Chapter 44: CHAPTER 30.0: The Ball

I was in the city hanging out with Arma. We asked Stewart if he wanted to come along but he wasn’t interested. “Are you going to the ball Arma?” I asked.

“The only workers who are invited are ones who put a certain number of hours working on planning and setting everything up. Also, live-in workers but I don’t live here, and I fell short seven hours because I had to give one of my shifts away. My mom put together a surprise family day and she insisted that I give my hours away. If not for that I would have had enough to go.”

I felt bad and wished there was something I could do. I looked down at my phone and got a text from Cade: You have something waiting here for you. “I have something I need to get at the castle.”

Arma flew us back and I met cade in the front. He handed me a box with something attached. “A little late but there’s your invitation.” I should have expected to get my own since I was being announced as the new holder. Plus, I am a live-in worker.

“Do you have a plus one?” Arma asked.

I looked at the invitation. “I do, do you want to be my plus one?”

Arma smiled. “Yes, yes, yes.”

“I would have let you be my plus one,” Cade said. “I’m not bringing Vella since we broke up a week ago.”

Arma tried to not look happy. “Wow that sucks.”

Cade rolled his eyes. “I know that’s what you wanted.”

I opened the box as we walked and saw a beautiful slim long off the shoulder sapphire blue dress with a slit along the side from the knee down. “Cade did you get me this?”

Cade shook his head. “Dad did, he thought it would suit you. You’ll need to look nice tonight. A lot of big names are going to be there. Dukes, Duchesses, Nobles, Representatives of city-states and reporters. Oh, and most importantly our grandparents.” I knew our grandfather was going to be there but not our grandmother. “They’ll love you.”

Arma gasped. “I don’t have a dress; I can’t wear the one I wore to the last ball. I have to go back into the city. I’ll see you guys tonight.” I watched Arma rush off.

“When are you and Lexus doing the rejection?” Cade asked in a whisper.

I hated thinking about it. “When the moon reaches its peak. We’re going to meet him at the river by the hiking trail.”

“Did you tell Dad that you and Lexus are mates? I know he knows about what you two have been doing.”

Would telling him had made a difference? “No.” Or maybe I didn’t tell him because I’m afraid it would have. “Lexus gave me the impression that he wants to marry Sadia either way so it doesn’t matter if we’re mates or if anyone knows.”

Cade seemed like he was holding something back. We went our separate ways to get ready for the ball since the sun had just set. Arma came back and met me in my room. She got dressed and we did each other’s hair and a little make up. “You look hot Aqua.”

“Thanks, you too.”

We went to Cade’s room and waited outside his door. “So, none of us have dates?” Arma laughed. “At least we have each other.”

“Count me too.” Stewart walked up to us. He was in a nice suit. “Don’t forget about me, I didn’t know you guys were going together? Unless… you guys are going together as a date… then you can count me out.” He must have only heard the last part of what she said.

Arma playfully hit him on the head. “No, we’re just going as friends because I don’t have an invitation, but she has a plus one. That’s why we’re standing outside Cade’s door, he’s going with us.”

To our surprise Vella walked out of Cade's room looking mad. She was in a really nice dress too. She didn’t say anything to us, she just walked. “What was that about?” I asked Cade as he walked out.

“She was trying to talk me into going with her, I said no.” He sighed. “I really thought I was falling in love with her but now I feel nothing.” He started walking. “Let’s go.”

When we got to the ballroom, we showed our invitations and were let in. It was already half full even though the event only started half an hour ago. There were tons of fancy food, and live music. “I’ve never been to an event like this.”

“You’re going to have a great time sis.” Cade said. “Now I need to find someone to have a good time with. Maybe a noble's daughter?”

I frowned. “I thought you were going to stay with us not find a one-night stand.”

“I haven’t been single in a while Aqua and I need a rebound.” He paused. “Fine I’ll stay but when the place gets packed, I’m gone.”

“He always does this, which is exactly why I didn’t ask to be his plus one.”

“You could have been my plus one.” Stewart mentioned.

Arma raised an eyebrow. “What about your girlfriend?”

“Yeah, I would have just told her I was taking you instead.” He shrugged. “She is coming though so I’ll have to step out to let her in.”

I looked around. “I actually do have a date. I just didn’t want to waste my plus one and you really wanted to come.” I had already texted Calvin and let him know I was getting in with my own invitation.

“No fair.” Arma pouted. “I’m the only one without a date and who doesn’t plan to pick one up. Whatever that’s fine, some of the co-workers I’m friends with should be here.”

My heart skipped a beat when I saw Lexus with Sadia. They both looked perfect and perfect together. I was just awkward. Cade noticed me noticing them. “Hey, let me introduce you to some people I know.”

He grabbed my arm and pulled me to a group of people around our age.

“Hey Cade.” One of them greeted and then the rest.

There were about four of them. “Hey, this is my sister Aqua. She just moved here. Aqua these are the kids of two representatives of one of our city states.” I shook hands with each of them.

“It’s nice to meet you.” We talked with them for a little, but I felt a little lost. There was so much about this kingdom I still didn’t know.

We walked away from the group Cade introduced me to once the conversation was over. “It’s good to be acquainted with the kids of representatives because you’ll have to do business with them when you’re the next adviser.”

“Are you okay with that?” I finally asked.

He scrunched his eyebrows and raised them. “What?”

“Are you okay with me being the future adviser instead of you?” I reiterated. I needed to know from him how he felt about it.