The Academy For The Aces: BOOK 1 OF THE ACE SERIES

Chapter 27

Chapter 27

As they descended the grand staircase, the announcer's voice boomed, "Prince Andrew Houdini and Lady Celesté!" All eyes turned to them, and the weight of the moment bore down on Faith. Her heart started racing, and anxiety swamped her like a tidal wave.

As they stood in the middle of the ballroom, surrounded by a sea of elegantly dressed guests, Faith felt as if she were having a panic attack. The thought of being the center of attention overwhelmed her, and she could feel her confidence waning.

"I don't think I can do this," she whispered to Prince Andrew, her voice shaking.

"You can," he whispered back, his reassuring presence grounding her.

"No, I can't. There are too many people," Faith said, her voice filled with genuine fear.

"Eyes on me," Prince Andrew whispered, gently tilting her chin up to meet his gaze. "There's no one here but us."

Faith hesitated for a moment, but as she looked into Prince Andrew's eyes, she saw nothing but sincerity and understanding but it didn't help the fear she felt, as all eyes were on them.

"I understand that you're trying to make me feel better, but look at how many people..." she trailed off, her voice quivering as she looked around the room. To her surprise, the crowd that had moments ago filled the ballroom had vanished. Everyone disappeared, and she stood there with Prince Andrew, alone in the vast space.

Her heart skipped a beat as she realized that it was all an illusion created by Prince Andrew. He had skillfully used his powers to create the illusion of an empty ballroom, masking the crowd that stood in it.

"Just like we practiced," Prince Andrew whispered with a soft smile, his eyes locked with hers. And just like that, the music began to play once more.

"Just like we practiced," Faith breathed, feeling a newfound surge of confidence and comfort. It was as if the world had faded away, leaving only her and Prince Andrew in their magical bubble.

They swayed to the rhythm of the music, their steps in perfect harmony. Prince Andrew led with ease, guiding Faith through the dance as if they had been partners for years. At that moment, the boundaries between royalty and commoners dissolved, and they were simply two souls connected through the language of dance.

Faith couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the power Prince Andrew possessed, not just in his ability to create illusions but in the way he made her feel. With him, she felt safe and understood, as if they were kindred spirits destined to cross paths.

As they glided across the ballroom floor, Faith's anxiety faded away, replaced by a growing sense of exhilaration.

The music swelled, and they spun gracefully, their movements synchronized and effortless. Time seemed to slow down, and Faith lost herself in the enchantment of the moment. All the worries and uncertainties that had plagued her earlier were now a distant memory.

In that empty ballroom, Faith and Prince Andrew created a world of their own, where their friendship and connection flourished. As the dance came to an end, they paused, their eyes locked in a shared understanding of the extraordinary bond they had forged.

Faith felt a sense of gratitude wash over her, grateful for the opportunity to experience such a magical night and to have Prince Andrew as her partner. With a soft smile, she whispered, "Thank you, Your Highness."

Andrew's eyes sparkled with affection and amusement, and he replied in a gentle tone, "You're most welcome."

Their playful banter continued as Andrew leaned in even closer, his warm breath caressing her ear as he teased, "But you know, I think you can drop the formalities now. How about calling me Andrew?"