Other than the food, the traditional dances at a ball had my heart.

The switching of partners, chants and claps to the rhythm of the music, everyone's laughter and big smiles, made the evening magical.

On few occasions I would find myself meeting Lutalo's eyes, but it was always brief, seeing as the princess stuck closely to his side the entire evening thus far.

As the music slowed down and the King took the hand of his wife, leading her to dance. More of the married and courting couples joined them.

I couldn't help but smile watching Lady Bernadine and Hernandez slowly sway to the music, and not at all surprised to find Gene and Adionis deeply staring deeply into each other's eyes as they danced.

I only hope with all my heart, she would no longer let her fear stop her from experiencing the love Adionis wanted to show her.

Looking away from them, I turn to Hector, and Lexton, both opposite of me here at the table, the two beautiful women between them, soaking in every word the men spoke.
"I'm going to get another glass of champagne." I announce and they all look to me.

"Do you want me to come with you?" Lex immediately asks, but I shake my head. I'm no party pooper. Plus I'm in a ballroom full of people, a fool will try something.

"Have fun with your lady friends." I tease, and they chuckle, the two women's cheeks turning bright red. It's always amazing to see the attention that my gentleman get sometimes, women always seem to folk to their sides.

"If anyone of these men try..."

"I know, I know. A knee straight to the schlong." They both nod in approval. There was only one time, a situation of a man being too handsy occurred; and it was only one time it would ever happen.

I turn around walking off, glancing behind me, finding them both still watching me with firm gazes. So protective.

Smiling kindly to other guests as I pass them. Some women even going as far to turn their husband's head away my direction, and then proceeding to scowl at me.

I mean, it's only necessary of me to walk even more confidently. I chuckle to myself as I step with an even more sultry stride.

There was a smaller room separate from the ballroom for a more quieter social space. Tables holding small finger foods, and a table filled with glasses of champagne.

There were only a few people standing around in groups, yet all of them glanced in my direction at my entry, before beginning to speak once more, while clearly staring at me. No sense of decorum with some individuals.

Heading towards the small table filled with champagne glasses, I take of my own, smiling fondly when the servant turns around, her face illuminating with a bright smile when she recognizes that it's me.

"Oh my gosh! It's so nice to meet you Lady of Desire. I am such a huge fan of yours. I can't believe I'm actually meeting you. Eloise is going to be so angry she asked to swapped places. Oh! I'm Mehrida Haley. I'm really looking forward to your new book. My friend Eloise that I mentioned before and I were trying to save up so that we can attend the first meeting but it's really expensive so we were thinking to simply just wait for the second meeting when books are released officially for the public at large. I really can't believe it's you!" She finally concludes her rather cute rambling.

"Well thank you Mehrida dear. It's nice to meet you as well." She beams up at me, shyly giggling. She truly was adorable. Her height I believe must be at least five foot three-four, and her chubby cheeks were just so precious when she smiled.

"I'll have to see that you and Eloise do indeed come to the first meeting." Her eyes widen as big as saucers, and her jaw drops to the floor. Oh her cheeks have my heart.

"Really?" I smile nodding.

"Write down both your names for me and a contact number." I watch as tears come to her eyes, as she quickly reaches under the table, taking out a small notepad, beginning to write down the information.

"T-Thank you so much Lady Agatha. I'm truly grateful." She mutters, quickly wiping away the tears that fell, and handing me the paper.

"Oh don't cry darling. It's the least I can do for such a huge fan of mines." She smiles.

"Excuse us girl." I look behind me to the person filled with audacity, only to find a short plump man standing there. He look to be around his mid fifties, head bald and the black suit almost too tight for him.

He stretches his hand out to me, my eyes glancing at it and then back to him.

"This young woman and I are actually talking." He chuckles, holding his hands in front of him.

"A lady such as yourself should not be acquainted with the help. She has work to do." I raise an eyebrow at him, my anger slowly beginning to rise.

"Lord-"

"It's quite alright Lady Agatha, I have to go get another bottle of champagne from the kitchen anyway. It truly was an honor meeting you, and I look forward to your call." I smile kindly at her, nodding. She excuses herself walking towards to servants only door.

"Some individuals just don't seem to know how to act around important socialites. Don't you agree my lady?"

Slowly turning to face the incompetent man, his rude behavior causing a disgusting taste in my mouth.
"That was quite rude don't you think Lord..."

"Ovin. Please no need to formalities. Ovin will do." He says with all confidence. Does he really believe what he just did is okay?

"Well Lord Ovin, don't you think that was quite rude?" He laughs, and I raise a brow at him. So he does.

"I think rude is what you told the King earlier, won't you agree Lady Agatha?" I smirk as I realize exactly what kind of man I was dealing with.

"Enjoy the rest of your evening, Lord Ovin." I go to leave but he grabs hold of my arm, face turned up in irritation.
Oh not one of these.

"I don't think a harlot like your should have any kind of confidence within herself." He grits out, tightening his hold. Truly all I can do is laugh at this pathetic excuse of a man. Would he really embarrass himself like this?

"Lord Ovin-"

"We wouldn't want to cause a scene would we Mr. Ovin?" We both turn to look towards the voice, surprised to see it was Princess Abiana walking towards us.

Her personal guard followed closely behind her, eyes glued to the man holding me, as if daring him to do something.

"Leave us." She orders him. He hesitates for a second, before letting go of my arm, storming off in anger. He didn't even bow in acknowledgment towards her.

"Princess." I curtsy.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Lady Agatha." She smiles brightly, stretching her hand out, and I gladly accept it. Her smile was as beautiful as the rumors of it stated. She also had a striking resemblance to her mother. The same almond face, narrow hazel brown eyes, her only unique trait, was the lightest shade of brown freckles along her cheeks.

"The pleasure is mines Princess, and thank you for helping me moments ago."

"It's not a problem at all, and please call me Abi." She insisted and I nod in agreement.
"I saw you walk this way, and I decided to take my chance to come meet you. Sadly this doof won't let me go anywhere by myself." I look towards the man, who kept a reasonable distance from us. Dressed formally a dark navy suit, the color matching the princess's dress if I'm not mistaken. He glances at us, before looking away smiling.

The expression on his face was not one of a soldier looking to his duty, there was interest for her in his eyes. A beautiful thing to see.

"Pardon my curiosity, but are you both are acquainted?" I ask, and surprisingly neither responded with shock or hesitant expressions.

"He's the only man I love." She responds and my lips stretch into a smile.

"I love me as well." He teases, making the princess gasp in disbelief. I couldn't help but chuckle at their cuteness.

"Julien!" She shakes her head, rolling her eyes as he chuckles.

"My heart beats only for her." He finally says, and it causes a beaming smile to appear on her face, a twinkle seen in her eyes as she stared at him.

Usually princesses are not allowed to have relations with anyone other than nobility, yet here they are.

"Your love for each other is beautiful." Her face reddens at my words, and she changes the subject to try to cover up how flustered she now was; Julien and I smiling knowingly.

"I look forward to the release of your new book. I think the whole kingdom is." I give her a kind smile. She steps closer to me, whispering softly,
"Are you almost finished?" I chuckle, twirling the champagne in my glass.

"Seems everyone is eager of the answer to that." She smiles sheepishly, pushing her hair behind her ears, stepping back.

"My apologies." I shake my head.
"It's quite alright. Almost finished is a favorable answer."

Her face lights up again. She's a bubbly one.
"Oh goody. I can't wait. Mother as well is very excited. She's a brave one like me and Liliana." I smile.

Someone clears their throat, and we all look towards the noise, Princess Mariana coming to stand with us.

"Abiana...what are you doing with this woman?" Abi rolls her eyes, softly huffing at her sister.

"What is it that you need Maliana?" Her eyes narrow into a glare, her words coming out forced.

"We are about to have dinner, and I was told to come and get you." She responds the same time the announcement is made that dinner is ready.

She turns to me, a deep look of displeasure shown.
"Stay away from my sister." Abi gasps, and I cunningly smile at the woman.

"I'm so sorry about her."

"Do not apologize to her." She says, coming forward to grab hold of her sister's hand, and pulling her away from me.

"Maliana people are watching." Abi tries to warn her. She looks around, and smiles sweetly at them when she does finds the prying onlookers watching. They hadn't made one move towards the ballroom, since the announcement; fully interested in our affair.

She turns back to me, smiling a irritatingly sweet smile, stepping forward to me,
"You are a disgrace to all women of the capital." I bite my tongue from lashing out at her, and smile my own sickly sweet smile.

"I guess my courageous ones can say otherwise." I reply and Abi eyebrows furrow in confusion, her sister however laughs.

"I thought you called your fans brave and silent ones." The corner of my lips turn up slightly, catching her exactly where I wanted.

"You seem to know a lot about this disgraceful woman, your highness." Abi snickers and she shoots her a look, but Abi simply rolls her eyes.

Sometimes it's the ones that speak openly about their hatred of me, that are the ones that are bitterly a fan; and I tend to believe that a book bought simply so someone or a group can speak badly on it, is still value added.

"Whatever." She mutters, before pulling her sister away from me. I watch as they leave, shaking my head.

Julien nods to me before following after the two princesses. Resting down my drink, I make my way back to our table, finding the servants in the process of serving dinner.

"Where were you?" Gene asks as soon I reach back to the table, my food already placed there.
I love Gene.

"The other room." She nods.

"They say the King has an announcement to make." I glance at their table as I sat down, grabbing my purse, placing the piece of paper into it.

"What's that?" Gene asks.

"Just some information. I'll tell you later." She nods. I look up, finding Lutalo sitting area perfectly in my eye sit. Both him and his mother are seated amongst the royal family; Princess Maliana clinging to his left side, while his mother sat on his right.

He turns to look in the direction of the princess as she taps his arm, but his eyes meet mines. A kind smile flowing onto his lips, as do mine; before he gives the needy woman his attention.

"I wonder what the announcement is about. " I hear Lady Bernadine say, and I look to her.

"I wonder." Picking up the utensils and cutting through the baked chicken breast. The roasted asparagus also looked rather delicious alongside the portion of Alfredo pasta.

Gene knew me too well; and as spoken by the king himself...grass is not sustainable food for humans.

Glancing towards Luatlo again, I'm surprised to find his eyes already on me.

"He hasn't stopped watching you since you arrived this evening. I've been keeping check." Gene mutters. I glance at her and then back at him, smiling softly.
"Everyone can see the way the two of you are looking at each other." I look back to her to say something, but dark red mark on her pale skin competent catches my attention.

"Scandal!" I whisper yell, resting down the utensils.
"You guys did it in the bathroom?!" I exclaim softly in excitement, looking between the two with pure joy.

"What? No!" She waves her hands around, and the man next to her smiles, placing his arm behind her chair, clearly showing his claim over her.

"She allowed me to kiss her neck." He happily states, and she clears her throat, her face flushing even more red. More like devoured, the mark looked like he was trying to suck her blood.

"Food is getting cold." She says, and I giggle.

"You have to tell me everything later." She rolls her eyes.

The clinking of a glass, draws all of our attention towards the head table. The King standing to his feet, champagne glass raised.
"My loyal subjects, tonight we honor my only son and a man who I consider as my own, for their victory in creating an alliance between our kingdom and the Kingdom of Vator. You both have made me proud, and grateful I am to your mothers for birthing the prides of my kingdom." The crowd begins to clap.

He raises his glass to his wife and to Lutalo's mother. The Queen simply smiles, as Lutalo's mother.

He waves his hand for us to stop, and we fade out one by one.
"As a reward to you both, I will give to you whatever you may desire; even someone's hand in marriage." He insinuates,causing Maliana to hold her head high. I don't however miss the slight roll of Edrina's eyes.

The crown prince stands first,
"I am honored father, and I will continue to serve my King and kingdom well." He holds his hand to his chest, and bows to his father. Lutalo stands after, bowing to the king as well.

"On with the celebration!" He announces and the soft sound of music immediately begins to play, chatter once again filling the room. As he goes to sit, his eyes meets mines once again for a brief moment before he focuses on what the Princess was saying to him.

"I think that marriage the king speaks of may be to someone else." Lady Bernadine says, and I smile at her.

"It better." Gene adds.
"I've been cheering to hard for that pompous girl to get with that man." She picks up her fork, putting some of the pasta in her mouth, angrily chewing.

"The final dance session. I am making sure the two of you dance together." She says determined.

"Well, if you can create your own flag to catch their attention, I have no doubt." I note and she nods proudly.

"It was too short notice to make a banner, so the flag had to do." Though it sounded as a joke and we all laughed, I had know without a shadow of doubt Gene was being very serious.