THANKFULLY, THE WEATHER WAS QUITE cool tonight, given that it's mid-autumn, and I was born at the beginning of the season. Although, normally it's quite warm here because we live in the southern region of the Kingdom, and it's summer most of the time. And I'm not a fan of summer, since I was always a winter kind of person.
However, I can't get to the region where's normal winter all the time, because that would be the north, AND the ruler of the north right now is coincidentally the male lead of the novel, Duke Luc Von der Meer. And if you already put the pieces together, yes, the female lead, Alina Desormeaux, is one of the Princesses of the Kingdom, the second one, to be precise. So, yes, no winter for me.
I don't mind sacrificing my love for the season if it means I'll be far away from the main leads, and far away from the danger, they represent.
But back to what I was saying,{this could be us but you're playing}, the weather is cool tonight, which means I won't feel hot as I usually do in here. And I also made sure to put four ice mages on each corner of the ballroom, so the temperature would stay cool and wouldn't make anyone sweat while dancing.
Besides, I was also thoughtful when I was choosing the tissue to make both Marianne's, the boys, and my clothes, so I chose a cool one that it's pleasant to wear here even if you are covered from head to toe. We have to think about the minimal details, after all.
Marianne and Sir Gavin entered the ball through the side, around five minutes before me, and so, I purposely waited to come in through the main portal of the Castle that goes to the ballroom, above the stairs. And when I came in with Sir Lawrence, all the eyes were on us, and they gasped as I made my great entrance, and the Butler announced our presence.
"And finally, the Hostess of tonight's ball, and the birthday girl. Lady Hope Ariella Bissonnette, firstborn daughter of Count Stefan Bissonnette with his first wife, Late Countess Yolande Bissonnette. Who's celebrating her 20 years old tonight, with us all!" Yeah, I made him say that. "And her escort of the night, Sir Michael Lawrence, Knight of the Bissonnette County!"
I bet Lorena and the bastards are furious right now. How amusing.
He bowed to me, and I smiled at him, satisfied with how well he said what I told him to. Then, I descended the last couple of stairs with my left arm around Sir Lawrence's, and lots of ladies gawked at him. "I told you they would look at you, especially since you are escorting me tonight."
Blushing, he whispered, "But you are very aware I don't like their… fruit, my Lady!"
"I know," I smirked. "And there are lots of gentlemen gawking at you as well. But as you only told that to me and Sir Gavin, I couldn't mention it in front of Marianne!"
A soft nod, "Shall we dance already?" Oh, I guess he already wants to slip away from me and go enjoy his night with the boys.
"We shall!"
Sir Lawrence took me by the hand and brought me to the center of the ballroom, as a boring classical song, I was already sick of, played around. "You seem annoyed," he pointed smiling.
I bit my lip, as I stared up at his marine blue eyes, "I'm sick of this song!"
He chuckled softly, "Oh, I should have guessed that. And I'm sure most people here are. There isn't a big range of songs for it to be played on balls, and the ones we have all sound the same. That's one of the reasons why I'm confident the ones you wrote will be a success!"
"There you go, flattering me just like Gavin and Marianne," I rolled my eyes, blushing.
"But you know it's true. You are confident in your skills, but you don't say it just so you won't look arrogant. However, it is what it is. And you will be recognized for your talent with music," he's really a gallant gentleman, isn't he?
I considered marrying him before I learned his preference. Then it was a no-no. But I know he'll make an amazing husband for the lucky man that catches his heart! "You are right," I smirked, "I know I'm amazing."
"So, when are we going to talk about that display of magic back there?" Oh? Does he want to talk about that now?
Biting my bottom lip I tried to hold my laugh, "Sorry to blame it on you. It was just that… I was so furious that I couldn't help it."
"I get that. But why didn't you tell us? Me or Gavin? Or even Marianne!" Or she also knows about that, but kept it safe from anyone and never talks about it, since the night I told her the truth when she cornered me.
"Hm, I was afraid someone else could hear about it. If my dad learns what I can do, he'll try to use me, and I'll never be able to get away from this damned place!" Sigh. "But don't worry, I'm not ungrateful. I'll take you both, Marianne, and my physicians with me."
He giggled, "Alright, I get it. Don't worry, I'll never tell anyone about it. I get why you keep it to yourself, Lady Hope. I was just really shocked that I never even got suspicious about it."
That made a proud smile appear on my lips, "Well, I'm an amazing liar. That would probably make me an amazing actress as well!"
Sir Lawrence rolled his eyes, "Only you to feel happy with being a good liar!" Then the song stopped and we also stopped whispering. We put some distance between us, and he bowed, "It was an honor to have your first dance, Lady Hope!"
I nodded, "The honor was mine, Sir Lawrence!" Then we went to separate ways and I ignored all the eyes on me and went straight to the buffet to see if everything was alright. "I'll take this," I said as a waiter came around with a tray of glasses with the famous northern pink champagne, which I hadn't tasted yet. "Thank you, very much!"
"Your Ladyship," she bowed lightly, still with the tray in her hands.
"You are doing a great job, keep it up!" She blushed, thanked me, and left. "What an adorable kid," I muttered to myself and finally took a sip of the drink.
"How does it tastes?" A deep voice asked behind me, and when I turned around, I saw a handsome guy, more than a head taller than me (and I'm with heels), with silver hair wavy hair, and beautiful lips, since I couldn't see his eyes because of the black mask. And he was all in black, with some small details in gold, really handsome, with clothes that fit him just fine.
Not to mention this body of his, with those broad shoulders, thinner waist, muscle body, and also black gloves on. Really a sight to behold. I bet he has ice-blue eyes, to complete this amazing look of his. Since I was born here, I never saw a guy as hot as the one in front of me.
Is he single?
"See something you like?" He asked smirking, as I was still gawking at him, and he probably could tell because opposite to him, my mask didn't cover my eyes.
I gulped and maintained my pace, "Don't you have manners?"
He scoffed lightly, "Oh, I'm sorry. I guess it was my mistake," then he bowed gently and it was quite the sight since he's huge. "It's an honor to meet you, Lady Hope Ariella Bissonnette," it's awkward to hear him call me by my full name.
"Just Lady Hope is alright," I muttered.
"Alright, then. Happy twentieth birthday, Lady Hope. Even though it seems like it's a little late, seeing as your birthday was a little past a month ago!" Oh?
"Indeed, some complications happened, as you may already know, and I didn't feel good enough to hold the ball before. But now it's alright, and I hope you will have a great time. Nevertheless, thank you for your wishes. It wasn't very happy, but it could have been worst," I mocked myself.
A sensual smirk appeared at the corner of his lips, and when another waiter with glasses of champagne appeared in our sight, he took a glass for himself. They raised for me and I raised mine subconsciously. "For a better future then."
"For a better future," I took another sip, feeling refreshed. "The rumors were right, the northern alcohol is light years better than those weak watery drinks here in the south," I said more to myself. "Way stronger than our champagne, just as I wished it would be."
When I noticed he was still there and with his gaze probably on me, since his head was turned to me, I shut up. "You seem to know quite a bit about alcohol!" He pointed.
"Should I take it as a compliment or as an offense?" Because coming from the people at this time, they would probably judge me for it.