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

6. Diving Headfirst

Alejandro had resolved to speak to as many of the ladies as possible during dinner, sliding about the tables and trading off with friends to meet as many young ladies as he could. He had resolved entirely to only meet the woman from earlier for one dance and then let his friend learn more about her as he entertained what he was sure would be many suitors.

And yet, when he saw her standing there gazing longingly out the door, the thought of losing her before even learning her name pulled strong at his heart. There was no telling what the future would hold, and he hesitated to name the feeling just yet, but the idea of never getting to see where this went -- of never feeling it again -- shook him.

"May I have this dance?" he asked from behind, acutely aware of the eyes slowly accumulating on him and the young woman.

The pause between his question and her response stretched on forever. "Yes," she seemed to whisper. Standing to her full height and turning to face him, he was struck once more by her nerves. How could someone be so scared and so calm?

Without thinking, he pulled her in a little closer than he should have. And somehow, she let him. The small space between them seemed immense and non-existent all at once. Her dress swept his feet as they spun around the floor.

"May I ask why you are nervous?" he whispered in her ear, noticing a small shudder as he did so.

"I'm not sure I should be here, I guess." Her head was turned away from his, so he could not even try to figure out what she was thinking.

"If you were invited, then you should be here."

The slightest laugh escaped her lips. "I suppose. But I didn't really..."

Didn't really what? He yearned to know but had no idea how to ask her without completely throwing her off. Something about her made him think she might just be able to handle the chaos of the whole thing. But maybe that was wishful thinking.

She took a deep breath and turned to face him. "I came here to have some fun thinking tomorrow could just go back to how it was and now..."

"Now?" he couldn't help but voice the question as the space between them grew smaller still.

"The longer I stay here, the less sure I am that's going to work."

"Are you unhappy with your life?" Perhaps there was something he could do to help her. Why do I want to help her? I just met her!

"No, it's not that." Her eyes flitted downward for an almost imperceptible moment. "It's just the opposite. I was -- am -- very happy with my life, and I'm not sure how to feel. This is all so magical and it seems almost silly to think that these feelings will still be here tomorrow, you know?"

Feelings? Fortunately, he managed to keep those thoughts inside.

"So is that what you'd like to do? Go home?"

The look on her face said he had failed in his attempts to keep his expression neutral. Even hidden behind a mask, his face was always betraying him.

"I don't know," she whispered. "I'm sorry."

And then she turned out of his arms, walked through the dancers, and continued straight out the door.

"That's no good, man." Alejandro turned around to see his best friend, Martim, staring out the door after the young woman.

No. No it was not.

"Excuse me, might I have the next dance?" A young lady interrupted their conversation before it could begin. Time to cut my losses.

"Of course." Alejandro held out his hand to her and led her to a different part of the dance floor, desperately trying not to allow his eyes to trail out the door and failing at least twice. Fortunately the woman he was supposed to be dancing with didn't notice.

The music all blended into itself as he danced with girl after girl, seeking out particularly those dressed in green. I have to find someone.

No one stood out. Not a single person. Except for her. But she was gone. He had to find someone else and he had less than an hour to do it in.

"Martim," he said when he finally found his friend. "I need your help."

"When don't you, buddy?" he joked, jostling his shoulder into Alejandro's. "But what do you need? Want me to pretend to be you while you go chase down the girl?"

A warmth bled up from Alejandro's chest into his ears. "No. I need you to help me find girls who seem like they would be okay at the job. I know Mom's got a whole list going, but I want your opinion. Can you get me a few names? If I can't find one of these girls to... love, I still need to find one to marry."

"You can't fall in love in one night. Give it time to grow."

"Yeah," Alejandro chuckled. "You can't fall in love in one night."

And he almost believed himself, but there was something about her. Maybe it wasn't love exactly, and maybe she was right and it was just the magic of the ball, but something told him she was the first choice.

But he wasn't the only one with a choice. And he was the crown prince. So he needed a wife.

And with that, he and Martim parted ways.

It is time to find someone who can rule this country, in case... He refused to let the rest of the thought escape him.

"Excuse me, definitely not the prince, can I have the next dance?" He turned around to make eye contact with the flirtatious face of a girl dressed in a skin tight dress of the deepest purple. As his eyes drifted up to her face he noticed her mask. The flower she wore matched exactly to the woman from before.

"Yes, of course," he stuttered out. "I'd be honoured."