The last dance of the beginning
Destiny, Ambrose and Amelia got into a carriage as I got into another carriage next to my mother, the driver was Willie, just like the last time. My hand uncontrollably found its way to my mouth, I started biting my nails which is something I do when I am nervous, but my mother pushed my hand away aggressively before I can do so.
"Don't." She warned, I swallowed as I reared my eyes away from hers. I looked down and admired the green Polish Destiny had put on earlier today, I am not fond of green other than the green of nature but- the type of green I have on today is absolutely beautiful.
My head lifted back up and I gazed at the memorising view I am familiar with, the trees, the green everywhere and- my eyes landed on the white calla lilies. I remember a week ago I was being asked a lot of questions about the decorations for the engagement and one of the questions was which flower I preferred, I immediately answered with a white Calla lily. The Lily, calla means beauty, which I find the it has a really simple but beautiful meaning. If I can't have the perfect love story, at least I get to have a perfect engagement dance and a wedding afterwards.
Luckily, they are not forcing us to get married right away, it's just engagement. And we get to pick when we are ready to get married. If that's possible, maybe it's possible for us to find a way to cancel all of this too? Who knows. Since we both are being forced into this matter, I bet he would want that too.
The carriage soon stopped and brought me back to reality, Willie helped me get off the carriage and soon, the three; Destiny, Ambrose and Amelia came in front of one, one fixing my hair, one brushing down my dress and one checking my make-up.
"One last touch" Amelia said as she picked a long white gloves from her small bag and started helping me wear it. What's the point of the nail polish then? I shook the thought away, I don't care.
And in the same time Destiny placed a white shawl that matched the gloves to hang resting on one arm to another.
"You are all set" Destiny said with a smile on her face, "so beautiful, isn't she?" Both Amelia and Ambrose nodded, confirming.
"Thank you" I said as they moved out of my way simply nodding in response. My eyes travelled to the huge door, that's when I realised it's a different castle than the one we have been to the last dance a few weeks back.
I swallowed and took a step forward "Come on now" my mother hurried, pushing me to take a couple of more steps.
"Wait," I said, she looked at me confused. "I just- I don't want to do this."
"Cut it out Eleanor, go on, walk to the doors of new happy beginnings." She said, "off you go"
We met with two men wearing the same outfit as Willie, they asked for our names so we answered.
"The mother first" one of them spoke, "you will have to go in first." My mother nodded eagerly as she walked inside after they opened the doors without hesitation.
"Mistress Eleanor Ruth" the other spoke, taking my attention. "You will have to wait a while until Clyde arrives." I nodded, relaxing a bit because I am not ready to go inside just yet. I mean, I don't think I will ever be ready for such a thing. But a couple of more moments might help. I spent it taking deep breaths, deeper than any breath I have taken today.
Soon Clyde Reed Dandridge came into view; standing tall with his broad shoulders showing confidence, he geared his eyes away from the guard next to him and locked it with mine. He didn't move his eyes away, he kept walking towards me with his eyes glued to mine.
I felt my heart race, I am not sure if it's because of the engagement anymore. It felt as if his dark eyes burned my light ones, looking deep into my soul.
"Right on time, brother" I turned behind me to see where the voice led, it was a dark-skinned man that looked nothing like Clyde nor king Aiken. That must be Darius Dandridge. I got to say, beauty does run in this families blood.
"Darius" Clyde said with a wide smile I never seen before as he hugged his brother.
I was tight, that's Darius.
Darius as they say, is the angel-like brother. The one with a soul, unlike Clyde who lives to torture. I heard Darius has a small family of his own and is such a great father to his baby daughter.
I wonder why the Royal family never shares pictures of its members, we just get to read news about their newly events. We also get to know the names of the newly born. I think it might be for privacy but it's a bit weird if I may say.
"You are finally getting married huh!" Darius said as he patted Clyde on the shoulder.
"Engagement but, yeah well." He shrugged, "it's not my choice but what can I say? King's orders." He locked eyes with me once again but I immediately turned around, facing the huge doors waiting for him to finish talking so we can go inside and get this over with. I have had enough already. He acts as if I want this, his looks and the way he talked at the last dance makes me know that he thinks I am enjoying this. Being the 'wife of Clyde' no, pal, I despise this as much as you do, and maybe more.
"Alright go on now," Darius said, "we will continue talking later, you have to go in now." Clyde nodded as Darius walked back inside.
Clyde looked at me and lifted his arm as a signal for me, I rolled my eyes as I walked to him and locked my arm with his.
"It's rude to roll your eyes" he said.
"Whatever" I responded, clearly annoyed.
I looked down at my gloved hand as I took a deep breath in. Yeah, I am not ready for this...
He took a step forward but I stayed still.
"you coming?" He spoke in a sarcastic tone knowing well enough I have no choice in this.
I lifted my head up and looked at him, "if I had a choice, then no. No I am not, and never will."
"Okay lady, I don't care." He started, "I just want to get this over with so shall we?"
I rolled my eyes and walked forward with him. As soon as I stepped inside, the music changed and everyone stopped dancing and looked at us enter instead. My heart started beating faster, I can't handle this many eyes on me.
"I feel your increased pulse on your hand" he whispered in my ear as we continued walking into this long Ballroom. "Try not to faint, yeah? That won't be pretty."
"as if I can control it" I murmured under my breath.
"What now?" I asked, "how much longer will they stare? And when will we stop walking?"
"They will state all night, Princess." He spoke sarcastically, "eyes will always be on us on this day. And as of when will we stop walking?" He stopped in the middle and turned me around to face him and held me in a slow dance position as the music change once again. "Now." He smirked.
I looked around us, "Why is no one else dancing?" I asked.
"Because this is 'our' dance." He answered, "they will be able dance again after this song ends." I nodded.
"Well," I started, "this is too much attention, more than I could handle."
"Clearly" he said.
"What is that supposed to mean?" I asked, announce showing in my voice.
"Whatever you want it to mean." The side of his mouth lifted a bit, turning into a side smile.
"You are annoying," I said as I rolled my eyes.
"Good to know."
His face looked punchable, and my hand ached to bunch something. But unfortunately, I can't.