A Dance of Intrigue and Fate

The two Lords were young, they looked at each other and shrugged, neither of them put up a fight. Lady Sophia had a way of charming Lords and Ladies alike, Isabella wasn't sure if it was because of her beauty or her out-going personality, but she knew that she was charmed by her as well.

"Lady Sophia! I am so glad to see you make it, I didn't see you earlier, were you running late again?" Isabella greeted her politely, thankful to have her close friend arrive at last.

"These curls took forever, but enough talk, let's dance!" She winked at Isabella.

Sophia grabbed one Lord, and without a single word of disapproval the Lord took a hold of her and led her around the hall. Sophia was dressed in a soft pink gown, her hair golden and bouncy, she looked like a beautiful doll.

The remaining lord extended his hand and murmured a soft request to dance with Isabella, she shrugged laughing as she took his hand to dance. She loved how her friend always found a way to have fun.

The clock in the hall struck twelve and guests started to bid their farewells. Isabella grew tired of waiting for the masked lord and decided to bid the King and Queen goodnight so that she may head back to her own chambers to rest.

Isabella moved toward the great hall as a servant informed her that the King was there. She greeted each guest she passed until she reached the door to the great hall. A servant opened the door announcing her entering the room.

"Princess Isabella has arrived." the servant announced.

"There you are my dear Isabella, we were just talking about you." The king reached out to her.

Her father sat on a leather chair, the same chairs that he only used when talking informal business with other nobles. He was smoking a cigar and drinking whiskey, whilst the man sitting across from him looked like her missing masked lord.

The lord's eyes lit up for a moment as he saw her, but the light soon disappeared as he went back to focusing on the King. The lord's own whiskey glass was nearly empty and the bottle they shared similarly so. Both her father and the lord were accompanied by guards and a notary, this seemed too formal for such an informal meeting place.

She then noticed another unfamiliar lord standing beside the masked lord.

"Apologies, your majesty, I was not informed that you summoned me. Is there anything I can do for you?" Isabella curtseyed low and respectfully.

"Yes, we have received an invitation to meet with the Royals of Arcoi to discuss some pressing matters. We were just mentioning that you should come along, as this would be your first time to the kingdom and they are well known for their art as I am sure you are aware, and I know how much you adore art." Isabella's father spoke fondly. She wondered if it was the liquor talking.

"Thank you, your highness, I accept the invitation to go to the kingdom of Arcoi." Isabella replied, bowing in thanks. Isabella waited quietly until her father gave her permission to speak.

"Oh yes, you came here on your own, did you need something Princess Isabella?" Her father asked, squinting up at her.

"Yes father, I wanted to bid you a good evening as I wished to take my leave, if you allowed it?" Isabella asked politely, watching his response as he was in company.

"Look at the time! We really got carried away, didn't we Alexander?" the King laughed, slapping the man's arm across from him. The man paused for a moment before he spoke.

"Princess, before you take your leave would you allow me a final dance?" The lord with the obsidian and gold mask asked charmingly.

"That's a lovely idea, Isabella, take this dance with the crown prince of Arcoi and then you may take your leave, isn't that just fitting of the crown princess?" the King smiled pleased with himself. "I bid you a good night Alexander, we will meet again soon then?"

"Yes your majesty, Farewell, I will escort the princess to the ballroom hall now." Alexander rose from the chair and bowed in greeting.

The prince strode toward Isabella and stretched out his arm for her to hold. She gently took hold of his arm as was expected of her, and they left the King to have their final dance of the evening. Servants from both kingdoms departed and the man that stood beside Prince Alexander followed after us, only to leave us once we entered the hall.

The hall was almost empty, only a handful of couples were still swaying to the music. The conductor meets eyes with the Prince and Princess as they strode toward the center of the hall. The conductor lightly tapped on his podium to get the attention of all the members to change the song.

There was a short pause followed by the introduction of a new song. Isabella immediately recognized the piece, Chopin Valse in C sharp minor, one of her favorite pieces to waltz to. The prince immediately swept her off her feet as he guided her around the hall.

His hand firmly against her waist, his decisive steps leading her in harmony. Butterflies filled her stomach as his eyes twinkled in the candlelight meeting her with a soft gaze. He smiled softly as he spun her gently about. Isabella's breath caught as the pace started to quicken again and his grip became firmer and his steps grew short and quick, she giggled softly as she met his pace.

They flew around the hall with all the remaining nobles watching in awe as they pranced around the hall, until they came to the closing notes. The prince timed a final twirl and caught her in his arms, dipping her low, his own lips dangerously close to her own.

The hall broke into applause as the orchestra ended the song in perfect sync with their own dance. Isabella rose feeling flushed at the energetic waltz they had shared together.