Arriving at the ball
Remus and Sirius walked in together, descending the staircase nodding towards the King and Queen.
The King stood up and everyone became quiet. “Everyone, may I present my son and his fiance, Prince James and Princess Lily.” With that, James walked in with Lily on his arm. King Fleamont looked directly at his son. “May you find who your heart desires tonight.”
James looked at Lily, with her looking back at him, before the two of them descended the staircase.
At the bottom of the stairs, Sirius walked over to the two of them with a woman on their arm. “May I present to you, Lady Gabrielle, who I thought might be a good match for the two of you.”
James bowed, kissing Lady Gabrielle’s hand before he stood back up to full height, holding his hand out. “Would you care to dance, my lady?”
She giggled as she took his hand. He turned to Sirius. “Take care of her, Sirius.”
He then turned to Lily, kissing her lips gently, before whispering in her ear, “I’ll find you later. When I find someone I like, I’ll introduce you.”
He pulled back smiling at both of them, before turning to Lady Gabrielle, guiding her onto the dance floor.
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You arrived at the castle. Regulus came down and opened the carriage door for you, helping you out, so you didn’t slip or ruin your shoes or outfit.
He leaned forward, hugging you. “Go and have fun. You deserve it.” He paused. “Remember, no one will recognise you, and come back to us by 12, so we can get you back safely.”
You nodded before turning and waving at Evan who saluted back, before turning and walking up to the castle.
When you reached the top of the palace steps, the guards nodded at you and opened the doors for you. You didn’t know what to expect when you walked through the doors to the ballroom, but what you saw was tasteful decorations that weren’t overly done, but made everything really pretty. The music was so beautiful.
You walked down the stairs carefully, making sure if people noticed your entrance that you would seem somewhat elegant and poised.
When you got to the lower set of stairs, you noticed a stunning redhead walking towards the bottom of them. You stared at her as she smiled at you, when you got to the bottom two steps, she held out her hand.
You took her hand as she guided you down to her. She lifted your hand to her lips. “Hello beautiful. May I have the pleasure of your company?”
“Hi,” you breathed out, a little flustered at her attention, before you smiled. “I-I would like that.”
She linked arms with yours and guided you to the front of the room. As you moved through the room with her guiding you, you realised neither of you had introduced yourselves. You took the initiative and introduced yourself to her.
She guided you over to a table near the front of the room, before she stopped, turned to you and introduced herself, “I am Princess Lily Evans, fiance of Prince James.”
You gasped before you bowed to her. “Please forgive me, your highness. I didn’t recognise you.”
She guided you to stand. “You do not need to worry. I was happy to meet someone and not have them treat me any differently than they would anyone else.”
When you stood, you saw a handsome figure standing next to Lily with his arm around her waist, smiling at you. Lily introduced you to him and you instantly recognised him as Prince James. Before you bowed to him, he held out his hand to stop you.
He asked you, “would you like to dance with either one of us?”
You blushed at their attention. “I would like the chance to dance with both of you, if that is alright.”
He smiled before he took your hand, kissing it. He turned to Lily. “You have the first dance with them, love. I’ll sit this one out and watch. I think I’d like to sit down for now.”
He smiled gently at both of you as you thought he was definitely different than you thought he would be. You thought he would be arrogant and stuck up, like your step sisters and your stepmother.
As you and Lily danced, the two of you spoke about whatever you could think of. You enjoyed dancing with her, and the two of you spoke so effortlessly with each other.
Not long before the song was to end, you asked, “the way the Prince presented himself before, is that what he’s usually like?”
“Yes, darling.” She smiled at you, before looking quickly over your shoulder. “I’ve never met anyone like him. He loves with his whole heart and when he’s with the people he loves, his attention is only on them. His family is a big thing for him. He may have been born into this, but he loves the people of his kingdom.”
She looked back over your shoulder as she curtsied and you bowed as the song ended. You thanked her when the music finished, and standing back up, you saw both Princess Lily and Prince James standing next to each other. Throughout the night, you would switch between dancing with James and then dancing with Lily.
During your second dance with James, he told you, “I really love the ring on your right hand. It matches you and your outfit so well.”
And when you weren’t dancing with them, other suitors would dance with them.
As it got closer to the end of the night, Prince James held his hand out for you. “Would you care to take a walk with us, darling? I’d love to get to know you a little more without having to speak over the music.”
You smiled as you took his hand, with Princess Lily linking her arm through yours. You felt content in this moment; so safe and so happy.