The Vanishing

Chapter 21

I awoke on a cold stone floor. I looked around, not recognizing anything around me. My school uniform had been replaced with a long gown in a deep purple color. I was comforted by the slight weight of my necklace that I seemed to still be wearing. I stood and smoothed out the dress before walking down the corridor and turned the corner. The corridor opened up into a great hall with people dancing in beautiful gowns and exquisite suits. I smiled at the sight before me, taking in the grandeur of the brilliant chandeliers hanging above the dancing couples, the extravagant decorations put up for the occasion.

"Darling, there you are." A female voice called from behind me. She gently guided me by the elbow to face her. The relief in her tone made me feel at ease, and I smiled at her.

"Honestly, Sarael. I've been looking for you for ages, where have you been?" the woman asked.

Sarael? I caught a look at my reflection in the mirror behind us and stifled a gasp. Staring back at me was a reflection I only just recognized as Sarael from the family tree in my grimoire. After the initial shock of being in Elloryaá wore off, I looked at the woman in confusion, not knowing who she was.

"I'm sorry, I fell in the corridor. I must have hit my head." I said.

She sighed and cupped my face in her hands, pushing my hair back and moving my head from side to side checking for bumps and bruises. Satisfied that there were no visible injuries, she gave me an amused look. "You've been tripping over your dresses since you could walk."

"It is quite a bit of fabric!" I said defensively.

She laughed. "Yes, of course. You do know you'll need to get the hang of wearing these gowns before you're queen. Can't have a clumsy queen. Come along." She smiled as she guided me towards the dance floor. She must be Sarael's mother, considering she's known her since she could walk and the caring tone she uses.

She led me to a man who seemed to be waiting. His dark curls were pulled back into a low ponytail, and he was wearing a deep blue velvet suit.

"Sarael, this is Prince Kendrik of the Northern Province." Sarael's mother said, gesturing to the man.

I started to curtsy, but he took my hand and lifted it to his mouth and kissed it.

I must have turned tomato red because he chuckled a little.

"May I have this dance?" He asked.

"Oh, I'm not much of a dancer." I said.

"Don't worry, I'm not either." He said.

I looked to Sarael's mother for support, and she made an exasperated shooing motion with her hands. I nodded with a smile and he guided me to the middle of the dance floor.

He pulled me close and started moving to the beat of the music.

I gasped when he pulled me even closer to whisper in my ear. "I've been paying attention to our dealings with your kingdom. You're a brilliant, ruthless strategist willing to do whatever it takes to save the kingdom. I admire that about you." He was smiling warmly when he pulled away.

I smiled back without hesitation.

"I trust your mother has discussed with you the stipulations of our betrothal?" He asked.

Seeing my alarm, he tried not to laugh. "I shall take that as naught. We can discuss it some other time, let's just enjoy the party."

A small cough came from behind me. "Mind if I cut in?" An older man asked.