I had just stepped out the bath as the maids sent to help me get ready stood waiting in the room. My breath was taken as soon as I saw the dress.

I ran my hand across the beautiful gown they had made for me. They chose pink to represent my lightfulness, kindness, and - as they explained - people's comfort upon seeing and meeting me. The roses they had added were to represent my freshness, youth, and spirit. Not to mention the flowers represented my talented eye. I finished doing my makeup as one of the maids did my hair. Once I was ready I looked in the mirror and was taken back. I couldn't believe my eyes. This is the most beautiful I have ever looked. I thanked those who helped me get ready tremendously before going to check a few last minute preparations.

Guests had already started coming for the past two days and staying in the castle. Security had also gone up making me miss Dorian. I can't believe it's only been a week since I had seen him. It felt longer. He won't be back for weeks! Why does traveling by horse and carriage take ages?!

I got to the back doors of the ballroom as servants ran up to me telling me the details of tonight.

"The tables are set up, the decorations are just how we left them this morning, the sound check or the orchestra was great, the servers are set and ready in the kitchen..." They explained.

I nodded my head and decided to go in for one last time. The ball was to start in half an hour, and would probably start later due to the trend to be fashionably late. As they said, everything was perfect, all but one thing.

"The doors, I want them open and the curtains pulled back," I ordered. I walked towards one of the doors and opened it myself before walking outside to check if the lights we had set up were turned on.

There was supposed to be guards posted every two doors but it seems like they were on break until the ball began. However there was one guard on patrol making a walk around the castle, I should probably ask him where the rest of the guards had gone to.

As he came closer my eyes widened. It couldn't be...

I began running towards him as he stood looking surprised waiting for me.

"Dorian!" I yelled jumping on him with a big hug and squeezing him with all my might. His hands slowly came around my waist as he squeezed back. As surprised as I was by his actions, and should be embarrassed by my improper actions, I couldn't care less. His presence around me felt like home, I wasn't going to give that up.

"I missed you so much," I mumbled into his chest.

"I missed you too," he mumbled into my hair taking me by surprise for a third time within these few moments.

I pulled back only to look at his handsome face... Oh my, I can't believe I thought that!

"You're back, I thought you will be gone for longer," I said wondering how he could have gotten back so far.

"It should have taken longer if we had gone by horse but... You know what? I will show you tomorrow on our walk," he promised.

"Oh I love surprises!" I smiled excitedly. "Will you be attending the ball?"

He nodded his head. "Yes the queen will be there so I will have to stay a close distance to her as well as keep an eye on the guests."

"Then you owe me a dance," I said.

Dorian gave me a small smile surprising me yet again. "It would be an honor."

I blushed at the kindness and seriousness of his voice. "Well, I- uh- I must me going."

I tried to pull back when I noticed Dorian still had a grip on my waist. A blush immediately creeped up his neck as he looked at me apologetically.

"Well, I guess I'll see you inside," I said shyly after he let me go.

Dorian nodded. I gave him one last smile before turning to head inside.

"Lady Liana," he called after me. I turned around waiting to see what's the matter.

"You look breathtaking," he said with red ears and eyes filled with emotion.

I think my heart stopped.

***

Music played around us as we entered the ball as guests remembering to keep our roll in the competition a secret. All we were allowed to say is that we lived in the castle and lived as high ladies.

I walked around keeping a high head despite all the glances I've been getting my way. Women's jealous looks and men's lustful looks. I guess Imogen got what she wanted. I stood with Adeline and Harriet. The queen was about to make an entrance. Trumpets ran as her entrance was announced before she walked in in the most expensive and grand looking red and gold gown. It had such detail you couldn't help but be in awe. She wore her golden crown proudly on top of her head as it shone with diamonds. The looks of everyone around was respect, fear, envy, love, appreciation, and awe. So this is what winning the competition meant.

Adeline excused herself to go welcome her grandmother since she hadn't seen her in a week. She explained how earlier, any time Imogen asked for her to come with her alone it was to sit with the queen. Adeline found it hard not to speak about the competition with the queen because Imogen said it will create a bias opinion for when the queen chooses her successor when it came down to the final two contesters.

I noticed Dorian close to the queen as he looked at area and the guests. Our eyes locked, I smiled and he nodded his head. I was happy to see him. Dorian looking dashing in his suit. It wasn't his normal suit, this one was still a captain's uniform but more formal. It looked expensive and dapper. He looked very handsome and noble.

Imogen pointed at Harriet and ordered her to come forward. Oh I guess her performance is coming up. I wished her luck and saw Norman from afar giving her a thumbs up making her laugh. Someone announced that there will be a series of special performance. First to perform was Harriet. Her voice was beautiful, like an angel's. Everyone gaped and stared in awe at her. The applause at the end was grand. The smile on Harriet's face was so wide with happiness. She looked at Norman who looked like the luckiest, proudest, and happiest man to be alive. I was so happy for the two.

As soon as Harriet had stopped, the orchestra started to play as people began to dance.

"Excuse me milady, would you have this dance?" asked a voice behind me. I turned around and found a middle aged man. He seemed like an important person from the way he was dressed.

"Yes you may," I agreed remembering Imogen's orders. I didn't mind dancing with strangers as long as in the end I get to have my dance with Dorian. He was the one that taught me to dance and trust each other so it is only normal I would want to dance with the person that makes me most comfortable. We kept stealing glances from each other throughout the ball making me wonder when he will approach me. He was doing his job so I didn't want to approach him and distract him.

The man was respectful and his hands never wandered. I danced with a few men before I went for refreshments. I spotted Adeline and Mathew conversing with some men and women so I decided to join their conversation.
I heard only the last few bits connecting the dots to try and engage.

"-- it's that fool King Henson, his stubbornness led for the Great Depression. We wouldn't have lost that much wealth. He just wouldn't join with the Kingdom of Bashurfol."

"Actually Sir, it was King Quintley that was the stubborn one, King Henson was his son. King Quintley had tried to negotiate with Basherfol but they denied him. When they asked for a negotiation later on, his stubbornness was what lead him to deny the notion," I piped in. Everyone looked at me in shock. Was I not suppose to speak?

The man gave me a small smile. "And who might you be milady?"

"Lady Liana of Aris," I said proudly.

The man's eyebrows shot up. "Aris? How did you come to be so knowledgable?"

"I studied here in the castle," I said. Everyone was eyeing us curiously. Who is this man and why was everyone looking at me as if I was dead meat?

"Very interesting," he nodded his head, his face reading like he had questions running through his head. "Who might your father be?"

I opened my mouth to answer unashamed of who I am or where I came from. Suddenly a deep voice stopped.

"Good evening Lord Kyan, do you mind if I speak to you for a moment?" My heart beat faster as I knew who the voice belonged to.

"Good evening Captain, do we finally get to speak son?" Lord Kyan asked.

Son?!

This man was Dorian's father? He seemed... formal, I guess, maybe nice? I wonder why Dorian did not want to speak of him?

"But I was conversing with this lovely young lady, would you live to join us Lady Liana?" the Lord asked.

It would be rude to say no, so I opened my mouth to accept the invitation, but was cut off by Dorian. "My apologies, but it is a private matter."

I looked at Dorian questioning his attitude but he just gave me a look saying he will explain later. Dorian and his father walked away and started to speak. Dorian looked slightly angry while his father looked amused. I wonder what they were talking about. I lost sight of them as they went outside.

A young handsome popped up in front of me blocking my view of the door. He was giving me a smile I suppose made women swoon, I probably would have swooned before this competition but now I feel like a beautiful, intelligent, talented, independent and courageous woman. I wouldn't want a man known only for his dashing good looks and pocket of gold, I need someone who appreciates and supports who I am as a person. Sort of like... Oh lord.

"How is it that I have yet to dance with the most beautiful woman here?" He asked.

"Is that your way of asking me to dance?" I asked teasingly.

The man put out his hand which I took and followed him to the dance floor. On cue, we started dancing with the music.

"What is your name beautiful?" He asked.

Ha! He's got a silver tongue!

"Liana," I answered shortly. "And yours sir?"

"Lord Xavier The Third," he showed off his title. By his confident attitude I guess he comes from a family that's been wealthy for years.

I nodded my head not knowing how to answer.

"As one of the best suitors in all this kingdom, my mother wanted me to wed only the most beautiful girl in all the land. A few guests have been talking about you, I think you'd be a perfect match for myself," he offered.

A proposal? Now? We just met! I didn't even know him! I didn't even like him!

"That sounds great, but I don't want to rush into anything," I tried to escape the proposal.

"What rush? I come from the third wealthiest family in all of our kingdom, I am extremely handsome, and I am to inherent my fathers riches being that I am my fathers only son besides my four sisters," he continued to brag.

I tried not to cringe in front of him. How do I let him down nicely without having him spread bad news about me?

"Listen Xavier--"

"My I steal the lady for a dance?" someone asked but Xavier put his hand out silencing him without actually looking at him.

"I'm not done speaking to her," he said.

The voice cleared his throat earning both our attention. Xavier's confident expression fell upon matching the voice to the face.

"My apologies Captain, I will resume my conversation later," Xavier's voice shook before he scurried away from us. Coward.

I turned to Dorian with a wide smile. "Thank you for saving me. I didn't know how much longer I could have dealt with him."

We both did a small curtesy before joining together in dance. Dancing in Dorian's arms was a mix of a rush and comfort at the same time. I could do this forever.

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Woo! Another update! I wrote this at work so excuse any mistakes!

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