Chapter 3 A promise and a dance

Ron shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other. He looked between the men who stood on the same line as he. Men of all status stood there; princes from far away and noble men lined up in the quest to find a bride.

Reaching up, he touched the short mask over his face, running his hand around it, he pushed forward to glimpse at the masks the other men had on.

A similar black masquerade mask with gold print while the ladies had on something girly. A mysterious black Venetian mask with black feathers.

Despite the colour of their dress, they all had on a black mask.

"Love behind a mask," he thought. How stupid!

Looking up at where the King of Amora sat, a black man of intimidating height and a huge build, Ron was sure the king had bullied each and everyone of their parents to make them agree to this bizarre method.

But aside from that, the coming-of-age ball had been going on for years. It certainly would not stop at the Prince.

Well, the Prince of Amora had better find a match here. He couldn't agree more with his thoughts. For Ron wouldn't spend another of his precious time back in this palace to attend another masquerade ball.

Eyeing the ladies whom he couldn't tell if they were pretty or not, he puffed out his chest as his eyes rolled over each and everyone of them.

Nothing but the colour of their skin and their shiny lips and hair was exposed.

Ladies of all colours from different parts of the world were present. The fairest of them all, and the darkest of them were lined up as one.

From what he'd heard, the king himself picked out the colours.

"Black." he mumbled. Which man in his right senses would pick black? Ron scoffed. Her colour had given her quite the stare from everyone.

Black, Pink and Purple if anything, seemed to be long time friends.

They giggled at every chance they got and even held hands.

Ron was sure to avoid their gaze. Women were never his fancy and they surely wouldn't start to be now.

He glanced over the thirty ladies and when he got to the last, Ron lingered.

Yellow seemed frozen. He could hardly tell if she was breathing. She stood in such a composed manner. Her shoulders squared as though her enemies were upon her. Lips in a thin straight line, perhaps afraid to let on a smile or make anyone feel welcomed.

Her eyes were glued on something he couldn't quite trace.

He continued to stare, surely she could feel his intense gaze on her. He'd studied long and hard to know that the biological phenomenon is known as "gaze detection" or "gaze perception." Neurological studies have found that the brain cells that initiate this response are very precise and humans are sensitive to the gaze of others.

Yellow could definitely feel his-

She blinked at him.

Ron flinched. Taking a step back, cold shivers ran down his spine at the look in her eyes.

Grey eyes gazed at him and he shuddered at the coldness and intensity they held.

"Good gracious." he gasped, all the while holding her gaze.

She tilted her head to the side almost unnoticeable if not for the fact that he had his eyes glued on her face, he would have missed the ghostly movement.

She studied him and for a minute there, Ron could've sworn she was staring at his soul.

She had an oblong face with full cheeks. Her lips however, small and quirky, shone of the lightest shades of lip gloss. While the others had very red and glossy lips that screamed inviting, yellow's lips however were dull and classy.

Almost as if she didn't want any eyes on her.

Perhaps, was she forced to be here like he was too? Ron shut his jaw and darted his tongue over his lower lip.

Her eyes widened and her mouth fell open.

He stopped breathing.

Shock danced in her orbs and when she held his gaze, searching for what he didn't seem to know, she closed her mouth and looked away.

Surely she didn't think he-

Did he just send out the wrong impression?

She took a step back.

Ron huffed and drew air back into his lungs as he looked around, making sure no one else witnessed what had just happened.

He smacked himself mentally almost heaving a sigh of relief when he noticed no eyes on him.

He'd just done the worst. Acted like a caveman instead of a real gentleman. What was he thinking; holding her gaze and licking his lips?

He looked around, utterly displeased and disappointed at himself.

She must think him a man full of lust with nothing more to offer than a quick fuck.

"My world!" he gasped at his thoughts.

He turned to look at her. She'd somehow hidden herself behind the lady in green next to her. He could see her yellow dress but not her cold grey eyes.

By the gods, I must make it up to her by giving her my first dance. This he made certain.

With a satisfied sigh, he rolled his shoulders and spared yellow one last look before turning his gaze away, only to be mesmerised by green orbs by a lady in pink.

Her lips parted slightly before spreading into a full wide grin. She showcased her beautiful sets of white teeth, trying hard to make him feel welcomed.

His eyes raked over her, down to her linked hands with both ladies by her side; Black and Purple.

Pink set her hands free and Ron couldn't help but follow them. She touched her face, tracing her mask with one hand and patting her blonde hair held in a tight ponytail with the other.

When he held her gaze, she looked away into the distance, tilting her head to the side.

His lips twitched.

She had called his attention but acted indifferent.

Now he knew why he would never understand women and why he had never even tried.

Ron looked away. He'd caused enough problems for one day. He glanced at Yellow, she was still behind Green.

Before anything else, he would clear out things with her; explain himself and redeem himself as the gentleman he had always portrayed himself to be. Then, he would freely move around the ballroom trying his luck.

The sudden sound of a loud trumpet caused the musicians to stop and every movement ceased as it was time for the King to address and open the event.

King De'carlos rose from his throne and pushed his robe behind him to avoid stepping on it. He had no desire to end the day with his face flat on the floor before the young men and women.

He looked around. Taking note of the few guardians who had taken out the time to come witness the events.

He held gaze with Countess Fiona and smirked. The countess tipped her head in a silent greeting before looking away. She looked as posh as ever in her plus size green and brown gown. The people of Grendol Kingdom never got to see the sun so often, it was no wonder the countess skin was as almost as white as snow.

Turning back to the men and women who now looked up to him from down below, the King drew in deep breaths, his eyes drifting close. He spread his arms, lifting his shoulders as he inhaled.

He exhaled, parting his lips-

His eyes flew open and he coughed. Placing his hand on his knees, he coughed over and over again.

Countless gasps filled the air and murmurs began.

"Your Highness!" Gisela exclaimed as she rushed to his aid.

"No, no I'm fine." he said in between coughs. Stopping her dead in her steps.

He coughed once more before standing upright from his lowered position. He wiped away the tears that had gathered in his eyes and grinned at the worried faces of the young lads.

"Ugh!" he scowled. "Don't give me that look." he narrowed his eyes. "I only choked on cupid's arrow." he claimed, causing many to chuckle and laugh.

"Just hope it isn't yours, we need all of cupid's arrow in this ball." he mumbled. But loud enough for everyone to hear.

Tension eased off of everyone's shoulders and worry ceased from their colourful gazes.

"It is with gladness in my heart and remembrance in my mind, that I welcome y'all to the Prince's coming of age ball." he bellowed with a proud smile.

The guests clapped their hands in a composed and gentle manner.

"Thank you." King De Carlos gave a dismissive wave of his hand and the sound ceased. "Now many of you are wondering why I didn't just stack a lady in a box and bring her over here. No questions asked. Get him a wife. The caveman style."

The guests chuckled and giggled at his words, causing the King to snicker.

"But, given the man that I am. A very thoughtful and wise King," he smirked. "I believe y'all should be treated as humans; live humans. Not sit at home humans and get your parents to fish you for a bride or groom."

He traced the linen of his robe. Gripping the soft furry material, the King drew it closer to cover himself. "And 'tis for this reason that I have gathered all the fine Princes and noblemen. Alongside Princesses and ladies of high rankings to this ball. That y'all may meet and be given the chance to find your soulmate and have you own happily ever after."

The air in the ballroom now was comforting and calm. Filled with hope and dreams as the young men and women down below glanced at the opposite gender before looking away.

"Now I know there's been a little tweak in the, " the King chuckled. "A slight improvement in the usual thing. I'm talking about the mask. Y'all either think me crazy or you think I've gone mad." he laughed. "But I can't have y'all lusting after each other, now can I?" he smiled, turning to Gisela.

"Certainly not, Your Highness." she immediately replied.

The king lingered on her with a content smile on his face before heaving a sigh and turning to his guests. "I'm tired of talking to y'all." he shook his head. "Go." he stretched forth his hand and tilted his head to the heavens. "Dance. Let the ball begin! Let Cupid have mercy on us, let Aphrodite cast her loving eyes down and let Hathor, set a kiss on our backs."

The ladies curtsied while the men bowed.

"Music. Music." the King called and so it began.

Music filled the air. The famous waltz and the King were ever eager. The prince so much loved to dance and the King could easily spot him out with that.

"The Prince thinks he's smart, huh?" King De Carlos chuckled as he felt Gisela beside him.

"He is one smart boy, your Highness." she said, staring down at the men as they approached the women.

***

"I must make it up to her," Ron affirmed. His heart thundered against his ribcage and his stomach churned as he cast his gaze on the small of her cloth sticking out from behind Green.

From the corner of his eyes, he saw someone heading her way. Ron panicked. He couldn't give this up.

He had promised her his first dance and he would deliver.

He must.

He pushed forward and made his way to her. When she came into view, he held her gaze.

Fright flashed in her grey orbs, and she staggered back.

He hurried to her, plastering a smile on his face. Anything to make her relax and give her the welcoming vibe.

Her eyes darted past him and her lips parted slightly. To breath and relax herself, this he was sure.

It worked because she rolled and squared her shoulders and relaxed. Straightened her back, lifted her chin. Glanced at him before looking straight ahead, as if waiting for him.

Ron released a breath he'd been holding and when she walked forward, that was all the forgiveness he needed.

Finally! He thought.

Yellow moved with such grace and simplicity, yet classy and royal. She was indeed fit to be Queen. Perhaps she had received the childhood and process of a princess.

They got in close range and Ron gulped.

May I have this dance?

Too formal.

It would be an honour to have your first dance, my Lady.

Too possessive and controlling.

He didn't want to come off too strong or-

"Your Grace, It would be of great honour to have this dance." a bold feminine voice said from beside him.

Ron turned, still in shock. Yellow had her head bowed and body curtsied before a tall huge man of dark skin.

His lips curled in a smile and he in turn, bowed before he reached down to hold Yellow's gloved hands to help her up.

Ron watched with his jaw handling loose as they set out to the dance floor.

Yellow tilted her head to the side, not sparing him a glance. She walked away.

Ron recoiled. Embarrassment washed over him as he looked around the ballroom in despair. Every now and then stealing glances at Yellow.

He huffed and scowled. Growled and huffed in shock. Still trying to wrap his head around what happened.

"My Lord,"

He flinched, looking down at the lady who had her head bowed before him, he placed a hand over his beating heart but did so stylishly.

"May I have this dance?" she looked up with a sly smile on her smooth white face.