New life, new world

Chapter 6

The background music suddenly stopped, and a servant announced the arrival of the war hero. I assure you I was not expecting it.

The doors were opened slowly by two male servants. People were clapping and celebrating the arrival of their hero. The one who conquered new land brought riches and power to give to this king and his leaches.

The hero walked straight inside the ballroom and walked down the stairs with dignity. His head was held high. You could see in his way of walking that he had pride and this little thing that attracted you to him. However, his eyes didn't show happiness. He looked furious. This hero still went straight to the king and knelled to show respect. How he did it showed that he didn't mean any respect to this man of power but knelled out of obligation.

Lucie started to act out the moment this man came in. She was squirming, trying to get out of my arms. She looked at the man as if she knew him and wanted to go near him. I was so confused. She hadn't left my side ever since I was a child, so how could she know this stranger?

I looked closer at the young boy. He seemed to be about my age, maybe a little older. This man had black hair, red eyes that looked like blood, tanned skin... It was Jackson, I was sure of it. He was taller, muscular, and didn't have the same sweet expression that I knew. He wasn't Jackson. He was a stranger.

He was wearing a blue navy costume and black cape covered in jewels and medals.

I think that I uttered his name out loud, and his gaze darted in my direction. Our gazes crossed paths, I couldn't look away, and neither could he. I think I had a dumbfounded expression on my face as he had one. Our gazes only separated once the king called him to stand by his side.

The queen must have noticed that we looked at each other and seemed to recognize one another because she looked straight at me and didn't seem pleased. (So, after Jackson's mother died, the second wife took the position of the queen. Meaning that the current queen isn't Jackson's mother and hates him). Even her glares didn't affect me at the time. She did not frighten me yet. I was just glad that my friend was alive even if he wasn't the one I knew. Lucie also seemed pleased and eager to be near him.

Once Jackson was near his father, the king made a speech: "We are all gathered today to celebrate the victory of the third prince! Our country is even richer and more glorious than ever. Today, we managed to conquer Roxtern. The other countries and continents should fear us! Who knows what we could do tomorrow! Now we shall enjoy this ball and celebrate this victory with wine and music!"

After the last words came out of the King's mouth, everyone in the room cheered.

Jackson's gaze was strange, one of disgust and hate. That gaze was directed to some nobles, his father, and stepmother. It almost looked like pure rage. Was he really alright, or did he look alright?

Once the first song started to play, my father asked for my first dance, and I agreed while grinning. I should at least enjoy my night as much as I can and then go speak with Jackson if I can. We were surprisingly in sync, and everyone was impressed. My teachers seemed proud of me and the work of magic that they managed to pour into me. I was the perfect young lady one could hope for as a parent.

My father and I had fun. Time passed without us noticing, and the song came to an end. Some young men came and asked for my second dance. My father refused them before I could even say a word. I wanted to dance a little more with my father, but he had business to take care of with other nobles and left me after kissing the top of my head. That was when Jackson came toward me while ignoring everyone around him who wanted to talk with him or show off their daughters for a potential marriage.

Everyone at the ball seemed surprised when the third prince, the one that had been on the battlefield for years, came towards a lady, kissed her hand without hesitation, and asked for her second dance. I promise you that at that moment, my heart skipped a beat, not joking. Before Father could come in our direction and refuse the invitation in my stead, I took his hand and agreed. While we danced, we talked. We had a lot to talk about after all, and I didn't know how things would unfold.