Alomina or The Book of Many Journeys Ch. 4

Chapter Four: A Ball Of Much Importance

As their carriage neared the palace, Alomina gasped in awe and wonder, her eyes enlarging with delight. He (and she) had rare seen such a splendorous sight! But for him, the splendorous sight was not in the palace and its majesty, but in Mina's elation at it. She had been to the palace, and to balls as well many times, but she seemed newly enchanted with child-like contentment and wonder every time they came here. Percy merrily watched her observe everything while he observed it himself. She seemed to profit so much happiness out of, and he profited just as much happiness for her excitement.

Every window (and there were a very many) was alight with a pleasing glow, shining against a beautifully dark sky that was bespeckled with sparkling stars. The palace lake was glistening with the reflection of the moon, a shimmering pearl upon dark velvet waters. Fireworks were being set off in the sky, and they made Percy think of bright gemstones splashing into a dark river, creating waves and ripples of color. It was a golden moment igniting imagination and blowing brilliance into their fanciful night.

When the carriage had stopped in front of the illustrious doors, Percy had to wake Mina from her 'trance'. He led her out of the carriage, and into the Grande Hall, smiling. Alomina looked about delightedly, observing everything with a child's measure of apparent ecstasy, while Percy also coolly took everything in with his keen observation.

Every doorway was draped with scarlet silk and gold tassels. Every table had crystal vases of roses and hyacinths elegantly lined atop a scarlet and gold cloth bearing the royal family's coat-of-arms; a rose and a crown. The floor was white marble, with gold decoration, same as the ballroom, and white marble pillars lined the walls majestically. The ballroom was bespangled with grandeur of any and every type, a spectacle most unforgettable and marvelous to behold.

And they walked into the ballroom, down from the ornate, grand golden staircase, the page announcing their entrance:

"The Lord Percy de Blyrwen, and Lady Alomina de Blyrwen"

"This is wonderful, Percy!" Alomina exclaimed ecstatically, her eyes practically glowing with the light and splendor around her.

"Yes, it is isn't it?', he said smilingly.

Alomina appeared to have noticed that the slow, quiet melody had ceased, and the musicians were preparing to play the dancing music. Percy extended his hand and smiled a radiant smile.

"May I have this dance, my lady?', he asked, taking her hand in his own.

"I had promised it, had I not? And let it not be said that I do not keep my word, so you may indeed", she said, walking with him to the main part of the ballroom.

"Good, I need all the help I can get!", said Percy jovially.

She laughed gaily as he put his arm about her.

Dancing was one of Percy's favorite activities (not to mention probably the one he was best at), and he often joked that he wasn't very good at it. He enjoyed dancing so exceedingly, it was the thing he probably enjoyed most to do with Mina, (or perhaps with anyone) and so he was completely content just spinning in an ever-going, melodious sweep.

He felt some flyaway strands of his hair brush his neck as he stepped forward, and it gave him the glorious euphoric feeling of the moment. He felt the slight force of air go past him and Mina as she twirled again into his arms. He felt the beautiful music flowing harmoniously with the dance as he stepped back once again, and the golden feeling that had begun with the dance, did not completely end with it.

Then they stopped, and he realized they had been dancing for quite a while, perhaps even more than the one dance. Percy released her hand gently.

"You look tired, Mina, and after only a couple dances", he teased, shaking his head. "There are going to be many more, so I shall fetch a drink for you... and I'll be back soon", he added, walking away.

Percy strode over to the scarlet-covered table, took two glasses of champagne, and began to stroll back to Mina in a leisurely manner. He looked up at the lovely palace's grand trimmings all around him and sighed for their beauty.

Then, as Percy was absent-mindedly walking on, he accidentally walked straight into a velvet-clad noblewoman, spilling his champagne upon her, and nearly knocking her over! And in that same split second, he realized he had done it, and he caught her. Suddenly any thought of reaching Mina seemed to vanish.

"I am so sorry, my lady", he said apologetically.

"Your highness, actually", she said angrily, standing up, and smoothing her skirts.

And then Percy realized as she stood up that she was Princess Celeise, the young Prince Alfonso's elder sister, and the heir to the throne of this country!

"I am sorry", he tried to make amends for his clumsiness.

"Yes, I'm sure", she answered sarcastically, and she once more started off.

"I truly am", he said, with a look in his deep, dark, brown eyes so sorrowful, and apologetic, her expression softened.

"No, no, it was no reason for me to get so angry--", she began.

"Ah, but I should not have run into you"

"But I should have noticed you were coming", she said.

"And I should have looked where I was going, it is I who is at fault"

"But perhaps I should not have been in your way"

"I'm almost glad that you were", he said with a smile that probably could have melted iron (though probably quite unknowingly).

"Well I--", she tried to be angry, but really couldn't be, and so laughed.

Percy looked slightly confused, but then half-smiled back at her.

He looked at her with his usual glance-over of people, but with more attention than he usually had for details. She was very fair-skinned, with remarkably blue eyes, between sky and ocean blue. She had golden-blonde hair, or rather if one had to name a shade, one might as well say golden. She was fairly tall, but still slender, and had a face that half-spoke of kindness, but also of regality. She was wearing a deep-violet colored gown of a thin, velvety material that had an intricate rose pattern, complimenting her air of imperiousness.

She is very pretty, he thought, and he tried to tell her, but words seemed to fail him. This is not as easy as just telling Mina, he thought disappointedly.

Then Percy, (having long ago 'misplaced' Alomina's and his own empty glasses) took her hands, and hearing the waltz starting, asked:

"Would you care to dance?"