King Cedric strides into the grand hall with a commanding presence, his attire befitting his regal stature. He had midnight black hair and magenta orbs. He wore a richly embroidered doublet in deep shades of burgundy and gold, the intricate patterns woven with threads of precious metals glinting in the light. A heavy velvet cloak, lined with ermine fur, drapes over his broad shoulders, fastened by a gleaming brooch adorned with the royal crest. His trousers are of the finest silk, tucked into knee-high leather boots polished to a shine.
Radiant and elegant, Queen Rowena along side King Cedric in a gown of flowing silk that shimmers like moonlight on water. The gown is a masterpiece of craftsmanship, with intricate lacework and embroidery adorning the bodice and trailing down the skirt. A delicate tiara graces her hair, nestled amidst carefully arranged curls that frame her face. The tiara, adorned with gems and pearls, glows softly against her golden locks. Her jewelry—a necklace of sapphires and diamonds—catches the light with every graceful movement. A velvet cloak, embroidered with a pattern of roses, drapes over her shoulders. Her demeanor exudes regal grace and warmth.
By their side is the heir to the throne, Crown prince Alistair makes his entrance with a mixture of confidence and youthful charm. He wears a tailored doublet and breeches of rich colors. His doublet is adorned with intricate embroidery that weaves in symbols . The fabric is accented with subtle shimmering threads that catch the light. His hair is styled with a fashionable flair. His presence is magnetic, drawing the attention of the nobles.
Briana's eyes widened as she gazed at the crown prince, her surprise evident. 'He's not at all what I expected,' she thought.
"The crown prince is even more handsome today," a lady murmured with a slight blush creeping up her cheeks, eliciting giggles from the others. Meanwhile, Alistair's eyes scanned the room as he wondered, 'Where could she be?'
Seated upon their designated thrones, the royal family presided over the event. The king's voice rang out, "Welcome everyone to tonight's grand debutante ball!" Applause echoed through the room. "Please enjoy yourselves! Let the party begin!"
" I don't think I will be able to find her like this. ' Alistair thought.
A group of musicians positioned themselves in front of the grand piano, their music filling the hall. As the melodies swirled, the nobles began to mingle and dance in the center of the ballroom.
Briana stood by Ambrose's side while Eveloria lingered behind them, observing the scene.
Ambrose's attention was drawn to Agnes, who gracefully approached him. With a bow from Agnes and a courteous response from Ambrose, their interaction commenced.
"May I have this dance, my lord?" she asked in a soft voice. He appeared momentarily taken aback but soon nodded his head in agreement. She delicately took his arm and guided him to the dance floor.
'Ambrose and Agnes, they do make a splendid pair, even if Agnes is a bit taller than him,' Eveloria observed, her attention momentarily on the couple. Her gaze then shifted to Ivan, who was approaching Briana. A deep sigh escaped Eveloria's lips as she muttered, "He always chooses her."
"Lady Briana, may I have the pleasure of this dance?" Ivan inquired, his smile polite. Briana's eyes briefly flickered to Eveloria, who seemed disinterested.
Offering Ivan a faint smile, Briana was about to place her hand on his arm when her gaze locked onto Gavriel. In a swift motion, she changed her course and approached Gavriel, leaving Ivan standing awkwardly alone.
Briana and Gavriel stood face to face, her eyes fixed on him expectantly as she formally requested, "May I have this dance, my lord?" Gavriel, meanwhile, cast a quick glance at Eveloria and silently wondered, 'What is Lady Briana up to? I intended to ask Eveloria to dance, not her.'
Gavriel's surprise was palpable, but he quickly composed himself. Clearing his throat, he whispered, "You know we can't dance here ."
"There's no harm in a sister dancing with her brother-in-law," Briana declared with a playful grin. She gently seized his arm and guided him onto the dance floor.
Observing this, Beatrice narrowed her eyes at the duo, muttering under her breath, "She must have lost her mind."
"Hmm? My apologies, Lady Beatrice," she was interrupted by Julianne, whom she had been conversing with, casting a curious glance her way. "Did you say something?"
Beatrice swiftly dismissed it, brushing off the awkward moment with a casual "Nothing," before recentering her attention on Briana and Gavriel, her hand tightly gripping her fan.
"Why?" Ivan mumbled to himself, his gaze locked on Briana as she danced with Gavriel.
Eveloria's presence within the hall didn't go unnoticed by the other nobles, and they began whispering amongst themselves. "Isn't she the one Lady Seraphina humiliated during the competition?"
"Yes, that's her."
"How unfortunate. Her attire is dreadfully old-fashioned and lacks any charm."
"That's to be expected. A true disgrace."
Unperturbed by the comments, Eveloria paid them no mind and gracefully made her exit from the grand hall. Eventually, the music concluded, and all the nobles on the dance floor came to a standstill. In the midst of the waning melody, Briana leaned in and whispered into Gavriel's ear, "Let's meet at the garden."
As she turned, her steps led her out of the hall, with Ivan tailing closely behind.
Upon reaching the corridor, Ivan's voice echoed, "Lady Briana."
Coming to a halt, Briana faced him, her expression inquiring. "What is it?" she asked, her tone laced with curiosity.
A frown etched across Ivan's face as he questioned, "What just transpired in there?"
With a scoff, Briana rolled her eyes and retorted, "Oh dear, you truly are a bit slow on the uptake."
Ivan found himself momentarily speechless. "What?" he managed to utter, his confusion evident.
"Ah, it's time for the truth," Briana began, her voice devoid of warmth. "Honestly, Lord Ivan, I've never held any fondness for you. The one who genuinely cares for you is Eveloria, so kindly spare me your attentions from now on."
With her declaration hanging coldly in the air, Briana turned to continue her departure, leaving Ivan standing there in bafflement.