[BxB] All for Us

Chap 51

Meanwhile, Keith had planned to go see Rosa to talk to her about what was going to happen to him tomorrow, once the ball was over.

He was far from imagining that he would hear Isaac's words about him, but at least now he was certain that the young prince was just a smooth talker. Strangely Keith wasn't as angry as he thought he would be, he had finally got used to being disappointed with Isaac. He was a Dolce, what more could he expect ? Only, he may not have been angry, but strangely, the disappointment was even more frustrating and painful. It's hard to describe, but for Keith to have experienced so many different emotions and to come to this point leaves a huge emptiness in him.

Well, maybe a little reading would take his mind off it, he had spent the day in preparation meetings for tomorrow, the big day had finally arrived. He was finally going to see Lilla again and unfortunately his father, but with all the money he would receive once the job was finished he would leave "home" for good. But the most important thing was to concentrate for tomorrow, he must not make a single mistake. Because even if he didn't want to stay in the palace at all, a job offer like the one the queen was offering was not to be refused. After all he had managed to put his feelings aside since his mother's death, it shouldn't be so difficult to start again in the palace, at least they didn't beat him unlike his father.

It was barely seven o'clock in the morning and the palace had already been in turmoil for over two hours. Everyone was rushing around trying to get their work done as best they could. If you looked at it from the outside, you would think it was a huge disorganisation, but it was only a façade. Everything had been meticulously prepared to the minute, everyone had to be at a certain place at a certain time.

And at seven o'clock, Keith had to be in the famous ballroom. It was about the same size as the throne room, divided into two floors. The upper floor was just a balcony where the tables were, it was a bit of an observation perch because from up there you could see the whole room. Once again the architecture of the place was incredible, Keith loved the inspiration on nature that the architect had taken, it was rare nowadays. Indeed, nature reminded everyone of the disease. The catastrophe of a 100 years ago.

Again, the room was littered with tree-like columns but unlike the throne room the branches spread along the ceiling and provided lighting. When you looked out from below you felt as if you were underneath a huge leaf, as if you were minimoys. At the back of the room was a staircase carved out of a tree that served as a podium. The dance area was a very light coloured wooden floor, Keith was amazed at the number of doors this room had. He counted a total of eight ; three were on each side of the dance floor, then a main door and one to welcome the family to the tree-stage, and finally two upstairs to bring in the food and for access to the toilets, these were separate doors, obviously.

Keith's job was to supervise the installation of the room's decorations and he was asked to pay particular attention to the podium tree, which would apparently be used to announce a big news. Under the supervision of the king, Keith had to prepare a specific assortment of flowers, so on the stage, white and red roses with purple lilac and verbena with a green touch of ivy would be placed in a bouquet. Keith didn't need to ask for more information about the "special occasion" the message was very clear from the flowers, there was going to be a wedding announcement and it doesn't take a genius to guess whose.

Anyway, Keith didn't have to worry about that, for the moment his goal was to make this place even more sublime. And Isaac was not wrong about one thing, Keith was excellent at his job.

It was 18:30 pm, the first guests would be making their appearance. 

Keith had just finished dressing and combing his hair, and had passed over the critical gaze of the head of the servants to finally stand in front of the big scumbag, Thomas. He was giving a final check up on the rules for tonight's service ; Keith thanked the universe that he was not a waiter, the rules were even worse and seemed to have the highest probability of making a mistake. No, tonight Keith was simply to be available : that is, to be far away from the ball, but visible and attentive enough for the slightest gesture from a guest indicating that they would need his help. Occasionally he would help serve drinks but that was it, the majority of his job was done.

20:40 pm, when does this evening end ? Everything so far had been boring as hell, Keith just stood there in the corner of the room, occasionally greeting guests who were willing to be polite but that was where his action ended. People were gathering around the bar to chat, some were sitting up high, but no one was dancing, yet there was a band in the corner of the room playing coyly some classics.