r

er where the guests were greeted and announced upon entering. On the other end, the room was c

t turn to look at them. He was dressed in the usual elegant att

d out his right arm, waiting for Princess Lila to join him. They usually entered with

m, and he immediately twi

incess Lila? I thought you’d be we

looking them up and down. He pursed hi

you to dress like that,”

to wear which dress, and I don’t see how it can be

just very unlike you. At least take off your ne

said, stepping towards him. “Shall we? It s

as growing louder. She was dreading the moment Count Thorn would ask her abo

chandeliers. Where in heaven are they? Here? Why does he have to

hat and mask. It seemed like she had wanted to look like a bird, and she had achieved

n interesting choice. Oh, there’s the mou

Ara serve guests, but of

s go. Everyon

rd opened the door to the ballroom and the talk outside subsided. The musicians played a martial tune, an

because we have a very special guest tonight. Your Grace, welcome to Havensville. M

walk up to Count Thorn. The three bowed their heads to

ou, Lady Pavla, for all your efforts. The castle looks exqu

red and humbled,” Pav

your Grace. My dearest guest, who I’ve come to see as a n

efore he took her hand and kissed it. His gaze then fell upon

at seemed like an age, which ma

ve you have met her. Pri

rincess Acheron said,

” Ara said,

la whispered at her, loud eno

ballroom began to murmur. Ara was able to ca

that oth

at his

’s the ot

n cleared

The guests at the center stepped back to let several couples take the floor to dance, and

one of your ladies to da

t in before Count Tho

would you

and Count Thorn, Pavla, and Princess Lila

Princess Lila would make a more suitable dance partner,”

tting something to eat if you care to dance with me later,” Princess Lil

ing herself and suggesting he dance Pavla, so she could join Princes Lila a

onfused him with any other guest, except for that strange scent of his, which Ara still couldn’t understand. She wondered if he knew he smelled like that. From t

ance,” Count Thorn said. He stared at her

e took her hand and stepped beside her, escorting her to the middle of the ballroom. When the

e musicians change what they were

egan to dance as th