Chapter 2: The New Year’s Ball
THE sword dance was followed by a ball. Held by the royal family, it marked the start of the social season. Its first half also functioned as a coming-out party where newly adult nobles made their debut in high society. The debutantes, clad in white, were the picture of innocence.
The biggest ball of the year. I sighed at the thought of the long, tortuous hours ahead of me. Social gatherings were my bane. I couldn’t risk standing out, nor did I want to.
I observed the debutantes twirl as I escorted my lovely sister. I wore a tailcoat instead of my usual uniform. My sister’s platinum blonde hair cascaded over her light pink gown, outshone only by a smile that would give any princess a run for her money.
What else is there to say besides she’s gorgeous, a true Madonna even.
Men in the vicinity were captivated, their eyes glued to her. She was the main character and I merely a supporting one.
Protecting her from said men was my duty, or so my overprotective brother and father had told me. The occasion was, however, a ball—a place to schmooze and, to a degree, scout out potential matches.
Attending the event in male clothes felt…off. Then again, it wasn’t like I had anyone in mind, nor was I in a position to even think about romantic matters. The real shame was that the outfit made grabbing from the wide selection of desserts on display much more ostentatious than it would’ve been otherwise. I’d have been lying if I said that all the flashy dresses didn’t make me feel ever so slightly jealous.
This feeling of “I don’t belong here, when can I go home?” is perfectly normal, right? Right? I thought as I positioned myself near a wall. I really didn’t want to stand out, in case that wasn’t abundantly clear.
The music stopped, and the ring of people dancing in the center of the hall parted, Princess Marlena emerging from within. Princess Marlena was, of course, Stern’s little sister and the kingdom’s only princess.
Can you please not come straight toward us? I’m trying to blend in!
“You look beautiful, Lilia,” she said to my sister, all smiles.
Lilia curtsied, gracefully lifting her skirts. “Thank you for having me.”
“Your dancing was gorgeous, Bern.”
“I appreciate the kind words, Princess Marlena,” my public persona replied.
“I brought a purple fan, you know!” she cheerily proclaimed.
I suppressed a wry smile. Princess Marlena was a trend-savvy fifteen-year-old, inquisitive and peppy for a princess. Each of her astonishingly many facial expressions was simply adorable. “Purple, you say?”
“Yes! Purple represents my heartfelt wish for you two to be happy together!”
“I-I see.” What is she going on about?
“I went with a blue one myself,” said Lilia, smiling softly.
“Blue?”
“Bern’s happiness is my primary concern, after all.”
Is it just me, or did she do the Eisberk’s signature frosty smile right there? Probably just me. I hope.
“What are you pretty ladies doing over there?” resounded a voice from across the hall.
I turned toward it only to see the one and only Solar Fire Knight grinning at us.
I’m trying to blend in!
I looked away, sighing.
“A bit cruel to be hogging them all to yourself, don’t you think, Bern?”
“I do, actually. Good thing you’re here to right this injustice.”
“That I am, and what better way to start than with a dance. What say you, Lady Lilia?” requested Felzen politely, as befitting a gentleman.
Lilia took his hand, smiling gently. “I’d be more than delighted.”
And just like that, they wended their way into the now-colorful dance circle. Felzen’s fiery red hair stood out amid the crowd, the contrast with his dark tailcoat making it gleam even brighter. Felzen’s brawn highlighted Lilia’s delicacy. The two complemented each other so nicely, I couldn’t help but smile.
He’d be the perfect husband for Lilia if he weren’t quite so cavalier.
“Aren’t you going to invite anyone?” Princess Marlena asked, her light brown eyes brimming with curiosity.
I didn’t feel like getting to know any debutante in particular, so I’d avoided taking the initiative. I acted indifferent toward other women to not get their hopes up—a big reason I was considered “cold,” but what else could I do?
Even so, I didn’t want to cause anyone to lose face. Girls were, well, cute, and I felt compelled to be nice to them.
“I was just about to, but my nerves got the better of me, apologies. Care for a dance, Princess?” I said, offering her my hand.
Princess Marlena’s eyes widened, her cheeks blushing pink. “I-I didn’t mean it like that…”
“I understand completely, though I still ask that you grant me the honor.”
“The honor’s all mine,” she said, placing her hand in mine.
After a lap around the ballroom with Princess Marlena, I returned to my spot beside the wall. Lilia, on the other hand, had nobles lining up to invite her for a dance the moment she and Felzen finished.
That’s my sister for you.
I watched them swarm Lilia, mentally noting their names and heritage to ascertain whether they were worthy of her company.
Stern approached me just as I brought a flute of champagne to my dehydrated lips.
What part of “I don’t want to stand out” do you not understand?!
“Another fine showing. How was Marlena?”
“Simply phenomenal. She managed to maintain a high level of composure rare for a debutante all throughout. Truly a performance befitting one of her rank,” I answered in a stereotypically debonair fashion, cuing a satisfied smile on Stern’s face.
“Felzen’s dancing with yet another lady, I see,” he commented.
“They don’t call him the hot-blooded knight for nothing,” I said, grinning wryly. Felzen’s relationships never really lasted. Any fiery ardor in his heart died out just as fast as it ignited.
“Rumor has it that you, the cool, independent knight, have finally found ‘the one.’”
“Did Princess Marlena tell you that?”
Stern smiled, refusing to speak further. His amber eyes lit up with a strange glow.
How underhanded for someone as angel-like as you! His gaze locked with mine as I struggled to respond. Not fair.
“No, I haven’t. I’m just…bad with women.” I couldn’t see them in a romantic light, but I didn’t want to hurt their feelings by rejecting their advances either.
“You and me both.”
“Sorry?”
“I’m also bad with women. Their psychotic stares tire me,” he said, glancing around. Numerous noblewomen were peering in our direction, their attention almost feverish in intensity. Being subjected to that, day in and day out, definitely didn’t seem like a pleasant experience.
“Sucks to be you, I guess,” I remarked.
“How cold.”
“It’s part of your job description, is it not?”
“And yours.”
“Eisberk has never been known for its sociability, nor am I the eldest child.”
“I’m not the crown prince either.”
“A prince nonetheless.”
“How mean.”
“You’re always welcome back here if you get tired,” I suggested, waving to the wall beside me.
“Not fair…”
“What is?”
“Lucky Marlena. I wanted to dance with you too.”
“Come on now.”
“Felzen got to!”
“It was a ceremonial sword dance,” I said dryly.
“Who cares about the details. I just want to dance with you.” He glared at me sulkily, and there was something lovable about his petulance. “Why do you get custom fans? So not fair!”
I sighed in resignation. “A fan colored for a prince would be improper.”
“Just imagine our colors mixing together to form green.”
“I’d rather not.” I couldn’t help but wonder if he understood the implication.
He pouted. “How very cold of you.”
“I don’t mind rehearsing a sword dance with you if you forget the fans.”
“What fans?”
“That’s the spirit. Good luck with your remaining princely duties.”
Stern leveled another quick glare at me before nabbing my champagne flute and promptly downing its contents.
“Hey!”
“Uh-uh-uh, you’re breaking character!” He winked, melding back into the crowd.
What a child, I thought, my shoulders sagging.
Once again, Felzen, a lady on each arm, started heading my way. I gave him an angry stare. Shoo, playboy, shoo! I don’t need any more eyes on me!
My telepathic signals appeared to have gotten through to him. Felzen parted with his companions, then snatched a handful of sweets and two flutes of pink champagne from a tray before continuing toward me.
“Here,” he said, handing me the glass, “got you a new one.”
These small gestures of his unnerved me. Just as I felt a craving set in, he had conveniently arrived bearing confectionary.
“You were watching?”
Felzen shrugged. “Bad time?”
“Could be worse. Find ‘the one’ yet?” Court gossip speculated that Felzen hopped from woman to woman in a quest to find the perfect partner.
“Does it bother you?”
“Oh, I’d just prefer you settle down before someone stabs you. I’d keep my hands off Lilia if I were you though.”
“Complex, much?”
“Yes, and?”
I raised the champagne flute to my lips. The cold, bubbly, rosy liquid looked exquisite. I breathed a sigh of relief. Felzen had a knack for getting me exactly what I wanted when I wanted it.
“What was Prince Charming whining on about earlier?” Felzen grinned.
“Something about not getting a fan in his colors.”
“You mean yellow? That’s improper.”
“He insisted on green.”
“Green? What about orange?!”
I couldn’t stifle my smile at the indignation in his voice. “Right, aren’t you two closer?”
Felzen furrowed his brow. A running joke between us was that Felzen couldn’t settle on anyone because he and Stern got along a little too well. I, for one, found their relationship quite wholesome.
“What are you trying to say?” He snaked his arm around my shoulder, smirking. “You know I only have eyes for you, Bern.”
“You’re free to search for the one all you like,” I said, swatting his arm away. “But frivolity is only going to make you lose all credibility.”
“How cold of you,” he said, a sardonic smile on his face.
I found his reaction rather tone-deaf. If you weren’t so insincere, I’d gladly recommend you to Lilia, but alas.
The chandeliers twinkled behind Felzen’s towering frame. Jaunty tunes and boisterous laughter swirled through the air. The extravagant New Year’s Ball was swiftly coming to a close.