"Look at her, she has strange and yet mesmerizing eyes"

"Her hair looks like silk"

"Such graceful movements, even when drinking"

"I wish I could have the courage to talk to her"

I took another chug of wine from the glass I was holding. Looking around but not really looking at anyone. I did not want to participate in this specific ball, probably because Angelica isn't attending because of her catching a cold, or because I was told that I am to look for a prominent and eligible bachelor to be my groom, or maybe because Celine is still not here and yet I don't want her to be here. Seven years have passed since I have left Avida, and I have become used to the social world of Grazie living as the young lady of Duke Cortese and the heir to the Duke.

"Good evening, Miss Daniana Cortese. May I ask you for a dance?" said the third son of Viscount Minacieto who has a very thick round glasses, and his hair slickback too neatly that it looks like his head was licked by a cow. As per etiquette, it is only polite to accept a formal invitation, which I did. If this was any other balls, I would've said no.

"You look so charming tonight, Miss Cortese" he commented as he took my hand

"Thank you" I forced a smile "You also look... nice... oh, and neat" another forced smile.

We started dancing together with all the other pairs on the dance floor. Lord Minacieto was leading the dance. He was very good in leading, or rather, pulling me around. Swirl me to the right, groove to the left, then turning around. It wasn't even the formal dance routine.

"Lord Min-- Lord Minaciento, it has been two minutes" I stated with a bit of a loud voice

"O-oh, pardon me, Miss Cortese" then the both of us bowed and curtsied, a sign that our dance has come to an end.

I moved towards the table with the drinks placed in an orderly manner, took one glass, and chugged it down my throat.

"Nina dearest!" I heard a squeal behind me, and as I looked, it was no other than Celine

"How great to see you tonight!" she grasped my hand as she stated "You know, I really did not even expect you coming here. I mean, it's you, the great Lady of Cortese who will one day become a duchess, how could you even think about coming to a ball filled with this many people. But then I remembered, no one is exempted in this ball, probably only those who've got colds and ilnesses that was really checked by the ball organizer, which is the Queen herself! She's really amazing, huh, her majesty the Queen. Anyway, Angie is really missing this wonderful party, isn't she. Like, how can she get sick at the same time as the Agapi ball that is only held once every four years. I feel sorry for Angie. I wonder when she is able to move again, I mean I'm not implying that she has terminall ilness, goodness no, what I mean to say is.."

How I wish I could just let her mouth shut like a door. She continued talking about things I do not even comprehend about anymore because of how fast and loud she is talking, and I continued to act like I'm listening to her as I sipped big portions of wine from glasses that are on top of the table. As my attention was slowly drifting away from Celine because of her constant chattering, she took it back once again when she suddenly made a very loud gasp.

"I just remembered, did you know about that new knight that the King himself had acknowledge? You know, Sir Estero. I heard he passed the knight's test on his first try. My cousin said he was also very strong and is very handsome. Oh look! It's him" I followed the direction of where Celine was looking at and saw a tall man with a very dark hair, his hair was slickback, but it really suited him very well. He was standing guard near the stairs that is used only for the royal family. He wasn't wearing his uniform nor was he carrying a sword, but it was clear that he was a knight because of his posture. His eyes was wandering everywhere, but also not at anyone, as if observing any potential danger that may come near the royal family that is sitting on the second floor of the venue.

"You know Nina, I heard people talking--"

"Alright, that's it" I said "What would it take for you to close your mouth for just a moment, Celine?" she looked at me, quite surprised

"At long last. I really thought your patience upgraded" she sighed and then smiled. Then she tapped her finger on her cheeks and looked around the enormous ballroom.

"I got you one. If you were to marry a man you just met, who would it be? You should only choose the ones that are present and also, you should ask him for a dance." If Avidan nobles heard what Celine just said, about a woman asking for a dance first, they would've been gasping so overactively immediately. I put down my glass of wine and started searching for who I think it would be. Then I looked at the man standing guard in his formal attire. I stared at Celine's smiling face, eyes filled with excitement, then I rolled my eyes at her. I walked. I passed by nobles who were greeting me, and as usual, I gave them a forced smile. Not because I don't like them, but because I am always tired in these events. I finally stopped walking and faced a tall man. The same tall man I was looking at a moment ago. I looked back at where Celine is standing, her smile was so wide that I questioned myself why her cheeks haven't popped yet. Then I looked again at the tall gentleman.

"Good evening" I curtsied "My name is--"

"Good evening Miss Daniana Cortese" he bowed

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

"How did you know my name?"

"How could I not? You are the only heir to Duke Cortese"

"Then may I know who--"

"My name's Timothy Estero, Miss"

"Then Sir Estero, would you like to--"

"Would you like to dance, Miss Cortese?" he smiled, the kind of smile I am familiar with because I also do it all the time, then he offered his hand to me. I stared at him for some seconds and proceeded to hold his hand, indicating that I accept his formal invitation.

We slowly went to the dance floor and started dancing to the sweet sound of the instruments that were being played by musicians. He was good at leading, and I mean an excellent lead in dancing.

"If I may not be so rude, can I ask you a question?" I said

"You're free to do so, Miss" he replied

"Is there any reason why you are being so stiff with me?"

The only sound was the music as we danced.

"I do apologize, Miss, if you felt uncomfortable with how I was behaving earlier. I just... got nervous that's all"

"Why would you be nervous?"

"It's not everyday that I get to be approached first by a beautiful lady such as yourself" I looked straight at his eyes and noticed he has greyish eyes.

"I do hope that you are telling the truth, Sir, as I find dishonesty quite unpleasant"

"You see, women tend to be shy around me. Instead of talking, they would cover their faces with their fans or they would avoid looking at me when I look at them. So in a sense, what I'm saying is indeed the truth." his smile has become a bit more relaxed

"Wow, Sir. I really thought you would be a bit--"

"Introverted?"

"Are you always like this? Interrupting people while they are still talking?"

"I apologize once again Miss, its just that I'm--"

"Too nervous that you are dancing with me or too excited that you are with a beautiful lady? Which one is it?"

He giggled. It was fascinating to hear it for the first time.

"The best answer would be both... I think?" he said

"You think? What kind of answer is 'I think'?" I chuckled "You should be sure of what you say, because that's the only way you would earn respect. That's what my father would always say."

"Please do belive me, Miss, when I say I really am nervous and excited. This is the very first ball that I have ever been to"

"I can see that. But I must say, your dancing is very good"

"Why, thank you. I have been practicing"

"With your mother? Or sister? Or probably a lover?"

"With my father"

"Pfft" I couldn't stop my giggle as we were dancing. Then we realized that the music has stopped. He bowed. I curtsied, still giggling from what he had said. He held my hand and kissed the back of it.

"I enjoyed our conversation, Miss Cortese" he said, with a smile on his face

"As do I" still smiling

"The next time we meet, I do hope you'll still remember me"

"The next time we meet, tell me more about how your father came to be your dance practice partner"

That night, I rode my carriage, making assumptions as to how Timothy Estero's father came to be his dancing partner. Maybe there was no other partner available at that time, but it's impossible since he would've had a teacher who can be his partner. Maybe Sir Estero and his father would have late night talks and would just started practice dancing when they would get in the middle of their night conversations. I could hear myself giggling just by the thought of it.

"Nina, darling! How was the ball?" father welcomed me in front of the door

"Pa, why are you still awake?" I moved closer to him and kissed his forehead. It was easy to do so, since he was sitting on a wheelchair

"I was worried you would be too drunk" he said as he held my hand

"Oh, come on, you know I have high tolerance in alcohol. Let's go, let me take you to your room, Pa"

"Alright, alright"

I pushed his wheelchair and started making our way towards the second floor of the mansion. The butler and maids followed behind us.

"Did something happened today?" I asked

"Nothing much" father replied

"Actually, my lady, his grace fell from his wheel chair hours ago" Maurice, the butler, reported

"Pa, what were you doing?"

"Maurice, you little snitch" father glared at Maurice, while Maurice moved behind my back to prevent meeting Papa's stare

"Papa, please answer my question"

"I was just trying to reach a book, then I stumbled, that's all. Nothing to worry about, darling"

"Where were the maids while this happened?" I tried to sound a little less angry

"I asked them to fetch me snacks. Come on, Nina, I'm alright. No bruises or anything, just a fall. Nothing to worry about" he said as he patted my hand gently

"Thank you for telling me, Maurice" I said

"Of course, my lady, it is my job afterall"

As I pushed father, I moved closer to his ear and whispered "In the next time, please let not Maurice catch you in your practices Pa. They get too worried"

"I know, I know" father whispered back.

We arrived in his room. Maurice carried father to his bed so that he could comfortably sleep, then he immediately went outside, together with the maids.

"Oh, I am supposed to be doing this to you" father would say as I tucked him to bed

"It's alright, Pa. Let me take care of you, just like how you took care of me"

There was silence, then I heard sniffles.

"Are you crying?" I asked him as I try look closer at his face

"It's just that I am too ashamed for not being with you all those years, and now I'm on a wheel chair which makes it impossible to do all the things a father should be doing to his daughter"

I sat beside his bed and held his hand.

"You'll get better Pa, I know it. Then if you do, we can do the things you want to do and I'll comply with whatever it is"

"But I wanted to tuck you to bed, read you bedtime stories and carry you to bed when you fall asleep. Wouldn't you be embarassed?"

"We can do that. Except for the carrying part because I'll be too heavy for you"

Father chuckled. He looked at me, and then smiled

"Good night darling"

"Good night, Pa"

Two years later after we arrived in Grazie, my father had a small accident while practicing the sword which made him unable to walk. Doctors have examined him and found out that because of him straining his legs all the time, it suddenly turned off. It was as if his legs didn't want to move anymore. There was no hope for cure, but the doctors assured that if father would try practicing walking each day, there might be some miracle that would happen, and he might be able to walk again. It's like training your brain so that your legs would move. Although the people in the mansion keeps telling me that everything will be alright, I know that there will come a time that it won't be alright.

I walked to my room, with my lady-in-waiting.

"Would you like to take a bath, Miss?" Adrina asked

"Yes please"

As I waited for Adrina to warm the water, I stood near the window and looked outside, where stars are twinkling and knights were standing guard. I remembered Moni in Avida, she's probably ecstatic right now after she just married the love of her life. Russel is still single, he's not even trying hard to find a wife, sometimes I even think if he's finding a husband instead of a wife. Nonno is still alive and kicking, he's probably with his retired friends spending all his time hunting some dangerous creatures in the forest. I am relieved that they're happy in their own way. I wonder if the happiness that I have, is really happiness.

"Miss, your bath is ready"