So the long-awaited debutante ball is finally here. Ruffles of dresses twirled around the ballroom hall as girls frolicked in their most desirable outfits hoping to catch any decent noble. Some young men began to surround potential marriage partners asking for a dance. Some had come my way, but after rejecting tons, and glaring at attempters, no one dared to approach me.
I sat myself at the corner of the hall observing the people dancing. The Empire's royal family is yet to come but the party had been going on for some time.
I am a princess, but only of a small kingdom that is still part of the empire. There are other princesses in this hall like me and other notable ladies in the society.
I am 16 this year and have been refusing to be at this party for the past 2 years. But this year is different, I can no longer postpone my debutante. Because at this party, there's a man whom I want. And he's the man standing in the corner of the hall, his eyes covered in a veil of his dark hair. The owner of a cafe down Posh Street. Mr. Pseudo Yul Cato. (Suede Yul Kaeto)
Black hair, an oriental trait that never belonged in this continent, and amethyst eyes that draw you in. The man wearing a black long coat with a freesia flower tucked in his pocket stood out like a black dot on a white canvas. He is crowded by a bunch of flies and bees flocking around a sweet nectar.
"Mr. Cato sure is popular."
I looked at the lady beside me as she chuckled at the people huddled around the man I'd been looking at.
"He sure is." I looked at her. "Was I caught staring?"
"My, my, everyone is allowed to stare." Her raspy seductive voice and red lips caught my attention.
"How is the most beautiful girl in the continent alone tonight?" I asked. Her low-cut clothes of gold and bright pieces of jewelry brought about her hourglass body.
"You're the first to ever catch such beauty's interest. Princess Artemesia Silveria of Orchidia."
She said with a smile as she reached for my hand. "Nice to meet you, Princess. I am Luna Rivermore of Moonland"
The lady had an amorous beauty with her ashen hair and golden-brown skin. She looked older and perhaps was born of royalty by the number of pieces of jewelry adorning her bodice. By the way she looks, she may have been sent by Moonland kingdom for the Empress Selection.
"Do you want to dance princess?" she asked. I
s she flirting with me? I don't mind but-.
"I would have loved to Lady Luna, but there's a flower that I've been wanting to pluck at this very moment," I said giving her a meaningful glance. She followed my gaze towards the man at the corner of the hall.
"Oh, great taste. He sure is a beautiful flower. You should better swat away the filthy butterflies fluttering around."
"Oh yes. I would do that."
"If the flower happens to shrivel up, you know where to find me." With a wink, she moved away, giving me her most mischievous grin.
More like moths, I say. I left the beautiful lady and headed my way towards my goal. I was midway towards Mr. Cato when a man came up before me.
"Princess Artemesia? How beautiful you are. I've been meaning to dance with you."
I stared at the man in front of me. Brown hair, brown mousy eyes, probably a country noble.
"Forgive me my lord, I don't dance," I smiled but my tone was flat. I tried to walk around him when people began to gather around.
"Lady, I am Viscount Borromeo. We were afraid to come to you earlier because of the Moonland lady. But now that-"
"Princess Arte-"
"My gorgeous princess "
I stopped midway and smiled at the men and women gathered around.
"Forgive me lords and sirs, I do not plan to dance. I am needed elsewhere." I smiled at them and slipped away as fast as I could. Barely escaping the throngs of men and women, I ran towards the corner where Mr. Cato once stood.
As I reached the place, the Mr. Cato that I wanted was gone. fck!
A sigh escaped out of my lips at the missed opportunity. I should have gone to him sooner. I wanted to curse.
My attention came up to the podium when a loud voice echoed across the hall.
"Princess Rose Algeria! Prince Actaeon Algeria! And Your Majesty King Cal Liegre Damien Algeria."
Suddenly, the doors that had been kept shut for a long time finally opened. Three people walked out in shining gold and red.