Between the Willow Trees [NaNoWriMo 2013] (Editing)

Chapter 15: A Reason to Worry

Chapter 15: A Reason to Worry

Thorne and I are the last to enter the party. Apparently as it's our party we have to make a grand entrance with an announcement and trumpets which, in my opinion, seems a little over the top. We wait hand in hand by the big doors that lead into the main hall, ready to walk in. 

I hear a muffled voice through the door that hushes the crowd. Then the announcement is made and the band begins to play as the doors are opened for us. 

Everyone has parted to both sides so that there's a pathway clear for us to walk up to the throne platform. The crowd falls silent as we walk into the room and up to the platform. Fortunately the band still plays otherwise it would be eerily silent. 

Once we reach the end we stand up on the platform and turn to face the crowd.

"As some of you may know or have guessed, this is a celebration and not just a random ball I decided to throw. It gives me great pleasure to announce that I am now engaged to be married to this beautiful girl beside me. I would like to formally introduce Astrid of Kent: the garden of England, human and my bride-to-be. We have yet to set a date but I can assure you that it will most likely be very soon."

The crowd all cheer and clap but I'm too focused on Thorne's last sentence to worry about being the centre of attention. He plans on getting married soon which means I should try to hurry up this plan or else I'll have to marry him. It's not the end of the world if I find that I have to marry him, but it's slightly problematic and scary. My main concern is that I don't really want to get married to the monster that ruined my life and many others.

When Thorne's finished making his speech the ball continues. The music starts back up in some kind of a waltz or something and I suddenly begin to panic. I might be able to walk in this dress and heels but there's no way I'll be able to dance. Plus I really don't know how to dance like this and Ellen didn't teach me. If Thorne asks me to dance with him then I'm screwed. 

For the first few hours of the party everything's fine. Thorne doesn't let go of my hand as he leads me around to room to introduce me to important people. I try to be as polite as possible and gush excitedly about the upcoming wedding when asked about it. I make small talk with many people and confirm that yes, I am human. Many people seem shocked by this but try to cover that up. Thorne just have to give them a look and they change the subject quickly. I manage to down a few glasses of champagne to calm my nerves and soon I actually begin to enjoy myself.

Then Thorne leads me to the dance floor where couples in big dresses and suits swirl around in circles all light on their feet. 

"Will you dance with me?" Thorne asks.

I nod my head.

"I shall but I'm afraid that you'll have to teach me. We rarely dance like this on earth," I explain.

"I suppose I should have asked Ellen to teach you how to dance too. I did not consider that though."

He shows me a very basic step that's repetitive and easy to pick up. Soon enough we're both spinning around on the dance floor too. It's actually very fun and I can't help but smile. I wonder is perhaps we could just stay on the dance floor all night until our legs can't take anymore. It's certainly better than making small talk with upper-class strangers who think very little of me because I'm human. While I'm here dancing with Thorne I hardly have to act and that helps me to relax. 

Unfortunately it doesn't last quite as long as I had hoped. Soon Thorne looks distracted, I notice that there's a man at the side who I think works here in the castle. He's been trying to get Thorne's attention for a while. Thorne tries to ignore him but he only lasts until then end of the song and then he excuses himself. I'm left alone on the dance floor until Levi comes to the rescue. He must have been watching and realised that I didn't know what to do when Thorne just left me in the middle of the dance floor. He leads me out of the crowd and over to a table that has food laid out on it.