The Gentleman of Greenstoke

XVI

"I hope the ball fulfils your expectations?"

Sakura looked up at his dancing partner; she thought about his question and concluded that she never really had expectations. Of course she had read and heard about the procedure of such assemblies, but she wanted to be surprised by this ball; to experience it on her own. Indeed, she was enjoying herself greatly; meeting new people, having conversations and being asked for many dances: the whole ambience was pleasing her.

"I am very much enjoying it," she breathed while mirroring Arthur's steps. His close presence was making her nervous – unaware that she had the same effect on him. Nonetheless she tried her best at not stepping on his foot. It was a different task to dance when the room was full of people. In addition to that, the warmness in the ballroom did not benefit her reddened cheeks.

"Although I must admit that it is a little warm," she confessed, causing her partner to smile.

"I know, it is a little sticky, but we shall have a small pause after the music stops. Had you at least the possibility of having a drink for refreshment before this dance started?"

The Asian woman glanced at him; uncertain about his question . . . But how could she answer him? The content of her drink had been spilled on Mr Karpusi's attire and not refreshed her in any kind.

"W-well, I did not have the opportunity, as I was surprised by Mr Edelstein's friend," she admitted.

At first she could not read his emotions; he stared at her with a musing expression before forming a small smile – which was accompanied by rosy cheeks. "O-oh, yes, b-but may I ask . . . to what extend did he surprise you?" Arthur asked a little curious and Sakura felt more flustered than before; it would be a great embarrassment for her. 'He will probably laugh at it in private, but what am I thinking? It does not matter what happens, he made it very clear what he thinks of me,' she thought and decided to tell him either way. Sakura was determinate in forming her words; her host had hurt her and she would show him that she could bear it even if he was unaware of her knowledge.

"I spilled the drink on Mr Edelstein's friend. I did not expect somebody to stand closely behind me."

"Oh?" the blonde Englishman was frowning; his eyebrows knitted. He was clearly not amused by this and Sakura interpreted it as a sign of disapproval – which he was, but not towards her but the man who was doing anything to be considered Arthur's rival. Sakura on the other hand misread his mimic: he was not content of her tale and probably not of her move.

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The presence of the dancing couples completed the image of a perfect ball. Elizabeta watched the delighted faces; especially Sakura's and Mr Kirkland's visages. Both were completely lost in each other's eyes. Still, one could detect the small amount of tension in Sakura's shoulders and the Hungarian thought about her words minutes ago. She had told her of his opinion – of which Elizabeta thought that he had uttered those under stress; knowing that his cousin must have confronted him more than once – a week ago and about Sakura's suspicion of him wanting to ask Miss Bonnefoy's hand in marriage. For Elizabeta, this was odd; knowing that his host had never shown any interest in Miss Bonnefoy.

"I was unaware of your coming."

She abruptly turned away from the dancing couples; her observation interrupted by a man with red eyes. A man, she knew well.

"It was a spontaneous decision," she muttered, her eyes focused on the grinning Mr Beilschmidt, before glancing back at the moving mass in front of her, seeing that her friend and Mr Kirkland were having a discussion. "Neither of Miss Honda's acquaintances could chaperone her today, so I decided to function as one for her sake."

"That is very noble of you. And I must say that I am delighted by your presence," the Prussian admitted with a heated face and Elizabeta was left with thoughts of why his visage was showing such colouring. 'It is warm in the room,' she mused, convinced that this had to be the answer of her question, even if the truth was far from it.

"Thank you," she replied.

"W-well I hope to see your presence on other balls too, I mean I only saw you at Mr Kirkland's home, working," Gilbert explained, thinking that his words would signal her that he liked to see her often in a room where he could talk to her for hours while dancing. Unfortunately, it was an inconvenient approach and the brunette was fuming over his last chosen words.

"Do you suggest that I am supposed to fulfil my duties all day?"

Gilbert heaved a sigh, realising once again how she was twisting his words; something she did whenever he spoke to her. He was growing frustrated and his desperate try to interact with her was straining his nerves.

"N-No of course not. I meant to say that I wish you would visit more of these delightful assemblies in order to amuse yourself," he tremulously said, waiting for her to react to his speaking. As no words escaped her lips, he quickly decided to change the topic. "The accessory flatters your eyes. I-I knew it would look lovely on you."

The compliment was almost whispered by the nervous Prussian, whose eyes had quickly sighted the floor. He was never flustered around women and experiencing it in that moment was something he could not handle well; especially with other people in the room. Gilbert had not only paid her a compliment, but offered her an insight of his sentimental side; something he had never shown anyone with the exception of his brother.

Elizabeta touched the accessory in her hair, thinking about his words. "T-Thank you," she mumbled with a shy smile, watching as Mr Beilschmidt's red irises eyed her again. Before he could properly answer her – his heart was bursting out of his ribcage. The reason: seeing her smile at him and thanking him for the first time they had ever met – the music stopped.

"Miss Héderváry?"

Hearing his cousin's voice was unsettling Gilbert again; his eyes were set on the brunette in front of him – who by now had completely stolen his heart.

"The next dances will be announced soon."

It was an indication for the dance she had promised Roderich and the tenseness returned again.

"Oh, yes," she smiled at the Austrian; a grander and gentler smile as Gilbert had ever received from her. Even if she had shown him a small smile; it left him jealous.

It was the first time in his life that he was envying his Austrian cousin who was taking Elizabeta's arm to lead her away from the Prussian.

"I will fight for her, prepare yourself, Roddy," he mumbled, not noticing how his younger brother was watching him with a sigh.
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[A/N:I sincerelyapologise for this short chapter ;^; I hope I will complete thewhole ball-scene in the next chapter :3]