A Story From Zinnia

Part 29: The Ball

The palace hall was already filled with present guests. The majestic atmosphere of the tleah was felt from the start of the main gate. The east gate yard was filled with various vehicles belonging to the invited guests. The waiters and staff who work their way back and forth running around making sure everything is in place.

The clock shows at 7:15 p.m., 15 minutes before the main event starts.

"You look so beautiful, Your Majesty." Elijah said to Oliver.

Oliver smiled, "Thank God... This dress is not me who chose– Xavier chose it for me."

Tonight Oliver is clad in a plain pastel blue dress with his long hair that he simply outlined.

"Oliver..." Call Xavier from outside his cabinet room to change clothes.

"Are you done?" Ask Xavier.

Before long, Oliver comes out with himself who is already well prepared for tonight's ceremony.

Xavier's eyes were immediately fixed on the face of this beautiful woman in front of him, he looked at her from top to bottom.

'Beautiful–' Inner Xavier.

"How do I look?" Ask Oliver.

"Beautiful, very pretty–" said Xavier without further ado and successfully made Oliver blush in embarrassment.

"Come on." Oliver.

The two now walked towards the dance hall. The ceremony tonight is actually not difficult, just a simple ceremony in the form of a greeting offering to the ancestors who will be led by King Arthur as a form of introducing new family members. It continued by introducing Oliver to the other nobles and closed with a dance and buffet dinner.

'Has father come?' inner Oliver wondered.

In the main hall, King Arthur has arrived. Because tonight the main stars are Oliver and Xavier, it doesn't matter if the king comes ahead of them.

"Crown prince Xavier Hellen Rayton and Princess Oliver Luxia de Mauren entered the room. The guests are expected to stand."

All eyes were on the two of them. Xavier and Oliver descend the main staircase in the middle of the room. The two of them walked with dignity, giving the impression that they were the main star tonight

Arriving below, all the guests present saluted the couple. Except for King Arthur, who never bowed his head to anyone else.

"You nervous?" Xavier whispered.

Oliver shook his head, "I'm getting used to it."

King Arthur greeted them with a brief hug.

"We're starting the ceremony." The words of King Arthur.

The ritual of the ceremony also begins with solemnity. The guests present were watching closely. The procession lasted less than 10 minutes. To be honest Oliver wasn't familiar with a ceremony like this before, it all felt foreign to him. How he had to burn two sticks of incense, then pray and continue with himself and Xavier who surrounded the offering table three times. Closed with a chorus of King Arthur and Oliver who are required to drink a cup of wine. By doing so, Oliver is officially part of the Rayton family.

It is time to greet the nobles. Thank goodness Xavier was always beside Oliver, because honestly Oliver did not know any other noble families, especially from among the officials. He was afraid that the atmosphere would be awkward if he had to say hello alone.

"Oliver, meet Mr. Alfonso Boris Livsey and his wife, Rose Livsey." Xavier.

Mr. Alfonso and his wife bowed respectfully followed by Oliver who greeted them.

"Our respect, Your Majesty."

"Sir Alfonso is the prime minister of Zinnia, you must have seen him several times in and out of the palace, right, Oliver?" Ask Xavier.

"Of course, I've seen Mr. Alfonso several times. However, only this time can I meet him directly like this." Obviously Oliver.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty I should have greeted you right away."

Oliver shook his head, "What the hell, I know you're a busy man. It's nice to meet you here." Oliver said with a smile.

"Let's meet the others, Oliver." Xavier.

In Xavier's mind, he wondered if Eveline and his family were present or not? He should be able to see and welcome them or at least he can see Mr. Morgan in this room.

"You looking for someone?" Oliver asks who realizes that it seems Xavier is waiting for someone.

"Ehm-no." Xavier.

"Let's meet Mr. Joseph." Connect Xavier.

Before long, the dance time came. This event is also one of the most awaited things, especially for young people who aim to find a partner on the dance floor. Wh why? Because they can dance with strangers, and get to know each other.

Xavier and Oliver walk to the dance floor. The dance party will be opened by them before the others dance.

Xavier saluted her, inviting Oliver to dance with her.

"Can I dance with you?" Xavier.

Oliver replied as he curtsy, "Of course, with pleasure."

Xavier approached and stretched out his hand, picking up Oliver's hand wrapped in white gloves. The two of them approached each other with their eyes intertwined. Xavier's right hand began to embrace Oliver's hip, and Oliver removed his grip on Xavier's left shoulder. Their other hands held each other.

Music is also played. They started dancing with small steps to the left and to the right.

"Of course not." Oliver.

A few days ago Oliver was even still stiff in dancing, but apparently now he has been proficient and no longer need to worry.

.......

.......

.......

.......

A few weeks before...

"One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight." Said a dance instructor.

Oliver sighed, "HAHHHH.... It's very difficult."

Oliver's dance practice session started from noon today, and now the sun has started to slide down. He was accompanied by a dance instructor and male dancer who replaced Xavier in the meantime.

Inevitably he had to dance in public for his ceremony later.

"Is there no other way??" Whine Oliver.

"There is no His Majesty. You need to focus." Say the dance instructor.

It's been time and time again Oliver sighed today. He really is not good at dancing.

"Not yet, huh?" Said Xavier who had just returned home.

"Your Majesty!– Respect our Majesty." The dance instructor was stunned by Xavier's sudden presence.

"Here, dance with me. You'll be quick to dance with me." Xavier.

"Well, you..."

Even so, it still hasn't changed. Oliver accidentally stepped on Xavier's foot several times.

"You're this..."

"I-Sorry..."

"Then step on my foot."

"E-Eh???"

"Yes, just step on it. It's nothing." Xavier's Bargain.

Oliver obeys what Xavier says, he stomps on Xavier's feet and makes their bodies very close.

"Feel and remember this movement. Understood?"

Oliver nodded, and accompanied by waltz music they began to dance, or you could say Xavier was dancing.

"When on the dance floor, the most important thing is to look into the eyes of your dance partner. Eye contact is one of the manners to appreciate your partner, but do not look at him too much as if you want to intimidate. You can have a slow conversation with him, no need to be too tense." Xavier

Oliver nodded in understanding. But still, looking into Xavier's current eyes made him waver and slightly embarrassed.

"Then look at me, Oliver."

"E-Huh...A-ahh"

"You're not gonna keep staring at the floor, are you?"

Oliver raised his gaze, trying to look at Xavier's sapphire blue eyes.

"This is better, right?" Xavier

'Good anyway... But not good for my heart' Oliver's inner.

"Now you try to spin."

With Xavier's guidance, Oliver tries to do so without hesitation.

"Look at your head."

"Put your hands here."

"Bring his hands."

"Be careful with your steps."

"You can put your hands around my neck."

"You can swing to the beat of the music."

Xavier taught Oliver how to dance. If it wasn't for Xavier, I don't know how much longer Oliver could have mastered this kind of dance.