Chapter 29: Chapter 29
It seems like Chace did not like how I declined his invitation to be his partner for the ball. He literally stopped showing up after I sent my letter. I feel bad, but somehow relieved that perhaps it is for the best. I don’t want Chace to keep expecting something more from me.
I almost do not want to attend Chace’s birthday and crowning ceremony because of what happened. It was just a last minute decision that I decided to partake in the event.
“Stella, if you are still uncertain, we can always turn back, and you can call in sick.” Rose offers as soon as I climb down the carriage. Rumours that I did not accept Chace’s invitation has been circulation for some time now. As someone who lived in this world for longer than I have, my sisters knows how harshly I would be criticized for someone who refuses the hand of the future crown prince.
“Don’t worry too much. It’s not like I let those things bother me. The important thing is that I am here as a friend and support Chace.” I give my sister an assuring smile, hoping that it would ease her worries.
Her husband, places a caring hand on her shoulder. “She’s young, but she’s tough. I would not worry if I were you.” To hear my brother-in-law compliment me is something that my sister and I did not expect, which is why my sister’s face has relaxed a little.
“Yeah, you’re right.” She sighs, looks up at me, and smiles. “If someone tries to bully you, do not be afraid to fight back, okay? Remember, this guy is the king of Gija.” She points at her husband. “Just speak his name and they would shit their–” Before any more vulgar words could escape the Queen of Gija’s mouth, Ace quickly covered her lips with his hand.
“Even though our kids are at home, we should still be wary of the people around us.” Ace reminds her, looking so used to her antics at this point. “It seems like Nate and the others are here. Why don’t you–”
“REEEEEN! DAAAAN! NAAATE! FREEEED!” My sister did not wait for him to finish his sentence before she started to run off. “WE’RE HEEEERE!” Her scream catches the attention of the other nobles, but upon seeing the crown on top of her head, they quickly avert their gaze when they recognize her. Rose, Ren, and Dan are spinning each other around like little kids who have not seen their friends for a long time.
“I just told her not to—ha…” Ace sighs before turning his attention towards me. “As for you, don’t think that I don’t know what you have been doing.”
“What do you mean?”
“I know that you’ve been sneaking out of your etiquette class to see your other friend.” How he emphasizes the last two words makes me stiff with worry. It’s my fault; I showed Ace my expression, which only confirms what he claims. “I don’t know why you are keeping him a secret from us when you know that we have been searching for him.”
“If you already knew that, why didn’t you tell my sister and the others?”
“Because it would be a grave matter to discuss. It would take mine and my wife’s time. And as you know, with the recent awakening of my daughter’s elven gifts, she needs us more than ever.” Ace lazily meets my gaze like he is contemplating what he’s going to do with me. “As you know, I value my family and I will always put them on top. I don’t care about anything.”
I let out a huff. “I get it. You–”
“As much as I don’t want to admit it, you are an extension of that family. The other reason why I have not told the others is because it’s you, and I would like to believe that I trust your judgement when handling that kid.” He gives me a short pat on the shoulder. “And just because I leave that kid to you, it does not mean that you can’t come to me for help.”
I chortled at his statement. “He’s not really that much of a kid anything. He’s grown.”
Ace gives me a long, hard stare at that. “A word of advice, stop hanging around Nathaniel. He’s going to turn you into a pervert soon.”
I was wondering why he would say that until I realized what my last words were focusing on. I could not even try to correct myself from that point on because Ace left to join my sister and the others.
***
As expected for the birthday and crowning prince ceremonies, the place has been handled with an immense amount of budget. Since we are in fairy territory, it seems like they took great care that the entrance would show all four seasons and the magic of the fairies.
First is spring, which shows the coolness of the weather after winter with every plant in its first bloom. Spring fairy performers would use their magic to hasten the growth of the flowers as we entered that ballroom.
Ace snorts. “Too slow. I can do it better than them.”
“Yes, dear. You sure can.” Rose laughs, leaning against him and resting her head on his shoulder.
I know that some people would think that it is sweet and all, but for someone who has lived with this couple, I just wish that they’d get a room.
Bright light greets us next, as it is the summer fairies’ turn to greet the guest. They lit up the high ceiling of the ballroom before making it rain with fairy lights. Then, the temporary warmth that we felt is slowly taken away as red leaves start to rain down on us, signaling fall. The chilly wind touches our skin before it all just comes to a stop. Everything soon darkens.
I felt the cold first before spotlights were turned on to focus at the top of the staircase to reveal Chace, looking so dazzling in his white and ice blue coat. His silver hair was combed back in perfect symmetry, and I could see his grin when he looked at his visitors. With a wave of his hand, he starts to make it snow in the room, as if it wasn’t cold enough.
With just a wiggle of my hand, I adjusted the temperature around me and my sister. My sister turns to me and offers a smile of thanks while looping her other free hand around mine.
“Prince Chace is so handsome, isn’t he?”
“I know. I can’t believe how stupid Princess Stella is for rejecting him.”
I want to turn around to check and see who's gossiping behind my back, but Rose tightens her grip on my arm like she’s telling me not to bother. Instead, I focus my attention on Chace just as he is about to make his speech.
“Thank you, everyone, for coming to my birthday to celebrate.” He starts off. “Now, I know that most of you here are either just forced to be here because of the formal invitation, while some are just here for the cuisine.” He jokes, earning a few laughs from the crowd before he continues. “And if you guys aren’t here of either of them, then I guess that you guys are here to see me, and by that I mean to establish a close relation to our kingdom.” He smiles. “Joking aside, I am truly grateful that many respected leaders are attending this event. I hope that you all may guide me on my journey to be a great leader as well.” With that, he ends his speech, while everyone starts to applaud him.
The ceremony begins, with the king and queen giving their speeches before bestowing on Chace the title of crown prince.
To those who aren’t aware, the title is given to the prince that the king recognizes as his successor. Normally, the eldest gets the crown, but since Chace’s older brother, Prince Gregory, lost his eyesight, the role has been passed onto Chace.
Chase begins to kneel before his father. The king then places a crown on his head with a proud smile on his face. “Rise, for today, you are now Crown Prince Chace Cleveland.”
The room burst into applause when Chace got to his feet and started to face the crowd. A surge of pride fills my chest. Even though we might not be on good terms at the moment, he is still my friend, and I am happy that he finally gets to be crowned just like he wanted.
Kellar, Chace, and I are childhood friends. Among the three of us, I am glad that at least one of us got to achieve our dreams first.
“Is that Princess Stella? Isn’t she supposed to be Prince Chace’s partner?”
“Haven’t you heard? She ditched him.”
“I heard that Prince Chace changed his mind about her.”
“Didn’t she decline his offer? What is she doing here? Does she regret what she did?”
“Bold of her to come crawling back after hurting Prince Chace.”
“Who cares about her? He’s better off without her anyway. I hear that she has no friends.”
I expected that there would be gossip, but I did not expect that it would be this soon. The rumours are so twisted than I thought that I have to fight the urge to turn around and correct them, but doing so would only worsen the situation.
It does not matter. I am here to support Chace as a friend. Gossips hurt, but my walls are growing so thick that they won’t bother me that much anymore.
“Should I have Custard maul them?” My sister whispers menacingly in my ears. The edge in her tone tells me that she’s on the verge of giving her spirit beast the command if I give the signal.
I chuckle silently. “I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.” I pat her hand that’s wrapped around my arm in comfort.
I try to keep my focus on Chace while it is time for him to start off his social debut by dancing. Everyone starts to clear the dancefloor, and I am curious to see who will be his dance partner. Chace’s confidence seems to wane once he reaches the bottom, like he does not know what to do next.
He suddenly begins to move, pausing to look at each girl who has approached to greet him in the hopes that he will at least give them a passing glance. There’s something weird about this scene that I begin to realize too late. Chace is heading directly towards me.
“Hey, Princess Stella.” He smiles without any hint of friendliness in his gaze while offering me his hand. “May I have this dance?”
This sly son of a–!