Engagement Announcement!

"Lucian."

The woman called out his name, as she stared intensely at the water stained wall opposite her resting place. As she reached out to touch the small bright orb that lit up the room, a quick bright flash and suddenly the inside of the entire manor was like new, the glamour spell allowed things to appear as they once were.

She waved her hand suddenly her hair was done up into a complex and elegant updo and spider free, her old sleeping gown was replaced with a stunning turquoise gown that perfectly suited her complexion and her make-up perfectly matched her, she was dressed ready for a ball.

"You will be mine Lucian Creston." A devilish smirk spread across her face, "Even if I have to kill your little heiress."

~ ~ ~

It had been three days since Lucian and Ellsie decided their engagement and the Emperor was determined to throw them a ball. While Lucian wasn't sure it was such a good idea, Ellsie thought it was perfect, this way people would know just who she had on her side.

"Are you sure you're ready for this?" Lucian placed his large warm hand on the side of her soft face, using his thumb to rub her cheek bone.

"We must do this eventually." While his new found kindness was foreign to her, but she liked it. She'd gone to the palace everyday firstly to announce their engagement to the Emperor and then to organise the ball.

When they sent out the invitations they purposely left her name off it, stating it would be an announcement, this would ensure everyone would come because of course they wanted to know who was this mysterious woman how could enchant the cold-heart second prince.

"Why are you so against this?" Ellsie smiled at him, "This will show us who our allies and enemies are."

"The duchess has a lot of allies." He looked at her concern written all over his face, "I just don't want anything to happen to you."

"That's why this is so important, people picked sides because it was the duchess and her stepdaughter, they weren't going against another family, but now it'll be the duchess and the royal family, how many people are willing to go against the royal family, remember the story of the Silver family?" She smiled up at him kindly, while her heart didn't beat rapidly like it did for Henry, but it was calm, comforting like she'd found where she was always meant to be and all her worries disappeared whenever he was around. Without even noticing she was falling in love with him.

"Yes I think everyone remember the Silver family," He smiled down at her.

The Silver family was a powerful mage family from about 20 years ago, that tried to challenged the royal for control of the empire, but they were eventually defeated, after their youngest daughter, who was a seer, disappeared. The heads of the family were executed and the rest of banished without ever a chance to return. They story was past down through the years like a scary story so everyone knew what happens if you go against the royal family and their old manor was left intact as a reminder, that isn't just a story.

~ ~ ~

Had been two weeks since they got engaged and it was the night of the ball. Lucian wore a perfectly tailored black suit with white trimmings, his short dark hair combed back nicely, while his lovely bride-to-be wore an ocean-blue gown with ruffled and floral printed corset, her scarlet hair in half up braid, complemented with simple make-up.

"It's almost time my lord, milady." On of the maids informed them. Now that everyone had arrived, it was time for their announcement.

Lucian and Ellsie walked arm in arm up to the large doors, they could hear the emperor making his speech on the other side. Lucian looked lovingly down at the beautiful heiress on his arm, while she was busy focusing on her plans she didn't notice her fiance's expression.

"You're so beautiful." He said without thinking, she looked up at him blushing, quickly looking away shyly. He put his hand on her cheek, pulling her to face him, their eyes met for a long moment before his lips met hers. She stood there for a second and just let him kiss her, slowly she fell into the kiss, her eyes fluttered shut and she kissed him back. He pulled away pressing his forehead on hers and smiled. "See I'm not that bad." He laughed.

"...So I would like to introduce you to my son, Second Prince Lucian Creston and his fiancee Lady Ellsie Rosewood." The emperor loud booming voice, echoed through the door, as they slowly swung open to reveal the pair. Lucian and Ellsie walked elegantly out onto the platform, they gave off the aura of a loving and happy couple. The crowd below them gave a polite applause, but you could hear the whispers of curiosity, it was believed to be common knowledge that the prince and heiress didn't get along and suddenly they're engaged. Amongst the gossip followed jealous glares, from other girl who'd been trying to win over the prince's favour, amongst them was Trinity Welsh, one of the count's daughters Ellsie had chased away at the prince's birthday.

"Welcome everyone my beloved Ellsie and I would like to thank you all so much for coming tonight, we're glad you're here to celebrate our love with us." Lucian greeted the crowd, then he gave his fiancee a small peck, before they walked down the stairs. Everyone was stunned to see them interact so lovingly and some were even beginning to regret talking the duchess' side.

Music started and the newly engaged couple glided across the dancefloor, like they'd been doing it their whole lives, with such loving expressions, not a single person doubted their love anymore. Without noticing Ellsie's expression of admiration was no longer fake. Soon the emperor and empress joined them on the dance fall, followed by the duke and duchess, then Eric asked Alissa to dance, Jonathan and his wife Loretta began and slowly more and more noble couples started to join them.

Ellsie's eyes met Loretta, this was the first time she'd seen Jonathan's life since she'd been reborn. The girls' eyes met, Loretta could almost feel that Ellsie knew, her eyes ridden with guilt.

"What's wrong?" Lucian whispered to Ellsie.

"Loretta's guilty." She replied with determination.

Meanwhile in a dark corner of the room, stood a girl in her early 20's wearing a turquoise gown that complimented her skin beauty and her dark chestnut hair done up in a complex and elegant updo. No-one knew who she was, she spoke to no-one, just stood there glaring maliciously at the engaged couple.