Kingdom of Falfaria

The Courting Ball 2/2

         We walk to the ballroom while getting to know each other properly.
"What's your name?" I ask
"I'm Prince Noel of Melinia."
I look up at him as we're walking and just then notice how dashing he is. He has curly black hair and piercing grey eyes. My stomach turns. "Just be yourself, Katerina." I say in my mind. We get to the Ballroom, and the night begins.
                         ~ N O E L ' S     P O V~
            I believe Katerina is the most beautiful lady I've ever seen in my life. She has hair the color of a red fox's coat, shiny dark blue eyes that look like fireflies are trapped in them, an infectious smile, and a laugh that sounds like twinkling bells.
"Katerina is a beautiful name. It's suits you." I say. She turns red.
"Thank you. You're quite charming."
"Would you like to dance?" I ask
"Sure!" She says
We waltz and I gaze into her eyes. I can feel some of the other suitors staring out of jealousy but I'm too distracted to care. At the end of the dance, it takes everything in me to keep from kissing her. She leans into my ear and says: "Do you think we could sneak off somewhere else?"
I nod and she takes me by the hand and slips through the crowd to lead me to the roof. When we get up, she opens a trap door.
"What's this, Katerina?"
"Come see."
She disappears into the door and I follow after her. I look around and see she's led me to a hideaway. There is a lamp and a blanket and pillows. This girl is very mysterious. I look over to her.
"Katerina!!! This is indecent! What are you doing?"
I shield my eyes as she gets undressed.
"Calm down. I'm just changing. You can look, if you want."
I make a space between my fingers and look at Katerina. She's in a chemise. I guess that's not so bad.
"I opened my eyes. At least your still clothed. Why did you get out of your gown?"
"I hate gowns they're uncomfortable."
"I understand."
She later on her back with the trap door still open and looked at the sky. I looked at her and laughed.
"What is it, Noel? I've something on my face?"
"Oh, no. You just look silly with your hair and makeup done whilst you wear only a chemise."
She started to laugh, too. After half an hour just talking she got dressed again and decided we should go back.
"My mother will have my head when all these guests leave."
We raced to the ballroom. I escorted Katerina to her mother.
"Thank you, Noel." She said with a smile.
I walked away and wondered if her mother was upset.

~ K A T E R I N A ' S P O V ~
My mother led me off into a secluded hallway and smacked me as hard as she could.
"You whore! What were you doing with that poor boy all night?"
"Mother, I swear to you we did nothing but talked. I think I want to be betrothed to him, that's why. I swear we didn't do anything sinful."
"Katerina, you're making me age faster than I should." She said in a sigh
My cheek burned and tears threatened to spill from my eyes. I sucked in my breath.
"I know you think you've decided but a suitor wants to dance with you."
I nodded and she took me to greet a man who looked older than her. I curtseyed and gave him my hand. He took me out to the ballroom and he talked while we were dancing.
"What's your name?"
"Katerina. Yours, sir?"
"I'm George."
He tightened his hand that was on my waist.
"What are you doing, George?"
"We'll probably get married, don't fret."
"George, stop, please."
He ignored me and put his hand on my bottom and fondled me. I tried to shove him away but he pulled me closer. I was going to cry for help but he danced us into another room. He shoved me against the wall and tried to kiss me. "STOP!" I screamed. I hit his gut with a closed fist and ran away with tears in my eyes.
"Mother!"
"What? Where's George?"
"He was being sinful and I told him stop. I'm sorry, mother, I hit him."
I thought she would call me a whore but she patted my head and went to find my father.
"Noel!" She called out
He walked over "Queen Lorova?" He asked.
"Please watch Katerina."
"Of course."
He walked over and sat down with me on a chair in the ballroom.
"What happened?"
"It doesn't matter."
"Oh. Katerina?"
"Yes?"
"I want to betroth you if I may."
"Yes. Yes, if my parents approve."
He put his arm around my shoulders and I felt better.