What she saw, or better didn't see, left her in confusion and astonishment. His charming appearance was attracting all people's gaze on his deep eyes and his definite facial traits, distracting his audience from what was right under their noses.
Looking down the floor she had seen there was no shadow there, he seemed to be unable to cast a shadow. Shirlyn's never studied physics before but she didn't need any particular knowledge to come to the conclusion that this characterization didn't belong to humans.
"You don't have a shade." Shirlyn stated in a low voice as she took a step ahead trying to look better, but the only shadow she could spot was hers.
He didn't reply, he quietly stared at her straight in her eyes like if he was unsure of her answer and wanted to read whether she was lying or just pretending. He was perceiving an energy coming from her that was the concrete proof of her not human nature. He's been receiving those radiations from the previous night, that's the reason why he laid his prominent gaze on her frequently. Her scent was what drove him to find her and help her.
With a sudden movement he turned around making her jolt.
"What did this man want from you?" He asked.
"He was being quite persistent in wanting my hand."
The King cupped his chin, "I see.. then, what happened?"
"His nose.. casually started to bleed." Shirlyn said nodding, pursing her lips, he took an unconscious chuckle: "I will take care of it. I'll make sure to lavish him with enough jewels and gold so that he forgets today's unfortunate events." He offered a friendly smile which Shirlyn soon returned. "I'd be very grateful if there's something I can do in return..."
He tilted his head from side to side. "Don't worry, go now." He commanded, Shirlyn followed his orders walking away.
Returning to the ballroom, she saw Abigail standing on her toes and stretching her neck, probably looking for her. Shirlyn waved unconsciously, then realized that she was not supposed to wave in such a manner otherwise she would have been considered ill-mannered. With the hand she was moving she pretended to be swatting a fly, catching her sister's attention.
They walked through the crowd of people that separated them, they met halfway.
"Shirlyn!! Why do you always sneak away? Do you have a secret lover?" She asked, with a suspicious tone of voice.
"I didn't feel like dancing." She replied.
"If you don't find another man you will have to marry Lord Darington, do you recall?" Abigail whispered receiving a nod from Shirlyn, she did recall as much as she recalled he was not an issue anymore.
"In this regard, your well-intentioned sister..." She laid her hands on her shoulders and led her a few steps alongside right in front of two gentlemen who standed firmly showing a toothy smile. "ta-tatan, found you a gentleman's worth of your attention." She smiled hugely, spreading her arm in the direction of a blonde short haired guy. Truthfully enough, he was looking charming enough to be worth the attention of every lady in that room.
He elegantly took a bow, Shirlyn responded with another bow.
Stretching his hand and Shirlyn took it, not to disappoint her sister, she didn't want to get in the way of her sisters' future or limit their possibilities of getting married and having the life of their dreams. As promised, she behaved well.
He kept his eye on her while his lips went to kiss the back of her hand delicately.
"I'm pleased to meet you, my name is Lionel of Galad House."
That name sounded familiar to Shirlyn's, yet she couldn't remember where she heard it from.
"Do you want to dance with me?" He asked, still staring straight at her eyes, like if he was hypnotized.
Shirlyn nodded, Abigail seeing how well they bounded smiled hugely, to finally turn around and face a new gentleman who was waiting for her.
The blond guy, who seemed to have just stepped out of a magazine, laid his hand to take Shirlyn's hand and spread it wide, he took a step forward leading Shirlyn to take a step ahead back, then they took a step side and finally one closer to each other. He was moving fast in a repentine repetition of steps, he seemed very practical as he was anticipating the music's rhythm like if he knew it by heart.
"Lady Abigail mentioned that you don't like dancing much, but I have to admit that for someone who dislikes the ballroom you're keeping up very well."
Shirlyn genuinely smiled at his statement, he pushed her body away to just take a step closer, they took a twirl slowly. "I do like dancing, I don't like most of the people who take part in dances." She faked a smile, "however I can't dance alone unfortunately."
His lips curved into a smile, assuming it was a joke.
As they continued the dance, he whispered, "in complete confidence, lady Shirlyn, " he watched her break the touch with his hand to twirl around and then reunited her hand against his to resume the dancing. "I share your same distaste in people but the ones that crowd balls don't bother me much. At least, not as much as those who attend promenades." He scoffed, in a roll of eyes.
"I don't mind those by the lake." Shirlyn whispered. His eyebrows knitted in a disappointed expression. "You fancy those?" His tone of voice was low but his shook was hearable.
His surprise made her take an honest laugh, but he shook his head, almost missing a step but quickly getting back on track.
"See you're upsetting me so much that my dance is affected!" He let out a scoff and then continued, "those shall be honoring nature, breathing fresh air. Instead for people nature is just a background to accompany custom made fabrics and expensive jewelry. Nature is not even appreciated as people are too occupied in chatting and gossiping about minor matters. An undercover basquet." He admitted confidentially, gazing around to make sure nobody was listening.
Once the music stopped, their dance ended and Shirlyn offered him a joyful smile.
She could feel her sister's gaze on her, who concluded her dance just a few seconds before Shirlyn did and was already keeping an eye on the couple, probably feeling like a cupid who shot its arrow and finally melted her sister's cold heart.
"I'm very honored to have danced with you Miss Shirlyn." He assumed a composed posture, Shirlyn thanked him with a bow, then walked toward the sister.