Avoid The Lead!

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A few days later, Elfsworth Academy threw its grand winter ball early, so it could coincide with Celia's birthday.

Lord Scarlett had paid for the entire thing and made it even grander than usual, so it was an advantage for the school!

The ballroom was draped in intricate finery, and a popular string quartet played beautiful music, as the elegantly dressed guests either danced, chatted, or milled around, while smartly dressed servants served snacks and wine round the room.

At one end was a buffet table heavily laden with glorious food, with a neat line of servants ready to serve, and at the forefront of the hall was a raised platform with a high table, where Celia sat with her father, a few nobles, and and the teachers.

Celia was dressed in a beautiful red ball gown which complimented her in every way, making her stand out.

But she wore a crestfallen expression...

"Cece, what's the matter?" Her father leaned over. "Are you not enjoying the ball?"

Celia reached over to hold his hand. "Papa, I'm fine! I was just admiring the ballroom!"

How could she tell him that she was missing a certain person?

As she expected, Taze had decided to avoid the ball, but had promised to come find her later that night.

Cheered by the thought, she reached for a crossed bun (Yeah! Hot Cross Buns!) and had just taken a bite when a few young men approached the high table.

"Miss Scarlett! May I have your first dance?" One asked with a proper bow, his gloved hard extended politely.

Celia nearly choked on the bun.

The only person she wanted to dance with was Taze!

But she gave an elegant cough, stepped down, curtsied, and then gingerly placed her hand in the young man's.

"Presenting the first dance of the celebrant!" An announcement rang out, making her cringe!

The young man looked awestruck as his free hand politely held the small of Celia's back, while her free hand rested on his shoulder.

And the music started.

After twenty five lifetimes of numerous balls, Celia could dance in her sleep, so the instant the music started, her feet moved automatically to follow his, but her mind wandered far away.

A beautiful fairy sat at the pianoforte, and her fingers weaved magical music, which teased not only their ears, but their entire senses, and soon the dance floor was full of dancing pairs.

But Celia was immune to fairy charm, and after her third dance, she politely declined further advances.

She hurried back towards the high table, hoping to spend the rest of the ball in peace, but just as she left the dancefloor, another announcement suddenly filled the air, and everyone froze.

"Presenting! Prince Vitav! Eldest son of King Vien! Pay respects!"

Celia froze and felt like her ears were ringing.

She swivelled and watched as everyone cleared a path, bowing or curtseying as Vitav passed their midst.

"This is THE Prince Vitav?!" The ladies were all a-titter.

"He's so handsome!"

"I can't believe we always had such a prince!"

The first thing Celia felt was fear...

Yes, she had come to fear Vitav in her last life, and now all her nerves stood on end, but not in a good way, and she felt like the four walls were closing in on her.

'It's not too late!' She thought. 'I can still dash into the crowd and run away from here!'

But before her foot could even move, she heard:

"Your Majesty! I didn't know you could make it! Cece! Come! Come and meet Prince Vitav!"

And Celia felt like the floor beneath her feet had given way.

Across the room, Carla noticed her friend's distress, and she recalled how Celia had always worried about some unknown Prince arriving on her sixteenth birthday!

'She was right!' Carla realized, and she made to approach.

But Celia noticed and quickly gave her an imperceptible head shake.

~"Don't approach! He's not nice."~ She mentally warned, and Carla halted.

~"Are you ok?"~ She asked.

~"He can't do anything here."~ Celia replied, sounding braver than she felt.

She wasn't sure how she walked over to her father and Prince Vitav, but she soon found herself dipping into a perfect curtsey, and she eyed him curiously.

He was every bit as handsome as she remembered... Tall and lean in a sleek white dress coat trimmed with elegant gold, and his beautifully fair blond hair and near iridescent blue eyes.

But she wasn't the least bit affected by his beauty, and she might stab him right now, if she could get away with it!

Yes... She breathed in and out. Her hatred was beginning to overcome her fear.

'What is he doing here?!' She wondered.

Meanwhile, Vitav's own eyes lit with interest. "Such beautiful irises for a young lady!" He complimented.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Celia gave another perfect curtsey.

"Please. No need for such formality." He held out a gloved hand. "May I?"

"Wah! She's so lucky!"

"I wish it were me!"

"A once-in-a-lifetime dream!"

But Celia blocked the dreamy voices out.

Similar words had once made her feel special, but as she placed her gloved hand in Vitav's, she felt like they were curses!

Again, her feet moved automatically to the beautiful music, but she was roiling with silent anger.

"Lady Scarlett, how do you feel?" Vitav's soft voice cut into her thoughts.

This was a voice that was guaranteed to make her obey his every command in the past, but now she felt a bit sick.

"I feel fine, Your Majesty." She lied. "Thank you for dancing with me."

"The pleasure's mine!" He said shyly. "Er... Actually..."

He attempted to pull her closer, but Celia held herself rigid and apart, making it seem like she was overtly concentrating on her steps.

"Actually," Vitav opted for lowering his head toward hers. "I've seen you before, and I was instantly struck by your flawless beauty! And you haven't left my thoughts ever since..."

"Er, but your Majesty-." She tried cutting in.

He leaned closer. "Of all the women I've met, only you have made an impact on me! I wanted to propose to you today, but I heard the ball was at Elfsworth, and didn't want to embarrass you!"

He said it in a rush, like he was nervous, and Celia froze, actually faltering a step.

He seamlessly caught her, and they fell back into rhythm like nothing happened.

Celia feigned a surprised smile up at Vitav, and realized she was finding it easier to handle his presence.

"Your Majesty! I am honoured beyond words!" Her face fell. "However, I'm not worthy of such a wonderful proposal..."

And then she leaned closer.

"I already promised myself to another!"

Celia's voice was a whisper, but Vitav heard her clearly, and he froze.

Then recovered almost at once.

"But, Lord Scarlett says you aren't attached yet! I didn't want to propose too early, so I was waiting for your sixteenth birthday..."

He looked sad. The very picture of someone who had lost something valuable.

But Celia wasn't having it.

"My apologies, Your Majesty!" She said, mimicking his sad look. "This is something between me and another student. Naturally, my father might not know about it."

"How unfortunate." Vitav said, and they spent the rest of the dance in silence, after which he guided her back to Lord Scarlett.

Lord Scarlett raised a curious brow at Vitav, who intensified the sad look on his face.

"Lord Scarlett, it's not meant to be." He said in a sad whisper. "I wanted to merge our families as well, but some lucky student beat me to it!" He said the last part cheerfully, as if he was completely understanding of the situation, and wanted no issue.

But Celia scowled.

By using the term, 'merge our families', Vitav had cleverly attacked a silent weakness.

There was no male heir in the Scarlett family, so naturally her father would be picky about who she ended up with!

No. He would actually insist she marries a high-level person, so he would be assured of her future safety. Simply put, there would be no amount of drama she could use to get her way, short of running away from home.

This was because, even if Lord Scarlett selected a male successor for the Scarlett family, he had no way of knowing whether that person would remain a stronghold for Celia and her future children, after he was gone.

So he would at least ensure she married someone who could protect her and the Scarlett Estate, so her second or third child could inherit it.

And Vitav was here dangling himself as the most eligible bachelor in all of Luxia!

'How crafty!' She realized, and she was filled with dismay, when her father turned a curious expression her way.

"Cece! You already have someone you fancy? Surely no one can compare to Prince Vitav, here!"

Celia's eyes had widened to twice their size, and in a panic, she said in a rush,

"Papa! The one I'm in love with is the Crown Prince of Luxia!"

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