Page 121 of A Kingdom's Heart
The ballroom fell quiet for a breath. Then the soft hum of strings
continued, and I walked in.
The sight before me almost stole my breath. Chandeliers hung high above, their crystals catching the silver moonlight and scattering it across the marble floors. The walls were lined with silk drapes in pale gold and rose, and garlands of white roses wound around tall pillars. Guests in fine attire filled the space, their jewels glittering like stars. The air smelled of honeyed wine and burning candles.
Every eye turned toward me. Conversations stopped. Laughter
faded.
And then I saw him.
Lorenzo stood near the center of the room, dressed in deep blue and silver, a goblet in his hand. His head turned at the sound of my name, and when his eyes found me, they widened slightly. For a brief moment, admiration flickered across his face.
I forced a smile and took another step forward. My heart pounded faster with every movement and I wished I were anywhere but here.
As I stepped down from the dais, Lorenzo met me halfway. His eyes swept over me in quiet appraisal before he gave a small smile, the kind meant for the crowd as much as for me.
“You look beautiful,” he said softly, taking my hand and lifting it toward his lips. His mouth brushed against my palm, a gesture that drew approving murmurs from the crowd nearby.
The touch made my skin crawl. I forced my lips to curve into a faint smile. “Thank you,” I whispered, though the words caught somewhere in my throat.
He raised his hand then, signaling the musicians. The sound of violins swelled through the hall, filling the air with a melody so elegant it almost hurt to listen. The harp joined next, its strings trembling like sunlight over water, and all around the room the guests turned toward us, their eyes full of expectation.
Lorenzo’s hand found my waist. “We will lead the first dance,”
he said quietly.
There was no choice but to nod.
He stepped closer, drawing me into the center of the ballroom. The nobles parted in graceful formation, leaving a wide circle of polished marble for us to dance upon. I could feel their gazes following every step, weighing every movement, judging every inch of my posture.
The music deepened, rich and full, and we began to move. His hand guided mine, his other pressing firmly against the small of my back as he led me into the rhythm. Our steps were slow and measured at first, sweeping across the floor in elegant arcs. My gown shimmered in the candlelight, the pink silk catching silver sparkles each time I turned. The fabric brushed the floor like waves, and my breath came shallow beneath the tight corset.
Around us, the rest of the court began to follow suit. Couples in
velvet and silk glided across the floor.
Lorenzo leaned closer, his voice low near my ear. “They’re watching,” he murmured. “Smile, Iris. You’re their princess. They need to see their future queen happy.”
I lifted my chin, forcing the corners of my lips upward. My smile felt painted on, fragile as glass. We turned again until everything spun into a blur of color and light. My chest tightened, and I could barely keep my breath steady.
The melody rose to its peak, faster now. He turned me sharply,
his hand never loosening its hold. I could see our reflection on the polished floor, the perfect picture of grace, the perfect illusion.
Then, at last, the music slowed. He pulled me closer for the final step, bowing slightly as he brought my hand to his lips again. The musicians struck the last note, and the ballroom erupted into polite applause.
Lorenzo smiled for the crowd, and I mirrored it. But as I looked around the glittering room, the silver and crystal and smiling faces, all I could feel was the hollow ache in my chest.
“Perhaps I should get us something to drink?” Lorenzo said in a light and pleasant tone.
Before I could answer, my eyes caught on a familiar figure standing among the servants near the wall. Raven. Her hands were folded neatly in front of her apron, her face still and polite, but her eyes met mine for the briefest moment. There was sadness there,
but something softer too. Understanding.
It felt good to see a familiar face after the suffocating dance, after the applause that rang hollow in my ears. I gave her a small, almost invisible nod.
Lorenzo followed my gaze. When his eyes found her, I saw the faintest flicker in his expression. Something unreadable but heavy. His eyes dropped for a heartbeat, then lifted again. His face returned to its composed charm.
