23. Lady at the Ball

The monthly royal ball had come around again. The main hall of the castle was filled guests dressed in luxurious clothes and sparkling jewels. The autumn night sky was clear and the air was crisp.

While this was the monthly ball the King hosted, there was also an added celebration: the formal announcement of the engagement of King Ernest Berghausen to Lady Iris Reinfeldt.
King Ernest had proposed to Lady Iris before all the guests at the previous ball, so everyone already knew about it. No one voiced any surprise when the engagement was announced by Prime Minister Duke Sirius Schneider. There was joyous clapping and there were a long line of nobles who wanted to congratulate Ernest and his fiancée, Iris.

‘We would like to congratulate you on your engagement and impending marriage.' they said

‘This is a very auspicious event,' they said.

Although, Iris had complicated feelings about the circumstances, as a well-bred Lady, her expression did not betray her tumultuous thoughts.

But, the kingdom seemed to me glad that Ernest had taken a bride, they had all but given up on the King every marrying.
‘Would you like to have a girl or a boy? Either way, it will not change the future of the country.'

‘If your child is like both of you, they are surely to grow up intelligent and beautiful.'

The throne of Berghausen could be inherited by the any child. Because of that, was it so easy to talk about having children? Iris gave their guest a vague smile, even though they were speaking so witlessly and insensitively due to their joy. Ernest's ability as a statesman was great as anyone would attest to; wanting him to pass on the excellence was natural as vassals who thought about the country's future.

Iris had been in conflict with her sister Leticia since childhood. She grew up in an environment where her sister wielded a sharp blade while looking rather loveable.

While Iris wanted to protect herself, Ernest said, ‘We are thankful for everyone's well-wishes, but a child is a gift. I don't want anyone to pressure my bride and cause her to run away from me, leaving me alone once again. I think it would be sad for this country to lose such a bright and beautiful queen.'

Ernest put his arms around her and smiled at their well wishers. The smile made his handsome face even more so.
A child was a gift, and there was no guarantee they would have one.

He had remembered what she had told him while she was asking him to have a concubine.

Their well wishers stopped as well, they finally realised they may have gotten carried away in their joy. Even though there was a likely to be a child in the future, right now they had to take care of their future Queen. There were murmured words of apology. Iris gave a serene smile.

Iris felt she was the one who needed apologise.

Thanks to Ernest, her chest had changed slightly but it hurt on the inside. At the same time, she was irritated with herself for finding comfort in the arm around her waist since she didn't like being at balls.

‘Congratulations, Iris.' a lovely voice said. After listening to the tactless aristocrats, her eardrums were healed by the lovely sound she had grown accustomed to.

‘Thank you, Rosemary.' she replied turned to the younger girl. As an unmarried princess, she was wearing a baby pink dress with lots of ribbons and frills. But her dress flattered her, her movements made the dress flutter like fairy wings under the chandeliers. Her soft beauty made Iris smile.

‘You look lovely tonight; your dress is very pretty. I am liable to be overwhelmed by your cuteness.'

Rosemary giggles, ‘Thank you, Iris. I was told by Mrs Macy that you made this lace trimming.'

‘Oh, looking closely…' the lace trimming did look familiar; when she had embroidered the lace pattern, she had imagined the wearer to be a fairy like lovely woman. Once again, the lace she never knew the destination had ended up with Rosemary.

Rosemary had a conspiratory grin on her face as she said to Iris, ‘This dress is the result of many consultations with Mrs. Macy in order to get Sirius to look at me.'

‘I see, it was worth it,' Iris replied. Unlike Iris, the same pastel dresses that looked too much on her, looked amazing on Rosemary. The power of Mrs Macy, master tailor was demonstrated.

‘But, I really wanted to have a bewitching dress made to thoroughly seduce Sirius, but as an unmarried lady, I can only wear pastels.'.

Iris was at a loss for words, but honest and cheerful Rosemary smiled, ‘But Mrs Macy suggested that I should compete with loveliness, rather than seductiveness.'

Just as she finished, a cold faced man walked up to them, Rosemary tilted her head, ‘Good Evening Sirius, how do I look?'

To Iris, Sirius Schneider was a man who looked at the world in a calm and seemingly detached manner.
‘As always, I think you look very well.' he replied.

‘And?' Rosemary fished, ‘Don't you have any other thoughts?'
‘I'm not sure what else I should be thinking.' he replied pushing up his glasses.
Rosemary glared at him and puffed out her cheeks.

‘Is that so? For someone who somehow has a different woman every evening, shouldn't you have a library of goose bump inducing lines?' Rosemary retorted.

Although the ballroom was filled with guests, they were all talking and the orchestra was also playing, so Iris was sure that she was the only one who heard what Rosemary had said,
Rosemary…

A princess should not say such crude things in public.

Iris knew Rosemary very well, and knew she was an innocent girl, but if someone did hear her, they could spread rumours that the fifth Princess was a mannerless girl with a pretty appearance.

Iris understood well the issue of marriage in noble families; it was very dependent on a woman's reputation in the eyes of the men.

Iris watched the situation nervously.

But, didn't Ernesto think this was wrong? He hadn't reacted nor censured her.

Rosemary's cheeks were puffed up to the fullest, glared at Sirius and then tears began to fill her eyes.

‘Your Grace is a fool! I know all about your dalliances!' she cried.

Oh no! What should she do? Iris wondered.

Iris had never been witness to other people's pandemonium. With hers, her black-bellied brother in law not steered her older sister before the fight became too heated. She only had ever fought with her sister.

What should she do?

It such cases, it was better not to say anything that might cause more trouble.

But Iris was also a woman; she understood Rosemary's feelings wishing to be complimented on her efforts.

Iris glared sharply at Sirius

But before Rosemary began to cry, Ernest squeezed Iris waist calling her attention while Sirius looked somewhat embarrassed.

‘Don't worry too much, Iris.' he said into her ear.

‘But…'

‘It's alright, leave it to me.'

What was he planning? Iris decided not to say anything to Sirius. Ernest turned his golden gaze to Sirius, his eyes filled with glee.

‘Sirius, my sister is in tears because of your callous manner.'

‘I apologise, your Majesty, I never meant for that to happen.' Sirius stammered.

‘It would be bad if you let the fifth Princess cry at a ball her family is hosting.'

Sirius was silent.

‘So Sirius, give it up, and dance with your beloved Rosemary.'

The moment Rosemary heard Ernest's words her tears dried and her face was aglow.

‘Thank you, Ernest!' She said.

Love is really amazing. Rosemary smiled brightly and looked at Sirius expectantly. Sirius on the other hand relented, bowed to the young lady and held out his hand,
‘Princess, would you like to dance the next set?'

‘Yes! One song, two songs, three songs! I will dance with you until I feel better.' Rosemary replied her smile like a blooming peach blossom.

For an instant, Sirius had an expression like he truly loved Rosemary.

Thinking about it, the other day, Sirius brought Rosemary some rose tea with chiffon tea cakes as accompaniment - it was popular in the royal capital. Even though he was usually busy, he always seemed to find time to bring Rosemary something he thought she would like.
Hmm, there may be something there…

While deep in thought, Ernest's quiet voice beat her eardrums ‘Tut tut, trying to manipulate a man with tears. Rosemary seems to be becoming like our sisters.'

‘Hmm? Ernest?'

Did he just say something?

She turned to look up at him in askance, but he shook his head.

‘Even so, Sirius isn't being straight either.'

‘Let's give up…?'

‘Well, he's worried about the fourteen-year gap between them. It won't really matter in another one or two years.'

‘Huh?'

‘He should have capitulated to Rosemary's strategy.'

Certainly, a fourteen year gap would cause a few bothersome issues. But Rosemary was a sensible girl. Iris felt the wall was not too hard to overcome.
But, strategy…? Such machination did not suit honest and pretty Rosemary. Although, Iris did not dare to clarify with Ernest. Especially since her own actions could be labelled as tactics. She did not have the confidence of keeping an innocent expression after hearing what the ‘strategy' was about.

Iris watched Sirius and Rosemary move to the dance floor,

‘Iris, shall we dance?'

Iris eyes blinked in surprise.

‘We haven't greeted all our guests yet…' would it be alright to go dancing?
Ernest pressed his lips against her forehead; Iris lowered her eyes in puzzlement.

‘Iris, I want to show everyone at this ball that my wife is the most beautiful woman in the room.'

‘Ernest…'

‘Can you listen to the wish of a foolish man who wants to soak in a sense of superiority now that I finally have you?'
His golden honey eyes grasped Iris' heart. He really was cunning. Was there any woman who could refuse that request?

Even though she knew that it was because of the powerful love potion, she still felt stirrings of joy.

With her heart fluttering and her cheeks pink, she nodded her assent to Ernest.

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