Love Amidst Wars

three

The violin melody started playing in Juliette's ears as she made her way to the ballroom. As soon as the big doors opened, she could see all the nobles having fun with each other from the mezzanine. She went down the steps and looked around, interested in the atmosphere of the cheerful room.

Viscountess Jane suddenly smacked her gently with her fan, "Don't slouch."

"Mom!" She jumped in surprise before obeying her mother's orders. She followed behind her parents as they went to greet the other noble families. She watched as her father led her mother around the hall as her mother presented herself so elegantly.

"Jules, you can go explore around the hall. Check the food prepared," her father said with a bright smile. She nodded and began to wander off.

The song began to change into a more romantic melody. Couples began to head to the dance floor to dance the waltz together. She watched in awe as all the women in the room danced so effortlessly and beautifully.

"May I have this dance with you?"

She turned around and was startled at the sight of an old man putting out a hand to hold hers.

"No, thank you," she politely declined. The man frowned before storming away, "Don't be so full of yourself! If I didn't offer a dance, none of the men will!"

Juliette scoffed in disbelief, "What did I just witness?"

"Please welcome the arrival of His Royal Highness, The Crown Prince of the Northern Kingdom."

Her attention instantly averted to the mezzanine and her jaw dropped at how handsome the prince was. She had never seen the prince before since he was always busy with the military and his studies. She had only heard of him from the stories told by the Queen but she always imagined him as someone goofy-looking due to his well-known clumsiness.

All the single noblewomen began to approach him eagerly, trying to earn his attention. Juliette wanted to participate as well but it would be better off to back down before she could even get stepped on by the other ladies.

She left the ballroom and began to wander off the hallway, looking at the portraits of the previous monarchs.

"If I were lucky enough to even marry the prince," she mumbled under her breath, "I would be a disaster to the kingdom."

As she kept walking, she headed to the palace garden which she would always go to whenever her mother and the Queen were busy with their tea party.

She could smell the gardenias and smiled to herself, becoming one with nature. She felt someone approaching the garden as well and turned around.

Her eyes widened when she finally had an encounter with the Duke she met on the first day of spring. He flashed her that mocking smile she hated before walking forward, "Ah, so we meet again."

He eyed her up and down before scoffing, "You were a noble all along."

She turned around and gave her attention to the flowers in front of her, "I thought it would not be important to reveal my information to you."

He stood next to her, wanting to taunt her some more, to earn the attention he wanted.

"Why? Because you thought we weren't going to see each other again?"

"Why? Because if you continue to know me as a commoner, you can step on me whenever you want? If I'm a noble, you can't do that anymore? Is that it?"

He reached for her chin before gripping it with his fingers, "You have a feisty personality for your small figure."

"Don't touch me," she slapped his hand away.

He laughed mockingly, "Has your mother never told you how to act as a proper noble lady? Or does she act like this as well?"

"Did your parents not teach you about not touching a lady the first time you met her?"

"Ah! Here you are, Jake!" A voice suddenly earned our attention. Juliette turned to look and saw the prince walking towards them.

"Let's have a small party with the others in my room," the prince smirked before patting the damn duke's shoulder.

She was, again, in awe of his handsome looks. The prince chuckled, "My bad, hi! I'm Jay," he put out a hand to shake hers.

She hesitantly shook it, "Nice to meet you, Your Highness. I only heard stories about you from Her Majesty."

"Ah," he chuckled again, "I hope she did not tell you the embarrassing stories."

She couldn't help but giggle as well, "It's nothing."

"Would you perhaps like to join me and Jake at the small party? Being in the ballroom can be tiring so we can have our own peaceful party in my room."

"She does not belong to those kinds of parties, Jay," Jake mocked before crossing his arms.

She couldn't help but feel challenged when the Duke said that, "It would be rude to decline your offer, Your Highness."

"Great! The more the merrier," he exclaimed happily before leading the way. Jake scoffed at her before leaving her behind and walked ahead.