Gradence | White Lilies

"The Ball" | Chapter 8

Last warm rays of setting sun were shining through the big windows of the ballroom onto the beautiful marble floors illuminating the room.

The last preparations were coming to an end so the members of the Barebone family have already started dressing up for the big night. They were hosting a ball.

Mary Lou made sure that everything is perfect and that only people of higher class attended the ball, and she did so by selectively giving out the invitations. But Alexander still managed to sneak through some invitations to give out to other people as well.

.
.
.
.

As the orchestra started to prepare their music instruments for the night, Credence was getting dressed in his room.

A black superfine dress-coat, pair of well-fitting pants of the same color, a waistcoat and a white shirt, along with a white cravat tied around the collar of his shirt, white gloves and a white handkerchief.

Mary Lou made sure that he was dressed of the latest style and that his new attire was made out of the very best cloth.

But all that shine and perfection didn't make him any less nervous. In fact, he was so nervous about the whole thing that he kept checking himself in the mirror over and over again and he kept fixing up his hair which was now gently tied with a black ribbon.

.
.

Time was passing by and people started gathering in the ballroom.

Credence could tell that the atmosphere was starting to spark up by all the chatting that was coming from downstairs, but he still wasn't leaving the room.

His palms were sweaty and his mind kept going over all the possible ways of things going wrong.

However, the whole thing about the ball wasn't the thing that made him so nervous. The real cause behind that frightened expression and those sweaty palms was none other than Percival.

Oh the way that man affected Credence; one look from him and Credence's face would already start resembling a ripe tomato.

Sudden opening of the door made Credence break out of his nervous trans.

"Credence! Have you been here the whole time??", angry but more quieter voice of Mary Lou spoke, "It's been two hours since the ball started!", she shot him a glare, "Your sisters are expecting a dance with you! Besides, we didn't buy you that expensive attire so that you can sit in it in your room the whole night!"

Credence looked down and hesistantly stood up, "S-Sorry Ma.."

"Shush! Go downstairs finally! And make sure you don't cause any scenes or else you know what's going to happen!", she grabbed his wrist tightly and harshly led him out of the room which made the boy stumble.

She closed the doors behind them and fixed him up quickly, "There!", she shot him another strict look while he kept his eyes fixated on the floor, "Let's go!"

They started to walk down the stairs, Mary Lou walking a few steps behind.

As soon as he noticed the boy, Percival's eyes sparked up. Credence's appearance took him by surprise and something magical spread throughout his whole body the way it never did before. He couldn't look away.

As Credence made his way down the stairs Percival's eyes followed him, lingering at each and every part of the boy's figure.

Credence felt that and familiar warmth spread throughout his body once more, making his cheeks redden and his whole being shiver.

His father, who was standing besides Percival, called him over.
"Credence! You're looking very handsome!", Alexander smiled proudly, "The suit fits perfectly!"

"Thank you, father!", Credence smiled happily to his father, "I like it too."

"I agree. The suit is wonderful!", Percival spoke, taking a sip of his champagne.

Credence blushed brighter on Percival's sudden comment and he looked up at the older man, who was slightly smirking over the edge of his glass.

"T-Thank you sir!", Credence stuttered slightly.

"Told you I'm fashionable!", Alexander elbowed Percival gently in the arm with a proud grin spreaded across his face, making both Percival and Credence laugh.

As they were laughing and chatting Mary Lou approached them.

"Credence, your sisters are waiting.", she said as nicely as she possibly could, 'gently' grabbing Credence by his arm.

He nodded at his mother and than turned to those two, excusing himself before walking towards Modesty and asking her for a dance.

.
.
.

As Credence danced with his sisters, Percival joined in on the dance floor with some woman with whom he had shared a conversation at the begining of the night.

The dance was fast and elegant with lots of turns and twists and it made the dancers' bodies sway elegantly with the sound music, creating complete harmony before the eyes of the crowd that was watching.

During the dance, Percival and Credence were always in each other's sight and with each turn they made, their eyes would meet, connecting over and over again.

.
.

The dancing went on for a while and so did the staring. The two pairs of dark eyes met so many times that they lost count. It was mesmerizing, for both of them.

After it was over, the crowd applauded the dancers and the dance floor filled up with new people.

.
.

After the dance was over, Credence made his way to the refreshment room, greeting people as he went.

When he got there, he poured himself some tea and drank it, trying to calm his blush.

"I didn't knew you were such a wonderful dancer, Credence", Percival spoke from behind Credence's back with a smile on his face and an empty glass in his hand.

Credence swiftly turned around, spinning on his heels, "T-Thank you s-... Y-You're an amazing dancer as well!..", Credence blushed again.

"Thank you.", Percival smirked, "I see the party spreaded to the garden as well!"

"Y-Yeah.. U-Uhm would you like to check it out?..", Credence blushed darker.

That made Percival smirk even wider, "Sure!"

The two men than left the refreshment room and headed towards the garden.

"It sure is a beautiful night tonight!", Percival smiled and looked up at the stars that were shining bright, scattered all over the clear night sky, and than looked back at Credence.

"Yes, it is a beautiful night..", Credence smiled while looking up at the sky as well, breathing in the fresh air as they walked.

When they got bit away from the small crowds of people that chatted and drank in the garden, Percival spoke.

"Uhm Credence, I was wondering the whole night.. -but I wasn't sure would it sound inappropriate..", Percival started, slight nervousness spreading through his body.

"Yes?", Credence turned to face the older man.

"Uhm..", Percival smiled, "Would you give me the honour and share a dance with me?"