Charles Pov

I fix my tie as I look out the illuminated night sky. My birthday celebration is starting to pick up, and the guests are arriving in flocks.

A fact I'm sure of due to the view outside the window, countless lights, and carriages lining up in attendance.

The men and women walking to the grand entrance. I swallow dryly, anxiety covering me. This might be the first time I had a birthday party.

Unfortunately, a party this size will have me as its focus. The thought alone gluing me to the floor, will I even be alright?

The dreary thought is washed away by mother's beautiful voice. "Sweetie, Are you ready?" I fix my clothes as I open the door, looking up at her with my expression, beaming.

She holds out her hand, and I take it. Mother gives a cursory glance and notices my worried expression.

She grips my hand a bit harder, and I look at her in response. She speaks soothingly, "Sweetie, don't worry,"

Her hands caress my hair softly, "No matter what happens. Mommy will always be there for you." The words struck a chord inside me, and I smile happily. All my worries flew with the wind.

Mother then pulled me as we started to walk towards the ballroom. We pass by Adelaide, already in her simple and elegant dress.

I wave my hand, greeting her along with mother, who excitedly pulls her in. They started chatting as the three of us walked steadily.

I look at mother a bit amused, and she seemed to have taken quite a liking to Adelaide. A fact that relieves me.

I don't know what the future holds, but the rate I'm going, there's a chance she'll be her daughter-in-law. My brothers certainly don't want it, neither will I let them in this death game.

Mother grips my hand a bit harder, making me look towards her. Her smile turns radiant, eliciting a giggle from Adelaide.

I look at the two of them, a bit confused. Adelaide only waves dismissively, "It's nothing." I look a bit annoyed from feeling left out. Mother only giggles, caressing my hair.

We continue walking, only to stop in front of a door. I swallow dryly as the noise from the other side of the door reverberates, reminding me of its imposing audience watching my every step.

Mother looks down at me. She squeezed my shoulder and spoke. "Sweetie, mommy's going first." She pushes me next to Adelaide coos in appreciation.

Before I could reply, mother pushed the doors open as she looks at the announcer. The resulting announcement of her presence, eliciting hushed murmurs.

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Adelaide grabs my hand, pulling me to her. I look at her. "What are you doing?" She glances at me with a large smile. "Didn't your mommy say, I'll be your partner this time?"

I choke on my spit. "What?" I facepalm, knowing that is exactly something my mother would do. I look forward, making my face blank. "You seem to be enjoying yourself."

She circles her arm over mine, she childishly spoke. "Yes, your mother is such a joy to be with." She inches her face closer. "And I'm pretty sure she's setting me up with you."

I facepalm and laughed, "Really? What gave you that idea?" He gestures to her arms, Adelaide merely shrugs her shoulders.

I spoke quizzically, "So what's your plan?" Adelaide looks at him, confused. I spoke with a bit of force as I gestured around. "With all of this happening, you'll be ending up the queen of two nations."

She shakes her head in denial. "There's no plan." She puts her other hand to her, showing her sincerity. She brightly smiled and spoke, "I just really enjoyed my time with Lady Adelaide."

I nod, acknowledging her sincerity. "But even so, just please don't drag my mother into this death game," Adelaide shakes her head. "I don't think you have much choice in that."

She grips my arm harder, making me wince. "Because there's no way she'll let you be." She drags me to the door, the guards opening the door. "And at the rate, we're going."

She whispers to my ear. "There's no way you'll be able to get out of this responsibility."

The door opens as the announcer shouted, "Presenting, Prince Charles of House Sieg and Prince Adelaide of House Carlze."

The words gather the rooms attention toward the staircase, and I only look on nervously. Dealing with large audiences never got easy.

Adelaide grips my arm, waking me from my nervous stupor. I glance at her, my expression thankful. Only to see her waving elegantly.

I almost sigh to myself, and I guess I'm the only one that's nervous. We continue to walk down the grand staircase in the direction of the large table.

A table which consists of my family. I was planning on sitting down, only for Adelaide to pull me to her.

I confusedly looked at her as she smiles, mildly gesturing her head to the orchestra playing a song. Realization sinks in, I almost don't want to, but Adelaide seems to be too excited to accept a no.

I shake my head. Oh well, it's just a dance anyways. What's the harm in having a little dance.

I nod. Adelaide then started excitedly, pulling me towards the middle of the ball. As we do, she leaves my arm and presents both her hands.

I take one to my hand and let the other one fall to my shoulder. I put my hand to her waist as we started to dance.

We dance softly, each step measured and elegant. I feel a bit nervous, but my partner seems to be used to this.

As we take another step, I whispered. "You seem pretty used to this." Adelaide spun in my arms and whispered back, "During the war, people tend to dance,"

"Really? You'd think with the war, and such festivities will be discouraged." She giggles a bit. "That's exactly the reason we did it,"

We continued as we spun through the dance hall. She smiles, her expression saddened. "The war took a lot from, and it didn't even change anything."

She spun once more, "So the people took their frustration out with dancing," I hold her hands as she stops.

"In the end, we just adapted it in our celebrations." Adelaide radiantly smiles. "I hope to show it to you someday."

I smile at her, forgetting the people around us. "You seemed to have been born to be a princess."

She holds me, her face closer. and still speaking in hushed whispers, "Yes! my last life was so mundane."

Her pace slows down as the music stops. "I never felt this much excitement before," She looks me in the eye, "I just hope you get to feel it as I did."

I smile at her, her words reaching me. "Then make sure you get to see it when it happens." She smiles and hugs me softly.

Huh, maybe this wasn't going to be as bad as I thought.