Following Hearts

Choices, choices

The click of Rose's heels on the marbled staircase echoed as she descended to the party below. She could hear the sound of violin music floating up from the Ball. Still shaky from her earlier breakdown, she braced herself against Ambrose's arm. As her fingers trailed the cold staircase railing, she felt her heart pounding in her chest.

All too soon, Rose reached the bottom of the stairs and turned to face the entrance to the ballroom. Ambrose looked at Rose questioningly and Rose nodded, signaling to Ambrose that she was alright; he could go. He silently turned and walked down the left hallway, pausing briefly to give Rose a small smile before continuing on his way. As he left, she caught sight of her sister approaching and couldn't help but smile. She looked positively regal.

"Amelia," Rose breathed. "You look...beautiful."

"Thank you." Amelia glanced down at her dress and faced Rose. "You don't look so bad yourself." Rose felt tears well up in her eyes. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," She smiled. "You just-you look just like-"

"Just like mom. I know." King Ramses came down from the staircase and stooped down to kiss Rose on the cheek. "You look gorgeous honey."

"Thanks dad." Rose turned to her sister. "I'm so proud of you Mel." Amelia beamed.

"Well, I should go back in there. I am the guest of honor after all." Amelia smiled and returned to the Ball.  Both Rose and her father couldn't tear their eyes away from the future-Queen as she walked away.

"How are things with Balthazar?" Ramses asked once Amelia had left. "Your sister told me you were feeling unsure about the whole situation."

How were things with Balthazar? If not for her complete lack of any kind of feeling whatsoever towards the prince, things might actually be going alright. He was kind, handsome, funny, and charming - but he was no Felix. Rose had felt so lost for so long, needing an answer, any answer to her dilemma of love. With Ambrose's words ringing in her ears, Rose realized something.

"I'm...I'm not unsure anymore," Rose felt a fire ignite behind her eyes. "I know what I need to do."

In an instant, everything was so clear. She did have control over her own fate, over her own destiny. She didn't have to marry Balthazar, and she wasn't going to. She wanted Felix, loved Felix, and couldn't imagine being without him. In that moment, she chose him.

"I have to go." Rose rushed into the Ball with a giant smile plastered onto her face.  Her father called after her, bewildered, but Rose couldn't hear him over the sound of her heart thumping in her ears. Follow your heart, that's all you can do.

She dived into the crowd of people, frantically searching for her stableboy. Her eyes scanned the room, looking for his perfect blonde curls. All the sound in the room seemed to disappear as Rose whirled her head from left to right, up to down, eyes sweeping the dance floor. She felt a tap on her shoulder.

"Rose?" When she turned, she came face to face with her love.

"Felix." Rose breathed, reaching up to tuck one of his golden curls behind his ear.

"Are you alright?" Felix watched Rose concernedly.

"Would you like to dance?" Rose extended her hand.

"Are you sure we should be doing that?" Felix whispered. "In public?"

Rose said nothing; she only continued to offer her hand. Felix smiled and accepted it, leading her out to the dance floor.

He led her into the corner of the room, where they had some privacy. He snaked his arms around her waist, pulling her body against his. Wrapping her hand behind his neck, Rose began to sway to the music.