her arms in front of her. "It was father's idea, actually. Ashton had no idea he was to choose one of you five to be his wife until around a week ago, when it was already too late."

I gasped softly. Ashton had no intention of marrying one of us. It had only been his father's plan all along. He had played no part in it. A wave of relief overcame me, but I abruptly felt dreadfully guilty for how I treated him. I had avoided him the entire week and every time I went down with the other princesses for a meal, I never spoke to him, or even allowed myself to look at him. Every time he tried to talk to me, however, I would only make up an excuse and leave him. He had been a sincere friend this whole time and had not lied, yet I had been horrible. I remembered the way he looked so sad when he mentioned his friends the night of the party. I needed to find a chance to apologize. 

But even though he played no part it this plan the king had come up with, he was still to choose one of us, and I could not allow myself to be the chosen one. All I wanted was to go home and stay with my family. My real family.

"Are you coming?" Euphoria jabbed me in the hip. I raised my head.

"For what?" I asked, watching as everyone gathered around the large table.

"For the feast, of course. It is a tradition, and the person who we are all celebrating the birthday of has to take a bite of his or her food before anyone else does. It is torturous, if you ask me," Euphoria clarified. 

I followed her to the table and searched for an empty seat. Most of them had been taken by nobles of various ranks, but I finally found one two chairs away from the prince and slid in, the cushion sewed to the chair sinking with my weight. Brielle was next to me, shifting and examining the food which had been served. Baskets of honey-drizzled bread and trays of a range of foods and drinks packed the table. 

I snatched up my rolled up napkin, unfolding it and spreading it out as gracefully as I could manage. The room was eerily silent and I heaved my eyes upward, only to see Euphoria staring at me with her eyes widened. She mouthed something at me, but I couldn't understand. My gaze flicked to Ashton. He was smirking, his back resting casually against the backing of the chair. He nodded at the unfurled napkin in my hand, and that was when I finally realized my mistake. My cheeks colored fiercely and I instantly balled up the napkin before placing it on the table close to the plates and cutlery. I caught a glimpse of the king, glaring angrily in my direction.

With a small chuckle, Ashton laid his napkin over his clothes and slowly pierced the smoked salmon created especially for this celebration with his fork, gradually bringing it up. I waited patiently, all the while observing the way his jaw muscles flexed as he opened his mouth, and the way his slightly tousled hair draped over his forehead as he curved down to the reach the food. I shook the thoughts away, mentally lecturing myself for thinking such things. Ashton's eyes suddenly met mine and the salmon entered his mouth. He chewed and chewed, his irresistible silver orbs never leaving me. I held my breath, just like all the other guests. Ashton blinked, and then swallowed.

Paradise was the first to dig in, shoveling spoonfuls of food into her wide open mouth. I set up my crinkled napkin and helped myself. When the food reached touched my tongue, I had to stop chewing to prevent myself from moaning in bliss at the brilliance of it all. I surveyed the table and noticed how everyone was grinning with satisfaction. 

If only my family were here. I missed them.

~*~

~ l e o r a

The ballroom was filled with mirthful music, and the sound of laughter and footfalls resonated around the room. Ashton was dancing in the center with Emmaline, one of the princesses from Rheane, and the older of the twins. She spun in his arms and giggled when he said something to her. The same feeling I had endured before churned in my stomach and I looked away.

The door to the room opened a few inches and an exhausted-looking Mason slipped in, his ruffled hair sticking up in all directions. He had been unnoticed by everyone else. His eyes darted about the room, as if he was trying to find someone. A moment later, they settled on me and he gave me a once-over, his lips parting in astonishment. He battled his way through the guests, and toward me.

"Would you care for a dance, Princess?" My eyes snapped forward, meeting with a pair of silver-grey ones. I knew straight away who it was. He bowed low, extending a hand for me to take. The expectant look on his face made me smile broadly.

"Oh, but you know I am terrible at dancing, Your Highness," I feigned a frown. 

"I know perfectly well how terrible you are at dancing, Princess." He flashed his pearly white teeth when I glared at him. "And that is why I intend to catch you if you ever were to fall." I blinked.

"Then, if Your Highness does not mind, I would indeed care for a dance." My fingers clutched his hand, our palms gliding gently together.

"Of course not." Ashton bowed again, leading me toward the dance floor.

I glimpsed Mason's retreating figure from the corner of my eye but turned away as soon as Ashton's arm circled around my waist, crushing me against his chest. He placed my hand on the back of his neck and my fingertips prickled with the feeling of his silky hair. He seemed to be enjoying this enough, and I didn't protest. His indescribably intoxicating scent of fragrant spring roses and the clear night sky washed over me. The night sky was not really a smell, but somehow, it was the perfect description.

"Ashton?" I whispered, faint enough so he could hear.

"Yes?" His eyes twinkled and sparkled like moonlight mirrored into the tranquil waves of the ocean.

"I'm sorry," I breathed, meaning it. I wanted him to know I apologetic I was. Personally, I did not want him to hate me for ignoring him.

"What for?" He looked perplexed, his grip on my hand tightening as we sailed across the dance floor.

"For everything." His face softened ever so slightly as I uttered those words. 

"Well then, Princess, I am sorry too." He pulled me impossibly closer, his breath stroking the tip of my nose.

My eyes searched his and I opened my mouth to ask him the reason why, but the look on his face left me breathless, all the air in my lungs escaping in one go. My hand curled into a fist in his hair and we waltzed across the ballroom, our fingers intertwined, and bodies pressed together, our steps in sync with one another.

~*~

~ a s h t o n

April 27th, 2020, 11:08 pm

My dearest Leora,

Thank you.

For the past week you have been avoiding me, not answering me when I spoke to you. It is agonizing to just think about it. But tonight you were different from the last few days. You were yourself- the beautiful, charming and sweet Leora I fell for the moment I saw her.

Euphoria told me you knew about how I was to choose a bride, and I hope you do not hate me for it. I did not agree to it at first, but like I mentioned before, the king is the king, and also my father.

I keep replaying tonight over and over in my head, and I cannot refrain myself from wanting to relive it all a hundred times more. I want to feel your small hands in mine; I want to look into your eyes as we hold on to each other; I want to hear your laughter in my ears, and I want to see your beautiful smile. I know you do not see me as I see you, and that pains me. So much more than I had expected.

Yours,

Ashton