Dance in Turmoil

Finally, they arrived at a small clearing, surrounded by the most beautiful snapdragon flowers she had ever seen. The vibrant colors of the flowers contrasted perfectly with the greenery around them, creating a picturesque sight. Beatrice gasped in awe, and Gilbert smiled at her reaction.

Gilbert leaned in close to Beatrice and whispered, "Every time I see these flowers, I am reminded of your beauty," Gilbert spoke in a soft voice, his hand tenderly holding hers. Beatrice felt her cheeks flush with warmth at his words.

"Oh, I do love flowers," she replied, admiring the snapdragon blossoms in front of her and a man beside her.

"I knew you did," he said, his gaze never leaving her face. "You smell like one."

Beatrice's heart fluttered at the compliment. She didn't know whether to feel embarrassed or elated that Gilbert had noticed such a small detail about her.

As she walked among the flowers, she felt their delicate petals brush against her skin. The sweet scent of honey and the fruity aroma of snapdragons filled her senses, and she couldn't help but twirl her dress, feeling carefree and alive.

Without hesitation, she placed her hand in his, feeling the warmth of his touch. They moved to a clearing in the field, where Gilbert took her in his arms, and they began to sway to the gentle rhythm of the breeze.

Suddenly, she felt Gilbert's presence behind her, his breath warm against her ear. She shivered, feeling his touch send a jolt of electricity through her body.

"Be careful, my lady, you could fall," he whispered huskily as his hands settled on Beatrice's waist, steadying her.

Gilbert slowly turned Beatrice to face him, their bodies pressed close together. His eyes locked onto hers, filled with desire and longing.

"May I have the pleasure of dancing with you?" he asked, his voice low and seductive.

Beatrice's heart skipped a beat at the sound of his voice. She could feel the heat of his breath on her skin, and the warmth of his body pressed against hers. His touch sent a shiver of pleasure through her body.

"Yes, Gilbert, I would love that," she replied, her voice thick with desire.

Gilbert took her hand. They moved together in perfect harmony, their bodies swaying to the rhythm of the music that played only in their hearts.

As he pulled her close, Beatrice could feel the heat emanating from Gilbert's body, warming her in a way she had never experienced before. His hands settled on her waist, holding her close and guiding her movements as they danced together.

She could also smell the sweet fragrance of the snapdragon flowers, mixed with the musky scent of Gilbert's cologne, creating an intoxicating aroma that filled her senses. 

The warmth of his breath on her skin, the soft touch of his lips brushing against her ear, sent shivers of pleasure through her body.

"I've been dreaming of this moment all day, Lady Beatrice," Gilbert whispered into her ear, his breath hot against her skin.

She looked up at him, her eyes meeting his, and she felt a surge of emotion rush through her body.

"I've been dreaming of this moment too, Gilbert," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "The feel of your touch, the warmth of your embrace, it's all I've been able to think about all day."

Beatrice's heart raced with desire as she leaned into him, feeling the strength and power of his body against hers. She could feel his lips brushing against her ear as he whispered sweet nothings, sending shivers of pleasure through her.

As they danced, Gilbert's hands roamed over Beatrice's body, exploring every curve and contour with a sensual touch that made her heart race with desire. She could feel his fingers tracing delicate patterns on her skin, igniting a fire within her that she had never known before.

They danced on, lost in their own world of desire and passion, their bodies pressed tightly against each other, the heat of their love burning brighter with each passing moment. 

For Beatrice, there was no one else in the world but Gilbert, no other place she would rather be than in his arms. Of course she knew it was wrong to do this, but she couldn't help it. She didn't want to admit it but she fell in love with him.

….

As the moon shone high in the sky, Beatrice made her way through the winding paths that led to the grand Devonshire manor. The sweet scent of blooming flowers filled the air, adding to her elation. She paused for a moment to take in the beauty of the gardens, which were adorned with flickering lanterns that cast a warm glow all around.

The memories of today flooded her mind, the dance, the gentle touch of Gilbert's hand, and the warmth of his embrace. Beatrice couldn't help but smile as she walked, humming a tune that was stuck in her head. She knew that Gilbert was the one she needed, and the thought filled her heart with joy.

But she couldn't ignore the looming issue of Edward. If their engagement was to be annulled, what would become of her family? Would it tarnish the name of the Avalorian royal family? The mere thought of it sent a shiver down her spine, and she was unsure of what to do next.

Suddenly, a maid approached her and said to her, "Lady Beatrice, Your Highness the third prince has been waiting for you in the parlor room." she said. 

'Of course it had to be him,' she thought to herself. Despite her reservations, she knew she had to face him. "I will go there immediately," she said to the maid, trying to keep her voice steady.

The maid then left Beatrice alone with her thoughts, which were racing through her mind. She felt her heart racing as she thought about meeting Edward. What would she even say to him? 'I'm not in love with you anymore, please annul our engagement'? 

It seemed too blunt and callous. But she couldn't continue this facade of a happy engagement any longer. The thought of facing him and having that conversation made her stomach churn. 

Some investigation would be necessary to annul an engagement such as hers, especially given the involvement of the royal family. What would happen if they found out about her affair with the priest? And what of Gilbert? Though they were not yet in a relationship, the thought of hurting him made her uneasy.

As she approached the parlor room door, her nerves were on edge. She took a deep breath to steady herself before opening the door.

"Beatrice, I've been waiting for you," Edward said with a big smile on his face.

The room was adorned with an array of white lilies, their sweet fragrance filling the air. Blue ribbons were carefully wrapped around the vases and candleholders on the tables, adding a touch of color to the otherwise monochromatic scheme. 

The soft glow of candlelight danced across the room, casting a warm and intimate ambiance. A table in the corner was overflowing with gifts and presents, wrapped in elegant paper and tied with bows. The live music from the performance makes it more romantic.

Edward then approached her and bowed, "Would you dance with me?" he said. 

Beatrice was taken aback by the suddenness of the request, but she couldn't help but notice the sincerity in Edward's gaze. With a nod, she accepted his offer, and the two of them stepped onto the dance floor.

Edward and Beatrice took each other's hands as they twirled around the parlor room. The live music filled the air, enhancing the romantic ambiance of the celebration.

As they danced, the scent of lilies filled Beatrice's nostrils, their fragrance mingling with the music in the room. Edward's arms felt warm around her, his hand holding hers tightly as they swayed to the rhythm of the song. The soft glow of the candles illuminated the room, casting a warm and intimate ambiance.

Beatrice couldn't help but feel conflicted. She had so many thoughts racing through her mind that she couldn't focus on the moment. Edward's presence was overwhelming, and she couldn't help but feel guilty for what she had done. 

Edward gazed into Beatrice's eyes and spoke in a low, velvety voice. "My dearest Beatrice, as we dance tonight, I am reminded of the moment we first met. I knew from the very first glance that you were the one for me."

He continues, "Today was the first time I have danced with you, with the same song, on our engagement day. I still feel the same excitement when dancing with you now." 

As Edward's voice whispered close to her ears, Beatrice felt his heart beating. Tears streamed down Beatrice's cheeks, and she felt his thumb brushing them away. She could feel his breath on her face and the sound of his heart beating, his steady pulse calming her down. 

The whole scene was overwhelming, and Beatrice felt guilty for having taken Edward's love and affection for granted.

"Is everything alright? Please tell me what's wrong," Edward said, looking concerned as he wiped her tears with his thumb.

"I'm sorry, I'm just touched with all of this," Beatrice lied, covering up her true emotions. She knew she had hurt Edward, but she couldn't bear to confess her infidelity to him.

She realized how foolish she had been to consider ending her engagement with Edward for a fling that only started three weeks ago. Edward had been with her for nearly four years, and she should have appreciated him more.

Beatrice couldn't help but think of how she had neglected Edward while she was busy pursuing a priest. Even on their anniversary, she was too focused on Gilbert to remember the special day they shared. Her guilt consumed her, and she knew she had to end things with Gilbert the next day.

"It's alright Beatrice, please don't cry anymore," Edward said, hugging her tightly. "I love you, and I want you to be happy. That's all that matters to me.".

Beatrice vowed to herself that she would make things right with Edward and end things with Gilbert. She knew that she and Gilbert had only been lusting after each other, and it was not worth ruining her relationship with Edward.