Emerald entered the ballroom with her father by her side. Right now she wished people would stop looking at her as if she had grown another head. For a moment, Emerald thought that people had noticed the bond mark that was hidden behind her collar.
Tracy, who was Baroness Agnes's daughter, basked in the attention that was not even focused on her. She stood by her mother, trying to act innocent.
Jane walked behind the family as she had accompanied Emerald. She looked around the large room in awe. This was her first time coming to the palace.
John and Alex shared a look between each other. It was time to initiate their plan.
The music played softly in the large room. Men and women swirled in the ballroom as they danced. Alexander walked towards Emerald who was at a corner of the room. Just when Alex was about to reach Emerald, another person asked her for a dance.
Alexander's envy knew no bounds. How could someone dare touch the person he loved. Were they not digging their graves.
"May I have this dance with you?" Alex heard a voice by him. He looked to his right just to find the sister of the boy that had stolen a dance from him.
'Look at that! Since when were the ladies requesting dances from me.' Alex wondered.
Alex would have refused but some of the guest had started to look at them. This shameless girl who was boldly asking a man for a dance did not even bother to lower her voice.
"It would be my pleasure." Alex had a smile on his face that didn't reach his eyes.
Eva was in cloud nine. She had known that the was a high probability that the prince would refuse as he had his eyes set on the girl her brother had sent to the dance floor. As a precaution, she had spoken loud enough for others to hear, living Alexander in a pickle. It would have been rude to turn down a fair lady like herself after all.
The unwilling Alex found himself taking Eva to the dance floor. His moves were rigid and forced, which made Eva question if the prince was thought how to dance.
Alexander's grip on Eva's hand tighten as he watched as Emerald chuckle from a comment Evans made. John felt the chill seep into his bones.' Who was such an intense aura emanating from' he wondered. It was then that he noticed Alex who looked like he would blow any moment. John followed Alex line of sight and quickly understood the situation.
Emerald forced herself to not drop the smile she had on her face. How could a guy be so boring. The man who asked her for a dance was fairly handsome but he wouldn't compare to Alex. And why was he talking about himself like that. He even started to list his achievements.
It made Emerald wonder how someone could be so boring.
Using a handy spell he had learnt, John tied the lace of Evans shoes that caused him to fall.
Emerald was quick to get out of sight as Evans fall had attracted a lot of attention from the people nearby.
"The bond is glowing!" Jane whispered worribond. Ejhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh once Emerald was close enough.
Both girls looked at each other. If the bond was glowing it only meant on thing. Alex was close.
Emerald heaved a sigh of relief. If Alex was here then it meant he wasn't some mere commoner but a person of high social standing.
....
Alexander on the other hand was still dancing with Eva. Only God knew how much Alex was praying for an opportunity to leave.
"Alex, your father is demands your presence now." John came to Alexander's rescue.
Alex gladly left Eva with the excuse the this father hated to be left waiting.
....
Nick stood still holding a glass of wine with a grin on his face. He was so occupied with the tales he was telling the girls who had surrounded him that he failed to notice the ice cold glares he was receiving from other men.
They all wondered how a brat like himself could gain the attention of so many girls while they stood there ideal.
Alex had explain what he wanted John to do. He simply wanted John to hod the bond he had placed on Emerald. Only God knew the trouble she would be if anyone found out about the bond. Even Alexander's father would kill Alex if he knew his only son and future king for the kingdom had tied his life to someone he just met.
John nodded and went to accomplish the task that was given to him by his best friend and also crown prince of the kingdom he came from.
John heaved a sigh of relief when he saw Emerge was alone. He walked towards her and whispered ' Follow me '
At first Emerald was wondering why a stranger would ask her to follow him before she recognized that voice that sounded like the owner was bored of life, John!
Like an obedient girl she followed him to a hallway where not so many people passed there.
"John!" Emerald started,"Where is Alex? He..he...look!" Emerald spoke frantically as she should John the bond mark.
John raised a bow, why was the bind full?
If the bond mark was completed it meant Emerald had agreed to be Alex's partner now and the next life.
John placed his hand on her neck and began uttering the spell needed to his the mark
"Where is Alex?" Emerald asked once John was done.
" Close." came the dull voice of john that made Emerald what to smack him on the head and she would have done so if he had not just walked away from her. Another reason why she didn't do it was because she feared the source of her action.
With a sigh, Emerald walked back to meet Jane