" Duchess Hun , can you teach me how to dance? " Tessa said as soon as Duchess entered in her room .
" Lady Tessa, is it for the ball tonight? " She smiled and asked.
" Y..yes.. it is .. I am terrible at it ." Tessa tried to sound as natural as she can. She had witnessed numerous ball dances on movies , series and mangas but she never danced herself, and never thought she would someday.
" Seems like , you are quite determined this time ... Well my daughter was also bad at dancing in the beginning but now she can pull of well. I will teach you lady but you have to concentrate and practice hard. "
" Teacher, I didn't know you have a daughter..."
" Because I never told you . Haha.. but don't worry my whole family is coming today , I will introduce them to you , although they already know about you. "
" Is that so ... That sounds fun 😊 " Tessa's dance lessons began. She knew some of the steps but something she kept missing the beat. Duchess hun was trying to guide exactly like a professional. After 5 hours of continuous practice Duchess bid farewell to handle her estate works and Tessa drenched in sweat sat on the sofa .
" Phew! This is definitely hard. I judged a book by it's cover . "
" Mah lady? Are you done? Here have some water. " Elisa entered and asked.
" Elisa .... Have...*gulp gulp* .. you ever did dance in ball? "Tessa asked while finishing her glass .
" Once , in the Crown Prince's coronation ceremony... Maids like us are not much asked by many , it was just I was lucky as the knights of the imperial palace are very considerate..."
" I guess it's his highness's effect... Well who was your partner? How you danced ? Well? What measures you took for not to miss beat or step up in the partner's shoes? "
" You asked so many questions at once " Elisa sat on a chair in the room "My lady as much as I know about dancing.. the performance depends on the partner who leads. A good lead can even make a non dancer dance well.... All you can do is follow your partners lead and focus on your steps, I guess. " Hearing Tessa started thinking something.
" You don't have to worry my lady , the nobels who actually take interest in dancing like things are all well trained. You just have to find a good partner. "
" I already have one Elisa.... And I'm afraid that I'm gonna ruin his reputation..." Tessa said and thought, " Damn Tessa , you shouldn't have accepted the proposal. Now you're doomed. Surely going to trip on the mid floor."
" Sorry for my imprudence but may I ask who it is? I mean your partner , my lady?"
" Your highness "
" Your highness? Oh my sacred lord.. my lady he is a skilled dancer , you don't have to worry at all . "
" Hehe , is he ? " ( That's the main product then .. how can I match his level in front of hundreds of people) Tessa tried to maintain her calmness but only she knew what she was going through.
The next evening arrived sooner than Tessa had expected. The entire Velmor palace glowed with golden light as preparations for the grand victory ball reached their peak.
Inside her chamber, Elisa fussed nervously, brushing and re-brushing Tessa's hair.
"Milady, I almost thought I lost you forever that night," Elisa whispered, her eyes shimmering with tears. "Don't ever scare me like that again…"
Tessa smiled softly, placing her hand over Elisa's.
"Why are you talking about that again ? I promise, Elisa. I won't disappear without telling you ."
" I don't know maybe I'm nervous as you are .. what if my assistance is not enough to make you look ready . After all this is your first ball in imperial palace."
" True .... *Sigh* .... But don't you think this dress is ..too beautiful for me ? "
" I don't think so , it matches you well. I'm done . See"
When the maid finally stepped back, Tessa caught her reflection in the mirror. She wore a flowing gown in soft shades of silver and midnight blue — colors chosen by the Empress herself. For the first time, she looked less like a stranger who stumbled into this empire and more like… someone who belonged. This gave her the feeling of a princess. "I see so this is how all princess feels when they get ready ..." She thought.
" Thank you Elisa. You know magic , I swear ."
" My lady it's your beautiful facial features. I didn't apply any make up except lipstick. But see you are looking as pretty as ever. "
A sudden knock interrupted her thoughts. Elisa hurried to open the door, only to freeze, her cheeks blooming red.
Standing there was Jasper Blackthorn.
Clad in his ceremonial attire — dark embroidered coat, silver sash across his chest, and the Blackthorn crest glinting on his shoulder — Jasper looked every bit the crown prince the empire admired. Yet his gaze softened the moment it landed on Tessa.
"I came to escort my partner," he said calmly, though his voice carried a faint warmth that made Tessa's heart skip.
"You ... Look beautifully handsome." Words slipped through her lips without realising.
" Ms. Malven? "
" I .. I mean... You look magicficent ..."
"*Pfft* that's magnificent, my lady . I guess you are nervous. "
" Who told you I am nervous? I have practiced well ok?! I will show you my dancing .."
" I got it . Now let's go . "
Tessa blinked, her lips parting in surprise. "Y-Your Highness… already?"
Jasper's eyes glinted faintly with amusement. "We have to as everyone already came. But don't worry I'm a friend who keeps his promises."
He extended his hand, and for a moment, the world around her blurred. Slowly, Tessa placed her fingers in his, her own hand trembling slightly. On the way she asked , " Well isn't the crown prince enters after the emperor and empress? "
" Right but I can do that only after there is a official crown Princess. "
" Oho ... So that's how it is . So when you are getting married? "
" You seem interested on that . Well I don't know myself too. There are a lot females trying to make them as the crown Princess candidate....and that's disgusting. "
" True . I also don't get that how can someone force themselves to marriage without having love .... I guess we should blame your looks. You are too handsome I swear. "
Jasper 's face turns red a bit. He looked away and said , " Do you know how often you bluntly gave compliments without realising? "
" Ehh? Listen your highness.. I always speak the truth. In my world, I didn't find any handsome, mature, skilled, kind , caring , respectful man like you . All these qualities together are considered fictional there as men in my world sucks ... At least in my eyes. "
" So ... In your eyes I'm like that .. I see. "
Tessa suddenly realised, she spoke her heart out without realising. Her cheeks turned red and she stuttered , " umm ... I mean... Don't flatter y..y..yourself..."
Jasper laughed as he opened the door . Together, they walked down the grand staircase. Nobles and servants alike turned their heads, whispers rippling through the hall like wildfire. After all, the mighty Jasper Blackthorn had never once escorted a lady to a ball before. But tonight, he had chosen her. All eyes were at them . The guards annouced his entrance with Tessa's name . Tessa saw the grand hall for the first time . Her eyes widened by the beauty of the decorations.
" Wow " she thought
" My mother is in charge, so don't be shocked. Anyways Tessa .." he whispered," Many will try to approach you as you are my partner.... You are Tessa Malven from Seron , my childhood friend and the granddaughter of a close aid of my grandpa the late king of Seron. Don't forget it. "
" Understood. ( Aish.. there are so many people) "
" Don't worry, I will always be with you so greeting is enough. I guess you don't like crowd "
" I told you not to read a lady's thoughts like that 😒...but yeah ... I don't like crowd..I'm sort of an introvert person. "
" Same here . So , bear for some more ... We will leave after the opening dance. "
" Opening dance?!"
" Don't forget lady your partner is the crown prince of Velmor unfortunately. After mom and dad, we have to do the dance. "
" Ja... Jasper.." she whispered, " I practiced but .. I'm not good .... At .. " before she could finish the guards annouced the entrance of the emperor and empress. Everyone turned towards them and bowed.
The emperor said , " Raise your heads. Today we are here to celebrate a little achievement of the crown prince. He successfully stopped a sudden attack of the hunters and saved Seron from a difficult situation. The hunters are growing strong but we will stand stronger and protect each other with everything. My older son is unfortunately absent today for his duty of a king .. but please don't for to enjoy the night. Oh, the crown prince also prepared a feast for commoner so I hope they enjoy as well. Let the celebration begin. "
Everyone cheered and said , " Stand strong Velmor "
The emperor and empress started their dance . A soft music coming from the instruments while the musician sings an awesome love song . They both danced and Tessa saw a married couple deeply in love . Even after having so much pressure on them , they still manage to love each other . Tessa smiled unknowingly and asked quietly, " your highness? "
" Hm? "
" I see your parents are deeply in love .. who confessed first? Is it a love marriage as i thought? "
" Yes it is. My mother fell first and confessed but as you can see my father fell harder. You will be amazed to know that she liked my father first for his looks. She was very cheerful and energetic. In the way of her persuing, she get to know about him more and fell for him . She confessed her love on the crown prince ceremony of him and he was shocked. Even my grandfather was shocked more than anyone... But I guess love wins all... Seeing them makes me believe that true love still exists .."
" The story is touching. Why your grandma was shocked? "
" Because she is 2 years older than my father... That's it. "
" For such a matter? 😂I'm sure your mother gave him a hard game . "
" Indeed. "
The song ended and everyone called . The emperor and empress slowly moved aside. And the name of Jasper and Tessa was announced.
" Guess it's our turn . Ready? "
While watching the dance she forgot about her tension but as soon as she realised it's her turn she became nervous.
" Yes...( No I'm not ) .. I am ready . ( Hey god save me ... I will never tease anyone....). "
Jasper smirked and smiled as they both entered on the centre of the hall.