Chapter Thirteen – Practice Makes Perfect

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Amelia made her way to her room, the weight of the upcoming ball pressing heavily on her mind. She had gleaned a lot from watching Ethan's etiquette lesson, but now it was time to put what she had learned into practice. The grand expanse of her bedroom, with its tall windows and opulent decor, seemed the perfect place for a little impromptu practice session.

She stood in the center of the room, taking a deep breath. The steps she had seen Ethan perform replayed in her mind. She started with the basics: a small, polite bow, followed by a graceful curtsy. To her surprise, it wasn't as difficult as she had imagined. The movements felt almost natural, as if they had been buried deep within her all along.

Encouraged, she began to move around the room, her steps light and fluid. She added in a few twirls, feeling the fabric of her dress swirl around her legs. She even attempted a simple dance, humming a tune to herself as she glided across the floor.

Lost in her own little world, Amelia didn't notice the door opening. Alistair stepped into the room, his eyes narrowing in curiosity as he watched her. She was so absorbed in her practice that she didn't realize she had an audience until he spoke.

"You seem to be enjoying yourself," Alistair's voice cut through her thoughts, making her jump.

She spun around to face him, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I… I was just practicing," she stammered.

He approached her with a slow, deliberate grace. "Practicing for what?"

"For the ball," she admitted, trying to steady her racing heart. "I wanted to make sure I didn't embarrass the Rosewood name."

"Don't worry. Nobody will say anything. And if they do, well- " Alsiter paused, "It's their loss." A self-assured smile painted his lips. Amelia's eyes began to have trouble focusing. It was as if those lips were somehow like a magnet. 

But her daydreaming ended soon. 

Alistair extended his hand, his stern gaze softening just a fraction. "Shall we dance, then?"

Amelia hesitated for a moment before placing her hand in his. His touch was firm and reassuring, sending a shiver down her spine. He pulled her close, and they began to move together, their steps perfectly in sync.

The room seemed to fade away as they danced, leaving only the two of them. Alistair's eyes never left hers, his intense gaze making her feel self-conscious and shy. She could feel the strength in his hands, the control in his movements. For the first time, she realized just how commanding his presence truly was.

When the dance ended, Alistair didn't release her immediately. Instead, he held her close, his eyes searching hers. "What are you really doing, Amelia?" he asked softly.

She looked away, her mind racing. She couldn't tell him the truth, that she was someone else possessing this body. "I just felt… nervous," she said finally, hoping he would accept her vague explanation. "I wanted to be prepared."

Alistair studied her for a moment longer before nodding. "Very well. But remember, you don't have to do this alone. We're - as you said - a family."

His words sent a wave of warmth through her. "Thank you," she whispered.

He stepped back, giving her space. "Tomorrow, we'll go shopping for the ball. You'll need to get up early."

Amelia groaned inwardly at the thought of an early morning, but she nodded. "Of course."

Alistair's lips twitched in a faint smile. "And Ethan will come with us. I'm sure he'll enjoy it."

At the mention of Ethan, Amelia's spirits lifted. She could already picture him in cute little outfits, looking every bit the part of a young noble. "That sounds wonderful," she said, unable to hide her excitement.

Alistair gave her one last, lingering look before turning to leave the room. "Get some rest, Amelia. We have a busy day ahead."

She watched him go, her heart fluttering with a mix of anticipation and nervousness. As the door closed behind him, she couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. Tomorrow would be another step in her journey to fit into this world, and she was determined to make the most of it. Already imagining all these cute outfits.

Unknown to her, Alistair lingered outside the door for a moment, a small smile playing on his lips as he heard her happy humming and frantic tip-toe-like stepping. He was drawn to this new version of Amelia, her genuine excitement and determination. It was a change he found both intriguing and concerning, for he couldn't quite explain why he felt so drawn to her. 

"This is-" he listened to the soft humming, "well, pleasant. In a way, It hasn't been before."

He shook his head, pushing those thoughts aside. There would be time to ponder his feelings later. For now, he needed to focus on the present and the paperwork ahead. As he walked away, he couldn't help but feel a strange sense of anticipation for the day tomorrow.