Chapter 86 - THE DANCE

The huge ballroom was spacious enough to father one thousand people. However, there were only five hundred people in the ballroom including the Imperial family, aristocrats, high ranked army officers, and the healers of Utahill.

The floor was covered with white stones and the pillars were made of iron. Even the statues and the frames of the pictures were made of iron. The cream colored silk curtains were moved to each side of the large windows, showing the magnificent starry sky. The luxurious ballroom couldn't be compared to anything in Synetia kingdom.

Veronica and Major General Orion entered the ballroom together.

Her lavish green gown complimented her skin and unique emerald eyes. The gown was designed with golden embroidery and gold dust. The dress hugged her body to her midthigh and then the clothes parted their ways, showing off her long slender legs.

The half sleeved dress had a long neckline, showing off her cleavage and smooth back. To honor her wish, the fashion designer, who made her clothes gave her a golden colored chiffon shawl. Although it was transparent, at least it covered the parts of the dress that were deemed to be most revealing. It gave Veronica mental relief.

Her neck wasn't empty. She was wearing three sets of necklaces. The choker was made of ruby and pearls. The next necklace was made of emerald and gold chains and the last and the largest necklace was made of gold leaves. It covered half of her upper chest.

A pair of ruby earrings were hanging on her ears. Her head was decorated with emerald stones and several golden chains. Her shiny silver hair was tied as a bun and some strands of her hairs were loose at the end, giving her an elegant yet seductive look.

Overall, it wouldn't be exaggerating to call her a princess of Synetia, the Iron Kingdom.

As they walked further and deeper into the lavish imperial ballroom, Veronica felt several eyes falling on them. Veronica's grip on Major General Orion's hand tightened. "Don't you think the dress is too revealing?" She whispered.

Major General Orion was wearing an off white silk dress. The hem of the dress ended at his midthigh and his body was covered with a green robe. It was attached with a golden army brooch on his left shoulder. He chuckled softly and said, "Look around you. The women in the ballroom are wearing more revealing clothes than you are. Even your fellow healers. In my point of view, you are the one who is wearing the most conservative clothes here."

He was right. She looked around and saw women revealing their necks, chest, back, and legs. None of them were wearing a shawl like her. Her pieces of jewelry were also less in number compared to them. Men were wearing short gowns and their entire bodies were covered with silk robes.

"I've seen women wearing conservative dresses and men wearing revealing clothes in the town," Veronica commented.

"Oh, you are talking about commoners. Yes, that's how they dress but for aristocrats, it's the opposite. Aristocrat ladies love showing off their bodies and jewelry collections while aristocrat men only care about money, status, and power. Men love showing it when they invite you to their houses. They will show you around their houses and explain the details of every single statue and picture they bought at high prices and how much they spent on their houses and lands."

Veronica remarked, "It's like children showing off their favorite toys. I understand that."

"Haha, what a simple way to describe things." Major General Orion questioned her, "Don't you want to show off your beauty and your possessions?"

"No, why should I?" Veronica asked him bluntly. "I'm grateful to have what I was given and I thank Goddess Juvena every day for it. It's not something I need to show off."

Major General Orion was astonished upon hearing her words. "So, that's what you think. I always feel the way you think is different and amazing." He liked how different she was from other women. She was beautiful and simple minded. Outwardly wealth doesn't affect her much. She wasn't like those explicit women who showed off their bodies.

"Thank you," Veronica felt much better after being complimented by him. She was feeling down after having an argument with Arthur, and then, she became nervous seeing these expensive pieces of jewelry and revealing clothes. The more she talked to him, the more it became easy for her to calm down.

Veronica soon cringed when she noticed everyone's eyes were on her. She asked her escort, "Do I look weird? Why are they looking at me?"

Major General Orion responded, "Because are you the most beautiful girl in the ballroom."

Veronica wasn't usually told that she was the most beautiful girl. She didn't know how to take it. "Is it a good thing? I'm so scared."

"Let's do something enjoyable," saying that Major General Orion pulled her to the dance floor.

"Wait, I cannot dance," Veronica panicked.

"Just relax and follow my lead," Major General Orion pulled her closer and moved with rhythm as the musicians played the music. A few moments later, he said, "You said you cannot dance but you are matching your feet with me."

Veronica told him, "I can dance but only the traditional dances in our kingdom. I had no idea how you people dance. That's why I said that. Now I think it's quite similar to your dance. So, it's easy."

Major General Orion remarked, "So, this isn't the first time you actually danced with someone."

Veronica shook her head. "No, I danced with others before. Where I grew up."

After the first music ended, someone came forward and asked Veronica, "May I have this dance with you, Miss Veronica?"

Veronica hesitated after seeing Arthur. Arthur was also wearing Synetian traditional clothes. His dress was creamed colored and his robe was red colored.

Arthur saw she didn't answer. 'She must be upset,' he thought. He looked at Major General Orion and said, "Major General, may I borrow your partner for the next dance."

Major General Orion replied without thinking, "Sure Arthur, you have escorted her all the way to our country. You deserve a dance with her. I'll go and talk to others in the meantime."

Before Veronica could voice out her thoughts, she was pushed to Arthur. Arthur didn't miss the chance and drew her close after placing his hands on her waist. "It looks like he is relieved to get rid of you," he commented mercilessly.

"If that's what you have to talk about, then leave. I don't want to dance." Veronica was already upset that Major General Orion didn't even ask for her opinion and shoved her to Arthur. It was like she had no say in this.

As she tried to move away, Arthur pulled her closer. As the next music started, he went with the music and Veronica had to follow him with a gloomy expression. He said, "Are you upset that he didn't ask your permission? This is how this country is. Mostly, all men are the same. Just because they escort you, they think you are their possessions. Well, you did wear the clothes and jewelry he gave you. So, he already thinks that he owns you."

"Whatever I think is none of your business," after saying that, she sealed her lips and didn't talk anymore.

Arthur quietly stared at her. She was putting on makeup and wearing gorgeous clothes. She looked like an extraordinary goddess. When she first stepped inside the ballroom, he forgot to breathe. After that, he couldn't take his eyes off her. He didn't like the fact that she was with Major General Orion and she even danced with him. It made him feel that she was unreachable and he hated that thought. That's why the moment the music stopped he approached her.

He realized that she wouldn't talk to him the entire night. He opened his mouth and said, "Nica, I'm sorry for the other day. I shouldn't have said that. It wasn't your fault. It was me who wanted to guard you. You never asked anything. I became upset when you got close to others. It's all my fault. You are not a burden or anything like that. You are the bravest girl I've ever seen. So, please forgive this insolent man."

Veronica stared at him for a couple of minutes before asking, "Do you mean it?"

Arthur quickly answered, "Yes, I do."

Veronica couldn't believe him. He broke her trust a couple of times. She questioned him, "You will never say I'm a burden, will you?"

"I dare not," Arthur firmly replied.

She inquired, "You will never be mean to me again, will you?"

"I will never," Arthur swore.

"Fine, I forgive you but next time you hurt me, I will leave you for good," Veronica threatened him.

Arthur finally smiled at her and responded in a gentle tone, "Yes, my princess."

After the dance ended, Veronica took a break. Arthur got mixed up with other women. At that time, the guards announced the King's arrival.

King Edward V was wearing a long dress covering his entire body. The color of his dress was red. The golden robe was covering his body. His crown was shimmering with jewels.

After everyone bowed and greeted him, he sat on his throne and declared, "Today is a glorious day for Synetia. On this glorious day, I would like to announce joyous news to everyone. I've decided to take my fifteenth wife. The lucky bride is Veronica, the heroine of the desert and the healer of Utahill."