Chapter 40: Lady at the Ball (2)

'You look lovely tonight; your dress is very pretty. I am liable to be overwhelmed by your cuteness.'

Rosemary giggles, 'Thank you, Amber. I was told by Mrs. Macy that you made this lace trimming.'

'Oh, looking closely…' the lace trimming did look familiar; when she had embroidered the lace pattern, she had imagined the wearer to be a fairy-like lovely woman. Once again, the lace she never knew the destination had ended up with Rosemary.

Rosemary had a conspiratory grin on her face as she said to Amber, 'This dress is the result of many consultations with Mrs. Macy to get Sirius to look at me.'

'I see, it was worth it,' Amber replied. Unlike Amber, the same pastel dresses that looked too much on her looked amazing on Rosemary. The power of Mrs. Macy, a master tailor was demonstrated.

'But, I wanted to have a bewitching dress made to thoroughly seduce Sirius, but as an unmarried lady, I can only wear pastels.'

Amber was at a loss for words, but honest and cheerful Rosemary smiled, 'But Mrs. Macy suggested that I should compete with loveliness, rather than seductiveness.'

Just as she finished, a cold faced man walked up to them, Rosemary tilted her head, 'Good Evening Sirius, how do I look?'

To Amber, Sirius Schneider was a man who looked at the world in a calm and seemingly detached manner.

'As always, I think you look very well.' he replied.

'And?' Rosemary fished, 'Don't you have any other thoughts?'

'I'm not sure what else I should be thinking.' he replied pushing up his glasses.

Rosemary glared at him and puffed out her cheeks. (Zuben: Stop that, you look like a stuffed hamster)

'Is that so? For someone who somehow has a different woman every evening, shouldn't you have a library of goosebump-inducing lines?' Rosemary retorted.

Although the ballroom was filled with guests, they were all talking and the orchestra was also playing, so Amber was sure that she was the only one who heard what Rosemary had said,

Rosemary…

A princess should not say such crude things in public.

Amber knew Rosemary very well and knew she was an innocent girl, but if someone did hear her, they could spread rumors that the fifth Princess was a mannerless girl with a pretty appearance.

Amber understood well the issue of marriage in noble families; it was very dependent on a woman's reputation in the eyes of the men.

Amber watched the situation nervously.

But, didn't Ernesto think this was wrong? He hadn't reacted nor censured her.

Rosemary's cheeks were puffed up to the fullest, glared at Sirius and then tears began to fill her eyes. (Zuben: Do you think she's going to pop?)

'Your Grace is a fool! I know all about your dalliances!' she cried.

Oh no! What should she do? Amber wondered.

Amber had never been witness to other people's pandemonium. With her, her black-bellied brother in law not steered her older sister before the fight became too heated. She only had ever fought with her sister.

It such cases, it was better not to say anything that might cause more trouble.

But Amber was also a woman; she understood Rosemary's feelings wishing to be complimented on her efforts.

Amber glared sharply at Sirius

But before Rosemary began to cry, Ernest squeezed Amber waist calling her attention while Sirius looked somewhat embarrassed. (Zuben: Who can blame him?)

'Don't worry too much, Amber.' he said into her ear.

'But…'

'It's alright, leave it to me.'

What was he planning? Amber decided not to say anything to Sirius. Ernest turned his golden gaze to Sirius, his eyes filled with glee.

'Sirius, my sister is in tears because of your callous manner.'

'I apologize, your Majesty, I never meant for that to happen.' Sirius stammered.

'It would be bad if you let the fifth Princess cry at a ball her family is hosting.'

Sirius was silent.

'So Sirius, give it up, and dance with your beloved Rosemary.'

The moment Rosemary heard Ernest's words her tears dried and her face was aglow.

'Thank you, Ernest!' She said.

Love is amazing. Rosemary smiled brightly and looked at Sirius expectantly. Sirius on the other hand relented, bowed to the young lady and held out his hand,

'Princess, would you like to dance the next set?'

'Yes! One song, two songs, three songs! I will dance with you until I feel better.' Rosemary replied to her smile like a blooming peach blossom.

For an instant, Sirius had an expression like he truly loved Rosemary.

Thinking about it, the other day, Sirius brought Rosemary some rose tea with chiffon tea cakes as an accompaniment - it was popular in the royal capital. Even though he was usually busy, he always seemed to find time to bring Rosemary something he thought she would like.

Hmm, there may be something there…

While deep in thought, Ernest's quiet voice beat her eardrums (Zuben: Drink)

'Tut tut, trying to manipulate a man with tears. Rosemary seems to be becoming like our sisters.'

'Hmm? Ernest?'

Did he just say something?

She turned to look up at him in askance, but he shook his head.

'Even so, Sirius isn't being straight either.'

'Let's give up…?'

'Well, he's worried about the fourteen-year gap between them. It won't matter in another one or two years.'

'Huh?'

'He should have capitulated to Rosemary's strategy.' (Zuben: If her strategy is puffing out her cheeks like a hamster, crying and making a handkerchief - he should be dying of laughter)

Certainly, a fourteen-year gap would cause a few bothersome issues. But Rosemary was a sensible girl. Amber felt the wall was not too hard to overcome.

But, strategy…? Such machination did not suit honest and pretty Rosemary. Although, Amber did not dare to clarify with Ernest. Especially since her actions could be labeled as tactics. She did not have the confidence of keeping an innocent expression after hearing what the 'strategy' was about.

Amber watched Sirius and Rosemary move to the dance floor,

'Amber, shall we dance?'

Amber eyes blinked in surprise.

'We haven't greeted all our guests yet…' would it be alright to go dancing?

Ernest pressed his lips against her forehead; Amber lowered her eyes in puzzlement.

'Amber, I want to show everyone at this ball that my wife is the most beautiful woman in the room.'

'Ernest…'

'Can you listen to the wish of a foolish man who wants to soak in a sense of superiority now that I finally have you?'

His golden honey eyes grasped Amber' heart. He was cunning. Was there any woman who could refuse that request?

Even though she knew that it was because of the powerful love potion, she still felt stirrings of joy.

With her heart fluttering and her cheeks pink, she nodded her assent to Ernest.