The Choosing

Chapter 20//: Planning and embarrassments

[ E D I T E D ]

♕✿~♕✿~Chapter 20//: Planning and embarrassments♕✿~♕✿~

A knock comes from my door. I look up from where I am sitting on my bed, having been thinking about what I saw with Rose and Nick, and look at the clock resting on my nightstand. 11:30 a.m.

Perhaps it's Addaline and Tara, I think as I walk up to the bedroom door. I grasp the bronze handle and pull it inward. Outside, Tara and Addaline wait outside dressed in casual clothing.

"Hey Madison." Tara gives me a small wave. She gestures inside my room. "Can we come in?"

I nod. "Of course." I open my door wider and watch as Tara and Addaline enter my room, sitting down at the small table I have in my room. I close the door behind them and take a seat next to them.

"So, I looked through this packet a bit, and I have an idea of what we could possibly do," Tara says. She places the white packet we got from Caroline on the desk top.

"I was thinking we just do a traditional ball," Addaline comments. Tara and I glance at her.

"Well, I was thinking we go for the masquerade ball. I think it would be fun to wear extravagant gowns and wear masks. Kind of a mysterious feel to it, you know?" Tara puts in as she flips through the packet. "What about you, Madison?"

I start when she asks for my opinion. I wasn't exactly thinking about the type of ball we should throw during the time we had departed from the Lessons room.

"Um." I drag the word out, quickly trying to choose one of the choices. "The masquerade ball sounds pretty fun."

Addaline sits up tall as she crosses her arms across her chest. "But wouldn't it be safe to go with the traditional ball? We don't exactly know what the Piedmont royals will like. Well, at least Madison and I don't know." Addaline adds the last part quickly while looking at Tara pointedly.

Tara blushes silver. "Well, I have met them once. But it was just a gathering I went to, not an alliance ball or anything like that."

We all stay silent at this. An idea pops in my head, but I keep silent for a bit before deciding to speak up.

"How about we ask Ahren? Shouldn't he know all about them?" I suggest. Tara and Addaline stare at me wide-eyed as if I grew a second head.

"What?" I ask with a confused tone.

Tara looks away. "I don't exactly feel comfortable going to His Highness's room just like that," Tara admits. Addaline nods her agreement.

I sigh. "Well, do you have another idea of how we could figure out what type of ball the Piedmont princes will like?"

They have nothing. "Why don't you go, Madison? You can go ask and Tara and I will stay here to discuss the invitation styles," Addaline says. I purse my lips.

"Ok. I guess so," I mumble as I stand up from the desk. Tara and Addaline immediately flip through the packet, already discussing the invitations. I sigh as I walk out of the room and up the stairs to the third floor where the royal family's rooms were located.

Coming to a stop in front of Ahren's mahogany doors, I compose myself before gently knocking on the door.

It swings open and my eyes widen at the sight that greets me. Ahren stands there with armor on. I wouldn't have been so shocked except that Ahren has half of the armor stripped off. His muscled upper body is exposed and he doesn't look up and notice it's me. I feel my cheeks heat up as I try to look anywhere else but at his chest.