The dance of the Night

The night had already begun and I could see

the pride in my parents' eyes. Barbara and I

walked towards them as they were waiting

for me behind the curtains talking to their

ministers.Just as my father saw me, a broad smile appeared on his face making all his men look at me too.

My mother was gulping the last sip

of her wine but when she was informed by

her maids, she immediately got up from the

chair and looked at me with teary eyes.

I didn't realize that I had stopped walking

until Barbara touched my back to push

me gently. I walked ahead trying to step

confidently covering the nervousness from

the sudden attentioon.

"Anastasia, my darling." Mother was behaving

utterly sentimental. She moved her hand

on my head giving me blessings. She softly

said, "My daughter looks beautiful."

I smiled and leaned on her hand that was

cupping my cheek.

"Not more than my mother." She laughed and hugged me lovingly.When father came near us, my eyes roamed at each person's face following

him.

The Richardson brothers were looking

so different. They weren't wearing their

uniforms instead charming up the tuxes and

black pants. They looked Royal. When Neville

looked at me finally, his neck started turning

red. I smirked mentally. Father hugged me

lovingly. He raised his hands to pat my cheek.

"Pride of Valona." I smiled broadly at his

words.

My heart swelled with happiness receiving so

much love. Before I could talk to Richardson's

brothers or Barbara, mother had ordered the

front soldier to start the introductions. One

by one, he called my parents silencing the

crowd. I heard my father welcoming all the

guests and telling them to give me blessings

and enjoy the night in his heavy manly voice.

Soon the time had come when instead of front

soldier, my father announced my name to give blessings to his only child.

". to give blessings to my only child. Its

her eighteenth birthday and she still looks

innocent and bubbly just like the day, she

was born. She has brought light in our life.

She is the reason behind the radiance in this

Castle. Please welcome my precious daughter,

Miss Anastasia Rose Bennity, the Princess of

Valona."The crowd gave a big round of applause for my welcome while my heart had jumped up to my neck. I was flushed with so much attention.

Finally, breathing the courage. I walked towards my parents who were standing ahead of their thrones.

My father took my hand on the stairs and brought me forward on the stage. I smiled widely at the crowd looking at all the guests.The long bright coloured curtains, expensive

chandeliers, royal guards. Everything was so

magnificent. I couldn't feel more special. It

was all decorated for me.Everyone was smiling and looking at me adoringly. I noticed the tight smiles too, of some ladies in elegant dresses.

But ignoring them, my eyes roamed at the residents of Valona. The families were standing with their children pointing at me, must be telling them about my identity. I waved my hands for the children and they clapped cheerfully.Ilooked at my father who was looking at me expectantly while holding mother's hand.

He smiled and nodded at me to speak something. I looked back at the crowd."I, Anastasia Rose Bennity, welcome you all in

the Valona Empire. I feel honoured to have so

much love and blessings. I hope you all have a

good time here in this grand masquerade ball

organised by my respected father. I thank you

all for participating in our celebration. Have a

wonderful evening, everyone.

"The crowd roared with cheers, raising theirdrinks finally beginning the night.I walked towards my father's throne on which

he was sitting. He was busy in talking to Lord

Stephen asking if all the Kings and Queens

have appeared. When I reached him, he

looked at me with a smile on his face.

"Father, can I meet the villagers and other

residents who lives near our castle?"

Father nodded but suddenly he must have

remembered something as he immediately cu

his speech.

"I apologise dear, but there are my friends

and their families who want to meet you.

You can meet the residents after getting

acquainted with them.

"I made a sad face to which he responded by

smiling guiltily and seeing that smile on his

face I could never deny him.

"Fine, father.I would be delighted to meet your special guests." I murmured while looping my arm with his.His eyes lit up and we walked together to a group of Kings and Queens dressed in extremely elegant looking dresses.

They all hadn't wear their masks yet just like us. I wondered if the dance hadn't started Yet After greeting nearly twenty to thirty Kings

and Queens, I was extremely bored. All of

them were trying to grab my attention to take

interest in their sons"Father." He sighed and said while still smiling

at the guests.

"I know, Anastasia. Just one

more couple, I assure you. You would love

meeting them.

"I huffed and followed him, concluding this

meet for a last time one. Mother was talking

to a lady in age as same as hers. They were

laughing and cheering the drinks like old

friends. With them, a man of age like my

father was standing and willingly taking part

in their conversations.Just as mother looked at me, she graciously said,"Anastasia, come here darling. I want you to meet our special guests."

My mother took my hand from my father's and pulled me with her towards the enthusiastic couple."Jeanna, time to meet the birthday girl. My precious daughter, Anastasia." My mother

gestured her hand for them to catch my

attention. She smiled at me."... and Anastasia, meet this lovely woman, a childhood friend of mine, Lady Jeanna Lily Cartwright, the Queen of Ravernia Empire." Ravernia? That sounded familiar.

My mother introduced us to each other. I smiled back at her and touched our cheeks in a sweet

gesture.".. and of course, the King himself, Sir

Edmund Cartwright, The infamous king

of the infamous Empire." I immediately

remembered about the Empire.Barbara had once told me along with mother

that Ravernia Empire was the strongest

empire in our regions. Acknowledged about

the popularity of this empire, I bowed at the

king.

He gently took my hand and kissed it in

a warm greeting."Diana, I must say your daughter is heavenly

beautiful." Queen Jeanna said while her eyes

were on me making my cheeks red.I gave her a warm smile. "You are flattering

me, ma'am."She laughed and raised her drink at me. "Such

an angelic voice.

Diana, I am so jealous of you. Look at her, she is well-mannered and I must say, is radiant. While our Christiana, she barely speaks like a lady. It would be so delighting if our daughters forms a friendship just like us."My mother placed her hand on Queen Jeanna's shoulder.

"Of course, Jeanna. Our Anastasia would be delighted to meet her too.

If I remember, she is sixteen at the moment."Queen Jeanna was still looking at me with adoration in her eyes. "Yes, she is. It would be great if she follows the steps of Anastasia. I

would be more than happy to have someone

like Anastasia in our Ravernia.

" I didn't understand the tone in her words but still smiled at her to avoid looking confused. I

politely pretend by looking here and there in

the crowd."I am cheerful to meet her, Queen Jeanna.

Where must she be, right now?"She smiled warmly. "Christiana must be

getting acquainted with other young guests

out there. Anastasia, why don't you join

them? You must have got bored of old ladies'

conversation," she said that laughingly while I

shook my head with a smile on my face.

"Not at all, ma'am. It was a pleasure to meet

you. I must go, greet other guests and meet

Christiana too. Have a wonderful evening"

Saying that, I bowed and finally left the ladies

when they both greeted me back.I postponed the idea of meeting Christiana

when I had myself never seen her. Instead

I started walking towards the residents of

Valona.I loved these people. Being a royal, I felt

envious of their lives. There were siblings more than two în every family.

The ladies were petite and cute instead of glamoroustall figures. The men ere equally sweet and respectable.The families were swooned meeting person. The ladies had crowded me if I was a goddess. The men bowed at me from the distances and introduced me to their kids. I laughed so much while meeting their kids.

They were calling me angel and even beauty

I was flustered but really overwhelmed by th

love and respect they had in their heart for

me and my parents.Now, I was standing from past two hours and my legs were shaking in tiredness. The musicians had started playing the royal dance music loud as the dance had finally started.

The Young princes and princesses stepped or

the dance floors wearing masks, beginning t.masqueradeTo rest my legs, I sat on a chair placed with tables for the guests. A servant offered me drinks and I willingly took the red wine as my throat had dried from communicating to much.Two young handsorme princes came to ask me for dance but unfortunately I had to deny them, because of the lack of excitement.

The another reason was their arrogance. They

were actually expecting me to accept one of

their hand but arrogance wasn't in my book

of qualites.

Another young man came to nme

wearing a silver mask which was matching

with his shirt. I wasn't paying attention until

saw the familiar smile."May I have this dance with my princess?"

This young man offered his hand that I took

without any hesitation but I suddenly realise

Ihadn't wore any mask.Ohh, I apologise, Neville. But I need to find

Barbara. She was holding my mask and I wa

to wear it now." Neville's flushed face had no

fell. His eyes roamed at my face and he final

bowed a little.That would be fine, My Princess.

Let me find Barbara and bring the mask for you."I nodded and smiled apologetically, agreeing to his decision.While I was waiting for Neville, Barbara had soon reached me unknowingly and made me wear the mask.

She was in a rush as she had

to help the cooks in preparing for the feast.I was looking at all the guests, enjoying

and wishing me while passing through but

suddenly a manly voice caught my attention"Sitting alone when every single man here wants to accompany you. That's intriguing."

The cold, manly voice gave chills to me while

the words made me more curious to know th

person who spoke.From the direction of voice, I realized the person was standing behind me. He walked from behind me to front, finally deciding to show his identity.

The way his one hand was

in his pocket and other holding a glass of

wine, he looked quite attractive. His clothes,

they were all black and Royal making him

look as elegant as a Prince.But why he was different from others.

Maybe because he was the one to actually

not mention the dance in his first dialogue. I

couldn't reply him as I was so impressed wit

his cool manly voice.My eyes were roaming from his highly polished boots to above his long narrowed formal pants. His arms were flexed and

healthy. The way his broad shoulders werecomplimenting his physique, had impressed me. He looked four-five years older than me.When my eyes reached his face, I felt slightlh disturbed because of the black feathered mask he had wore.him look dashing because of its contrast with

his white skin, I could only admire him more.

He had such great lookS. HIs tair complexion,

pink plump lips were perfect. His sharp jaw

lines were defining his perfect face cut. The

most eye-catching part was his eyes.They were magnificent. They were green.

I had always admired that colour but his, were

hypnotizing. They were having a glint or

light green in the centre while the dark green

outlining his orbs, were really something to

swoon over.was gawking at his face and I didn't realize it until his lips turned into an arrogant smirk makng me maily Came back tO my senses.

Pull yourself back, Anastasia.looked away from his eyes and breathed hard, calming myself. I was surprised by myself that I had took time to observe Someone so deepiy.When he was sure that I had realised what I was doing, he came Forward arrogantly,effecting the pace of my heart beats.

The feeling was so foreign. He took my hand

and kissed it very slowly making my face

warm with the unfamiliar feeling "Charmed

to Healy see the Princess or valona," he

whispered huskily.

I blinked while feeling the new sensations in my body. I never had felt so much attracted to someone before."May I have this dance with the most beautiful princess? Heat crept up my cheeks. I couldn't stop looking at my hand that he had kissed.

I could still feel his lips there. The most sensual

thing was he hadn't left it from then.I slowly looked down at the floor stil feeling the intensity of his gaze on me. I silently

nodded and held his hand a little tight.

My Excitement kept on increasing as we stare

walking towards the grand dance hall. I didn't

realise when he had put our drinks on the

table from our hands. His touch was gentle

yet dominant. I could only feel more excited.

We stopped after reaching the middle of the

floor. The other young princes and princesses

were busy in enjoying themselves. They were

happily dancing, being totally oblivious to this

man's courage to play me with his charms.He turned to making us face each other.

I was absentmindedly staring at his

glowing eyes that were full of mystery and

mischievousness. With the help of candlelight

irom the grand chandelier just above us,was able to focus on his face more. The mask

had surely covered half of it but I could still

outline his features with my eyes. His raven

black hair were falling over his eyes making

him more attractive.He gave my hand a warm squeeze as we came closer to begin my first dance of the hand and put it on night.

I was Only rencouraged by my touch on nis shoulder but when he touched my waist, I felt these little flips in my stomach.Suddenly the touch became from gentle to sensual as we started moving along with the

sound of grand piano. Our eyes were holding

each other. My flowed gown was moving and twirling as we were stepping aside, twirling,stepping back twirling again and lastly, he brought me closer to him, making our chests touch. He was a foot taller. I gasped when he leaned and brought his face more closer to me. I felt his hot breathe on my cheeks.I looked around and saw everyone dancing and mingling with each other. Why didn't they all could feel his dark and magnificent presence like me?It was a comfortable silence between us,

enjoying the moment to the fullest. We were

much closer to each other until a thought

came in my mind. Who he was? From which

Empire he was?"I can never forget this night. "

"Anastasia." He said suddenly making me nervously smile.I felt a calmness in his voice. This was the second time he spoke n our meet. The Way he said my name was signtuy werd yet intense. A stranger calling me by my first

name instead of my title was intriguing for

me."I thank you for accepting my dance. I am

flattered." He further spoke in deep tone.I was flushed.

My voice had left me. I was actually thinking subjects to start a conversation or even replying him.You re welcome and I should thank you too

for otfering me this dance. You are a great

dancer."I said in my sort voice.He didn't smile but only titled his head oneside. Maybe he was really flattered by my sweet voice or the sudden compliment. But then, he smirked again making me regret praising him.