The Greatest Thing

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Estelle opened the door and the whispers ceased. Instead, all eyes focused on her as she walked back out into the ballroom. With measured gait, she walked over to Christian with a tint of blush on her face- the only outward sign of her nerves.

"May I have this dance?" she asked softly, but with the stillness of the room, all had heard her.

He held his hand out to her, "It would be my honor."

Together they walked out to the middle of the floor. Estelle looked at the band and gave them a resolute nod to start playing. Slowly, they began twirling around the room.

"You've caused quite the stir, darling," he murmured softly so that only she could hear above the music. "Everyone is staring at us."

"Let them," she replied softly. "They're just unsure of what to do now."

"What do you mean?" he asked with a slight amused smirk.

"We've thrown out all the social scripts. They don't know what to do now that they don't have them to follow," she said with a wink.

"If I remember correctly, the Queen said she'd watch your debut with great interest," Christian said thoughtfully, "However, I don't believe this is quite what she had in mind."

A blush settled onto Estelle's face as she looked down. "I have caused quite the scandal, haven't I?"

"No," he said with a smile. "You have just done what all of them are afraid to do. Now they have to reevaluate their own relationships, thinking about how if you can do it, then so can they."

"But they won't," she said with a sigh. "As much as they may envy our happiness, they wouldn't dare leave their gilded towers. Their security means more to them than anything else."

"Do you want to know what I admire most about you?" he asked, tipping her face up from the ground.

"What is that?" she asked.

"You were never afraid," he said. "Even as a child, you were fearless. You followed me without even stopping to worry about it. You just accepted my proposal based off your own feelings. Never once did you worry about you being penniless or having nothing."

"Because I wouldn't have nothing," she said adamantly, eyes shining brightly. "I'd have you. I am fearless because I know I would never go through things alone. As children, you were always there to hold my hand, and even now, I know you will be there for me. No matter what happens, we'll be facing our problems together. Come what may."

"They're staring again," he said, whispering in her ear.

"I should say something," she replied.

"I don't know how much more they can handle, darling," he teased.

"This is important. This is something they need to hear," she said simply before letting go of Christian's hand. They were still the only couple dancing. No one else wanted to give them approval by joining in. To do so would be social suicide.

Estelle took a deep breath before stepping back from him. She stood with her head held high as she addressed the room. "Is there a reason none of you are dancing?"

Her guests looked back and forth between each other, but none of them said a word.

A knowing smile settled onto Estelle's face, "Oh, I know what it is. None of you approve, because not only did I cause a scandal by breaking my engagement, but some of you also have the misfortune of thinking that I have traded down. Is that right?"

Her guests shuffled awkwardly.

"Well, I'll have you know that it is not I who have traded down, it is you. You all may have money and finer things, your useless titles, but they are all pointless. In the end it matters not who we are, but rather the people who loved us, because they will be the ones who will remember us when we are gone. The lot of you may have all the education and knowledge that your wealth can buy, sitting in books upon shelves or degrees on the wall, and you still will have learned nothing," she said, finding her stride, "Because the greatest thing you'll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return."

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