𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐨𝐫-𝐆𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐝𝐢, the royal rebel without a crown, is on the verge of being shipped off to rehab after one too many scandals.
When 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐬, F1's rising star, needs an artist and Céleste needs a way out...
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November 30, 2019 Shangri-La Hotel, Paris
"Please, welcome the openers for the 2019 edition of the Le Bal des Débutants, Lady Céleste Diana Windsor-Grimaldi and cavalier, Lando Norris."
The grand staircase of the hotel's ballroom sparkled under the massive crystal chandeliers. As the orchestra began to play, the crowd's chatter hushed, and all eyes turned toward the top of the stairs, where the first couple of the evening emerged.
Céleste smiled, but her grip on Lando's arm tightened as they walked down together, almost digging into his suit sleeve. "You must be fucking stupid if you don't know how to escort a lady," her voice cut through her smile, with her eyes briefly narrowing.
His grin widened as he glanced down at her. "You must be fucking stupid if you cannot walk without tripping over your own feet."
They walked down slowly, allowing the photographers ample time to capture them. Céleste straightened her back, adjusting their pace. When they reached the bottom of the stairs, still smiling for the cameras, her jaw clenched slightly, though she kept her head high.
Behind them, the other debutantes and their cavaliers followed, all moving down the stairs. As the couples assembled in the center of the ballroom, the orchestra struck the opening notes of a waltz, and the debutantes and their cavaliers assumed their positions.
Céleste's hand rested on Lando's shoulder as his arm wrapped around her waist. They began to glide across the floor, but their movements were slightly off, just a beat behind the music.
She attempted on leading without being obvious, gently pressing against Lando to steer him back on track. His steps, however, remained just a fraction too slow, and their movements remained slightly out of sync. As they attempted a turn, their feet briefly tangled, causing a small, noticeable stumble.
She shot him a sideways glance, and her frustration was barely contained as she straightened her posture, trying to make their dance look smoother. Lando noticed and pulled her closer, trying to regain control, but their movements remained slightly off-kilter. They spun again, and this time, her heel caught slightly on the hem of her dress. She managed to keep her balance, but the misstep was enough to cause a momentary stumble.
Lando reacted quickly though, tightening his hold around her waist to steady her. The closeness forced them to slow down, giving them a moment to catch their breath as they adjusted their steps.
"You can't dance," she muttered through clenched teeth, though her eyes were still fixed ahead as they swirled past the other couples.
Lando leaned in with a smirk, dipping her before bringing her back up, "No wonder Charles preferred knocking his head on a boat over escorting you."
Her lips pressed into a thin line, but a small, grudging smile flickered at the corner of her mouth.
"At least he showed up to the rehearsal."
He pulled her a fraction closer, leading them into a tighter spin. "And I'm the one showing up to the ball. You should be thanking me instead, princess."
"Not a princess."
He chuckled, tightening the grip on her waist as they passed by a couple. "Could've fooled me with that attitude."
Her sapphire blue gown swished around his legs as they continued to dance. Though their steps were still a bit mismatched, they began to find a semblance of rhythm, but it was clear that they hadn't rehearsed together.
As they executed a more complex turn, Lando nearly tripped over his own feet, but she caught him with a quick step back.
"You really can't dance."
Lando chuckled, pulling her into another turn, this one a little more graceful. "And yet, here I am, keeping you on your toes."
She smirked, finally allowing herself to relax a little. The music swelled, and with it, so did their pace. They twirled around the ballroom, the flashes of cameras capturing every moment as the audience watched them intently. Lando dipped her once more, smoothly now at least, almost effortless.
She looked up at him. "Just try not to drop me," she whispered.
"Wouldn't dream of it."
The sound of the violins lowered, signaling the end of the dance. Céleste and Lando, along with the other debutantes and cavaliers, moved into a wide circle in the center of the ballroom.
As the final note of the waltz played, Lando released her waist and took a step back. He knelt on one knee and slowly lifted Céleste's hand to his lips, brushing a soft kiss across her knuckles. The crowd's applause echoed around them.
He stood up as the others were already dismissing, walking to their own tables. "You kind of keep the fun of it yourself, princess."
"As I said, not a princess."
"Fair enough," he replied, his smile widening. He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice, "by the way, we're never telling anyone what happened earlier today, are we?"
"I don't even think we'll ever see each other again, Norris. But either way, our secret is well kept."
Lando grinned, offering a small nod. "Good to know."
