My Angel from the Star

CHAPTER 5

TAVIAN'S P.O.V.

It was finally the day of the ball, and the palace was adorned with flowers and elaborate decorations. One benefit of my chamber was the nice view it had of the palace entrance. I watched as numerous royals were welcomed into the palace. The entire kingdom seemed to be at its best, especially the ladies, dressed in their finest attire. The Queen and her sons had taken on the honor of welcoming the royalties, something I was glad to avoid.

Unfortunately, evening came too soon, and it was finally time for the ball. The sound of music filled the palace, creating an atmosphere of anticipation and excitement. I looked at the mirror after the maid had finished styling my hair. Taking one last look, I adjusted my attire and stepped out, Collin following closely behind.

On my way to the ballroom, a lady bumped into me as she walked, looking behind her. "I'm so sorry, my lord," she said, her voice filled with genuine concern. Her necklace had gotten hooked on my shirt, tangling us together.

Collin stepped forward to intervene, but I motioned for him to stay back. "It's fine," I assured him, then turned my attention to the lady. She wasn't overdressed; in fact, she seemed quite simple compared to the other guests. She must be one of the maids, I thought.

As she tried to untangle her necklace, our eyes met.

Her eyes looked so familiar and held me in shock.

Where have I seen these eyes before? I stared at her, the recognition gnawing at the edges of my memory.

She fumbled with the necklace, her fingers trembling slightly. I couldn't tear my gaze away, captivated by the familiarity of her eyes. They stirred something deep within me, a connection I couldn't place but felt profoundly.

Finally, she freed the necklace and stepped back, giving a small, nervous smile. "Thank you my lord," she said softly..

I nodded, still trying to place where I had seen her before.

As she hurried away, I stood there for a moment, lost in thought. Who was she? And why did her eyes seem to reach into my very soul?

Collin called out to me gently, bringing me back to the present. "We should get to the ballroom, my lord," he reminded me.

With one last glance in the direction the lady had gone, I nodded and continued on my way.

The grand ballroom was resplendent with opulence, flowers and decorations adorning every surface. As I entered, I took a deep breath, steadying myself before bowing deeply to the King and Queen. They nodded in acknowledgment, and I moved to take my seat. Immediately, I noticed whispers and side talks among some of the royalties, while several ladies stared at me as though they had seen an angel.

The ball was indeed a grand affair, with many dignitaries present, each trying to outshine the other. I scanned the room, observing the splendor and the lively interactions. After a few minutes of introductions, I noticed my brothers, Eadrick, Gravus, and Thraine, showing interest in almost every princess displayed before them. They were engaging in animated conversations, clearly enjoying the event.

For me, the ball was rather dull. I found little interest in the shallow exchanges and the endless parade of potential brides. The air was thick with expectation and intrigue, but it did little to lift my spirits. I shifted in my seat, feeling a familiar unease growing within me.

Suddenly, my heart began to race, and I knew a surge of pain was imminent. I needed to excuse myself before it became too obvious. Rising from my seat, I could hear whispers following me, some murmuring that I was too proud to show interest in any lady at all. Ignoring the hushed comments, I made my way towards the exit.

As I reached the door, Princess Jandra, who had been speaking with a particular lord, excused herself and followed me. Her presence was a relief.

"Tavian," she called softly as she caught up to me, concern etched on her face. "Are you all right?"

I forced a smile, trying to mask the discomfort. "Just need some fresh air," I replied, my voice strained.

She looked at me skeptically but nodded. "Let’s go outside for a bit then," she suggested, linking her arm with mine.

We made our way out of the ballroom, the night air cool against my flushed skin. The whispers and stares faded behind us as we stepped into the quiet of the palace gardens. I took a deep breath, hoping the fresh air would help calm the turmoil inside me.

Jandra watched me closely, her eyes filled with concern. "I didn’t now you dreaded such gatherings this much brother."

"I do," I admitted, running a hand through my hair. "But there's something about tonight... something I can't shake."

She placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "One thing at a time brother,you’ll have to figure out getting a bride first"

My mind was a storm of thoughts and emotions, and I needed to find some semblance of peace before facing the crowd again.

TAVIAN'S P.O.V.

After some minutes, Princess Jandra's personal maid came looking for her, breathless and flustered. "Your Highness, the Queen, your mother, needs you at the ball this instant."

Jandra rolled her eyes, a hint of frustration crossing her face. "Duty calls," she muttered, turning to me. She held my palm gently, and I kept a straight look, staring into the distance as she left.

Now alone in the garden, I took a deep breath, relishing the solitude. I had ordered Collin to remain at the ball, instructing the guards to maintain their posts around the palace. I needed this time to myself, away from the prying eyes and constant expectations.

As the minutes ticked by, a familiar ache began to creep into my chest. I clenched my hand over my heart, the pain growing sharper with each passing second. It hit hard, forcing me to my knees. I gasped for breath, the world around me blurring.

Just then, someone appeared in front of me. She knelt down and gently lifted my head with her palm. My eyes, filled with tears, met hers. It was the maid I had bumped into earlier. Her eyes were filled with concern and something else—an emotion I couldn't quite place.

For a moment, I was lost in the intensity of her gaze. Recognition and confusion swirled within me. Wasn't I supposed to punish her for coming close to me without permission? Yet, as I looked into her eyes, I felt utterly helpless, my usual resolve crumbling.

"Are you all right, my lord?" she asked softly, her voice soothing.



"I'm not," I said, my eyes still fixed on hers. She didn't break eye contact, her gaze steady and filled with concern. Gently, she placed her hand over my chest, and within seconds, the pain began to fade away. A wave of relief washed over me, so intense that I felt my body weaken. I collapsed forward, finding myself leaning on her shoulder for support.

Her presence was calming, her touch soothing the turmoil within me. "Thank you," I whispered, my voice barely audible.