The grand ballroom shimmered with opulence, adorned with crystal chandeliers casting a soft glow over the assembled guests. Laura stood near the entrance, her heart fluttering nervously beneath her elegant gown. She greeted the nobles and dignitaries with practiced grace, her smile masking the turmoil within.
As she exchanged pleasantries, Laura's eyes inadvertently met those of the Prince of Wales, Jona, across the room. His warm gaze drew her in, and before she could gather her composure, he approached with a charming smile.
"Lady Laura," he greeted with a gallant bow, "you look even more radiant tonight than the stars above."
Laura forced a polite smile, her mind racing with conflicting emotions. She knew the expectations tied to such encounters— alliances, perhaps even courtship. Yet beneath it all, she longed for genuine connection, for a future not dictated by political maneuvering.
"Thank you, Your Highness," she replied softly, her voice tinged with a mixture of nervousness and uncertainty. "It's an honor to have you grace our ball."
As they conversed, Laura found herself increasingly uncomfortable in the Prince's company. His polite charm grated against her desire for autonomy, and the weight of her father's plans loomed heavy in her thoughts.
Meanwhile, in a secluded corner of the ballroom, King Richard engaged in a hushed conversation with the King of Wales Jonas Father. Their words were masked by the music and laughter, but Laura noticed her father's guarded expression. She wondered about the nature of their discussion, sensing an uneasiness and high alert to secrecy.
Her brother Zack, ever vigilant, caught her searching gaze. His stern nod hinted at his awareness, but he made no move to intervene. The weight of their father's decisions hung heavily in the air, overshadowing the festivities with an impending sense of foreboding.
Hours passed in a whirl of dances and whispered conversations. Laura navigated the ball with practiced elegance, yet her heart remained unsettled. As the night wore on, she sought solace in the quiet solitude of a garden terrace, the cool night air a stark contrast to the warmth within.
It was there, under the moon's gentle gaze, that Zack found her. His expression softened as he approached, a mixture of concern and resignation etched upon his features.
"Laura," he began solemnly, "there's something you must know."
Her heart sank at his words, sensing the revelation that would shatter the fragile illusion she had clung to throughout the evening.
"Our father," Zack continued, his voice low but steady, "has agreed to a marriage between you and the Prince of Wales. It's to be formalized when you come of age."
Laura's breath caught in her throat, the world spinning around her. The Prince's earlier attentions suddenly felt calculated, part of a larger design she had been blind to.
"No," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I cannot—"
Zack's hand on her shoulder was a steadying presence amidst the storm of emotions. "I'm sorry, Laura," he murmured, his gaze full of sympathy. "It's the path Father has chosen."
With a heavy heart, Laura turned away, her steps faltering as she fled from the ballroom. Tears blurred her vision as she ran, each step carrying her further from the life she had known, from the dreams she had dared to harbor.
Laura had made it outside the palace gates, in the dim glow of streetlights, Laura ran aimlessly she just wanted to get away....far away....just for a moment.
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Next chapter will solely me Malichai and Laura
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My Princess~Malachi Barton
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