After all the debutantes were presented, as the host of the event, the king asked for the queen's hand for the opening dance. When the two of them reached the middle of the dance floor, the orchestra started playing.
Everyone watched as it was only once a year that the two would dance together.
While the two were dancing, they started their conversation which rarely happens given their relationship.
"You seem satisfied with my choice for our son." Edward V said.
"It's an advantageous match. Do you regret it?" Loretta said as if daring her husband.
Since Edward married the 2nd queen Floresca, the two of them have been at odds. Loretta knew that the reason why Edward chose the daughter of Duke Maxwell initially was because she has been eyeing the daughter of Duke Argent Cross, the only duke aside from Grand duke Charles who still holds a significant military power in the kingdom, for her son.
Edward V furrowed his brows. This was why he hated talking to Loretta. She could just simply say that she was, but she just had to provoke him. Dissatisfied, he did not even finish the dance.
The king and queen halted, but it was not something surprising for the guests. They just thought that they were done with it. So, they clapped their hands.
The royal couple faced the guests as they waved their hands at them. Then they went back to the platform where their seats were placed. No conversation was made between the two of them after that.
--
Court balls, such as the event that night, were different from public balls and school balls. It was not purely for fun, but rather, a social duty for aristocrats. Attendance for those invited was compulsory, and one can only be excused when one was with serious illness or in mourning.
From a very young age, all children of the nobility were taught dancing in preparation for events like this. Knowing how to dance was not just very important, it was a necessity.
Now, although the ball centers at dancing, one must note that it was also the avenue where people looked for amusement, discussed current events and philosophical issues, made business deals, fell in love, and proposed marriage.
Last year, Charlton has already been a popular figure when he entered the scene of society balls. However, nobles were still hesitant to try and form ties with him through marriage due to his family's circumstance. His father was above all but only one, yet the position was not a comfortable one.
This year though, since he became the king's favorite, many nobles thought that they could finally form ties with the Daniel's family through marriage. Thus, many nobles flock to him, not just to discuss simple matters, but to subtly hint about their daughters.
The king noticed this, and when he saw Duke Argent Cross approach Charlton, he knew that he must intervene and fix Charlton's marriage for him. Although he favors the child of his sister, he would not allow the Daniel's to consolidate military power.
King Edward V looked at the debutantes in the hall, and one girl struck him. He saw that many gentlemen started lining up to converse with the girl, and he vividly recalled her introduction earlier. Ms. Emily Evans, a song producer, song writer, graduate from the noble school, and physically enticing. Most importantly, a daughter of a mere baron who do not hold any influence in court. He would not be able to find a girl who can match that perfectly with Charlton. His younger sister would not be able to complain about anything. The Evans girl despite he lineage was the crème of the crop just next to Geoffrey's own intended.
Thus, he instructed one of his personal servants to inform Charlton that he's calling for him.
--
"Serena, here is your dance card." Leonard said as he handed her the card designed as a hand fan.
Serena opened it to see that there were 10 blank spaces each on both sides with the title of the song and the type of dance written beside it. It was beautiful and very artistic.
Simoun smiled as he said, "I have been looking forward to this day for a long time. Serena, my daughter, do pencil my name in for the first waltz."
Serena smiled at her father as she nodded her head.
Celine smiled as she pulled on Simoun to tease him, "I guess now that you have our princess as your dance partner, you're already forgetting about me."
"Of course not. We'll still have the quadrille together." He teased back.
Celine smacked his bicep playfully as she shook her head. Still, she jotted his name for the quadrille, then she told Serena and Leonard that they should be partnered to dance on the same number so that the 4 them can dance together.
As they were discussing that, people were taking curious glances as Geoffrey walked towards them.
Simoun and Celine were first to notice Geoffrey arrive. They smiled at him as he stood before them. Serena and Leonard noticing their parents' expression understood that they have company so they turned to face him.
"Duke Simoun, Duchess Celine, may I request the pleasure of a dance with your daughter, Serena?" Geoffrey asked respectfully as he gave them a slight nod.
Liking how polite Geoffrey was, Celine answered immediately, "Of course, she will be delighted."
That was when Geoffrey faced Serena and gave her a smile.
Serena smiled back at him politely and asked which one he wanted to dance with her.
Geoffrey chose the waltz before the intermission to which, Serena can only lament, was 'moon river', a song originally sang by 'Audrey Hepburn' which she in a bout of genius 'composed' 2 years ago in some sort of competition with Emily. Well, she didn't want to be outclassed when people started dancing Emily's songs in balls.
After that, Goeffrey left. He knew that Serena was with her family, and he must wait till later to have her to himself.
Leonard just looked at Serena and shook his head. He could only hope that she knew what she was doing.
--
TBC