61 Ask Her to Dance, And You’ll Pay

As heads were turned, what stepped out from the balcony came what James' found the most beautiful woman in the history of existence.

His very own girlfriend, Emma Amelia Kennedy Grey.

Emma looked regal and beautiful in a baby blue sleeveless sparkling gown, the bottom layered with countless layers of the finest tulle on its petticoat, it's top layer made of silk crepeline, while the top of the gown was made of a light silk material, its middle section accentuating her waist, and only highlighting her beautiful figure. There was no doubt in who was the most beautiful and gorgeous woman out of everyone in the ball, and it was no other than the new royal herself.

While her dress and the person wearing it was the talk of the ball itself, wearing this was new to Emma, that being the reason why she chose the dress to be lightweight and movable in.

Emma sucked in her breath through her pearly whites, as she made her way down the grand staircase in a pair of silver pumps that sparkled under the chandelier light.

'Keep it together, Em,' she told herself as she slowly made her way down the staircase just as she was previously instructed to by the organizers of the ball themselves.

Everyone's reaction to her and what she was wearing was priceless, although James' reaction was the most satisfying of them all.

It took all his willpower to keep his mouth closed, and stop himself from moving up the staircase to claim his princess and make sure everyone knew that the beautiful girl was already taken.

While James was mesmerised by her beauty, Adam and Michael had a totally different reaction.

Michael's jaw had dropped to the floor, and Adam's cocky smirk had been reduced to a thin line.

Michael couldn't believe it. It was the same girl he had bumped into and brought to the gardens for what he perceived as a make-up for bumping into her. She was a countess and she had a royal title.

While Michael had reacted that way, Adam had a different reaction as well. Adam's smirk had disappeared, and a look of shock was etched upon his face once he realized that she was the girl that served him as a maid, and that she wasn't just a commoner, but a royal, just like him.

Both Prince Michael and Prince Adam couldn't deny, she looked beautiful and gorgeous, but she had some serious explaining to do.

Meanwhile, with James, who had also realized that Emma was exposed to other royals that possibly wanted to make her theirs.

Some royals and other guests shot Emma hungry looks as she descended gracefully down the flight of stairs.

Once she had reached the very bottom, King William approached her, wanting to give a speech to the daughter of his deceased friend.

"We are here today to celebrate the newest addition to our royal family, Countess Emma Grey of Zenovia, who, is the daughter of the late Duke Kennedy, who was beloved by all," he said, his voice booming across the humongous ballroom.

"It is terrible how her late father is not able to be with us and watch his only daughter be given the royal title she was born to receive, but we must not sulk over the past, and celebrate the present," he said, getting a crowd of cheers and claps before looking over to the now Countess Emma.

"Welcome to the family, dear. We're so happy to have you," he said before flashing a smile before waving and taking his leave to mingle with the other guests.

Emma stood there, at the very bottom of the staircase, glued to her spot. She was no doubt nervous, and the stares she got from everyone else wasn't helping either.

Luckily, she was saved, but not from the person she expected.

"Your highness," a voice greeted.

When Emma turned her head to see who had greeted her, she was appalled to find the voice's owner.

"Prince Michael?" She asked, trying to calm her racing heart that was a result of her nervousness, with the added bonus of the man she still had slight feelings for being right in front of her.

Michael chuckled.

"I think I told you to drop the formalities, Lady Emma," he said smoothly.

Emma gulped.

"Right. You did," she managed to reply.

"So...you're a royal," Michael said.

Emma nodded.

"So I am," she replied.

At that moment, a soft ballad played. It had seemed like everyone was getting a partner to dance with, which allowed Prince Michael to make his next move.

"So, Lady Emma, care to dance?" He asked, his voice down to a husky whisper loud enough to be heard over the music.

Emma was stunned. She didn't know what to say, even if she knew she'd have to eventually decline his offer, since James would definitely be upset once he found out his girlfriend had danced the night away with another man other than him.

But right before she had the chance to even squeak out a quick 'no', her prince charming had come to save her.

"Ahem ahem."

Prince Michael turned to see a dashing James approaching Emma.

"Emma, my love, care to have this dance with me?" He asked right after Michael did.

Emma, knowing this was the perfect way to get out of the situation unscathed, since James was her boyfriend, and she'd be cheating if she had said yes to Michael in the first place, she immediately said yes.

As James came nearer to her, they looped arms, standing side by side, before James began to walk away, at the same time dragging Emma away too, leaving her only able to shoot Michael one sad smile right before she disappeared into the crowd of guests, and for James to shoot Michael his deadliest glare with a clear message.

'She's mine. Ask her to dance again, and you will pay. I'll drag you to the Amaris dungeons myself and slaughter you with my bare hands.'

Michael was too shocked to say anything. Nothing like this had ever happened to him before. Someone having the guts to interrupt him was never heard off, but what shocked him the most was what James had called Emma.

What he also didn't know was that from a small distance, Lily had watched the whole scene take place. She had a one smug smile she suppressed before she took it upon herself as Emma's best friend to do damage control and what needed to be done so Emma wouldn't have any more doubts with her emotions.

She approached Michael, with a small smile etched upon her face.

She greeted him, before asking.

"They're such a cute couple, aren't they," she said to Michael.

Michael turned to her, not believing what she had just said.

"Couple? What are you talking about?" He asked, not knowing anything about the ZALE power couple.

"You know, Countess Emma of Zenovia and Prince James of Amaris. They're the cutest couple while they attended ZALE together," she said nonchalantly.

"They've been dating for two months now. In fact, today's their two month anniversary," Lily continued saying.

Michael tried to suppress his shock and his slight pang of anger and jealousy before faking a smile.

"Yes, they look amazing together," he said, before exchanging his goodbyes with Lily and leaving abruptly, much to her amusement.

"So he might have feelings for her after all. Well this is about to get interesting," Lily muttered to herself before she left to find Connor.