He excused himself from them as he approached Nashia, he held out his hand as she stood in the lower stairs to escort her.
"May I, my lady?" He hesitated a little as he was wondering if she was still mad at him.
She quietly stares at him with a piercing gaze. She looked up and down at him checking his outfit. His suit was hugging his perfectly shaped body.
Showing off his broad shoulder and chiselled features. His suit was a deep, rich blue, almost navy in hue colour.
The suit was adorned with intricate silver threading which reflected the lights of the hall. Around his neck, he wears a slender silver tie pin adorned with a small, sparkling sapphire.
He wears a masquerade mask of pure white silk, its delicate tendrils curled around his face. She held his hand lightly just to keep up the public appearance.
He could feel her ignorance but he didn't seem to mind. He led her toward their throne as all the others bowed respectfully.
They all stood back as both of them took their seat on the throne. Nashia gave her welcome speech,
"I welcome you all to the imperial fall ball. The fall is coming to an end with our glorious foundation day. Please enjoy the night blissfully."
She sat back down after finishing her speech. She felt that someone was glaring at her from afar. She looked around slowly but couldn't find the person.
She thought it might be her hallucination since she is thinking too much these days. The lights dimmed and the music softened
The lights dimmed down, spotlights focused on the dance floor. The music softened, signalling the start of the dance portion of the evening.
Eric took a shallow breath and stood up from his throne. His hand held out toward Nashia inviting her for the dance.
"Shall we, your majesty?"
She simply gazed at his hand, her expression still cold as ice. She took a glance in his face. His short dark hair is slicked back, revealing a sharp jawline and his piercing blue ocean eyes.
His lips are pressed together. However, she gave a subtle nod before placing her hand in his. Her body temperature was as always cold.
Seeing the imperial couple standing up, others moved away from their way. The room fell silent. The only sound was from the soft hum of the music.
And the rustles of the ladies' dresses as they parted to make way for the imperial couple.
Even though it was evident that she was still upset with Eric, her eyes flashing with a mixture of disdain and reluctance. She didn't pull herself away from him.
Her fingers wrapped around Eric's hand like a perfect mould. The tension between them was palpable as they made their way to the dance floor.
As the music began, Eric pulled Nashia into the waltz, his movements fluid and confident. But Nashia's demeanour was stiff, her body moving mechanically to the rhythm.
The music began, and they danced, their steps slow and deliberate. She refused to look at him, her gaze was fixed on some point beyond Eric's shoulder, avoiding eye contact altogether.
Not maintaining eye contact during a dance was extremely impolite for the dance partner. It also serves as a rejection.
While Eric stared at Nashia's face. Nashia wears a masquerade mask made of pure white silk. Which's delicate tendrils hugged her face like a gentle mist.
The mask is decorated with tiny, sparkling gemstones. Her lips are adorned with a deep red lipstick, twinning her crimson eyes.
A delicate silver choker with a small, glittering sapphire pendant adorned her slender neck. Her ears are adorned with dangling earrings shaped like tiny stars, their points reaching up towards her hairline like tiny rays of celestial light.
The nobles who looked down on Eric seemed to be pleased with their Empress's behaviour. Their faces twisted into smirks of satisfaction.
"Ah. Finally, Look at her." One of them whispered into another person's ear.
"Oh my? Our Empress finally realised what we've known all along. She should have known that humans are beneath her."
"Right. He doesn't deserve the pleasure to be her life partner."
Their snickers and whispers were spreaded throughout the gathering. Their thoughts are loud enough to reach the imperial couple's ear.
However, Nashia remained oblivious, lost in her own thoughts. The nobles witnessed the scene with a mixture of satisfaction and disgust. Their faces twisted in scorn.
They had never approved of Eric's presence at their empress's side and Nashia's indifferent behaviour toward him only fueled their twisted suspicions.
Eric also chose to ignore the atmosphere. His eyes locked on Nashia's face. Wearing his mask of a calm expression.
He danced with precision. His movements are fluid and calculated. As they twirled across the dance floor, the music swirling around them like a vortex.
The dance was short yet it felt like forever. Finally, their dance came to an end. With a subtle bow to each other, they parted their ways.
Eric's eyes never left Nashia's face, his gaze burning with intensity. The crowd applauded politely, but the tension was palpable, like an unspoken challenge had been issued.
Eric retreated to his throne. His mind was heavy and the disdain of the nobles was also annoying him. Still he had to keep up with the facade.
The grand ball air was alive with the chatter of conversations and the soft clinking of glasses, as the masked nobles mingled and laughed together.
While on the other hand, Nashia stayed behind as she was approached by her foreign supporters. Amidst of everything, her eyes still made sure he was there on his throne.
Just as Nashia was about to turn away to leave; a tall figure emerged through the crowd of nobles. His crisp white and green attire stand out in the dimly lit ballroom.
He approached Nashia with a charming smile. His red eyes hidden behind his eye mask. He greeted her with a low bow.
To Be Continued
Agnes Sara