The Midnight Ball

19

Ismie learned that about half of the princes had declared whome they meant to court

Henry would court Adelaide, Callum would court Illiana, and Nyong'o surprised them by announcing he would court Santana

Ramonda: I'm glad. She's spirited enough for him, and she'll fit right in with the rest of the court

Adelaide: Hasn't Prince Ferdinand declared his intentions towards you, Ismie? He always seemed to be concerned about you

Ismie smiled: He never intended to court me, Addie

Adelaide: Oh.. Then why did he behave so?

Ismie: I suspect he just likes to be well liked or even loved by at least one woman wherever he goes

Bernadette: So you are fine with this?

Her smile widened: Of course. I never thought he was serious

Navid jumped right in: Glad to hear you're finally rid of him, my friend

Anushka smacked him: Navid! That is very rude

He shrugged, and Ramonda Shook her head at him, smiling

Navid: You know they've opted to leave on the morrow, Ferdinand, Nikolai, and their sisters

Ramonda: Is Freja going as well?

Navid nodded: I believe so

Ramonda: Excuse me

They looked at her, puzzled

Mariko: She wants to invite Freja back to her home country with her

Santana nodded thoughtfully: She's taking her under her wing. Makes sense. That girl is perfectly tolearable away from the horrible duo

Anushka: Santa!

She shrugged

Anushka sighed: You two..

Ismie smiled: It will be good for Freja. Ramonda is a great role model

Nyong'o: And I think one of my cousins will like her

Illiana: Oh..

Santana: Matchmaking, my love?

He grinned at her

Later that day Kei surprised Ismie by sitting near her

He smiled and chatted lightly with her

She got a bigger surprise when he asked if she would consider being engaged to him, he said it would be on a trial period, so if she didn't like him or living in their empire he would dissolve the engagement without any repercussions

She accepted, saying she hoped it would last. It made her blush

The offer wasn't romantic but she was glad she accepted it

She likes the twins and respected them, and she'd been always fascinated with the empire of the sun.  She looked forward to spending time there

Their month of courtship took each betrothed couple to the princes' home countries, except Ramonda, who accompanied her brother, Santana and Freja to her home, and would go Narhund when Freja settled there, for she hoped to marry her to one of her cousins. If it didn't work out she'd extend an invitation to her to come to her betrothed's country with her. Neither Navid nor Anu would mind

Ismie boarded a ship with the twins, hopeful of a new beginning in their home country

The end