Elianna blinked as an intense brightness flooded her vision. Her hearing was consumed by cheering and applause, and she noted how different voices called out Nicholas' name. Slowly, her vision cleared, and her brows raised as the ballroom before her became clear.

  With her eyes darting around, Elianna noticed how pristine the Grand Ballroom was, and how it radiated with beauty. The walls were a bright white with a golden trim, decorated with different paintings of beautiful landscapes. The flooring was a deep, glossy brown wood that reflected the large, gorgeous painted ceiling above and the several hanging golden chandeliers. White pillars were erected from the floor on both sides of the room, which seemed to separate the open floor in the center, and the large brown tables were near the walls. Looking down, Elianna noticed that she and Nicholas were standing at the top of a large white staircase with golden trim that descended to the floor. Looking straight ahead, she observed a set of double doors at the other end of the room, where a few more guests entered.

  As Elianna's eyes shifted around the room, she swallowed hard, suddenly feeling immensely nervous. Looking over the large crowd of guests, she noted that everyone was beautifully dressed, except for the Tri-Union and Gavarian guards who stood along the walls, dressed in their usual leather armor. But what made her tense was the fact that all eyes were looking in her direction. Scenarios began to swirl in her head, thinking she was going to fall in front of everyone and make a fool of herself.

  Elianna was beginning to feel nauseous, and was worried she was going to get sick in front of everyone. But then her focus suddenly shifted to her arm, where she felt a comforting warmth. Her gaze fell on her arm that was looped around Nicholas, seeing that he had placed his free hand there.

  "Hey," Nicholas whispered. "You alright?"

  Elianna looked up and met Nicholas' deep sea-green eyes, which she thought shone brightly in this light. Feeling a wave of comfort, Elianna's soft-looking lips curved as she nodded and whispered back, "Yeah."

  Nicholas returned her smile before jerking his chin forward, "Shall we?"

  Elianna nodded before giving a teasing grin, "Lead the way, Your Highness."

  Nicholas' lips pursed, and his eyes narrowed, earning a genuine laugh from Elianna, which seemed to make Nicholas' smile return.

  "Come on," Nicholas whispered, before moving forward.

  Taking a deep breath, Elianna followed Nicholas' lead and slowly began to descend the stairs, reminding herself to place one foot in front of the other. They were slow, taking their time as they moved down the stairs. Elianna looked through the crowd of guests, noting that they ranged in age. She noticed some whispering and pointed in her and Nicholas' direction.

  Feeling Nicholas' hand leave her arm, she noticed out of the corner of his eye how he smiled and gave an elegant wave. Deciding to follow suit, she waved to the crowd as she and Nicholas reached the base of the stairs. At the base of the stairs was a dias, with a shimmering golden throne. Standing at the bottom of the dias to the left were her parents, Freya, Mathew, and Celine, who were lined up. Elianna followed Nicholas' lead as he walked over and stood beside them.

  Celine peered around Nicholas and smiled at Elianna, "You okay? I thought you were going to be sick for a moment there."

  Elianna nodded, "Yeah, I'm okay." She took a breath, "Definitely was nerve-racking." She chuckled, "Part of me thought I would trip and fall."

  Celine's eyes widened slightly, "Oh my, that would've been embarrassing."

  Elianna nodded, "Very."

  Nicholas smiled at Elianna, "I would've caught you before that happened."

  Elianna met his gaze and returned his smile, "I don't doubt it."

  Elianna looked back toward the top of the stairs as the announcer began again, "Announcing, His Highness Prince Tristan Rineheart, accompanied by his soon-to-be betrothed, Lady Tiffany Carsender."

  The applause and cheering continued as Elianna watched Tristan and Tiffany appear at the top of the stairs. Tristan held an air of arrogance as he held his chin high and puffed his chest out. Standing beside him, Tiffany smiled beautifully as she waved enthusiastically to the crowd. Tiffany seemed to stumble slightly, and her smile faltered for a second as Tristan moved forward, their arms linked, before she followed him. They descended the stairs to the first floor before moving in her direction.

  Elianna tensed as Tristan approached, with Tiffany beside him, seeing that he was going to be standing beside her. As he neared, she observed how his dark blue eyes seemed to slowly travel down her frame, sending a shiver down her spine. She mentally grumbled at seeing how she was going to have to stand beside Tristan, but thought she could deal with it for just a few minutes. As Tristan came to stand beside her, her brows raised as Nicholas pulled her to the left, and she was now standing beside Celine, while Nicholas moved to stand to her right, separating her from Tristan. Elianna's lips curled, feeling a wave of warmth at the simple gesture.

  Hearing the announcer begin again, Elianna looked back to the top of the stairs.

  "Announcing, His Majesty, King of Gavaria, William Rineheart!"

  The applause and cheering exploded through the room as William stepped out onto the top of the stairs. William stood poised with his hands clasped to the small of his back, as he looked around. He seemed to take in the room for a moment before giving a small smile and waving elegantly to the crowd. William's movements were slow and deliberate as he began his descent to the first floor. Once he reached the dias, instead of heading toward where the others were to the left, William moved to the front and stood before the golden throne.

  William stood straight, with his hands clasped to his back, as he looked around the crowd while they cheered and applauded. Slowly, the cheers and applause died down, and William spoke with a loud, authoritative voice, "Greetings, everyone. I'm glad to see such a large crowd for this joyous occasion." He gestured toward his left, "Today, we have come together to officially declare and celebrate the engagement between Prince Tristan Rineheart and Lady Tiffany Carsender."

  There was another brief round of applause.

  "Now," William continued, clapping his hands together. "To start tonight's celebration, we shall start with a dance between the royal family members and the accompanying parties."

  Elianna blinked as her nervousness suddenly washed over her again. She knew in the back of her mind she would have to dance with Nicholas tonight, but she didn't realize it would be so soon.

  William looked toward his left, "Members of the royal family, and accompanying party, please make your way to the dance floor."

  Elianna swallowed hard and looked at Nicholas, who smiled at her and extended his elbow. Elianna stared at his elbow and took a deep breath before linking her arm around his. Her heart began to pound inside her chest as Nicholas began to move toward the center of the floor, and she followed. Looking forward, she observed that her parents, as well as Freya and Mathew, were ahead of them. Both couples smiled, looking happy and excited as they moved into position.

  An intense fluttering sensation filled Elianna's stomach as she noticed Nicholas' pace slow, until he finally came to a stop. Taking a deep breath, Elianna unhooked her arm from Nicholas' and pivoted, coming to stand before him. Meeting his gaze, she noticed the corner of his lips curl slightly. Elianna returned a nervous smile of her own.

  "Don't worry," Nicholas whispered. "Just follow my lead. I learned how to dance when I was young."

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  Elianna blinked before her smile grew, and she chuckled. Nicholas tilted his head slightly, and Elianna said, "I do know how to dance, actually."

  This time, Nicholas blinked, "You do?"

  Elianna nodded, "Yes." She looked to the side sheepishly, "I mean. I may have just learned yesterday. But, I do."

  Nicholas grinned, "Is that what your mom was helping you with?"

  "Possibly."

  Nicholas chuckled, "Well. Now I'm looking forward to how well those lessons went. Just try not to step on my feet, please."

  Elianna met his gaze with a smile, "No promises."

  Nicholas looked around, and Elianna followed his gaze, seeing that everyone had taken their positions on the dance floor. Her parents, as well as Freya and Mathew, smiled at each other as they stood before their partners. Celine stood before William, looking content. But when Elianna's eyes flicked to Tristan and Tiffany, she noticed how Tiffany had a small smile, while Tristan stood there, looking at her with a flat expression. It made Elianna feel a little bad, even if she wasn't a fan of Tiffany.

  Out of the corner of Elianna's eyes, she noticed movement, and she looked toward it, seeing the musicians she hadn't noticed before to the side. They raised their instruments, and she looked back at Nicholas.

  "Ready?" Nicholas asked.

  Elianna nodded, "Ready." She looked around her, seeing all the guests looking toward the dance floor.

  "Hey," Nicholas whispered, and Elianna looked at him. She noticed his cheeks looked a little red. "Eyes on me, okay?"

  Elianna's lips curled, staring into his shimmering sea-green gems, "I think I can do that."

  The music began softly, slowly, and Elianna knew it was time to start. She and Nicholas stepped toward each other, raising their arms. She grabbed his left hand with her right, placed her left on his right shoulder, and a warm tingling rushed through her as Nicholas placed his right hand on her waist.

  Elianna's training with her mother kicked in, and she slowly began to move her feet to the slow, beautiful, melodic music. Her heart was beating a mile a minute as she mentally spoke to herself, trying to remember her footwork and not step on Nicholas. She quickly noticed how graceful Nicholas' movements were, which she knew shouldn't surprise her, but it did.

  Moving in slow circles, Elianna gave a shaky smile. "Y-You feel tense."

  Nicholas chuckled, "So do you."

  Elianna swallowed hard, "Hard not to be, knowing that everyone is looking at us right now."

  Nicholas eyed her for a moment, the redness in his cheeks deepening, "Maybe they're just captivated by how beautiful you look."

  Elianna's face heated, and her heart skipped a beat, "If that were the case, I'd think they would be looking at Tiffany. Her dress is stunning, and she looks gorgeous."

  "I wouldn't know," Nicholas responded, and Elianna shuddered, feeling his thumb on her waist move in a circular motion. "You've had my entire attention ever since I saw you."

  Elianna's lips went partially agape, an intense warmth flashing over her. She looked into his gimmering eyes, seeing how focused they were on her, how they didn't wander. It made it seem like there was an entire swarm of butterflies in her stomach.

  Elianna's lips curled, her hand rubbing his shoulder. Her heart beat slowed, and her nervousness died down as she focused on Nicholas, and only Nicholas. Their bodies moved together with ease and elegance across the dance floor, their eyes never leaving each other. She got lost in the music with Nicholas, enjoying every moment, and barely noticed when the music slowly came to a stop.

  Elianna immediately felt the loss of Nicholas' touch as they stepped back from each other, sharing smiles.

  "This concludes our dance."

  Elianna flinched slightly, getting caught off guard by William's voice. She looked toward him, seeing him standing poised and looking around, with Celine standing beside him. Her eyes flicked toward her parents, seeing Lucian looking at William, while her mother was looking at her with a genuine smile. Elianna returned her mother's smile before looking back at William.

  "Now," William continued. "I would like you to ask all of you to please come onto the dance floor, and enjoy a dance or two. Or, mingle with your peers. All I ask is that you have fun. Later, we will officially declare the engagement between Tristan and Tiffany."

  Elianna's eyes flicked to Tristan and Tiffany, seeing them still standing beside each other. Tiffany was smiling, but Elianna thought there was something off about it. Tristan, however, looked incredibly bored.

  William gestured to the band, and Elianna watched as they raised their instruments and began to play a jovial tune. Looking around, she noticed several people taking to the dance floor, while William and her parents moved off. Tristan seemed to walk away, leaving Tiffany, who seemed to look down before walking in a different direction. Freya seemed to walk off as well, following William, while Mathew walked over to Celine.

  "I suppose we should leave the dance floor as well," Elianna commented, as she took a few steps forward. But she was stopped, and her head whirled around, seeing Nicholas had taken her hand.

  "Or," Nicholas said softly, his cheeks red as his eyes looked her up and down. "We can dance for another song." He cleared his throat, "If you want."

  Elianna blinked, before her lips curled, her face heating, "Yes. I'd like that."

  Elianna stepped up to Nicholas, taking his hand and placing her hand on his shoulder, feeling the same warmth as he placed his hand on her waist. Their gazes met and never left each other as they slowly moved with the music.

  ***

  William sat in his throne, his eyes glazing over the room, seeing all the guests either speaking with each other or dancing on the floor.

  "Didn't feel like dancing anymore?" William asked, before looking at Freya, who stood to his left.

  "I might dance more later," Freya said. Her eyes flicked to the dance floor, and she smiled, seeing Mathew and Celine dancing together. "Plus, Mathew wanted to dance with our daughter."

  William followed her gaze, "Celine seems happy."

  Freya looked toward Nicholas and Elianna, seeing them dancing together, their gazes locked and their smiles content. "So do Nicholas and Elianna."

  William smiled, looking at them, "That th—"

  "Your Majesty."

  William sighed before looking to his right, seeing a gentleman with black, graying hair approach. Helen and Gaelin stood behind the throne and stepped forward, but William gestured to them to stop. "What is it?"

  The male bowed, "I would like to express my gratitude for the invitation." He gestured behind him, pointing to a young, beautiful woman with black hair and blue eyes. "My daughter and I are having a tremendous time."

  William's eyes narrowed slightly, "I'm glad you're having a good time."

  "Thank you, Your Majesty," The male said, standing up. He cleared his throat, "I'm also glad to see that Prince Nicholas has returned. He has grown into a young man."

  His daughter smiled, seeming to look over her shoulder, toward Nicholas.

  The male smiled, "I was hoping to see if you could arrange a time for my daughter to—"

  "You said you received an invitation, correct?" William began, his tone stern, staring down the male. The male simply nodded. "Then you saw that Nicholas is being accompanied by Lady Elianna tonight. I will not be introducing anyone to him who others hope to be his suitors."

  "But your Majesty," The male continued, taking a step forward. "Prince Nicholas is welcomed to more than one suitor and lover per our customs. I can assure you my daugh-"

  "I will not be interrupting his night for your goals," William seethed through his teeth. He flicked his wrist toward the male, "Now, be gone from my sight at once."

  Freya looked down, trying to hide a grin.

  The male paled, looking away from William's intense gaze, "Yes, Your Majesty." He turned toward his daughter, ushering her away, "Come on." The daughter seemed disappointed before following her father.

  Freya chuckled, "It seems your plan with the invitations was not foolproof."

  William sighed, "Indeed. That's the third nobleman today to request that his daughter meet Nicholas." William shook his head, "I put Elianna on the invitations for a reason."

  "And what reason—" Lucian said, approaching the throne, as William and Freya looked at him, "—is that?" Lucian came to stand beside William, looking at his goblet as he swirled the liquid around.

  William looked Lucian up and down, "Nothing nefarious, I assure you."

  Lucian met William's gaze, unflinching, "Then please explain why her name was on the invitations? And, why the tiara?"

  Freya looked between Lucian and William.

  Lucian turned to face William fully, "In case you didn't realize, you practically incorporated her with the Gavarian royal family with your antics." His eyes narrowed, "What exactly are your intentions?"

  William leaned back into his throne, "I assure you, Lucian, I mean no harm to your daughter, and am not trying to manipulate her. I included her on the invitations to prevent noblemen from swarming Nicholas with requests to meet their daughters. I provided Elianna with a tiara to show that I accept her with Nicholas. I think she is a fine young lady, and believe her and my son get along well together."

  Lucian eyed William, "I see. I would've at least liked to have been included in your planning for my daughter."

  William nodded, meeting Lucian's gaze, "I understand, and I apologize." Lucian blinked, and Freya's eyes widened. "I also apologize for not providing you and your wife with an invitation from the beginning."

  Lucian stood there, surprised, before he nodded, "I accept the apology." He stepped back, "Thank you for your time. I'm going to head back to my wife."

  William nodded, watching as Lucian turned and walked off. William looked back and watched the crowd.

  Freya was silent for a moment before she spoke, "That you accept Elianna, huh?"

  William nodded, "Yep."

  Freya looked at William, "Is that why you gave her Evelyn's tiara?" William met her gaze. Freya raised a brow, "Did you honestly think I wouldn't recognize it?"

  William's eyes fell before he looked forward, "It looks good on her."

  "I'm sure it would've looked good on Tiffany, too," Freya said, eyeing William curiously. "Why not give it to her, since it's her party?"

  "Because I chose not to," William stated. Freya looked like she was about to speak, but William looked at her and said, "And that is that."

  Freya blinked before she nodded and looked forward, standing beside her brother as they watched over the party.