CHAPTER 14: LET THE BALL BEGIN

Eric was busy with his duties, and I was preoccupied with the ball preparations. I finished everything yesterday, including the menu and entrance, and made sure Eric did not know anything about it because it was a surprise. Adrian was helping me with the guest list to ensure I did not forget anyone significant; three days passed too quickly.

I was feeling quite apprehensive while sitting on the bed in my room and staring at my dress. I only hope everything goes as planned.

As the day of the ball approached, my nerves were getting the best of me. I took a deep breath and reminded myself that all my hard work would pay off in the end.

Adeline knocked and then entered my chamber, asking with a smile, "Shall we begin dressing your highness?

Yes, of course, I responded, getting out of bed and pulling out a glossy lavender gown with white and blue flowers around the waist. But before we get started, I have something for you," I continued with a smile.

''Your Highness, although it is lovely, we are not permitted to accept gifts from guests." "A wave of sadness swept across her face, she said.

''Please accept it, and it is time you call me by my name. We are friends, Adeline,'' I exclaimed in a happy tone, and then I hugged her tightly.

"Thank you so much, Delilah; it has to be the most beautiful dress I have ever owned," she said with a teary voice.

"There is no need to say that you are the least I can do; after all, without you, I would not have been able to manage this ball." I complimented her.

Then we both got dressed together; she helped me into my dress, and I did the same for her. We laughed and talked about several feminine things, and when Adeline was doing my hair, there was a knock on my door.

''Come in,'' I said.

With a black box in hand, a guard entered the room and announced, "His Royal Highness has sent this for his beloved as an engagement gift."

He placed the box on the dresser, and I and Adeline just stared at each other.

'' An engagement gift?" I said in shock

''Well, the ring explains the occasion; you know, a huge ball with many guests is clearly something more than simply a ball,'' said Delilah as she examined and opened the box. "Your Highness, it is definitely an engagement!" she exclaimed, her excitement bursting.

When she opened the box, a stunning necklace was inside. It was made of gold and had tiny rubies all over it.

I held up my arms and exclaimed, "Now more than ever, I'm anxious. What if I fall down the stairs?"

"Then his Highness will run towards you and grab you in his arms,'' she continued, grinning.

I said, "I'm serious, Adeline," inhaling deeply. "It's so precious, though," I added, feeling it.

''Everything will be alright, your highness," she reassured me.

As I was getting ready, my hair was loose and in light curls, and some of it was twisted to one side. I exited my room after giving myself one more glance in the mirror. I headed out into the hallway. The ballroom had two entrances, one of which was being used by Eric and the other by me. I waited outside the door till I overheard a guard say, "Ladies and gentlemen, may I call upon our lady of the evening, our future Queen, Princess Delilah Frost of Brookland."

I took a deep breath as I moved forward and stood on top of the stairway as the door opened. My entire body calmed when I saw Eric standing in front of the crowd. Next to Eric, there was a person who appeared to be a bishop or a royal priest, I believe. One of the guards held my hand and helped me walk down the stairs. Eric held my hand on the last few steps.

"You look breathtaking," he whispered, and I blushed.

My father was standing behind the priest, and he came forward, saying, "This is a small detail you are missing, my dear." He handed the priest a crown. I was overjoyed to see my father, as I did not remember inviting him. I looked at Eric, and he just nodded at me. Oh, how much I loved this man!

'' May you both live happily together; may you both love each other forever; I would want everyone to bow and honour our future queen," the priest announced, and everyone, including Eric and my father, bowed, and the priest put the crown on my head.

I hugged my father, and he said, '' I sent her here for a few hours, and you made her forever yours, my son." He laughed and patted Eric's shoulder,'' "Go enjoy yourselves and take care of her.''

"Of course, sir, I always will," Eric said confidently.

Eric was leading me towards the circle where everyone was dancing. "This engagement thing was a surprise," I said shyly. '' I am sorry, I had to give you a surprise as well, my love. By the way, two things: the ball looks amazing; everything you worked for paid off; the decorations are beautiful and in very lovely colours; I am really proud of you; I want you to know that; and second, you look so beautiful, like unrealistically beautiful; how can something this precious live on this earth? he chuckled

"Thank you so much for the gift and for these kind words," I said, feeling shy. '' I have to say you look dashing in this outfit; I like the combination of these colours on you," I said, looking at him with a smile.

Thank you, love. I usually don't wear white and blue together, but I tried something different today, and I'm glad you like it, he added, placing his hands on my waist as we began to move more quickly to the song's rhythm.

we were dancing slowly enjoying each other's embrace, taking in the moment when a pitched voice spoke from the side '' Eric!!, oh it has been so long since I have seen you'' she exclaimed

I was quite shocked by the behaviour of this woman, like did she really have to ruin our dance just to get erics attention, maybe not.

Eric turned around,'' Iris!, what are you doing here, Eric exclaimed happily

She remarked in a high-pitched, giddy tone, "Oh, I received an invitation obviously, and I'm a little mad that I didn't know you were the king earlier."

He gripped my hand and drew me a little closer, saying, "Well, I'm Full of Surprises and miss frost was the first person who I told my secret to."

''Oh yes yes, of course, pleasure meeting you your Highness,''' she responded in a stiff voice.

'' Delilah this is is Princess Iris, we were friends when we were kids and we were also acquaintances in France.''

''I bowed my head in an angel'' Pleasure meeting you as well princess'' I responded with a smile.

As a new song began to play, she chirped, "Eric, if you don't mind, how about we have this dance, and revive old memories."

'' oh I am sorry but I am not feeling like leaving my partner alone '' he said smiling at me.

''oh come on Eric its just one dance, it will only take a couple of minutes, please Eric'' she said pleading

'' don't worry I will accompany Delilah'' Adrian said as he approached us with two glasses of champagne.

''That sounds good'' I said taking the glass of champagne

Eric and Iris left and went for a dance and I can not help but feel jealous. This was the first night in three days that we talked this long. I wanted him near me but it is fine for now.

'' So princess what are your plans now, dumping this glass on Eric or Iris '' he asked teasing me.

I burst into laughter and said '' is there an option for both ''

'' no you must choose my lady'' he said chuckling

I smiled and responded, "Haha, no, it's okay let's leave them dry,''

'' Were Iris and Eric close ?'' I asked out of curiosity

'' Well if you want the truth it was not much of a friendship, Eric did not pay much attention to Iris and wanted to just as equivalence he was not the type to hang around much around women, was more focused on his work, but Iris, on the other hand, was in love with eric, her father asked eric to marry iris as she was going crazy for him, but eric simply refused that he does not plan on marrying iris as she was just like a sister to him, but iris does not seem to understand this still.''

''Iris is very pretty though'' I said staring at both of them dancing,

'' yes I do agree with that fact, she is very pretty '' Adrian responded.

The song stopped and Eric was approaching us when an elderly man called erics name and he mouthed me a sentence which I understood'' I am sorry.''

I was watching him talk with that person when Adrian said '' You should go stand next to him, it will look very sweet. ''

''But he did not call me, I can not just stand with him while he is engaged in a conversation'' I said shyly

'' Yes he is calling you he looked at me three times in three seconds, it seems like a signal, so hurry up '' Adrian chuckled.

'' Okay but if it is awkward then I will hunt you down and I will kill you '' I said in a fake deep voice

'' Alright your Highness, then I better start thinking about my escape plan,'' he said while grinning.

I walked towards Eric and stood next to him and he wrapped his hands around my waist.

''Oh you must be the lucky woman whom Eric chose to be his bride'' a lady next to the man exclaimed

I bowed in respect, '' I heard you are the princess of Brookland am I right'' the man asked me

'' Yes sir that is correct '' I said while smiling.

We were all chatting casually when an arrow came up from one side of the room and pierced through Eric's chest. His chest was bleeding profusely.

The woman screamed frantically. Eric moaned in agony as the ballroom descended into chaos with people running, yelling, and crying. The woman rushed to Eric's side, trying to apply pressure to the wound.

The arrow had come out of nowhere, leaving everyone in shock and confusion.

The words "THE KING IS INJURED" echoed from the opposite side of the room, causing my feet to freeze to the floor. Several guards surrounded Eric guarded him and lifted him. Eric looked at me while holding his chest in his hand; blood was pouring out of his mouth and onto his white shirt.''PROTECT THE KING!!'' a guard cried, ''CALL THE ROYAL Physician'' another guard yelled, and as they were carrying Eric upstairs,

I stayed down to analyse everything. I could feel the panic rising in the room as everyone rushed to tend to the injured king. The sight of Eric's bloodied shirt and pained expression haunted me as I tried to make sense of what had just happened.

Within minutes, the ballroom was empty. My entire life appeared to be in slow motion. I inhaled deeply, collected myself, and walked over to Eric's room. I didn't have permission to enter his room yet. Guards were marching in the castle, yelling and searching for the assassin.

I was a crying mess. I wanted him to be okay, I wanted him to be strong, and I wanted him near me and with me. I want to stay strong, I want to breathe, but I just cannot. He was the first thing in my life that I desired so badly, the first thing that made my little heart flutter. He was my first love. He can't leave me like this .

He has to stay strong for me. Please, Eric, don't give up hope yet. I was really worried about the foam coming out of his mouth; it was poison. I was sure of that. I put my hands on my face and broke down; this would be so unfair!

I couldn't bear the thought of losing him, not after everything we had been through together. I prayed for a miracle, hoping that he would pull through and we could continue our journey side by side.

I heard some footsteps coming up the stairs'' my dear'', the voice was my father's, '' he is going to be okay my child do not worry. Eric is a strong man, he will be alright'' he said giving me some comfort.

I just hummed in response, I was walking from left to right hoping that the doctor will open the door and give me some good news on Eric's condition.

My heart was racing with anxiety, but my father's reassurance helped calm my nerves slightly. I prayed silently for Eric's recovery as I continued to pace back and forth, waiting for any sign of hope from the doctor.

After a while, Adeline, Adrian, and Orion were near me, but I was too tired at the time to notice them. However, I quickly went back inside after hearing a woman approaching his room and wailing hysterically, "Eric!! omg what happened to you, you did not deserve this kind of death." Iris was the one who said it.

Will you speak in a lower voice, we are all already very concerned about Your Majesty's health, Orion yelled at her.

"Who are you to speak to me in such a manner! Eric was one of my closest friends. I can't let him go, she cried.

'' I am aware of that my lady but will you please calm down, let me help you go to your room,'' Adrian said offering some help

'' no! I will stay here until I know that he is okay ! 'she said loudly

'' Iris, will you please stop it? I have had enough of this noise. Stay as much as you want, but please lower your volume. There is a patient inside that room, and as much as he is your friend, let me remind you that I am his fiance, so please, we are all related or have relations with Eric one way or another. ''' I snapped at her, and then she finally stopped whimpering. I could see the realization in her eyes as she nodded silently, understanding the gravity of the situation. It was important for her to respect the needs of others in such a sensitive environment.

The door opened and the doctor came outside '' firstly his Highness is alright, he just needs some rest. Secondly, May I know who is Delilah frost among you all '' he said firmly

I stepped forward and replied ''' That would be me, sir'', I took a deep breath feeling relaxed that he is okay, but anxious about what the doctor had to say to me in private.

''I would like to have a word with you in private '' He said.