Queen of Blood and Roses
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
Princess Lila? I thought you'd be
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
an 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
e 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