Chapter 18 The Soirée

Am was looking at her reflection in the mirror when Maeh entered into the room feeling excited, almost bouncing of joy.

"Oh, Am... this is like a dream to me! I feel so nervous. I don't know what I am going do do... or what to expect, yet everything is so wonderful!" Maeh spoke helping Am with her hair do.

"Relax, Maeh... this is like the feasts we hold in the village, the only difference is the silk in our gowns and the wine we will be drinking. For the rest it is the same. You will have fun, you don't need to worry." Am glowed a sweet smile to her best friend.

Both girls stood one next to the other and looked themselves in the mirror. Am and Maeh smiled in satisfaction for the benevolent favor the oval shaped mirror was giving to them. Both girls were stunning in their new gowns. The style on the dresses was very similar. The two gowns were the classic tunic or robe style and confectioned in light pastel colors. Maeh's gown was made in a pink silky fabric. It had a round collar line with a silver and blue embroidered trim. The same trim bordered the loose opened sleeves, that allowed seeing the girl's arms when they moved. The trim repeated at the bottom of the dress as well. A silver tiny chain served as a belt accentuating the maiden's tiny waist.

Am's dress was quite similar in fashion. It flowed tight enough to outline the red haired womanly curves. The gown was a pale green with gilded embroidery that drew a subtle flowered pattern all over the textile. It had a thin darker shade of green trim that bordered the squared collar line and flowed in a straight line from her chest to the bottom part of the dress. Her belt was also a thin chain but hers was golden and filled with emeralds and rubies.

The girls were very excited. For Maeh this was a whole new experience. She would be able to meet people she had ever dreamt to meet before. For Am this was her second appearance in society. Yet, she couldn't stop feeling nervous. Butterflies revolved in her stomach when she thought of the moment Prince Alasther made his entrance... with his beautiful fiancée... How would she react?

A knock on the door announced that their escorts were at the door of the alcove. They decided it would be funny if Maik escorted Am and the duke escorted Maeh. Besides it was Am's request and the duke was more than willing to please her in anything she wished for.

Both gentlemen looked regal in their tunics. Royal blue suited Maik's pale complexion so well. It made his purple eyes pop out. The prince wore a burgundy tunic that made him very attractive as well.

The foursome walked down the stairs, laughing and talking aimlessly. In the grand salon, there was already a group of five guests. Standing in one corner of the salon and chatting very animated, were the King's earl, Lord Stevain and his beautiful but far younger wife, Lady Aewin. Next to the dissimilar matrimony, was Lady Karmine with two of her daughters, Lady Medith and Lady Margott. Lady Charlotte was with the guests as well.

The salon was exquisitively decorated with flowers and garlands, besides the lavish elements and furniture it usually had. In one side of the room, some chairs were assembled in a semicircle. This place was designated for the guests to sit for the concert. A set of serving tables were placed at the bottom of the hall with some refreshments, wine, cider and other exquisite hors d'oeuvre. There were four musicians that entertained the visitors playing flutes and chord instruments.

The guests and Lady Charlotte turned to watch how the two lovely couples walked down the stares. As soon they reached the salon, some formal introductions were made.

Lady Margott and Lady Medith were impressed with Maik. They blushed and giggled when they were introduced to him. Both curtsied, but the youngest of the siblings, Lady Margott, spoke liberally to Maik. "Are there in your village more handsome hunters like you? I would like to go there one of these days."

Medith looked at her younger sister with bemusement and lectured her. "Margott, you need to stop this tomfoolery!"

"I beg your pardon, Maik" Said Margott, she hesitated at first but then continued talking to Maik. "Can I ask you something instead, Maik?"

Maik answered affirmatively "Yes, of course Milady."

With a big smile, Margott proceeded: "Are you single?" Everybody laughed and Medith just rolled her eyes thinking of her sister as impossible.

The rest of the guests were chatting and amused by the sweet music in the background when King Ataro and Queen Cephora's arrival was announced. Of course, that meant that Prince Alasther and Lady Katharina was the next couple to join the feast. And short after both king and queen made their entrance, the young couple followed. All the guests reverenced in the way the royal family stepped into the grand salon and formal greetings were done.

The Prince's eyes met immediately with Am's. It was a matter of time for they were were invited less than twenty people to the soirée. The odds were pretty high.

The prince's heart stopped the minute he saw Amalthea. The first thing he noticed was that the duke was standing next to Am holding her arm. The king's son was so confused and surprised to see her there, at the duke's palace. Alasther never expected to find her in that place. It was obvious that Am's friends lied to him to hide the truth of where she was at... But, what was she doing there? Who brought her, and when? And... she came with her friends too. But, why? He felt so betrayed by the duke... 'She looks so beautiful in that gown... Oh Am you are here!' There were many thoughts at a time rumbling in his head. But the prince was determined to find out the answers.

Suddenly he felt Lady Katharina pulling him forward and looking at him with sternness urging him to keep walking by her side. The woman noticed why the prince stopped talking and who was he staring at.
'What is that village singing witch doing here? This can't be happening to me!' Lady Katharina thought. She was infuriated with the undesired coincidence.

Am's body shivered... nervous... delighted... when her eyes and the prince's eyes locked. The duke was talking to her but all she could hear was a nonsense babbling. She had eyes and ears only for the prince, and he appeared more regal to her that evening.

Next to Am, Maeh became aware of the situation, as well as the duke. Maeh, pinched Am's hand to wake her up from her absurd commotion. Immediately Am reacted, both girls exchanged complicity glares and then Am tried to pretend nothing was happening. But the duke already knew. He wasn't a fool.

The Queen greeted Am and hugged her with great emotion followed by King Atharo. Both of them manifested their joy to see her again and to hear her singing once again.

When it was the turn of Prince Alasther to greet Am, things became a little tense. The Prince leaned to kiss Am's hand. The duke stepped closer to the maiden and Maik immediately did the same. Lady Katharina tightened her grip to the prince's arm looking at Am with sternness. But regardless the two sentinels at each side of Amalthea waiting for the minimal provocation to launch over the jealous woman next to him... or to the prince, the latter talked to Am. "Lady Amalthea, It's a pleasure to see you again. You look dazzling today. I can't wait to be delighted with your beautiful voice once more... I have to admit, your presence took me by surprise, for I didn't expect to find you here." The prince glared at Lord Roderick, who was already looking at the prince with severity.

"Lady Amalthea is staying in my palace for the season. She is a good friend of mine now." The duke spoke.

"It's good to hear your relation has flourished in the last two months. Congratulations to both." Lady Katharina spoke sardonically.

"We have no sentimental relation, yet. Some things take time. For now, we are getting acquainted and enjoying our friendship." The duke answered unaltered. He knew those words would warn the prince of his intentions towards Am.

Maik cleared his throat in the back for he didn't want to pass unnoticed within the whole situation. The duke continued talking. "Besides she didn't come alone, for she is a respectable lady. Lady Amalthea brought her best friends, Lady Maeh and Sir Maik, as escorts. We are having a great time."

"Sir Maik, It is nice to see you again. It is good to know such a skilled archer is escorting Lady Amalthea. Take good care of her for she is one of a kind." The prince told Maik with a bit of sarcasm.

"I will never leave her side your Majesty. Am is everything for me. I will protect her with my life if its necessary." Maik responded to the prince with an exaggerated reverence and placing his hand on Am's shoulder.

The prince looked at Maik with some reservation. He knew Maik's words revealed something unexpected and disturbing for him. Maik felt for Am more than a merely innocent friendship... Now they were three... And his two rivals were as handsome and skilled as him... Not a pleasant nor easy situation at all.

The guests were enjoying some refreshments and conversing. The young couples hovered in the middle of the salon. The duke was dancing with Am, Maik with Lady Margott and Maeh with a handsome young lord. The Prince... well, he was attempting to dance with Lady Katharina. Yet he was more interested in Lord Roderick and Am as they enjoyed their dance laughing and chitchatting.

A more festively tune was played by the musicians. This was a dance in which the couples interchanged their partners and followed some synchronized choreography. So the music started and the guests rounded the couples clapping and cheering. At the beginning, the original duos stayed together dancing merrily. When the time came to interchange partners, the duke released Am to dance with Maik. Maik smiled at her all the time and released her by kissing her on her cheek with a wicked expression on his face. Then Am danced with other two young lords and finally, in the last interchange, danced with the prince. Lady Katharina was fuming. She was dancing with Maik. Lady Katharina never stopped looking at the prince, no matter how many swirls and spins Maik made ger to do on the dance floor. Maik was enjoying the awkward situation... Until the part of the prince and Am dancing... 'Nevertheless, let me give you more swirls, Lady Kat...'

The duke was also looking at the prince dancing with Am, and that made him feel somehow disturbed.

Both Am and the prince danced and talked and laughed. Then the final part of the piece came and the duke approached to claim his partner. The prince released Am hesitatingly for he wished to continue dancing with her. The music stopped and all the couples panted after the vigorous dance. The young dancers returned to their places and joined the conversation with the rest of the guests.

The Queen walked to where her son and Lady Katharina stood. She spoke to his son fiancée. "My dear Kat, would you mind to come with me to take some refreshments and then to talk with Mademoiselle Paulette? She is a wonderful designer. I want her to confection some gowns for us."

"Well, um..." Katharina vacillated, but had no other choice than to accede.

"Excellent my dear, come with me." The Queen grabbed Lady Katharina by her arm and both left.

The prince immediately spotted Am who was in a corner talking with Maeh, Lady Margot and Lady Medith. Wasting no time, Alasther walked directly to Am. The four girls looked at him curiously. The Prince spoke. "Excuse me ladies. Would you mind if I steal Lady Am for a moment." The girls giggled. The prince extended his hand to Am. "Do you grant me the pleasure of this dance?" Am nodded shyly and both walked to the dance floor.

The Prince embraced gently Am's waist and held her hand high with pride as they moved slowly with the compass of the melody. Lady Katharina glared at the couple enraged. The duke and Maik both tensed their fists when they saw the Prince dancing with Am.

"Did I tell you how beautiful you look today, Lady Amalthea?" Prince Alasther fixated his eyes on Am's delicate features.

"I'm afraid you already did. But thank you, again." Am blushed and smiled. The prince continued talking

"How long are you planning to stay in this manor Milady?"

"Just a few more weeks, Your Majesty. I will return before the cold season begins."

"Good. The next month, for the celebration of the Hollow Eve, we hold a masquerade in the castle. I want to invite you to come to that ball. I can send my carriages for you. You can ask Maik and Maeh to go if you want too? Tell, me what do you think? Would you come?"

"I will love to. I've heard those masquerades are so much fun."

"Excellent! I will send for you and your friends. It will be a pleasure to have you there and see you again in my castle. The Queen and the King will be very pleased with your presence." The prince spoke to Am with excitement.

The music stopped and Lady Charlotte announced dinner was ready. Immediately, Lady Katharina went after the prince, and the duke did the same, escorting Am to the formal dining room. Dinner was delicious. But some bitter glares were thrown across the dining table.

After dinner the group went to the main salon again and sat in the designated area for the recital. Am performed magnificently one song after another in front of an enthralled audience. After three songs, the guests stood up and applauded enthusiastically. Am thanked everyone as the duke approached her to reassured her cheerfully with a tight hug.

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Prince Alasther was waiting for the right moment to approach the duke. It would be easier if he just could get loose of his annoying companion's grip. He needed urgently to find out what were Lord Roderick's true intentions for Amalthea. It was more than evident that he had progressed a lot in his wooing. But he wanted to know if Roderick was in love or he just wanted to use the beautiful maiden as a distraction. The duke had a wicked reputation with ladies. He would never permit Lord Roderick disrespect Amalthea. She was so young and innocent. All these experiences were unknown for her. It was a whole new world of cruelty and vanities. Alasther cared for her and he was determined to protect her at all cost.

Finally he found the possibility of escape when Lady Charlotte asked both Queen Cephora and Katharina go with her to see some recently acquired furniture. The prince walked towards the duke and talked to him.

"Lord Roderick, what a splendid soirée! It seems that the old times of happiness and splendor returned to this palace for some unknown reason... Or... Does it have something to do with charming Lady Amalthea?"

"Certainly is. Am is a wonderful little thing. She illuminates everything with her presence. My mother is so pleased with her that she started smiling again in the very first instant that they met each other... But I wish to change the subject. I've heard that you came last week asking for me. What was that urgent affair that brought you here without previous announcement?"

"Amalthea. She is my urgent affair." The prince stared at the duke with gravity and clenched his fists, yet his arms down, tensed.

"I thought your urgent affair's name is Katharina." The duke's tune turned from polite to sardonic and then to severe.

"There is nothing official between us."

"Well, I think you need to formalize that sooner or later. You need a heir to legitimate yourself as the next ruler of Abhainn."

"I think that is nothing of your concern, Lord Roderick." The prince stepped forward menacing.

"And I think Lady Amalthea is not of your concern... Let me remind you, Your Majesty, a few things: first, official or not, you are currently engaged to Lady Katharina. Second, Am is a guest at my palace and you are harassing her in front of everyone. You have a position to maintain. Third, she is a friend of mine and for what I know, you two are not even acquainted. And least but not less I brought Am here to court her... if that was what you really wanted to know."

"I just want to warn you, Lord Roderick. Amalthea is not like the rest of the women you revolved with in your bed. She is very special and innocent. I wouldn't allow you to harm her. If I know that you've disrespect her, I...-"

"There you are My Prince! I've been searching for you." Lady Katharina appeared from nowhere and and grabbed Prince Alasther's arm putting an end to the tense conversation between the prince and the duke.

The duke greeted her reassuring her with a wide grin on his face. "Lady Katharina, we were just talking about you and how charming you look today... How are you enjoying this feast so far?"

"Oh, thank you Lord Roderick. You are always so charming... I've had a wonderful time in your palace. The attentions have being exceptional. The music and the dinner were just superb. Congratulations to you and to Lady Charlotte." Lady Katharina answered enthusiastically. Then she spoke to the prince. "Dear, why don't we go and dance one more time before we leave." Lady Katharina pulled the prince away to the dance floor.

Lord Roderick observed the couple as they walked away and danced. Then he looked at Am who was talking amusedly with her friends.

He thought of a thousand possible ways to court Am. He knew who his real rival was. Without doubts, the prince was really attracted to Amalthea. Now on he will have to proceed with precaution. He could not allow himself to commit a single error or imprudence with Am. The prince will be following his steps closely. He was not going to lose her, not now that she treats him with more confidence. Lord Roderick was resolved to make her his wife, no matter what... or who...