May we?" He suddenly gestured outside and Alexander turned to Elaine
"I'll be back, this stubborn old man won't let me be even if I refuse "
"It's fine " she responded with a sweet smile and he immediately turned to leave.
Elaine waited for Alexander in that same spot not wanting to get lost in the crowd so Alexander could easily find her, but it's been a while and he wasn't back yet, Elaine had started to feel nervous around the crowd. Many noble men had asked her for a dance but each time she had to refuse, it was a tradition of the continent that her husband always gets the first dance. She decided to just go back to the Royal area and sit quietly, that way Alexander could find her easily and she could get away from explaining to the nobles. When she got there the king had left the ball and the rest of the royals had mingled up with the crowd leaving her alone to her thoughts.
"Sigh" she suddenly whispered under her breath and sat calmly
"Need company?" She suddenly heard a voice call and turned around to see him. The crown Prince Kevin, he was all smiles as always but Elaine couldn't help feeling on guard whenever he's around. There was always mischief in his smile but maybe she feels that way because she knows that he's the mastermind of the whole plotting against Alexander
"Greetings Crown Prince" she greeted curtly and with a smile as usual
"Seems your husband left you all alone with this massive crowd of strangers huh?" Kevin said to her
"He left for urgent work, but he'll be back soon" she blurted trying to defend her husband
"Ah!...I know " he said casually
"So, while you wait for him.....may I have this dance?" He offered
"Um... Alexan-"
"It's almost midnight and the ball will soon come to an end. Alexander might not be able to come in time....and you deserve one dance at a party organized for you " he tried to convince her, and he was right. She saw that many guests were already leaving and she had been waiting for hours, but Alexander would be upset -she thought
"Plus, it's not nice to refuse the Crown Prince, especially with all the eyes staring right now" Elaine saw that almost all the guests were looking at them now and if she refused him then the news would spread like wild fire. It could even ruin his image
"Okay, just one dance" she finally complied and hesitantly placed her hand on top of his. He led her majestically posed to the big ballroom and they both danced elegantly, though Elaine tried as much as she can to focus on her steps and not make a mistake. She had just recently learnt the art of ball room dancing but she knew she hadn't fully gotten the hang of it yet, so she could make a mistake.
"Elaine" Kevin called and she looked up at him, trying to maintain a safe distance, unknown to her the noble women and generals wives had all started murmuring about her. They felt this was an act of shamelessness, she was supposed to give the first dance to her husband, but instead she danced with the Crown Prince and just like her, the crown Prince was supposed to give his first dance to his wife but he gave it to Elaine. Rumors started surrounding the entire ballroom. Could it be that they are in love with one another? -they kept whispering
"I don't really blame her though. I mean Prince Alexander is such a cold hearted young man whereas Prince Kevin is always all smiles and a cheerful handsome young man" a woman with black Raven hair whispered to two others
"But still, this is so wrong. Did she think about how shameless she's being, she's so lucky the king and Prince Alexander aren't here to witness this" another woman shot at Elaine with the most displeased look among the trio, she looked like the wife of a very powerful general in the kingdom -well according to how she portrayed herself
"Yes Crown Prince" Elaine answered
"You aren't working on the deal yet and I heard you gave your word not to consummate the marriage so what's going on now?" He asked, his calm voice slowly changing into an evil one. Elaine's eyes widened at his words, she didn't know he'd be so open about it
"Answer me?"
"Sigh, it's all part of the plan" she said hesitantly
"Consummating a baseless marriage?" He asked authoritatively which made anger rose from the dept of Elaine's heart for this man
"A baseless marriage...if the marriage is so baseless, why was it part of your plan all along. Now I'm warning you never use that tone on me ever again and also never call my marriage to my husband 'Baseless'" she said showing him her most dangerous glare. Kevin shut his eyes closed for two seconds and opened them again, he no longer looked evil like seconds ago, he looked like he's usual self now, pretty cheerful and calm
"Your right, I am sorry....I just don't want you getting too attached to my brother, he has quite a temper that could kill just by staring into his eyes. I was worried about you, he has a dark side that is unpredictable" he explained
"Your one to talk and did you just call him your brother? You are the one plotting against him, you hate him Soo much and yet you want to explain to me about him" Elaine argued. To the others in the ballroom they were dancing romantically but no one noticed the look in Elaine's eyes because she was very good at hiding it
"You've only being married to him for a month now so I know more about him than you do. Am just looking out for you " he tried to convince her