For Eternity II: Clandestine Preceding (Vampire! 2p! Italy x Reader)

Chapter Eight - A Ball for a Bride: Part One

Luciano's apology wasn't the last time you saw him in the next two months that came. A mass wave of letters had been distributed to all families and houses regardless of rank or social status. The letters, sealed with the royal family's coat of arms in red wax, enclosed an invitation for maidens and their families to come to the castle for a ball. In the invitation, a detailed paragraph described the significance of the ball to its receiver, explaining how the ball was meant to be for a way for the youngest prince of the three that existed to meet potential brides so he may choose one before a full year had passed from the date the king picked, which was the prince's next birthday. Two balls had been held in the time since Luciano had apologized, neither of which you had been invited to attend. Finally, your turn had come when invitations for the third ball had been sent out in your town. You knew that King Romulus' kingdom was vast, but you never expected him to have to take turns inviting various towns to attend the ball given how large the castle was. Though, you figured it was a matter of how many people he could comfortably fit into the largest ballroom and not the castle as a whole.

Your parents were skeptical of going themselves at first or even letting you go on your own should they refrain from attending the event. You eventually persuaded your very reluctant parents. You knew they were still nervous about your behavior from the first time you went to the castle and the following time when you had been kidnapped. They were happy the two of you made your peace, but they were still scared of what the king would do if he would ever find out about what had gone down. You assured them that you could handle it on your own should it come up at all during the ball. By the time you had convinced them though, you all only had three hours to prepare yourselves.

The three of you took your own bathes and made sure to add a spritz or two of cologne or perfume to your neck and chest and a dab to each wrist. Everyone's hair air dried naturally with a bit of assistance from running at super speed. It was then styled to all of your preferences. Your father dressed in his best outfit as you and your mother did with your gowns. Your mother's dress was modest while yours was more revealing in your bust area. You all slipped on your best shoes before heading off in a carriage to the castle.

No matter how much you loathed the carriage you were in, you managed to keep your complaints to yourself the entire ride. Upon your arrival, a footman opened the door and helped you out first, then your mother, and finally your father. Your father tipped the man and the coachman before walking up the stairs to the front doors of the castle. Your mother and you picked up the skirts to your dresses so you wouldn't trip while ascending. Your parents walked with their arms linked while you walked obediently on your father's other side. The guards at the door let you in and had a maid escort you to the ballroom with a small group of other families with daughters younger than you. Your heart sank as you looked them over discretely.

They were pretty. You'd give them that much, but could they match your wit? You didn't think so considering most ladies your age and younger were learning to be a good housewife or a prostitute if that was the only thing they could do in their situation, not learning mathematics, the arts, various languages, and politics. Some of them could barely write their names to say the least. Perhaps you still had a chance to be Luciano's wife, not that you'd want to become his wife anymore after him insulting you. Maybe you still did though. Your heart was saying for you to go for it, but your mind was telling you not to bother. Which should you follow? Neither? That's what you decided on and followed neither your heart not your mind. You decided to let the reigns of destiny, despite not believing in that for love, take the lead and guide you during your evening.

The group was stopped outside two large double doors by the maid. She explained that each family would be announced individually before the daughters would be separated to meet the prince one by one. There were various nods and some excited whispers and squeals. You rolled your eyes. If only they knew his true nature like some of the people here. Maybe then they wouldn't fawn over him and gawk. You got in line with your parents to be announced by the head butler. You happened to be last and were separated from your parents to join the other girls once inside. The girls you were with were all giddy. It made you want to vomit in all honesty. You sighed mentally and followed them and a new maid over to where the king, queen, princess, and princes were seated at a large table with glasses and pitchers of blood as well as flowers and other fancy table arrangements. Nearby was Gilen and his family as well as a few other noble families such as the Kirklands. You even noticed that that Sébastien guy was there with his wife and what you presumed to be their son.

Everyone in the group was stopped once more and organized into a line near the table off to the side. The maid instructed them on how the greeting was to work. Each girl would get their chance to meet the prince individually. They were not to interfere while he was with another girl and were to keep their distances unless approached by the prince himself, which had a very slim chance of happening since he didn't seem to be in the best of moods lately. You were at the end of the line this time since the maid ordered you all by age starting with the youngest. This was fine with you since you had already met the prince and had your moment with him a few months ago. Perhaps this meeting would go better? You sure hoped so.

You watched as Luciano stood up from the table and walked calmly towards the line. He stood next to the table and beckoned the first girl over. She happy moved quickly towards him and stopped a few feet away out of respect. She curtsied and in return got a bow from the prince and a small smile. The girl nearly fainted but managed to keep herself as composed as she could before returning to the line to go to the back of it to form a huddle once more girls joined her. The process of come forward, curtsy, bow, smile, and go to the back of the line continued until the line finally was down to only you. You walked forward and curtsied a few feet away from him. Luciano bowed and went to give you that same small smile, which you knew to be fake. He stopped himself though when he corrected his posture. That fake smile broke into a genuine one. You offered him a soft one back. He stepped away from the table and walked up to you. He took your hand in his and kissed the back of it.

"Good evening, Miss (l/n)," he said, still smiling as he let go of your hand.

"Your Majesty, it is a pleasure to see you again," you stated.

"The pleasure is all mine. You came in later than I expected."

"Well, you know, the carriage ride from my town to the castle is a fairly long one."

"It must seem even longer with how much you despise carriages."

Your smile grew wider. "I'm surprised you remembered that I don't like them."

"It's a detail I found to be important about you."

"O-"

"Why does she get more time with him than me?!"

Luciano and you looked to the throng of girls behind you to see who spoke up, and it seemed that the entire ballroom did the same from how loud whoever said that was.

~Author's Note~

DreamsForDays here! Gah! I had this done at four and I forgot to post it at six! I'm so sorry guys! Anyway, Romulus is finally taking action to ensure that his grandson finds a bride (which may or may not have been prompted by being threatened by Florentina). The ball has begun and already Reader-chan is facing drama, but who was yelling? You'll have to wait until next time to find out. This chapter doesn't have anything to translate or any new characters, but the next chapter will include some old and new characters that Reader-chan's past self will finally meet. Also, thank you guys for almost half a thousand reads so far and almost half a hundred votes! You're all the best! Thanks for reading! Feedback in the comments is always appreciated! Until next time!