Forbidden waltz | Clouis / Louisentine

Chapter 1: The Masquerade Ball

The grand ballroom of the Royal Palace glittered with gold and crystal, a dazzling spectacle of opulence. Nobles from far and wide gathered under the glow of chandeliers, their faces hidden behind ornate masks. The annual Masquerade Ball was a tradition, a night where alliances were formed, and old grudges were momentarily set aside.

Clementine sat near the edge of the dance floor, her heart fluttering beneath her elegant gold gown. Her mask, adorned with delicate gold filigree, concealed her identity but not her boredom. Oh, how she wished she would be asked to dance   or at least be asked to do something to entertain her night. But she knew that would never happen. Even with the masks on her parents stares are enough to make you shiver. No one dared to get near them afraid of being stared at disapprovingly by the scary king. She was the daughter of the Duke of Riverton, known for his fierce rivalry with the neighboring duchy of Montclair. The only kingdom who could match them in skill and power.

"How much longer do I have to be here Lee?"
Princess clementine asked her butler Lee who was more of a father than her actual father. Lee was the one who mainly took care of her in her childhood. He had also been the one to show her how to dance and protect herself. He's the only friend she has.

"We just got her sweet pea." Lee whispered laughed.

"Ughh." Was all Clem could say as she put her head down. Tonight, she hoped to escape her father's shadow. She was determined to at least have a dance.

Meanwhile, across the room, Louis adjusted his crimson mask. The son of the Duke of Montclair, he was well aware of the tension between his family and the Rivertons. He didn't get along with his parents well so they never bothered filling him in on the real reason the two kingdoms hated each other but they made sure he knew they hated each other. Louis had came to the ball in hope of finding that missing piece in his heart that yearned for. He was unsure of what it was but something in him had told him tonight he would find that piece. The allure of the ball and the promise of anonymity tempted him to take a chance and ask someone to dance.

Lee had gone to go get food for her parents so Clem took this chance to wander around freely. As the music swelled Clem was so drawn by the music she impulsively started walking toward the middle of the dance floor. Her parents were too busy making deals with other neighboring kingdoms to notice. As if guided by fate Louis also found himself drawn to the center of the dance floor. Louis looked around the dance floor as he walked towards the middle just then their eyes met. A spark ignited between them. Even with her mask on Louis was so stunned by her beauty unknowing who she really was. He was so lost in her eyes as he slowly walked up to her. Once he reached her he impulsively bowed and placed his hand in front of him as a way of asking if he could have this dance. He was too scared to say anything in fear of missing up his opportunity with the beautiful girl in from of him. Clementine was taken aback by this seeing as she had never been asked to dance. She stared at the handsome boy in front of her even if she couldn't see his face she felt drawn to him. Without a word, they took each other's hands and began to dance, their movements graceful and harmonious.

They glided across the floor, oblivious to the world around them. As they danced, both of them got lost in each other's eyes they couldn't help but feel as if they knew each other had it been by hearing of the other before are even meeting them in the past, they both felt a connection that felt both magical and forbidden the more they stared at each other. They glided around the ballroom as if they had been dancing together for years. Matching each others moves perfectly. The world outside the ballroom, with its rivalries and animosities, seemed to fade away.

As the final notes of the waltz lingered in the air, Clementine and Louis still staring at each other unable to find the right words to say still in each others arms. Just then they were reluctantly parted by Clementines butler Lee.

"Ah finally I found you it's time to go princess. Your parent are waiting in the car."

Clem knows how her parents get when they wait too long.

"I'm sorry I have to go, though I do wish for us to meet again."
She said quickly as she let go of Louis and ran towards the exit.

"Wait, but I didn't get your name!" Louis yelled but she was already out the ballroom.

The first words they exchange happened to be a goodbye. Louis ran after her determined to at least know the name of the mysterious girl who had managed to capture his heart.
By the time he managed to catch up to the entrance of the ballroom she had been gone already. Louis mentally cursed himself as he sat down on the stairs in-front of the ballroom. As he looked down he saw a golden mask on the floor. Realizing it was the mysterious girls he quickly picked it up and hugged it tight.

"May we might again, my golden girl." He whispered to himself. Unknowing what would go down the next time they meet.