Color of Roses

Coronation Ball

Chapter 9

The maids add the finishing touches to my dark hair. I appear older and more mature than I really am. The dress sways as I practice walking around the room in my white heels. Alyn taps on the door before entering and freezes halfway through. His eyes are glued to me and I feel satisfaction by it. "How do I look?" I twirl around giggling.

"You look-." He pauses for a second. "Nice." He says before opening the door fully and standing straight. "Let's go," he says extending an arm. I smile as I leave my room and brace myself for a wonderful night.

Alyn walks beside me as we make way towards the ballroom. A few men as well as women stand in small groups down the hall, each one eyeing me as I make my grand entrance. Giles stands at the far wall as well as Leo and Nico.

"You look extravagant, Princess," Nico bows and I giggle once again, never tiring of all the compliments. Leo eyes me over and I feel myself blushing. His eyes wander to Alyn who I nearly forgot is standing next to me. Alyn doesn't seem to notice at all.

Leo extends his hand first, "Care to dance?"

I smile wide and nod. "I'd love to," I place my hand in his while he leads me to the dance floor. Eyes watch as we spin around the floor, our feet moving in unison as if we were meant to dance together. My heart is pounding as our eyes hold. His fingers intertwine with mine and I nearly stumble. Leo gives his trademark smirk and I feel myself getting flustered again. He releases his fingers and kisses my hand, ending our dance.

A few men gather and each one calls out for a dance with me. Leo disappears into the crowd and I feel a bit saddened by it. I accept dances from a few of the noblemen, each one dancing gracefully but not as well as Leo. 

Nearly out of breath, I excuse myself and stand outside the doors. The room was hot and I needed to cool down. I end up escaping outside and rest against a nearby wall. My corset beneath my dress felt tighter than it had earlier and I gasp for air.

"Decided to ditch the party, Your Highness?"

I find two noblemen stumbling outside the doorway, each one holding a glass of wine. "Shall we keep you company?" One says, his eyes dark and glazed over; his breathe smelled of alcohol.

"I'm quite alright. Just getting some fresh air before returning," I say trying to appear calmer than I felt.

"Why return when you can have fun with us out here?" The other nobleman, much shorter than his friend, leans against the wall to block me. "You're prettier than I imagined," he says. I hold back a gag from his rancid breathe.

"I need to get going," I try to go around him but he stops me along with his friend. Both men push me against the wall and I start to panic. I call out for help but the taller one covers my mouth. "That's not how a princess should behave."

The shorter nobleman tightens his grip on my arm and leans in closer. "I've never kissed a princess before. I hope you taste as sweet as you smell," he says before parting his lips.

I close my eyes expecting the worse when I hear someone else's voice. Alyn has shoved one of the goons to the ground while the other one releases me immediately. "We were just keeping her company," he says through quivering lips.

"By kissing her? I don't think so," Alyn reaches for the taller nobleman but he runs away before Alyn gets a chance to harm him. The shorter nobleman staggers to his feet and follows his partner inside.

"Thank you, Alyn," I say but I'm not returned with a look of relief. Alyn's brows are drawn together and his eyes are dark and cold. "Who said you could come out here? Alone, no less. I could've lost my job if something happened to you!"

"I just needed some cool air. I didn't think it was a problem," I argue but his brows grow even closer together.

"It is a problem when I lose sight of you and look around like an idiot trying to figure out where you went! You're lucky I found you in time before something happened. How stupid could you be?"

"That's enough!" I yell. "I understand what I did wasn't the smartest but you don't need to be so rude about it! Why are you so stingy, Alyn? Why can't you be fun like Leo?"

Something snaps inside Alyn. His eyes turn black in the moonlight and his jaw is clenched. "Don't you ever compare me to him." His voice was rough and deep as he spoke. This side of Alyn was almost terrifying. "Why do you dislike Leo so much?" I question him before I can control my curiosity.

"It doesn't concern you and it never will." His arms are pressed to the wall on either side of me. Our faces are a foot apart and I find myself looking into his dark eyes. His anger seems to have dimmed somewhat and his face becomes gentler. I place my hand to his cheek and he immediately backs away.

"Alyn-" I begin to say but he cuts me off. "We need to head back now before people start to question your disappearance."

We return to the ballroom and Giles looks at me with angry eyes. "Where have you been?"

I begin to tell Giles everything that's happened but Alyn steps before me. "She asked that I attended to her outside. She wanted some fresh air. The crowds of people make it hard to breath."

"I see. Well it won't be much longer till you can return to your chambers, Aria," Giles excuses himself to go dance with a few lingering women. Alyn begins to find his place against the wall but I choose to block his path. "Thank you for not telling Giles."

"It wasn't for you. If I had told the truth, I wouldn't hear the end of it," Alyn's lips remain in a line but I sense a slight hint of a smile trying to poke through. I notice Leo dancing with a few other girls and I so badly want to steal him away.

Alyn follows my gaze and frowns. "I don't know what you see in him."

"I don't know what you see in him that's so bad."

Alyn sighs and his hand ruffles through his dark hair. "I was out of line earlier. I shouldn't have talked to you the way that I did. I was just scared something had happened to you on my watch."

He was scared? "I understand. I should have asked you to have come with me."

He lowers his arm to his side, his gaze still on Leo. "About Leo; well," Alyn pauses, "he's my brother."