Ethereal Inferno

Chapter 3: Dancing With a Stranger

".. S-sure." I gave a quick response as he sticked out his hand asking me to put mine in his. As I gave my hand, he took it and I swear, I felt my hair stand on the back of my neck. No way I agreed to dance with a stranger whom I didn't even know. Worst part, I didn't know how to dance.

We stood in our places and he bowed when I gave him a curtsy. The orchestra started playing and I was nervous and afraid. What if I fall, what if I tripped? What if someone else fall because of m-

"Princess, just follow my lead. If we're going slow, look at me and imitate my moves. If I keep me hands in your waist, we're going to twirl around the ball as I lift you. Could you do that?" He cut of my thoughts saying this, looking me dead in the eye. Was I that obvious? Oh well. I might have atleast remembered SOME things at dance classes...

"Yes. I can handle it." I said as we started dancing. When we slow danced, I couldn't help but wonder why he asked me to dance with him if he knew I couldn't dance. Was it just because I was a princess? He wouldn't keep his eyes off of me while dancing and to be honest, I didn't mind it at all.

Even though he was wearing a mask, I knew he's beautiful. Really beautiful. And oh man. He's so tall. Looking up at him, I didn't feel like 5'8. Talking about him now, my attention went to his lips. I don't know if it was the birthday Haziness, but I want to really kiss him. I wouldn't say Im falling for this man but there was something about him which was pulling me towards this stranger and his cologne wasn't helping me.

"So stranger, may I know who you are?" I asked trying my best to not sound like I would not stalk his entire bloodline after the ball. "You'll know princess. Soon enough." Is he fucking serious? One thing I hate about people was then they keep me waiting for small things. "As the Princess of Helim, I command you to give me your name." I ordered. "Princess, would you respectfully shut up? I'm trying to focus."  W h a t? Who the fuck does he think he is? Not wanting to deal with anything or create any drama in front of people, I just gave him a dirty look and rolled my eyes at him.

He rolled his eyes back. The audacity though. But even after all that, our gazes were still strong and we kept making eye contacts. I looked away a couple of times but he still stared. "Would you not be a creep for once and stop staring at me?" I hissed. "Even though I find you annoying for 'commanding' me, I find you quite beautiful." The words slipped out of his mouth. I was honestly speechless. He said that with a very dead and lazy tone. Plus, I'm wearing a mask. I just looked at him but this time, with much amazement as he looked away.

Soon he put his arms on my waist and lifted me up as he twirled me around the ballroom. Everyone was looking at us and only us. And in that ephemeral moment, I felt like I was flying. We changed positions as he continued to lift me and twirl me around. The spotlight was on us now and I've never felt more princess in my life. I gave him a wide smile while he put me down. We danced in circles one last time with our hands lifted and intertwined. I could've sworn I saw a small smirk.

The song ended and all the people who were dancing stopped. We once again exchanged our curtsies and bows as the music ended.

"It was a pleasure dancing with you stranger." I said with glee in my voice. "The pleasure was mine princess." He replied as he once again kissed the back of my hand. And I'm not going to lie, I let out a small gasp there. Knowing the effect he had on me, he left smiling.

I searched for Harriet in the room. Talking about her, I think what she said in the limo was right.. This might just have a little fairytale magic in it.

"Girl. Do you have any idea who you danced with?" Harriet asked excitedly. "Uh. No? Why though.. You know him?" I answered. "GIRL! he's the heir to the throne of Jesira! The most powerful dynasty."  "Huh?! Damn! I literally addressed him as 'stranger'.. Now I'm embarrassed." So I didn't dance with just someone, I danced with THE Liam Periffe of THE Jesira? I swear if this is a dream...

This moment was too little of a time to rethink about dancing with a prince so I questioned Harriet who she danced with, but before I could speak, my dad grabbed the microphone.

"Good evening my people and friends! As the night is going to end, I would like to announce something big and important tonight. As you all know, this is Erica's 18th birthday and she's going to inherit the throne. But in order to inherit it, the ruler needs a partner."

.... ... ....

What the fuck? What was going on? If he's going to do what I think he's going to do, I'm gonna commit the worst felony I have ever commited.

"So, I'm happy to announce that my daughter is engaged!" He continued

... I've never been so exhausted and upset from hearing someone speak. It's like all the energy in me had been drained. How can I get engaged to someone I didn't even know?.. Let alone get married to them?. I stared at anything that was in front of me blindly. I could tell that the life out of my eyes had been sucked even though I couldn't see them. I felt it.

He continued, " To the one and only heir of Jesira! Liam Periffe!"