Following Hearts

The Sealing of Fate

Rose entered the ballroom, gawking at the extravagant decorations lining the palace walls. Balthazar really had gone all out. Lanterns were strewn from the ceiling, shining beautiful patterns from their cutouts onto the walls. A path of candles and rose petals dotted the floor, leading to a platform where Balthazar stood. To any of the public watching the engagement, Balthazar would have looked radiant. His outfit, hair, and complexion was impeccable. But Rose had gotten to know Balthazar over the past few months, and she could now see that his perfection was merely a facade. The smile on his face was forced and far too posed to be candid. His hands gripped in fists by his sides. His eyes darted around the room nervously.

    Rose took a breath and started to walk down the rose petal path. She widened her eyes and forced a smile onto her face to mask her anxiety.

    "Balthazar, what's all this?" She managed to fake surprise in her voice as she gestured to the decor.

    "The beginning of the rest of our lives." He motioned to the room grandly and plastered a giant grin on his face. Rose glanced around the room once again, this time taking note of the people witnessing this event. Amelia and King Ramses stood on either side of Balthazar, their faces filled with pride. Ferdinand and Valentine stood next in line. Valentine looked bored by the whole affair, although at the moment, Rose was having trouble telling if that was an actual expression of boredom, or just her sister's resting face. Ferdinand, however, looked more anxious than Rose felt. He fidgeted with his hands and his gaze was either glued to his feet or focused on Balthazar. That's weird, Rose thought to herself.

    She continued to walk, catching a glance of Ambrose as she made her way towards Balthazar. The dark skinned knight flashed Rose a smile and mouthed You got this. As she caught his eye, Rose swore it felt like her heart skipped a beat, but she quickly ushered the thought away, blaming her nerves.

    "What in the world do you mean?" Rose felt silly pretending like she didn't know she was to be engaged. Like an actor in a play.

    She stepped onto the platform with Balthazar, very aware of the cameras focusing on her.

    "You'll see." Balthazar winked. Then, he leaned in close enough to whisper in Rose's ear without being heard by the cameras. "You're just as bad an actress as you are a liar." She stifled a chuckle as he pulled away and smirked. "Rose, I haven't known you for very long, but in that time, I think I've really gotten to know you, the real you," Balthazar began.

"I've always admired you. Ever since the moment I first saw you, I knew you were a great woman. Now that I've gotten to know you, I know that you're a good one too." Balthazar took a breath. Rose couldn't help the smile that began to spread across her face. However, her amusement was not at the compliments Balthazar was paying her, but rather a bafflement that the kingdom actually believed Balthazar's speech was genuine. His movements were too poised, his words articulated too well. It was obvious that Balthazar had practiced this speech a hundred times.

"You are kind and loving, despite everything the world has thrown at you. You remain passionate and spirited in spite of hardships. And I know you don't believe it, but you are selfless to no end." Ferdinand shifted his weight uncomfortably and as unnoticably as possible, he excused himself from the room. Where is he going?

"I need you to understand, that when I am asking you to marry me, I am not asking you to be my wife. I am asking you to be my equal, my partner. I am asking you if you will let me try to ensure your happiness and comfort for the rest of your life. I am asking if you will let me be your husband." The crowded cooed and awed. Rose tried to make her expression seem more genuine, but it seemed that she couldn't. She briefly turned to look for Ambrose, thinking that he would maybe give her an encouraging glance or mouth a few words to her to get her to keep going, but when her eyes landed where he had previously been standing, he was gone. When she turned her attention back to Balthazar, she couldn't help a real gasp escape her lips. He was down on one knee, a ring box extended in front of him with his right hand.

"Princess Rose Elizabeth Lovelle," He paused, his smile falling for just a moment. "Will you marry me?" The crowd waited expectantly.

"Yes! Yes! A thousand times yes!" Rose exclaimed, her faux enthusiasm seeping through her voice as it rose higher and higher. She flung herself onto Balthazar, her arms wrapping around his neck. He lifted her into the air and twirled her around. When her feet touched the ground, her face and Balthazar's were barely a few inches apart. He glanced down at her lips, asking permission, and she barely nodded. He pressed his lips to hers and dipped her backwards. Although the kiss looked real and electric, Rose and Balthazar knew it was anything but. The pair had been dreading this moment, but now that it was here, it wasn't nearly as bad as Rose had expected. Balthazar wasn't a bad kisser. In fact, he was very good. He knew where to place his hands, when to move, and when to stop. His lips were soft and he smelled of soap and rosemary. But she felt nothing. No spark, no electricity, no chemistry. And neither did Balthazar.

They pulled away from each other and Balthazar slipped the jewel encrusted ring onto Rose's left ring finger. It mirrored her right hand, where her Lovelle family ring sat on her right ring finger. She pretended to admire the engagement ring's beauty. The ring was intrinsically worthless to her. All it was was a reminder of her contractual bond to Nevani. She looked at it and felt nothing. Although, she did have to admit, objectively, Balthazar had picked out quite the impressive piece of jewelry. She might have even liked it if it weren't her engagement ring.

The pair finally turned towards the crowd and waved, smiles spread wide across their faces.

Your fate is sealed, Rose thought as she caught another glance of her ring while waving at the crowd. No more chances to follow your heart.