"Just to hear who your with?" Shunsuke asked incredulously. This was all very new to him, and I would have to make a point of asking him how the humans were ruled. They must not have a monarchy if he was this confused.
"Yes, as we are the royals, and I am second in line for the throne now that I am taken, they want to see who could be the future ruler of the Shadow World. It's their right," I answered matter-of-factly.
"And just what do you do in the ball?" Shunsuke asked curiously.
I smiled. Did he know nothing of these traditions? "Well, you'll arrive and stand next to me on the throne while the people arrive. A bunch of them will gather before us to see who you are. Then, we'll give the order to eat. You'll sit next to me, of course. There, you will meet all of the other rulers of the land and probably have to answer a bunch of questions. Then comes the dance where you will dance with me and a bunch of other princesses and people. Then, we'll be allowed to wander as we please and that is when we will go mingle with the people. It looks better if we talk to them," I answered.
He looked like I had just told him more information than he could retain. My brother stepped in, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Come on, I'll help you get ready. There is only a few hours before the ball begins, and my sister has to go get ready and all dressed up."
I smiled at Shane. "I'll see you again at the party when they introduce us." I told him, giving him a feather light kiss on the cheek.
I heard Shane say, "She looks ten times prettier dressed up, so try not to drool when you see her again."
I chuckled. Shunsuke would like Shane. Shane was a good guy, and he was super protective of me. Elainea motioned for me to follow her back up to my room where she and my mother would help prepare me. This was the first time the people had seen me in a few years. I'm sure they were all just as eager to see me as they were to see Shunsuke.
~.~
"Are you nervous?" my mother asked as she helped tighten the corset. She expertly tied it in a pretty bow before grabbing the dress I would be wearing. The dress was gorgeous, a pretty blue with black lace. It had no sleeves, but there were pretty white gloves that went up to my elbow.
"Slightly," I admitted, getting into the dress. "I mean, the people haven't seen me in years, what if they don't accept me?"
My mother pulled me into a hug. "Once they see how great you are, they'll love you. You'll be fine. They'll love Shunsuke as well."
I nodded. "I'll calm down once we get there and it all starts." I sat down and let Elainea fix up my hair. "I wonder what Shane and Shunsuke are talking about."
"Knowing Shane, he's probably probing Shunsuke about the two of you and telling embarrassing stories of you!" Elainea teased. She was right, though. I shook my head with a smile.
~.~
I stood at the top of the stairs where the party goers wouldn't see me on the far right. I could see Shunsuke being led to his spot opposite me, to the left. We were to walk towards each other and then walk down the staircase together. I smiled, wondering what was running thorugh his head.
He hadn't seen me yet, and he wouldn't see me until they announced our names and we began walking towards each other. I took a deep breath, hoping that the party would go off without a hitch.
"Lady Kayden!" I had been so lost in my thoughts that I hadn't heard anything my father had said. I just heard my name and began walking. "And the Champion, Shunsuke is now her boyfriend." I smiled at that last part. It sounded so right.
Shunsuke and I met in the middle, smiling from ear to ear at each other. "You look gorgeous," he told me.
"You clean up pretty nicely yourself," I replied.
He held out his hand, and I took it. Together, we descended the stairs ready to take on the unknown together.
