The music played beautifully throughout the dance hall which hummed with the chatter of people. The atmosphere was alive with the excitement of the nobles as they gathered for the ball. Among them was Anastasia.
Her eyes flitted around everyone, locating a person whom she holds dear. Her brother, Alexander.
It's been an hour since they parted and left her in Rolan's care, but she's keen to find the whereabouts of her brother, who promised to dance with her after taking care of, he quoted "important job". She searched for him for over twenty minutes now but her search became harder as more people flocked in to enjoy the magnificent night.
Disappointed, Ana's gaze flickered to Rolan, who's been following her since Alexander left her. He is his brother's chief of security. If anyone knows his whereabouts, it's him. So she asked.
"Rolan, do you know where my brother has gone?"
Rolan shook his head apologetically. "Your highness, I'm sorry I can't tell you that."
Rolan knew the answer but he has an order from Alexander not to say anything.
Ana frowned, getting worried as time passes by but a sudden distraction caught her attention. A new array of pairs took to the center of the hall while there was a brief intermission of the orchestra. In the middle, she finally found what she was looking for.
It was his brother, and next to him was a woman she had never seen before. The woman was tall and beautiful, with long golden hair that cascaded down her back like a waterfall. She wore a fitting, floor-length black gown that accentuated her hourglass figure with also a slit that underline her long legs. The two of them stood in front of the crowd in an intimate embrace.
People were so captivated by the pair that they couldn't seem to take their eyes off of them.
"Brother!!" She exclaimed excitedly and dropped the arm of Rolan before running toward the dance floor.
Alexander stiffened as he heard a familiar voice calling his name. He swiveled his head, his eyes widening at the sight of his younger sister.
He immediately signaled Rolan, who was in a daze, to catch her before she can reach him. Rolan ran swiftly toward Ana and caught her by the arm.
Confused, Ana questioned Rolan. "Why...let me go!"
"Your Highness, please behave yourself. His Imperial Majesty has asked me to take you away from the dance hall..."
"Why?!" Ana demanded, her sudden rise of tone caused the eyes of the people around her to fall on her.
"Your...highness..."
"Okay, Rolan, I'll take it from here," Alexander stepped in to prevent the commotion from going out of hand. "Ana, give me five minutes and I swear you'll be my next dance partner," Alexander pleaded while holding her shoulders.
Since it was her dear brother asking, Ana ceased resisting and allowed Rolan to lead her away from the dance hall. "Fine..."
Alexander sighed in relief and hurried back to his dance partner.
"Phew...I apologize for leaving you so suddenly. I have to take care of my little sister for a while...she can be a handful sometimes."
"No...it's fine. I don't mind it at all," Sophie replied with an understanding tone, her eyes never left Alexander's.
"Then...shall we start again?" Alexander asked formally as he held out his hand.
"It's has been a while since I last danced. So do forgive me in advance for my clumsiness," Sophie murmured and took his offered hand.
Alexander smiled dashingly and perhaps saw too much confidence within his smile.
"You'll be fine. No one will notice a miss step if you are with me."
Alexander glanced around the hall briefly. They were a lot of eyes.
Inwardly, Thomas began downloading necessary information about dancing. Luckily, Alexander has a lot of experience and he dances very well. If he just follows it, he would be just fine.
The next symphony began, and the two of them began their dance. Alexander took the lead, his arm held around her waist firmly. Sophie got slightly nervous but her heart calmed down when she pressed her free hand to his shoulder. She followed his lead.
Their feet stepped lightly across the smoothened marble floor, Sophie's dress twirled while Alexander's suit swished.
Alexander pulled her closer to him. Their bodies pressed against each other. Sophie's heart hammered in her chest as she felt the sensation of his touch on her skin. It was as if her heart was flying out of her chest. She can feel his every breath from his chest brushing against her cheek.
Her cheeks reddened as she felt his gaze on her face. She kept her head low to hide her burning cheeks. The eyes of the crowds were on them as Alexander manage to attract them with his remarkable dance steps.
Though it was not the reason why they are the center of attraction. It was their position. Alexander Romanoff is the Imperial Prince of the Ruthenia Empire and would soon be proclaimed as the new emperor. Sophie is the princess of the Kingdom of Bavaria.
Alexander noticed her troubled expression, so he initiated a conversation while they danced.
"Are you okay? Want us to stop?"
"No... it's just that.." Sophie blushed. "I'm not used to this much attention."
Alexander chuckled at her reason. "I see, I thought it was something serious...Don't mind them, focus only on me."
It wasn't hard to get attention with all the eyes in the room staring at them. Sophie took a deep breath, taking Alexander's advice, and focused only on him.
Sophie slowly relaxed and began to enjoy the dance with Alexander. She felt like she was flying under the moonlight. The ambiance and the lights above them were like a veil, giving them the illusion that they are alone.
Alexander pulled her closer to him as the music played, so they are now chest to chest. Sophie blushed at the intimate position the two of them were in.
She felt his strong arms around her waist and she tightened her grip on his shoulder. She tilted her head upward and her eyes met with his.
Alexander stared at Sophie. Her eyes sparkled like sapphires. He leaned in closer to her, his lips almost brushing her ear. "You look beautiful tonight, Sophie...become my Queen."
Sophie's heart skipped a beat at his confession, and she could feel her face grow warmer. Her lips quivered as she tried to get a word out.
Meanwhile, Thomas shouted inwardly after his sudden proposal. It just came out of his mouth. He doesn't know why he said it but the damage has already been done.
It must be because Alexander's dormant subconscious affects his emotion. It's been a problem for him since he reincarnated in this world. However, after seeing her response, it must've had an effect on her. Though he already promised her that she has a choice, it looked as though he was going to break it.
Back in reality.
"I..."
She didn't get to finish her sentence as a new dance song started. It was slow and sweet.
Alexander pulled her close to his body, face to face. He placed one of his hands on the small of her back while the other hand hold her wrist. He moved his body in a slow, smooth motion as the music played. His breath brushed against her ear.
"I'll be waiting for your answer...Sophie."
She blushed and her heart pounded in her chest. Her eyes flickered to his and she noticed that he was staring at her. She raised her head and met his gaze.
"Yes.."
It was barely a whisper. Sophie immediately hid her face, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
"Yes? You mean you accept my proposal?"
But before he could get an answer, the symphony ended. It was followed by a round of applause that resounded throughout the hall.
Sophie lifted both sides of her dress and curtsied to Alexander who bowed back.
And before he could ask again for clarification, to his shock again, Sophie flitted away.
'Shit...I fucked it all up,' He cursed internally.
***
Sophie exited the palace to get some fresh air. Her heart hammered in her chest, and her cheeks burned up as she remembered Alexander's words clearly in her mind. "Become my Queen..."
She buried her head in her hands in embarrassment as she also remembered the time when she answered "Yes".
Relapsing those moments made her heart pound in her chest. She raised her head from her hands and stared out into the night and the stars. Hoping that the scenery above would calm her beating heart.
Prince Alexander Romanoff is a kind and warm-hearted man. After spending brief moments alone in one room sharing stories and telling her that he likes the way she is her hobby. It's only natural that she will feel positive about him.
"I thought I would find you here,"
Sophie jolted slightly at the unexpected close voice. Turning her head to the side, she saw Alexander walking toward her. Her eyes widened slightly.
"How did you know I was here?"
He tilted his head to the side. His eyes were gentle, yet so piercing, striking right through her heart. "I just followed you, how else could I know?" Alexander explained as she slowly walked forward and stopped a meter from her.
"I'm sorry for leaving you so suddenly out there alone..."
"Me too, I want to apologize for asking something abrupt like earlier. I crossed the line. I even told you that I would respect your decision and would not force you to be my Queen."
She looked down at the ground and she played with her fingers as she tries to formulate a response.
Silence fell between them as neither from both side tries to speak.
Trying to break the silence, Alexander stepped forward and looked at her stared down face. "Sophie, I will leave next week back to Ruthenia. I need your answer by then."
Sophie looked up at his face. She saw sincerity and warmth in it. She blinked once, then again. She spoke in a small but audible voice.
"What if...I don't?"
Alexander could see her trembling as she uttered those words. Is she rejecting him?
"To be honest, if you reject my proposal. I guess I'll have to accept it and move on. I will look for another princess from another country that would accept me as her consort. Then, I'm afraid we'll never see each other again..."
Sophie turned her face away. Her heart lurched at those words. They only met just earlier but it felt like they'd been together for a long time.
"And...if I accept?"
"Well...you will become my wife and the new Queen of the Ruthenia Empire. I know we haven't spent much time together and I also believe that there is an insufficient connection between us and we don't know much about each other. But I know one thing
"Yes?"
Alexander looked at her straight in the eyes and spoke in a steady voice. Without breaking their gaze, he spoke again. "I like you, Sophie."
After all the talk of him, swearing that he will not fall in love with a political tool. Thomas felt betrayed. But what he just said right now came from his heart. He doesn't understand himself anymore. Everything contradicts what was established. His rational mind against unpredictable emotions. He underestimated everything.
Objectively speaking, Thomas felt a spark when they spend their time together earlier, drawing birds, and telling her his story. It all felt genuine.
"My childhood..." Sophie uttered.
"Childhood?" Alexander cocked his head to the side.
Sophie continued, "During my childhood, I was always drawing. No matter what my royal tutor taught me, I tuned out the lessons and spent my time drawing. Even in my father's office, I was supposed to be listening to my father speak, but I paid attention to the way the light fell on my father across from me and sketched a quick picture of what I saw," Sophie continued narrating. "I dreamed of giving up my position as an aristocrat...getting an apprenticeship...and living independently in the city. But it was only a dream I would never realize. I don't know if I'm strong enough to go through with it. I'm sure that I would've failed anyway. So, even being able to draw on some occasion like earlier in the courtyard...is all I can to..." Sophie's tears streamed down her cheek as Alexander listened to her story with interest. "I'm sorry...for always crying like this..." she said apologetically as she wiped her tears with the back of her hand.
"You're the first person I opened myself up to. I'm not someone who is good at expressing my feelings...Oh silly me...I thought I had moved on...but I promise I'll give it up soon enough."
Give it up soon? Alexander scowled as he saw the dedication to pursuing art.
Based on her words alone, she's implying that she doesn't want to be part of the aristocracy that will hinder her from doing her passion for painting. So does it mean...she'll reject him?
Just in case, Alexander prepared his heart for her next word.
"So...I'll try my hardest to become a suitable wife for you," Sophie declared.