A/N: This episode contains two verses from "Salsa Celtica" by Salsa Celtica. No copyright infringement intended.

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The grand ballroom stretched before Lady Lara's eyes like a scene from a fairy tale come to life as she entered slowly. Looking up, she began to feel the mood of the hour. High above, crystal chandeliers hung like constellations, casting a soft, golden glow that enveloped the room in an aura of enchantment.

Rory and Iya were behind her, careful not to step on her midnight blue gown, which trailed behind her like the sky studded with stars in a cascade of silk and satin. Her hair was swept up in an elaborate style, and around her neck, a necklace of diamonds glittered, matching her earrings. The heart-shaped pendant of the necklace rested against her chest, accentuated by her inner garment, which pushed up her breasts. She wore sky blue thin gloves that extended to cover her forearms.

Her overall appearance screamed luxury, not to mention her face—it's a breath of fresh air; her lashes having been curved, her narrow eyebrows having been brushed clean, her eyelids painted with the color of summer, making a pretty show as she blinked a lot. Her glossy lips completed the dainty look, joining her eyes on giving a hint of her innocence.

However, even with the grace of her youthful countenance and sophistication, no eye was immediately drawn to her.

The people's faces were oriented toward the stage framed with velvet curtains, richly adorned with intricate embroidery.

It didn't even help that they entered through the eastern corridor. Lady Lara's walk came into a halt when the lights suddenly dimmed and the curtains parted.

"If only I weren't in service, I would've been one of the casts."

The owner of that voice, Lady Iya, was in a gradient of grey gown with fitted sleeves. She wore a pearl necklace that drew a line across her quite long neck, and her fake ponytail swayed as she confidently tilted her head left and right to scan the crowd with her eyes.

Pinigilan sana ni Lady Lara ang hindi lingunin ang dalawang kasama at baka masabi pa nilang nakikinig siya sa bulungan nila, ngunit wala siyang ibang magawa kundi tumingin, takot na may makasalubong na mata mula sa madla.

"Oh, Iya, why would you even waste time on that? Maikli lang naman ang sadulang 'yan, pamatay oras kasi hindi pa dumarating lahat ng imbitado," Lady Rory, who wore a cream, off-arms and off-shoulder gown like Lara's, whispered. Lady Lara mentally smiled; Rory still looked soft even with her fierce red lipsticks.

"Ah, Lady Lara." Kumilos ito patabi sa kaniya. "Wouldn't it be better for us to settle there?" She subtly pointed to the seats near the stage.

The ballroom had been transformed into half a theater and half a dancefloor. Opposite the stage, a pair of throne-like seats sat on the edge, while away from the dancefloor, a circular arrangement of tables offered a variety of foods and drinks. It was an extra-wide court, perfectly suited for tonight's festivities.

Lady Lara took a deep breath. She looked at the crowd, realizing that the three of them looked like outcasts in a cell of esteemed strangers. Matagal siyang nakasagot sa tanong ng kasama kaya'y naunahan siya ng boses ni Iya.

"How about we let the play end before we attract attention?"

Pawang napalingon si Rory at Lara sa kaniya. Rory's brows furrowed, but Lady Lara smiled. "That would be better."

"Tch," imik pa ni Rory pero umusog na rin sa gilid.

The actors started to appear on the stage, looking adorable in their costumes. The orchestra also began to play, generously blessing the hall with pleasure. No one danced, of course. Everyone concentrated on watching the scene unfolding before them.

The show ended shortly as its category of being a one-act play promised. But before the curtains could close, something grand coupled the applause of the people—Empress Celesta's entrance. She and her company of a tall, middle-aged man, came from the backstage, stealing the spotlight that was once brought by the actors.

Lady Lara stepped close, driven by the cacophony of the claps, the multiple whispers, and the music.

Is that the emperor?

Hindi na niya nagawang lingunin ang paligid na pinuno na ng tao kanina pa. Most of them were looking at her as her gown brushed against the floor. Wala sa sarili siyang patuloy na naglalakad, kinakamit na makita nang maayos ang mukha ng lalakeng iyon.

"Asia."

Saka lamang siya napatigil at nabalik sa huwisyo nang marinig ang boses na iyon mula sa likuran niya. She slowly turned her head, and the towering frame of His Highness, along with his royal scent, greeted her. Her gown took a beautiful spin as she fully faced him.

Kumurba ang labi ng prinsipe. Makikita ang literal na ningning sa mata nito habang tinitingnan ang daligata. His freckles caught the light from the chandelier above them, adding another element to perfect Lara's beauty—blushes.

The prince beamed more as he slightly bended his left knee and extended his left arm. "Let me be your first and only dance for tonight," he whispered.

The solemn music couldn't quite reign as the crowd's reaction to them became more pronounced. Walang ibang magawa si Lara kundi kunin ang kamay ng prinsipe. When the young man stood straight, saka lamang napagtanto ng daligata kung gaano karaming mata ang nanonood sa kanila. When these people's shock had faded, both of them entered the dancefloor.

🎶In iomproccaim in tráthnóna🎶

His Highness' right palm snaked around Lara's waist before the fingers of his left intertwined themselves with hers. The young lady couldn't help but feel shy. Hindi niya magawang tagpuin ang tingin ng prinsipe.

"Are you alright?" A shade of concern couldn't hide behind the prince's question. His breath made Lara look up. "When did you wake up?"

"Today," she subconsciously answered as she stared into His Highness electric blue eyes, a lighter shade of his suit and pants.

His brows arched. "Today? Did you wake up just a while ago?"

Napakurapkurap si Lara, napansin ang gulat ng prinsipe. "Yes and I'm totally fine, Your Highness. I already ate two meals and uhm, took a stroll. I'm more than well."

The prince nodded understandingly before sighing. "I'm so . . . sorry." He shook his head to concentrate. "For what happened."

Pilit ring napangiti si Lara.

The music raised its energy. Bukod sa inalalayan ng prinsipe ang dalagita sa pagsayaw ay natatandaan naman nito ang kaunting tinuro ni Iya kanina habang nasa kuwarto pa lamang sila. She seemed to enjoy the footwork, na halos naiinip na ang prinsipe kakahintay na magtagpo ang mga mata nila nang mas matagal.

🎶Arriba, arriba, bailamos hasta el amanecer🎶

Nang matapos ang sayaw ay nagsipalakpakan ang madla. Huminto ang musika, nagbigay daan upang makaboses ang nasa entablado.

"Maganda at masiglang gabi sa ating lahat!" masigla ngang bati ng empress. She wasn't wearing a crown nor a tiara tonight but her countenance was still ablazed with royal beauty. Her hair was bunned clean as usual, leaving no strand falling free. Her dress, though, wasn't as attractive as her eyes. It looked similar to what Rory wore but her figure killed the simplicity.

Everyone cheered and made way for her to descend and walk toward her son. Lady Lara quickly withdrew from His Highness's grasp on her hands. She then mimicked the way Prince Rohan greeted his mother with a bow.

"Look at you, such a beautiful pair," Empress Celesta exclaimed, stepping back to view them fully. "I watched you dancing, feeling jealous because I didn't have someone to dance with."

Prince Rohan smiled. "We'll be next then."

"Really?" She gaily looked at Lara. "May I borrow my son for a while, young lady?"

Nakangiting tumango-tango ang dalagita. "Of course, Your Majesty."

Her peripheral vision caught Prince Rohan turning his head toward her, so she looked up to meet his eyes. "I'll go back to Rory—" she began, intending to assure the prince that she was alright. However, when she looked around, neither Rory nor Iya could be found.

"Take no worry, son."

When she looked back in front, her lips slightly parted nang makitang may katabi na ang empress. The man showed a couple of pockets on his cheeks as his thin lips stretched into a measured smile before he bowed his head. He stood an inch shorter than Prince Rohan, with blonde hair slicked back and a bright complexion. He was wearing a black vest over a white cotton coat that accentuated his torso.

"Let your lady dance with other men; it's a sign of trust. Well, wouldn't you trust me as well?"

His melodic voice caught Lady Lara's total attention. It was soothing to the ears, calming the young lady's stance instead of unsettling it.

"Of course, I do," the prince responded, his tone as delightful as he advanced his feet to share a subtle embrace with the man. The latter tapped his back gently while beaming. "When did you arrive, Lo?"

Something popped inside Lara's mind. Lo . . . what was that?

The man's brows arched as they separated. He glanced at the chuckling empress before sighing. "I regret to say I've been here since your birthday."

"Now, that's upsetting," Prince Rohan spat.

"I'm . . ." The man pressed his lips together. He made his hands fly and drop as he shrugged his shoulders. "I rested first because I was also under the weather. And then got busy right after."

"Oh, excuse my bluntness, but this isn't a family reunion." The empress snickered. "Let us not dominate the night, shall we?" She looked around the eying guests. "Music maestro!" She grabbed Prince Rohan's arm and have him ready to dance with her.

That left Lady Lara looking at the man in front of her, who smiled again while offering his hand. "Better take it so that you can clearly hear me, young lady."

Seeing there was no excuse to disappoint him, she took his hand and let him walk her forward. Instead of aiming for her waist, the man made sure to put his left hand on the upper part of the skirt of Lady Lara's gown.

"I shall not beat around the bush. How's your father?"

"P-Po?" Hindi inasahan ni Lara ang tanong na iyon habang nakatingala siya rito.

Tumikhim ang kasama niya at saka malalim na huminga bago inilapit ang mukha sa tainga ng daligata. "I heard about Celesta arresting him, and I found it absurd," he whispered. His breath wasn't warm, so Lady Lara didn't recoil. However, her heart began to beat faster as she recalled the thing again.

Hindi na niya nilubayan ng tingin ang lalake hanggang sa tumikhim ulit ito. "I won't apologize for bringing that up, young lady," seryoso nitong dagdag habang sinimulan na nila ang pagsayaw. He then looked away as if he said nothing.

"Who . . . are you?" Sa kasamaang palad ay hindi napigilan ni Lady Lara na maisatinig ang nasa isip niya.

Tumingin ulit sa kaniya ang lalake. "Let's unravel the mystery then. I am Duke Cassano. Does that ring a bell?" He quickly looked away again, not waiting for Lady Lara's unprompted reaction to unfold.

It happened so sudden. Lady Lara felt like she accidentally scratched a skin off, or as if she swallowed a significant size of a seed. Her lips hanged open as the man caused her to spin like the other ladies. And when she stopped, she froze in front of him, watching his dead serious face.

She coughed involuntarily, motioning backward, while still staring at his unaffected expression.

"That's right, come to your senses, young lady. You shouldn't enjoy this ball."

The music devoured his voice, but it was the only thing Lady Lara heard in her head. She stopped coughing and looked around, unable to even sigh in relief that no one was watching them. The hall was filled with the sound of laughter and the tapping of shoes as everyone enjoyed the lively dance. And the two of them were now a meter away from the dance floor.

Lady Lara held her dress tight, keeping her hands from shaking. She looked intently at Duke Cassano, who maintained his stern look.

"It would be best if we settle there," he uttered in conviction, referring to the tables on a portion of the wide court.

As he walked past the young lady, she closed her eyes shut, concentrating before she opened them and decided to follow.

The night was still young to have burst her bubble of joy, but she didn't entertain that thought, especially when she realized she was wrong about no one witnessing the both of them walking away from the dance floor. Right next to the table where they settled were two familiar statues: a male standing about six and a half feet tall, and a female crossing her arms and frowning beside him.

Lady Lara squinted her eyes.

Is he friends with Kanye?

Nabuo niya pa ang tanong na 'yon sa isipan sa kabila nang kabang nararamdaman habang hinihintay na magsalita ang kasamang duke.

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