The Spring Ball Part I

Chapter Three

On The Way Back To The Alexanda Duchy

9:03pm

After the party,Stelen and Albert had given the gifts they brought for the twins to them.Then Stelen had talked to Genevieve a bit before leaving.They had gained a pretty good relationship within 8hours.Stelen and Genevieve had agreed to write to each other or visit when their schedules permitted it.

Then they had told Genevieve and the twins goodbye.

Sigh

'What is it?Albert?'

'Nothing.Just tired'

'Yeah,the party was pretty tiring.Getting to introduce yourself over and over'

'You shouldn't be saying that,Elder Brother.You were the most energetic amongst the two of us.It was like you were high on sugar.'

'That so?Mhm…'he cleared his throat.

'That so.'

'I didn't realize that.But it was exciting to talk to people,that are not your family .No offense.'

'None taken.I know'

Sigh 'Can't wait to go home'

. . .

Alexanda Duchy The 17TH

Stelen's room

Stelen was lying down on his back,several books were on his bed;some unopened;some lay open¬_ face down.On the bed were different books from the History and Leisure sector of Zlix.

God,this is pure torture.Why did he have to memorize all the balls that held every year?And he was getting tired of going to birthday parties,weddings,burials,and royal balls.The schedule of a royal was crazy.

-Practice swordmanship.

-Practice your art,which included:dance,perfect calligraphy,and to play atleast three musical instruments mostly:any sophisticated string-instrument like the violin or the viola ,the piano,and woodwind instruments such as the flute,clarinet or recorder.

-Improve your etiquette .God,he would go crazy if he didn't swear and didn't act as a brat.One should indulge himself once in a while_to behave rudely and not with people looking at you like 'That's not how a noble should behave'.

-And so on.

Sigh.

A knock on the door.

'Elder Brother Stelen!'

'Come in!'

Albert peeped in before fully entering inside.Then,his mouth dropped open-he looked aghast.

'Brother Stelen,your room is in disarray!'his shocked tone made Stelen laugh.

'Mn,so?Is that what you came for?'

'No.'

'So?'he prompted

'You should be thankful that Mother didn't walk in to this,she would have your head!But that aside Mother said to give you this'

He passed a pretty red envelope to Stelen.

'What is it?'

'An invitation to the Annual Spring Ball'

THE ANNUAL SPRING BALL:It was held every spring by the King.

It was a way to interact with other royals,as all the balls were.

Stelen rolled his eyes.

There,most special announcements were made.Like a newly signed treaty,a grand royal marriage,death of a royal and so on.

It was compulsory for all royals of different status to come.Also,on rare occasions,royals from other kingdoms would attend the ball.

There was no particular date for the ball,all the royals knew was that it was during spring.All the nobles were normally excited and sometimes prepared months before the ball.

All except Stelen.

He sighed as he read through the invitation.It was on the 26TH March.In the king's palace.

'Mother said that we should meet her in her chambers tomorrow.She wants our measurements to be taken.She said she wanted us to sparkle.'

Stelen was used to wearing jewelry in his previous life.He had a good number of piercings.

But he was flabbergasted when he came to understand that the way women drown themselves in jewels and lace,men did.Sometimes even more.

He was always uncomfortable while wearing all that but his mother would not hear a complaint.She was not strict or wicked,but just liked playing dress-up with her sons.

Stelen groaned loudly.

Tiring...

. . .

'Oh if it isn't Stelen!'the seamstress exclaimed excitedly.

Mary Martha Christian,seamstress of the royal Alexanda family.At 78years,she spotted a sleek mane of silver hair,high and sharp cheekbones.Her eye was a steely gray which lit up when she saw Stelen.

She had sewn for more than three generations of the Alexandra family,if you include when she helped out her mother with some easy work.She was practically part of the family.

Yes,she was practically part of the family but both Stelen and Albert were not familiar with her.Both Albert and Stelen stayed a considerable distance from her.

It was not surprising in Albert's case because he have just become an Alexanda...but in Stelen's case...

'Stelen,come and say hello to Aunt Mary'

However, Stelen did not move an inch.He didn't even flinch.

Stelen was Stelen,yes physically.But his consciousness was that of another person,that is Brad.

So even though people had memories of Stelen,he did not.He had the memories of his previous life.Throughout his months in his new body,he had only used his sense to deduce his relationship with others.

It was quite easy with his family members,that is his parents and Albert.And when it came to royals,he had read all their history and family tree,from the king to the dukes and to the knights and barons.

He stayed where he was unblinking and unflinching.

'Stelen,come greet Aunt Mary'

Stelen just stared.

'Stelen!'

'Not to worry,Ms.Gwendolyn.It's not a problem.He probably is just shy or does not remember me.Which one is it,Stelen?'she asked,smiling.

'l...l don't remember you'

'Well, it's not that surprising.I mean it has been years since Stelen last saw me'

Gwendolyn 'I guess,it was when Stelen was six, right?'

Aunt Mary'Yes.And you know the only reason I am here is for his measurements and that of Albert's.'

'...'

'...'

'...'

'Okay,come closer'

. . .

'Oh my this looks great on diamonds really are for Albert.Hmmmh,as for Stelen I think sapphire will fit him perfectly.'Aunt Martha stated.

Albert and Stelen sat at their Mother's dressing table, with their back straight.Their mother and Aunt Mary were hemming and hawing together,rubbing their hands and chins.

'Hmmh, you're right.So it's sapphire for Stelen.And diamonds for Albert.It is decided!'she exclaimed excitedly with a flourish of her hand.

'Mosalina!'

Mosaline was Gwendolyn right-hand man,or rather woman and friend.

'Yes,Madamé '

'Contact Richard,the family jeweler.Tell him that we need something for the spring ball and that he should visit either today or tomorrow for briefings and the designs we have in mind'

'Sorry Madamé but Jeweler Richard has been put on bedrest for the time being.His arthritis is acting up.'

'Oh, hmmm, Aunt Mary can give it to him.Right, Aunt Martha?'

'Yes'

'Then it's settled!'

. . .

The Spring Ball 26th March

In the King's Palace

Stelen was currently talking to Genevieve with a glass of juice in his hand

Oh, how much he missed wine...

All the guests present were all dressed beautifully,himself included.

He was dressed in a white three-piece suit without a tie.He had sapphire drops on his ears,with a gold and sapphire ear cuff on his left ear.He had been the one to consider his clothes and Albert's.Since he was an idol in his former life he knew what was cool and beautiful.His shoulder-length hair was styled by Aunt Martha, with alot of curls and partings.All in all he looked gorgeous.Unlike all the other guests their attire,the Alexanda family (since Stelen picked them out)and jewelry had a sense of balance.

Albert wore a red suit with a white shirt.His bob was reshaped and his bangs recut but still covered his right eye.He didn't have his reading glasses on,since he was not allowed to take a book to read at the spring ball.He was told to use this time to get to know another people and make friends.He had followed Stelen everywhere,not knowing what to do.He was presently looking at Stelen as he was talking to Genevieve.Stelen's eyes twitched.

'Ya,if you don't stop following me around,how would you get to know people?'

'B...but I-'

'No buts.Go and talk with the Jean-Jacques brothers.They should be your age,right?So...go!'he said with a shooing motion of his hand

Albert's gray eyes shook and watered.

'Elder Brother is a meanie'he said and left the hall

'Sigh'

'Don't you think that that was too harsh?'Genevieve asked

'I know,I was just provoked.I'll go find him'Stelen said and left the hall

. . .

'Arrhh!Where the hell is this boy?!'Stelen had moved around the palace too many times that he lost count.His feet was sore,his throat was also sore for calling Albert's name over and over.

Was he lost?Or did encounter a wild beast...No,no,no.This was a palace not a zoo or forest.What if he fell from a tree...na, cannot be.As he was clumsy probably fell in a porthole and decided to stay there.

'Arrh!'

Places he would be... library or the garden.The garden!

Albert had acquired a new habit of walking through their garden.He rushed to the garden and was about to call for Albert when he saw a very surprising sight.

. . .