Electric Blue Rose - Book One. [COMPLETED] Undergoing Edits

Chapter Forty-Three - Enamoured

Emanuel's mouth went dry as he watched her take the steps down the stairs. A pretty face never had him at a loss for words before, but there was something she radiated that had him under her spell. Jade's long brown hair was made of elegant small braids with flowers between the interlocking locks. Her dress formed around her in a perfect bell shape, but her eyes took his breath away. One green and one blue eye lit up the room even from afar. Those around him gushed about her beauty. His heart raced as her shoes reached the same floor he was on. Before Emanuel could take another step, Prince Avery had already met her with his charming smile. Jade, Emanuel thought, his eyes shining at her beauty. Her head bowed as Avery likely complimented her beauty with a lengthy poem that Avery would claim was spontaneous but was not. Before Emanuel could even get close, Avery led her to the ballroom.

Emanuel crossed to the ballroom, lingering in the doorway as he watched the rehearsed dance they both had well-prepared. Emanuel knew how to dance. It was a requirement of all members of royalty. Though, he wished he had practiced a bit before coming here. Her smile lit the room, grazing his heart in a way he never thought possible. As the song faded, Prince Avery bowed, placing a kiss atop her hand. Jade bowed, her smile undoing Emanuel's shell. He took another step, trying to make his way towards her, but as usual, Sebastian swooped in. Emanuel stepped to the side as a lively song sounded.

Emanuel couldn't help but enjoy Jade's puzzled look at Sebastian's choice. Sebastian led her in a dance she was not taught. Her expression was a mixture of instability and a desperate attempt to remain polite and of royal manners. When the song ended, she caught her breath and bowed toward Sebastian. He pulled her close to him and whispered something in her ear. Jade's entire face became crimson. Emanuel turned his head, his gaze meeting with his mother. His mother started to approach him, but he refused to have Jade's first impression of him be an introduction by his mother. Emanuel straightened his tie and made his way toward her.

When Jade's eyes landed on him, it was as if time had stopped. Her stares left him breathless, but he still managed forward. She greeted him with wide eyes, and her mouth gaped as though this moment was as rehearsed as their dances. "Princess," Emanuel said, bowing. "Would you do the honor of allowing me to lead you in a dance?" Her words left her as her eyes focused on him. A slight nod and his heart throbbed. Emanuel wrapped his arm around her waist, taking her hand in the other. As the music started, he led her to the dance floor. Jade's eyes were glued to him. He could feel himself coming undone. "Your beauty is breathtaking," Emanuel managed to put his best attempt forward. Her cheeks reddened, and her smile lengthened.

"You think so?"

"I'm nearly speechless by it," Emanuel said, enjoying how her eyes shone in the lights.

"If I were, to be honest, I've been looking forward to meeting you the most." Emanuel's eyebrows rose, a confession that made little sense to him. "I've been a fan of yours since I was much younger. See, I have read your entire collections on Herbology and nature, and I've read them a few times. You just." She swallowed her nerves. Seeing someone as beautiful as her coming undone for him sent chills down his arms. "You've inspired me my entire life."

His breath staggered as his eyes focused on hers. "I can't imagine a greater honor than inspiring you, Princess." Jade seemed as much under his spell as he was hers. His hand went to her cheek as he got lost in her eyes. He noticed the music had ended, and the gazes of the others were on them. Emanuel backed up and brought her hand up, kissing it. They turned as another man approached her. Her entire facial expression shifted.

"Excuse me, Prince Emanuel," he bowed. "If it is alright, I'd like to share a dance with my girlfriend." Emanuel's heart sunk at the word, though Jade's eyes spoke more to the story. Her enchanted expression from a moment ago now transformed into one of displeasure.

"Princess? You okay?" Emanuel asked. Jade turned to him with a smile and nodded. Emanuel bowed and left her with a man who had already proclaimed claim to her heart. However, the magic that coursed through them during their dance was not present with him. Her entire demeanor shifted, and Emanuel recognized the look of a man trying to reconcile a wrong he had committed.

"Well, didn't I tell you she's special," Marianna, Emanuel's mother, said, crossing to him.

"Yeah, she is," Emanuel sighed. "That man is her boyfriend." His mother frowned, and the news was new to her as well.

"Well, she doesn't seem to be as happy about dancing with him as she was with you."

"I noticed that too, but I shouldn't hold hope in exchange for her feelings for another. Even if it kills me," he whispered. His mother glanced at him with a sympathetic smile. "Besides, I'm sure Sebastian will beat me to it if she decides to leave him."

"Jade only looked at one person today with any interest, and that's you, son," Emanuel sighed as his mother squeezed his shoulder. "Give it time. What's truly meant to be will be discovered. Remember, Jade is very new to this royalty thing. Now that she has met you and the others, she may change her mind about her desires."

"I hope whatever she decides brings her the most happiness. I don't mind waiting to see what she desires to do." Emanuel smiled as her eyes met him briefly. "In just a moment, she's stolen my heart." His mother smiled, pulling him close to her. Emanuel sighed, wanting nothing more than to be the one holding her.