Lance's POV
I was so busy checking out things to make sure that everything is under control for the upcoming event that I haven't noticed the time until now. It says here on the wall clock, adjacent to where I'm currently standing, that it's almost seven in the evening! I immediately went towards the double door of this cultural hall.
"Bro, where are you going?"
I came across Johanne, who's looking kinda sleek tonight with all that hair pushed backwards the end of his scalp with the help of a wax and with that white tux and grey slacks that he's wearing tonight, just as soon as I left the hall.
I also spotted my other friend Velma, who's standing beside Johanne with one hand resting on his right arm, is looking pretty tonight with her blue lace dress.
"I need to pick up Charm from where I left her off, so if you'll excuse me..." I answered.
I didn't bother to look at their reactions and just walked past them. After all, I know that Johanne would just tease me again.
Before heading towards the room where I had left Charm, I went first to get my black coat that was already prepared inside my room. As soon as I got it, I immediately went to Charm's room while wearing the said coat in the process.
I was just about to grab the doorknob when the door opened itself, and everything went in slow-motion afterwards.
The door slowly opened, and from it came out the most gorgeous lass I have ever seen... in her sheath, one-shoulder lavender floor-length gown. Her once waist-length brown hair, now tied into a bun, also added to her beauty with two loose strands of curled hair left in both ends.
I almost gasped when her pair of rosy eyes met my gaze.
"Your Highness! You're here! We thought you couldn't make it so we are just about to walk her towards the cultural hall." said by the head of the team who dressed up my lovely friend here for tonight.
It took me a few seconds before I was able to respond. "I'm sorry if I was kinda late. But I will take it from here. Thanks for all your help tonight."
The team just smiled at us before they headed back inside the room. And once again, I looked at Charm as I offered one arm for her to hold.
"Let's go, shall we?" I smilingly said.
"O-okay." was all she responded.
I noticed that she's kinda hesitant to hold on to my arm at first, but in the end she finally placed her hand on it. Afterwards, we then started to walk towards the cultural hall.
There was a moment of awkward silence as we walked this hallway leading towards the hall. So to prevent things from getting more awkward here, I decided to talk.
"I forgot to tell you how beautiful you are tonight." I said, almost a whisper. Then suddenly I became conscious from what I just said.
"I-I mean, you are already beautiful! But you're looking more gorgeous tonight... yet you already looked beautiful without the makeup and the gown." I quickly added, stuttering in the process.
Well.. it's true. She already looks beautiful in her simple way. I prefer her to be like that.
"Thank you." she responded, as her lips curved into her gorgeous smile.
For the first time, I saw her smile at me like that. I felt something in my chest, like my heart just skipped a beat after seeing her sweet smile just now.
No way...
***
Charm's POV
As we entered the Cultural Hall, my grip on his arm became more tight when I saw a crowd of mortals swarming the entire hall. Few seconds passed, we both heard the sound of what looked like a trumpet, then a masculine voice followed after that.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you... Prince Lancelott of the Gilead Empire!"
I noticed some ladies stopped whatever they were doing on their tables and looked at us as we totally entered the cultural hall. I know their gazes are focused on me, as they were wondering who on earth is this girl standing beside their prince? Once again, my grip on his arm tightened.
"Relax Charm, don't mind them." Lance gently whispered as he noticed my tight grip on his arm.
"I'm so sorry. I'll try my best to calm down." I whispered back.
I tried my best to remain calm as possibly as I can by avoiding the crowd's gazes at me and continued to move forward with Lance. But I can't help but notice the magic detectors on every guard's waists. It's a good thing I have my Concealer Necklace here with me.
After a few more walks, we finally stopped as soon as we reached a table placed at the far end corner of the hall. I saw his friends Johanne and Velma already here, sitting next to each other. Johanne waved one hand in my direction, but the girl beside him decided to ignore my presence but her face lit up when she saw the lad right next to me.
Lance pulled out a chair and motioned for me to sit, and so I did. Afterwards, he finally took a seat next to me.
"Wow, you're looking gorgeous tonight Charm." I heard Johanne complimented my look who's sitting face to face with me
"Thanks." I awkwardly responded. I'm not kinda used to people complimenting me, you know.
"She ain't that pretty for me." I heard Velma suddenly comment. The guy sitting beside him laughed at her remark.
"Looks like someone is jealous." he teased. Velma just ignored the lad and looked away.
"No I'm not." She is obviously lying. I can tell.
"Aww, don't be jealous. You're also gorgeous." Johanne continues to tease her but he was completely ignored by her.
Suddenly, everyone went silent for a while when that same trumpet sound echoed on the four corners of this hall, followed by that same masculine voice who introduced Lance a while ago.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you... his majesty, King Tiberius and her majesty, Queen Esther of the Gilead Empire."
I noticed that most of the people here slightly bowed their heads as Lance's parents entered the hall. The queen's looking lovely tonight with her white floor-length ball gown paired with white gloves and a silver tiara on her head.
But I focused more on the tall-looking masculine man who is currently wearing a gray suit with a white undershirt, paired with black slacks and is also wearing a gold crown on his head.
So... he's that tyrant king huh? The one I'm destined to defeat...
***
We are now on the part wherein food is already served to the guests of this ball after Lance gave his quick speech as the organizer of the said event.
"So... she's that friend you keep on mentioning about huh?"
I was a little bit surprised when I heard the king speak for the very first time. The table where he and the queen shares is just right next to our table.
"Yup. " Lance timidly replies to his father.
I saw the king just smirked upon seeing how his son acted, but afterwards his gaze shifted on me so I quickly looked away.
"What's your name?" the king asked me directly as I noticed him slice the steak on his plate.
"Charm." I awkwardly replied, feeling a little bit hesitant to talk with him.
"Charm, huh? I see... Well, nice meeting you Charm." Then I saw him giving me that meaningful smile before he decides to continue, "And I hope you enjoy this night... as possibly as you can."
He now looks away and decides to talk with the queen, and yet I still can't get over with what he said just now.
I don't know if I'm just being paranoid or what, but I can sense that there's something into it. Like something bad is about to happen...
***
After that very awkward moment, I heard someone announce that it is now time for pairs to go in the center of the hall and dance. When some guests were already done eating and have already rested for a bit, the center of the hall is now slowly being filled with pairs that are now dancing to the music brought to us by a lovely singer tonight.
Oh boy... I don't even know how to dance so maybe it's time for me to go home. So I waited for Lance and his mother to finish their discussion and after a while, I now saw the lad walking towards my direction.
"Can I go home now?" I greeted him with this question. I saw one of his eyebrows arched upon hearing that.
"Leaving so soon? Come on, the real fun is just about to start." he said, enthusiastically.
"I don't know how to dance, okay?" Even if I don't want to admit it... there, I said it already.
"It's okay! I can teach you. Well... only if you want to dance with me." I noticed him unconsciously moved one hand and scratched the back of his neck and looked down.
"I promise that as soon as we finish dancing, I'll walk you home immediately." he quickly added.
I stared at him for a second before giving my answer. "Alright, only if you fulfill that promise."
I saw his face lit up and immediately looked at me again, meeting my gaze. He then stretches forth his right hand forward for me to hold on to.
"Shall we?"
"Okay."
I hesitantly placed my hand to his and we then walked towards the center of the hall, and immediately felt that same anxiety, as what I felt a few moments ago, when other pairs started to look at us.
"Don't look at them, focus your eyes on me." I heard Lance whisper, and so I did.
"So here's what you need to do, you place both of your hands on my shoulder..." he said while holding each of my hands and placed it on his shoulder. "Then both of my hands shall hold on to your waist. Will that be okay?"
I was hesitant at first. "Y-yeah." I finally agreed.
The music soon began to change the moment we entered the scene, and the event singer sang another song.
***
(Song: So Close by Jon Mclaughlin)
You're in my arms, and all the world is gone
The music playing on for only two
So close together, and when I'm with you
So close to feeling alive
***
As our bodies began to move inline with the music's slow rhythm, I felt everything around me went on a slow-motion, then all of the people around us slowly faded... and all I can see right now is this lad in front of me
***
A life goes by, romantic dreams must die
So I bid mine goodbye and never knew
So close was waiting, waiting here with you
And now forever I know
All that I want is to hold you so close
So close to reaching that famous happy end
Almost believing this one's not pretend
Now you're beside me, and look how far we've come
So far we are so close
***
I was kinda surprised when I felt his hands' grip on my waist become more tight than before as he moves a little bit closer to me, leaving a few-inch space between our faces. I became more nervous, and anxious, as the beating of my heart became more faster and louder than before.
Can he somehow feel it?
***
Oh how could I face the faceless days
If I should lose you now?
***
Series of memories flashed at the back of my mind as our bodies continued to sway into slow motion. I suddenly remembered that very first time I met him back in the Misty Cave, and I never thought that through my clumsiness... I will be able to meet a guy like him.
However...
The reality here is, I'm fully aware that this will be the very last moment that I'll be going to see him. There is this prophecy that I'm destined to fulfill, and it only means that after this night...
... I'll never have the chance to see him ever again.
***
We're so close to reaching that famous happy end
Almost believing this one's not pretend
Let's go on dreaming though we know we are
So close, so close, and still so far
***
This will be the first time that I'm going to admit this to myself. And it took me that long before I realized what's this weird feeling every time he's near me, or every time I see him smile... is because of my decision to stay away from mortals like him out of fear.
However right now, I'm pretty sure of it.
I'm starting to like this lad in front of me right now.
I like you, Lance...