𝚂𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚍 ✔

Chapter Forty-One

"My ladies, may I please have your cards of announcement?" The footman asked once we reached two massive glass doors that led out onto a balcony, overlooking the entire Ballroom.

"Yes, of course, Sir." We four harmonized, handing the rather short man the slips of paper the queen had given us all that afternoon.

"If you will," He motioned towards a line, consisting of at least fifteen people, "there is a line you must now wait in. Once your names are about to be called, I will notify you so that you may begin your decent into the Ballroom."

"Are you sure we are supposed to wait?" Rheda asked gently, but there was a stern, almost scary, look in her green eyes.

"All guests are supposed to wait their turn at being announced." The footman asserted.

"Even the guests of the King and Queen?" She raised a brow.

I looked over at Sheera, who bore an amused face, then at Merona whose cheeks were bight red from embarrassment.

"Even those." The man rolled his eyes and simply walked away without another word.

"Absolutely ridiculous." Rheda shook her head, then looked at the three of us. "I have never attended a Ball where the more important guests were made to wait next to those who only attend in hopes of climbing out of the social dump they find themselves in."

"It is how the host wishes it to be." Sheera laughed, "Do not let their petty insults rile you up, cousin. We are far above such a childish display."

"Even so, having a Duke dismiss us so publicly could be detrimental to our families' standings." Rheda's eyes were blazing, and she talked so fast I doubted she even once took a moment to breathe.

"Isn't that Duke Wallem's eldest son?" Merona whispered as a tall, handsome blonde man strode by us. If it had not been for her saying otherwise, I would have thought he was Thomas with how similar they looked.

"He better get forced to stand in line as well." Rheda rolled her eyes.

We four watched as he approached the doorman, handing over his card and exchanging pleasantries before the doorman motioned with his hand.

"I guess he did." Sheera went to pat her cousin on the shoulder, "Perhaps everyone-"

The two of them walked forward onto the balcony where the doorman began to shout, "Now entering, Antony Wallem, eldest son of Duke and Duchess Wallem."

Rheda's face tightened in anger, "That cun-"

"Why are you four just standing here in line?" Henry's voice caused goosebumps to flood across my skin, as Rheda nearly jumped out of hers. "We are the ones this Ball is being thrown for, so who told you to wait amongst the others?"

His green eyes were inspecting me and only me. As well as an innocent confused look written all over his handsome face. He had trimmed his beard, cleaning it up from where it had grown wild while he was away, making him appear much younger. And his fluffy brown locks had been trimmed as well, the underneath shorn down to the length of stubble.

My heart raced as my eyes slowly found their way up and down his large frame, soaking in every inch of him. He wore an embroidered vest of an assortment of greens atop a white undershirt that had been tucked into his light grey bottoms. His thick arms and thighs had been made more apparent by the rather snug clothing, making me long to see him from behind.

I shook the lustful thoughts from my melting mind, still unable to answer him.

"The footman assured us that we, even if we were guests of the King and Queen themselves, were to stand in line with the rest of the attendees, Your Highness." Rheda flashed me a funny look before she turned back to face Henry.