5 The night of the ball

Spring came and went. The summer light began to pool throughout Longton manor. The grounds had bloomed rich summer flowers. I felt more confident in my position. My tuition was beginning to pay off. It was time to prepare for the debutante ball. My tutors had told me that the debut was the make or break of woman's position in society. I had all the advantages that my father's name could offer. And although I didn't have the natural upbringing of an heiress, I had enough education to succeed on that one night.

Mirelle backed my luggage and we descended into the foyer. The butler and my father were waiting to see us off.

"I know you'll make our family proud", he beamed.

"This way, your Grace", Came the butler, escorting us to the carriage.

We set off from the fair Longton to the imperial capital. I felt excited. I had read so much about society and the culture of the capital. There was much to see. The capital housed the royal castle where the debutante ball would be held. It was also the site of the temple to the seven divitinties. It was said people in the capital were different from the rest of the country. A place of education and commerce. It held the national libraries and galleries. What happened in the capital would trend throughout the country.

As I caught a first glimpse of the capital walls, it couldn't have been any more different to where I had grown up. It was bustling with carriages and merchants. It was loud and colourful. And indeed, the people seemed to be a different sort altogether. The ladies wore pastel shades of silk with ribbons and flowing pleats. They gave off an air of childlike warmth and grace. I watched them intraced as though they were petite dolls. The men wore lavishly embroidered waistcoats and held elegant canes. We passed the statue of the Goddess Faith in great white marble with her hands out wide collapsing the red cords of destiny. It was as if I was in a dream.

We eventually arrived at the imperial gates. Great, golden Filigree gates opened up to the royal court yard. The highlight was the famous symbols of the royal family, the purple rose garden. I felt more alive than I had felt in my entire life. Everything about it was magical. We were taken through the palace grounds to the guest rooms. A parlour was made up for evening tea. I entered into the parlour and stopped abruptly.

Sitting in the parlour taking a sip of tea was Lucian. He smiled brightly. I had wondered if I had exaggerated his beauty in my mind. I hadn't. He was like the adonis in the great royal paintings. I curtsied and sat down.

"How do you do, your Excellency?" I began politely.

"Please, call me my name", He said. The corner of his lips turned into a smile.

"Very well, Lucian. Then, please call me Bella"

"You're not at all like your father, Bella", Lucian remarked. The sound of my name on his lips made me shiver. His voice was intoxicating.

"How so?"

"You're much more open, you can see everything on your face as you think it", He let out a light chuckle.

"Really? I can hardly tell what you're thinking at all", I replied. As the words came out, I instantly regretted the tone, "What I mean to say is, I don't know much about you", I corrected myself.

He titled his head slightly. He took another sip of the tea.

"What do you wish to know?" He returned calmly.

"How did you and my father become acquainted?"

The question seemed to take him aback but the look of the surprise rescinded in an instance. He smiled again.

"We met on the battlefield towards the end of the last demonic war", He set down his cup and interlocked his fingers in front of him, setting his eyes firmly on me. The intensity of his glare made me look down to my cup.

"And when did you meet your father?"

Immediately sat up right in a state of stupor. I took a breath and composed myself.

"Ah you mean when was I adopted? It was the end of winter", I answered.

"Indeed", he nodded with a hint of a smile, "And are you happy now?"

Something about his air was mocking in each question he posed. I found the conversation to be disagreeable and decided to change the subject.

"Immensely", I said with a restrained smile, "And will you be in the capital long after the debut?"

"I'm not entirely sure", He replied with a tone of indifference, "I tend to follow whichever notion takes my interest"

"What an interesting life you lead", I said quickly, taking a sip of my tea to hide my instinctive grin.

He watched me carefully before smirking..

"Well then, I will leave to get ready. I will be back to collect you before dusk"

With that he stood up and bowed before taking his leave.

Mirelle was joined by the palace ladies in waiting as we prepared for the ball. I was dressed in elegant pearl chiffons. They tied me into the latest capital trend with a busty square bodice. My hair was tied into elaborate ruffles and jade ornamental hair pieces. Finally the applied the powders and the look was complete. When I looked into the mirror the strangest feeling washed over me. It was like staring into the reflection of a stranger.

Lucian arrived as he had promised. His hair was pulled back and he wore a lavish black suit with a fine gold trimmed vest. He held out his hand and we were whisked away to the ballroom. Our names were announced and we ascended into the bright lights. A hundred faces turned to stare with penetrating gazes in our direction. The lights of the great chandelier cast a brilliant glow over the sea of brightly dressed men and women. A band of musicians played. I glanced towards Lucian. He smiled in his charismatic, aloof manner and a number of ladies flocked towards us. I signalled to the fountain and left to take a drink.

Seeing him surrounded by the most beautiful and eligible ladies of the capital, he seemed to fit in so naturally.

I looked around the ballroom to see if my education had been worthwhile. I recognised the Duke of Weltons and his daughter Patricia, rumoured to be courting the seventh prince.

Her painting hadn't done her justice. She was a petite, blond fairy of a girl. She had bewitching blue eyes and an airy lightness in her movements.

Then there was the imperial family. I spotted the second prince with a swat of gentlemen in the heat of discussion. He seemed like an energetic and charismatic young man.

His sister sat at the imperial table in conversation with the Countess of DeMort. She was beauty incarnate. Flawless olive skin and the dainties figure in an extravagant purple gown.

It was everything I had imagined. Everything I had read about tucked in our tiny cottage. I couldn't help but feel out of place. Yes, I had practice and could perform the part but I was not one of these people. I felt it in my core, I could never reach their level. I took a sip from my wine glass and watched the graceful dancing begin. I wonder what it was I was feeling. This uneasiness, like looking up into the dark night sky. A black, swirling nauseas in my chest.

The night passed gently and merrily. Lucian introduced me to all the great families in the place of my father. I dismissed the critical eyes and tried to be as pleasant as I could. And Lucian would stand there with his mocking grin without saying a word to me.

Finally the time came to be presented to the royal family members. The second Prince and his sister were engaged in a cheerful conversation when Lucian interrupted.

"Lucian, my friend, settle a debate for us", the handsome young prince waved, "Catherine says she has spotted the Countess of Rouchington wearing the same frock at least three balls passed. I say it can only be this ball, for I never see it before"

"Richard, you hardly pay attention to such things. Naturally ,the Count and I are more inclined to notice since we are more active in social circles", She said in a sweet voice, she turned to Lucian, "It took pains to get him to come here at all!"

"Wrong on both accounts" Lucian laughed," It is only two times that red number has appeared this season"

"Aha, I knew it could not have been the wrong time" ,Princess Catherine giggled, clasping her hands together.

Prince Richard sighed in good humour.

"I concede. We know Lucian has the sharpest eyes in the court", Richard put a hand on Lucian's shoulder. He suddenly seemed to notice my presence and retreated to make a polite bow.

"And who is this?" The pair set their eyes on me.