Countess Victoria's Ball

"I mean it." His voice was serious, but also slow in a way that sent goosebumps through Vivian's spine.

They stared at each other for what seemed to be eternity, until the sound of high heels clacking on the floor brought both to reality.

The next day, no visits, since the Countess Victoria's Ball was taking place. Vivian had to be perfect, according to her mother.

Meanwhile, Brian woke up late, and went to take his breakfast on the balcony. A knock on the door made him turn around, because he didn't answer, but the door opened.

"Who is…Oh, that's you, cousin." He said happily, sitting back on the chair.

"Good morning, Brian!" Tadeas, the King of Raderia smiled at the younger man.

"Please, what is it that I owe the honor of having you in my quarters?" Brian asked, playful.

"Cut the jokes out. Is she the one?" He asked, smiling.

"She… who?" Brian asked in a confused tone, knowing very well his cousin was talking about Vivian.

"Don't play ignorant here, Brian. Come on… I have seen Lady Vivian Astley. She is gorgeous. But I've heard she was turned down by the Marquis of Stolz, Uriel Barless."

"Indeed, she was. And so…?"

"Are you interested in a woman a Marquis rejected?" Tadeas asked, leaning back on the chair. "Why?"

"You yourself answered it: she is gorgeous." Brian answered simply. 'But not only that. She is smart. Cultured. You know how much I hate empty heads. She has a good temperament."

"That is not what I heard about her."

"Oh, really? Please, enlighten me, then."

Tadeas looked around as if they were not alone and smirked.

"I've heard she has quite the smart mouth. Sometimes, she won't hold her tongue and say more than she should." Tadeas was speaking almost in a whisper, as if that was fat gossip.

Brian narrowed his eyes.

"You mean, when someone is disrespectful to her or says something absurd, she won't keep her silence?"

"Pretty much that."

"Then, she is perfect!" Brian blithely said and smiled . "Thank you for adding to the pros about her."

"Brian…" Tadeas was now more serious. "Really… is that for real? I don't mean to discourage you, it is just that.. Would your parents accept her?"

"Of course they would. Her morality is undoubtedly above remonstrance. Nobody can ever raise a finger to speak ill about her conduct in society. She is stunningly beautiful, is healthy, is the daughter of a nobleman and, most of all, is the woman I chose."

Brian Baskerville counted almost thirty laps around the sun and was still single. He was the heir to be of the Empire and yet, no marriage could be seen taking place, which was enerving and worrisome. His parents were practically begging him to marry just anyone he saw fit and have a child.

"Ok.. then, I must congratulate you!" Tadeas said and gave a firm tap on Haakon's arm.

When the King was gone, Brian smiled. If only he knew that there was no marriage coming his way… Brian intended to keep his single life, full of women, not one where he would have to be chained to a woman. One woman. For the rest of his life. That scared him the most, even because he knew that, the day he got married, loving or not his wife, he would keep monogamy.

"But she is pretty. That I cannot deny." He said in a low voice, remembering the shiny green eyes she had, capable of making him forget where he was if he looked intensely at her. All her features were perfect, even when she was crying the first time he met her.

In fact, he saw her in the ballroom with a strange expression and it got his interest. She was not, like the other young ladies, trying to gather his attention or of any other man. He followed her with his eyes and when she vanished through the doors to the gardens, he waited a bit before he went after her, imagining if she was, maybe, meeting a lover. Would be no surprise, but quite disappointing.

The ball was one of the most expected of the year and Cecil was pretty unhappy. When Vivian arrived, everyone would look at her. That was normal, of course, she was dazzling. The problem was that now that Cecil was to be the official betrothed of Uriel Barless, the Marquis of Stolz, she should be the star! But no, Vivian had to get her hands on the Crown Prince!

'Damn it!', she thought. She could have waited a bit more and had her move with the next Emperor! But no, now she was stuck with a Marquis! Sure, Uriel was not ugly or poor. On the contrary, his family was wealthier than the Duke of Haus and his looks were admirable. The thing is, near the Crown Prince, he paled compared.

"My dear, I was looking for you!" Uriel said in a loving tone, smiling sweetly at her.

"Oh, sorry. I just need some air, my love." She answered in her sweet, cadent tone.

Uriel loved a woman who would coordinate with his all wishes. Who would always agree with him and, if for some reason that could not be achieved, she would be more than gentle and good natured. That was not Vivian, who had a strong will. But Cecil… She was a lamb.

"Do you need anything?" He asked her and she shook her head, taking his hand and getting back to the ballroom.

Vivian was dancing with Beian and Uriel saw it. He always thought she was the most beautiful woman he had seen and at least that was solace to the previous arranged marriage with her. The sight of her dancing with another man, not just any man, but one that all ladies wanted, with a good figure and position, one that she seemed happy to be with, made his heart uneasy for some reason.

Cecil noticed that and she pursed her lips, before she pretended to step wrongly and hurt her ankle.

For a few moments, she got the attention from the surrounding people, but not as much as she wanted and, as soon as they saw she was quite fine, they turned their backs to her and got back to the party, or better, to admire the shiny new couple.

Vivian didn't even notice who were the other people at the party. The Crown Prince was much more interesting. He knew so much! He had traveled a lot and she was amazed by all the stories he was telling her.

"Would you like to drink something, My Lady?" He asked her with a smile and Vivian nodded.

He left her near the dancefloor with her mother and went after something to refresh his partner.

Cecil saw that as a great opportunity to try to talk to him, as Uriel was called by his uncle to discuss a few 'important matters' with other lords.

"Ah, Your Highness!" Cecil contentedly said, smiling at him. Brian knew who she was and, even though he was not into a real relationship with Vivian, he disliked that woman talking to him very much. He hated people like her, who would pretend a greater disposition not only for personal gain, but to harm someone else.

"Yes?" He asked, not too politely and showing he was rather annoyed.

"I.. I am so sorry to bother you, Your Highness, but… I hurt my ankle and my fiancé had to tend to some business. I can see you have two cups of drinks. Would you mind helping me? I am really thirsty.

That was not only inconvenient, but also rude and inappropriate. She was clearly trying to flirt with him, smiling, speaking in a low tone and batting her eyelashes.

Brian smiled at her.