Anabel reached the terrace, taking a deep breath, where they were all thinking the same thing. She didn't want to go back in, but Sebastian had told her to stay in his line of sight, so she had to go back inside.
Taking another breath she turned but bumped into someone else.
"Oh ...are you okay " he held her.
She gained her balance nodding.
"Am sorry, I didn't see where I was going ", she apologized.
He smiled, "All good ".
She glanced up to see his face. His features were sharp like Sebastian but something different about the way his green eyes looked down at her.
He smirked, "Princess Anabel, I presume", taking her hand and placing a kiss.
She didn't say a word, watching him; her body was telling her to stay away from him.
"Prince Karl, the one and only cousin of the Emperor" he let out.
She remembered the private lessons from Lia and Hope after Henry had stepped in. Telling her the nobles to avoid and those to not to.
And the one named Karl with deep green eyes was number one.
Pulling away her hand she smiled.
"It's a pleasure to see one of his family tonight "
"So it's true his keeping you hidden. You haven't even met any of the family members of the royal family " he said.
"I have stayed away from the public eye by my own will and as for the royal family. I will when the right time comes " She kept her smile, hiding her nervousness as best as she could.
He chuckled, nodding.
"Now, please excuse me. I need to get back before he starts to look for me," she said
He grabbed her arm, "Come on, you don't need to leave yet. We are still chatting. And I assure you he busy to even notice you gone "
Gently, she pulled away, "As I said, I need to go. I prefer his presence better ".
Karl scoffed watching her walk off.
"We will see about that "he murmured.
....
"Princess, have you tried these ?".
Anabel was caught off guard by the new atmosphere inside when she returned.
Most of the nobles that had been avoiding her were now approaching her with smiles.
"It's sweet " she tasted the snack.
"Yeah ...am glad. Our family owns the best snack shops in the capital " she said.
She was a petite young lady almost her age, brown long straight hair dressed in a light pink dress.
"Duchess Valeria White " she introduced herself.
"Princess Anabel, thank you for the snack your grace"
"Oh ...it's Valeria, Your Highness", she beamed.
Anabel nodded, she wanted to be called by her name than her title.
"Then can I call you Val ?" she asked.
Valeria blushed and nodded, "Yes, your Highness ".
Soon Anabel was lost in conversation with the crowd of women around her.
Each talking about herself line they wanted her to know each one of them.
"What you did, princess, was so amazing ", one said.
"Huh...what did I do?".
"Yes...those two from earlier " Val whispered to her.
"Oh ..I didn't do nothing. Barely got my trail back " she sipped on her drink.
"They always do that, especially the first one bullying others just because they are the second richest family in the capital "
Anabel sighed.
"We wanted to help you but were afraid to get caught up too "
"We are not sure if the Emperor does adore you as the rumours say. So backing you up just like that might have backfired on us "
She breathed; that didn't change how much of cowards they were.
"I understand ", she let out as her eyes moved from the two women from earlier to look through the crowd for Sebastian.
After meeting Karl, her body kept tensing up; she wanted to get to him soon. His warm hand would calm her down.
"Your Highness, not to be noisy, but is it true ?" they finally asked.
"What is ?".
"We mean, yes, you came in with his majesty, and he seems to care for you . But you are not the first to be treated that way, so where were wondering if you...".
"If I could prove that am different from all those who have stood beside him in the past ?" she finished the question.
They all nodded. Anabel's eyes swept over them; all they wanted was more gossip, apart from Val, who kept getting her snacks to eat.
Before she said anything, her eyes met with Sebastian's, who was walking towards her.
She smiled watching him. All the ladies looked back to see what she was smiling at and gasped when they saw the Emperor come towards them.
He was smiling back at Anabel.
"Sebastian" she called.
The nobles moved back for him to pass through.
"Bel...where did you go ?" he asked taking her hand.
"Nowhere I was right here with some new companions ", she muttered.
"I heard what happened. Should I ". She stopped him.
"It's done already in the past, so let's forget it. Tonight isn't about me but you, your majesty," she beamed.
He smiled taking her away, leaving her new nosy friends behind.
"I don't think we need to ask anymore ?" One said.
"His majesty can smile?! ".
"The way he looked at her ..."
"Holding hands, how could they do it so naturally "
"And did you all hear how she called him by his name"
"She is the one " they all agreed.
Valeria smiled, watching her new friend being led away by the Emperor.
...
"Are you ready ?" he bent down to her ear.
She nodded as his hand slid to her waist, getting ready to dance. Since it was his birthday, he had to open the dance.
The moment the music started, everyone's eyes were on them.
With his eyes upon her, his hold on her back and the way he moved, she couldn't help but smile.
Step by step they moved, swaying to the rhythm.
Slowly, everyone else faded, and all she could see was Sebastian. Swirling her around them, pulling her back to his arms, she giggled as he fell back with his firm hold, keeping her in balance.
Anabel moved her body so elegantly and smoothly, moving around, together and back to him.
And when the music finally stopped, her beating heart and flushed cheeks showed how much she had enjoyed dancing with him.
He pulled back, gazing down at her face. Before he could say anything, the sound of the applause took away her attention.
They bowed as they left the floor.
Slowly, the others started to dance; Sebastian didn't say anything but kept walking, leading them outside towards the fountain.
Finally stopped when they got there.
"Something wrong, Your Majesty?" she asked, worried she might have made a mistake during their dance.
He turned to face her and took her in his arms, hugging her tightly. She moved hugging him back.
"Sebastian are you okay ?" she muttered.
"Mmm, can we stay like this for now " he let out.
She smiled hugging him tighter, "Okay "