A Tangled Web of Truth | Complete (ONC 2021 Shortlister)

4. A Bride Among Many

Alejandro was late to his own party. His mother told him it was normal and expected, but he felt he should be there to help welcome the girls. Though most of them would not recognize him through his mask and attire, every minute he wasn't there was a moment he was wasting. With only one evening to find someone, every minute counted.

So when he sped through the door into the ballroom to find one woman dressed in a lovely green gown merely taking the time to absorb everything, he stopped to watch. The room was almost empty save for the string quartet and a couple groups of young ladies lining the edges of the far wall talking in whispers and smoothing their skirts awaiting the arrival of the gentlemen who, as usual, were late.

The music shifted to a more modern piece and a smile spread across her face as she reached her arms out and then pulled them in as she spun. She was just... her. And there was something about watching her that made him feel she was authentic. That she would tell him the truth.

So, he carefully stepped across the floor until he was near enough to be heard. "May I?"

She stopped spinning carelessly and whipped around to face him, a redness growing in her face as her hand reached up to her face. She apologized but he didn't hear it.

"It's a good song. One of my favourites." Okay, that might have been a stretch, but it was a good song. And it was even better when you watched her.

She was still hesitant but he was determined. No better time to begin than the present, right? Reaching out his hand, he simply watched her and waited for a response.

"I'd like that," she answered finally, placing her hand into his. Her deep brown eyes stared into his as he pulled her closer and wrapped his free arm just under her shoulder, as was customary. She seemed unsteady and unsure as she fumbled with her arm, like she was struggling to remember where to put it.

"My shoulder or your dress," I whispered. "Whichever makes you comfortable."

Another blush crept onto her cheeks as she reached to pick up her skirt and cast her eyes away from him. His steady arms guided her around a gentle waltz, easily leading her around the floor as more and more people stopped what they were doing to watch. His cover would shortly be blown, as some of these girls had seen him dance enough times before to figure it out. Some of them were a little too invested in becoming his wife.

"So, what brings you here so much earlier than the other gentleman," she asked him finally, eyes flickering up briefly as if searching for an answer in his eyes.

"I was in the area," he said after a brief pause, "and I wanted to get an early look at the place before it got too packed. Your dancing caught my eye."

"I didn't think anyone was watching."

"That's what made it so nice."

"Do you often watch people dance when they don't think anyone is watching?" Her eyes drifted up to his and a smile crept onto her face.

"People don't often dance for themselves around here," he responded. "So I don't often get the chance."

"Around here?" She raised an eyebrow and locked her deep brown eyes with his. "Are you here often?"

"Yes," he responded simply, not wanting to scare her away with the truth but feeling a strong desire not to lie to her. "Yes, I am."

Her eyes reached out to his and he smiled down at her, pulling her ever so slightly toward him. She knows. When she voluntarily stepped closer, he could smell the flower on the side of her mask and something like a papaya mixed with coconut that must have been her hair. His eyes fluttered closed as her hand relaxed in his and they continued around the empty floor.

If only this was all it was. If only we could just dance forever. And there was the thought. The sudden lightning bolt everyone talked about that he would laugh at every time. It is so outrageous to believe that meeting someone for minutes or seconds could substantially change a person in any way. And yet there he was, staring at the woman he'd rather spend the whole evening with, though he didn't even know her name.

The rational part of his brain knew he couldn't monopolize her all evening, but he wanted to see her again. Maybe this sparkle was something he would feel with other women, too. He should probably find out.

"May I see you again?" he asked her when the last notes of the song faded into the first notes of the next one. "I would like to dance later."

Her arm went stiff again and she backed away from him with a small bow of her head. "I--"

"After dinner," he continued. "After dinner if you would like to see me again, we will meet by those doors there." He pointed to the only set of doors that led from the ballroom straight to the courtyard outside. "And if you don't," he continued before she could say anything. "If you don't want to see me, then there is no harm done. It's entirely up to you. But I'd like to see you again."

Her head bobbed in a small nod and a group of girls dressed in various shades of purple came cascading down the staircase, separating him from her. I have to give the rest of them a chance, he reminded himself. There are many women here I'm sure would be suited to being queen. My job is to find the best one.

The music picked up slightly and the girls began mingling with each other in the ballroom as the gentlemen started streaming in the doors. It was almost time to begin.

"Prince Alejandro?" asked a voice from behind him. It took all of his strength to not visibly respond to his name. Some people at the ball may know who he was, but he didn't want to give himself away so quickly, so he just pretended he didn't hear. When she came closer and tapped his shoulder, he turned around to see the sister of his best friend.

"Yolanda," he breathed. "I wasn't expecting you here tonight."

"Mother insisted I keep up appearances and Martim wanted me to come run interference, I guess. So here I am in all my delight."

He chuckled. "Don't out me like that, Yolanda, I'm supposed to be incognito!"

She laughed out loud. "Yeah, like that will last longer than two minutes."

"So what are you doing here?" he asked. "Besides outing me two minutes earlier than expected?"

"My brother wants to see you for a pep talk or something. I don't know, I think he's just hiding from the girls."

"Where is he?"

"Down the family wing. Your mother let him in as always."

"He better be quick," Alejandro whispered. "I have a lot to do tonight."

"Indeed you do." She smiled. "And I shall help you."