Just when she thought her plans were going smoothly, this little problem came out.
Cordelia was just a princess by title, not by lifestyle. She was not like other princesses of her age. Due to her father becoming a handicap mysteriously, Cordelia had no other choice but to perform the duties of her father, the King.
When other princesses were going to balls and tea parties, she was attending meetings and councils. When other princesses were dreaming about fancy horses, magnificent castle, glorious palaces and Prince Charming, she was thinking about the safety and well-being of her Kingdom.
She was a princess performing the duties of a King.
Now, she really wished she could do what other princesses can do. She didn't know how to dance, how to do embroidery. She didn't even have a particular hobby, except if reading and studying politics was a hobby.
Maybe if Cordelia's mother was alive, she would have acted more of a princess.
Cordelia needed to know to dance for the ball or else, it would be bye-bye to her revenge. Earlier, before Cordelia came to Melan, she had thought of ways she could kill the Grand Prince. Stab him in the chest, slit his throat or just poison him. In order to do any of those, she had to get inside the Ivory Palace first. She also thought of breaking into the Ivory Palace but there would a very tight security and she had no insight of interiors of the Ivory Palace to the point of going to the Grand Prince's chambers. Also, the news of a monstrous beast roaming the night killed this thought.
The ball is the only next step to take and it was a must-attend for her.
Cordelia went to the counter and sat beside Jael.
"I heard from those women that there is a ball coming up in two day's time", Cordelia started, " Are you going to attend the ball?"
"No, I'm not", Jael replied nonchalantly,
"Why?"
"I attended the ball last year. Grand Prince never dance with the same woman twice. There is no point in attending the ball this year. The Grand Prince is clearly looking for a wife", Jael emphasized
"I have never attended a ball before", Cordelia said, which was true, " I want to go to the ball but I don't know how to dance".
Jael gave her a disbelieving look and nearly snorted, " You don't know how to dance?"
" Yes, I want you to teach me how to dance", Cordelia begged.
"Don't tell me you are already head over heels with the Grand Prince", Jael said in a questioning tone, "He is not the only man on earth".
Cordelia laughed at Jael's last statement. Head over heels? It was more like head under heels to her. Looks like Jael wasn't one of the Grand Prince's fan girls, " I just want to be in a social gathering. That's all", Cordelia said innocently,
"Okay, I'll teach you tomorrow. Be ready", Jael said.
...
The next day...
"Ugh! Move your feet smoothly. Stop being so rigid!", Jael corrected for the nth time. She looked so frustrated. She had been teaching and instructing Cordelia the basic steps of a formal dance but it felt like she was teaching a confused kid. Even toddlers can do better than Cordelia.
Cordelia looked exhausted. Dancing was so tedious. At this rate, she doubted that she'll dance at the ball.
"Can I rest for a few minutes?", Cordelia asked, panting. Her hands was on her knees.
"Do whatever you want. I wonder if the Grand Prince will ever dance with you if you keep aching like a log of wood", Jael was already moving towards the door.
Memories of burning houses and the still corpse of the dead father flashed through her mind. No! She must do this! She was just a step away from the entering the Ivory Palace. Cordelia made the memories of her dead kingdom reignite the dead fire in her. She made a promise to kill the one who turned Evalon to ruins. Cordelia's face hardened and bore a dead serious look, "Jael wait, I was just lagging", Cordelia stopped her from going further. Jael turned to look at her.
When Cordelia saw that she had her attention, she made a few dance steps and even twirled gracefully.
Jael looked quite surprised. Was she not the one who was dancing like a chicken the other time? Jael clapped at her and said,
"Now, we are getting somewhere. What spirit possesed you, Cordelia?"
" I just wanted to attend the ball", and kill your country's beloved Monarch, Cordelia completed the sentence in her mind.
After, a few more dance lessons, Cordelia finally learned how to dance. To Kill.
"I need a gown. I can't attend the ball without one", Cordelia said.
"Then, let's go to the market and buy one", Jael replied.
"But I don't have any money",
"Then stay here with me. You don't have to go to the ball. It isn't like you'll catch the Grand Prince's eyes"
"What if I do?", Cordelia asked with her chin raised up, "Let us make a deal",
Jael became interested.
"Let's go to the market and buy a gown. You will pay for the gown..."
"If you attract the Grand Prince, you will not pay for the gown but you don't, you will refund my money", Jael finished for her.
"Deal?"
"Deal"
Paying for the gown was the least of Cordelia's problem. But how to attract the Grand Prince was. Cordelia knew how to solve the problem but that defended on what other women would wear. With her beauty and intuition, she'll make sure that she was the most noticable lady in the ballroom.