Day 74

Afternoon

Water droplets fall against my skin like silent callings. Yes, callings. Calling me to hurry up with my shower so that I can prepare for the ball.

My free day to roam around the kingdom of Revellis ended smoothly. After the trip to that antique shop where I got the music box, we returned to the castle. I haven't seen Eve since what had occured either.

It still greatly pains me to accept the fact that someone I had so close to me in my past was such a villain. But I'll be fine, because things are better now.

I turn the running water off and hastily leave the shower room, taking a towel and wrapping it around my body. The vanity was just to the side of the door, and so it wasn't much of a walk for me and my dripping hair. Next thing I know- with this absent mindedness of mine, I'll be slipping.

Before I was able to take a seat in front of the vanity to blow-dry my hair, I get a knock on the door followed by the voice of a female maid.

"Miss Astor. If you don't mind, I will be helping you prepare for the ball." She says as soon as I let her in. The girl had a very soft voice, and a young one too.

"That's fine with me." Oh but I do hope I don't end up having to wear something awfully restricting. But if it's ball gowns we're talking about, I'd be more surprised if the dress wasn't restricting.

"Shall I help you dry your hair first? After that we can go and pick your dress."

Oh looks like I get to pick. Though this kind of feels like deja vu. "Yes please." I smile.

It took me almost three hours to finish preparations. Getting my hair ready, the dress on, and makeup. Sure, I was given a lot of options for the dress but all of them took quite an effort to put on.

And I once again ended up with a light blue dress- because it's my color. Well, personally that is. The dress had puffy sleeves, no embroidered designs but mainly truffles. And they were a white color. Remind me to be careful not to make a mess when I eat.

"Miss Astor, you look so beautiful!" The maid looked both tired and proud. She had done my hair, blow-drying then curling it, she had done my makeup and finally helped with getting the dress on.

"Thanks."

The maid continued to smile at me, and I felt pretty awkward.

"So... Miss Astor I hope you don't mind me asking, hehe."

I think I know where this is going.

"What are you to the Prince of Elleris?"

Knew it.

"A friend?" I give an uncertain response. "Speaking of the prince, I should probably go check up on him. He might be waiting for me."

"Ah yes yes." The maid promptly opens the door for me and I make my way to where the prince stays for the duration of our time here.

"Rowan, you in there?" I knock on the door until he opens it.

He stood there looking as fine as always. With his hair fixed there was not a single stray strand out. I guess the only difference was that he was wearing such a fancy outfit. Black suit, not too princely. Heck I shouldn't even be bothering with the small details to begin with, he can steal hearts any day. But I'm still not letting my heart end up anywhere than in my chest just yet!

I looked at his face and realized his expression was looking rather sheepish. And his cheeks were a light shade of red while looking down on me. What a tower.

"Something wrong?"

"No." He clears his throat. "You look stunning Riselle. Shall we head to the ballroom now?"

"Alright." I offer my hand and the prince takes it. Holding merely by my fingers.

Since I am to come to the ball basically as his partner, I need to follow even the least of what partners do. Yes, I'm just his partner for the ball and that's it.

I most likely will end up having to dance with him too. Unfortunate. "Uhm, if we end up dancing later..."

"Hmm?"

"Sorry in advance if I step on your feet. Or maybe even trip."

"You don't know how to dance?"

"The last time I've danced I did decently. And that was half a decade ago when I was still having lessons." I tell Rowan with despairing honesty. I wasn't bad at dancing, I just didn't know whether I still could or not. Back in the castle of Elleris, I had done preparations before coming here but no practice for dancing.

"Oh. I'm sure you'll be fine. Let's head to the ballroom now, or we'll be fashionably late."

"Fashionably late?" I ask. The prince and I were already taking small steps to where the ball was taking place.

"Does my suit not look well on me?"

Really anything would look good on him. But of course I won't tell him that. A rather small compliment will do. "It looks very charming, Rowan."

"Charming. I like the sound of that." He stops and lifts his free hand to my face, lifting my chin. His eyes held a sultry gaze while he looked in mine. "I'm sure there will be handful of men in nice suits once we enter the ball. I do hope that your eyes will only find me charming however. Or I might have to unsheath my sword." He grimaced. His words made me feel a weird mixture of fear, shock, and butterflies.

It left me stunned and unable to respond. He put his hand down after a few more seconds of staring deep into my eyes with his piercing blue ones, and we continued walking towards the ballroom.

What he said felt rather possessive. Have my eyes for him only? Well. I am not to sure what to think about that, but these stupid growing feelings do certainly have eyes for him. And it's so bothersome! Still, Rowan wasn't cruel or a monster. He still feared things, and treated me with care.

Ever since the day my memories almost got wiped once again, and I went basically went on a date with the prince, a certain thought would cross my mind every now and then. Thinking maybe I should just let my feelings grow.

Perhaps I'll love him the way little me did when promising him that we'll marry.