Under the Roses

Chapter 9

There was an immediate drop in conversation the moment I entered the golden ballroom. My head high and dignified like Giles had taught me; my skirt gathered between my fingers; my step light on the tile; and my heart threatening to beat itself out of my chest, I smiled softly and nodded my head at the nearest gathering of nobles. The men bowed in response, saying "Your Highness", while it took the women a few more seconds to look me up and down before they curtsied, giving me unsure-but-polite smiles, as if they weren't quite sure that I was the princess. As if the address from their fellow companions and the silver circlet that was plainly visible against my brown hair were not dead giveaways. I smiled anyway, feeling my heart still pounding like crazy. The sound was covered up by the rustling of my dress, luckily, and I could only hope that my unease wasn't visible.

Giles and Leo would have been proud of me— I slowly made my way around the room, exchanging the same safe pleasantries with people who could actually tell who I was, and I knew another phase of the test had come when the musicians started up with a waltz, their volume indicating that it was time to dance. Now it was time to make Louis proud. Within the first few bars, a man I'd greeted earlier –an Archduke or something– had approached me and asked for a dance. Trying to conceal my nervousness, I just nodded, doubting that anyone would ever be as graceful as Louis. At least I was well prepared for anything, thanks to my vigorous instruction. Great, the musicians were playing a minuet. Well, I hadn't stumbled in these shoes yet. Time to put them to the true test.

He was decent. Good enough, obviously, since he probably had more lessons than me, but his instructor wasn't Louis. I could only imagine the storm of corrections that would probably rain on the poor man. The next few dances, I accepted whoever came up to me, but my feet began to hurt again. I told myself to suck it up, that I was lucky I hadn't tripped yet or done something equally stupid. And it worked, especially after I reminded myself that I was going to have to attend many more balls, but this was the most crucial time to do everything right.

I couldn't ignore the pressure of the stares I felt, even when I was focused on the music. Along with the first group of ladies, the other clusters scattered around the ballroom were practically glued to my every move. Since I had common sense, I was well aware that today would be Judgment Day and the nobles were going to have a field day dissecting everything I did and said, but I had the feeling that I couldn't even walk away to the restroom without causing a riot.

I was considering sneaking off to get some water when a deep thud made me look up. I couldn't help joining the collective inhale as the huge doors parted to let the stranger stride in confidently. Black cape billowing behind him along with an entourage of knights, he calmly looked around at the frozen room with a narrowed eye. I was perplexed by the eyepatch he wore on his right eye, but I found I had other thoughts when my two eyes registered the fact that he was now heading straight for me.

Stiffening with dread, I felt my stomach drop a couple feet until I remembered that I was the princess— therefore, I had to handle any unforeseen situation professionally. The ballroom was a no freak-out zone. Unfortunately.

Controlling myself, I channeled all my nerves into one exhale. I was thoroughly mystified—even though I had been here for only a week, I'd seen many faces of nobility, yet he wasn't ringing a bell. My mind raced, assessing him as he walked closer, his spotless black boots clicking evenly across the tile. He certainly carried himself with a quiet kind of regal bearing, and his clothes attested to that. Everyone seemed shocked to see him, so he must be of great power, or some reclusive noble that sensed there was new prey to check out. Okay, it was probably the first one. And this was too much respect for just another duke— maybe he was a king?