One Last Dance

24 | Shining

Evelyn's POV:

Me and my parents began to walk through the crowd of people, as we began to make our way to Brady and his family, who was now standing in the front of the room.

I haven't even been here for 5 minutes, and I already wanted to leave.

I hated lying like this. Maybe I would have more fun if I didn't have to pretend to have a connection with Brady all the time.

My arm was still interlocked with Kane's as I couldn't help but dig my fingernails into his suit jacket due to the nerves that were producing from my skin.

And I could tell he noticed because he kept looking down at me with worry in his eyes.

I nodded once, reassuring him I was ok, as we continued walking.

People occasionally would stop and stare, but nothing I wasn't already used to.

Mother and father stood the same way, as they were only a few feet in front of me and Kane.

Chandeliers hung high from the cieling as the tall windows shung the sunset right into the ballroom.

The tile was cleaned to a polish, as everything looked so nice.

Brady really did live in a nice place.

He probably got raised the same way that I did. He was probably taught how a man has one purpose and one purpose only.

To gain the most power and have an heir.

Most suitors will tell you that they are here to find love, and everyone and God knows that that is bullshit.

They want the same thing that every ordinary gentleman wants. I mean, it's not hard to guess.

Maybe that is why I have always been so reluctant to find a match or a husband, because I am afraid that that's all men want from women anymore.

I don't know. Brady didn't seem to be like that. But who knows. He could be kind one minute, and the next turn out to be a mini version of Ted Bundy.

Honestly, it wouldn't shock me either way.

We finally made it up to the front, as Brady and his parents stood right in front of my parents.

They began to introduce themselves, as my ears couldn't help but become enchanted by the harps and violins.

The sweet and delicate toons began to run up the whole head, as I did my best to try and focus.

"Lady Maxwell, it is my pleasure to introduce you to our daughter, Princess, Evelyn Hale."

My mother and father stepped to the left, as their in front of them, showed a woman.

Brady's mother.

Her dark brown hair was tied back into a bun, as the dark purple dress she had on went all the way to the floor.

Her white gloved hands matched mine, as the small smile on her face showed me that I liked things neat and proper.

I mean, most people do around here.

I guess you could say I am the oddball out of the family.

Brady stood to my left as he also looked at me with a smile, while his hands were tied like a pretzel behind his back.

His father, on the other hand, stood to my right as he admired the crowd in his ballroom.

"Your Highness, it is a pleasure to finally meet you."

I nodded once. "The pleasure is all mine, Lady Maxwell, and my, what a fine ball this is."

She couldn't help but chuckle. "You are too kind. But I am glad you are enjoying it so far."

Lady Maxwell looked to my left as her eyes immediately sat upon Kane.

"And who is this strapping young man?" She asked curiously.

I gave him a pat on the arm as I looked up at him slightly before returning eye contact with her. "This is Kane Young, my bodyguard."

He tilted his head down in a curtsey. "Good evening, Lady Maxwell."

She was practically grinning from ear to ear. "Indeed it is, Mr. Young. I have been waiting for what seems like forever to meet this amazing princess that my son has been talking about for a few weeks."

Oh shit.

So Brady HAS been talking about me.

He must really like me then.

God. That makes this situation a HUNDRED time worse.

"Brady has been saying so many wonderful things about your daughter." Mrs. Maxwell said she looked towards my parents.

My mother and father smiled with manner.

"She is our greatest treasure, indeed Mrs. Maxwell." My father replied.

I felt my skin begin to heat up, as I couldn't help but start to feel really nervous again.

"I would love to invite you over for tea some time, your highness. Get to know one another." She said she took one step closer to me.

I nodded. "That would be lovely, thank you." I said as I gave her a small curtsey.

Soon, our conversation went light, as both mine and Brady's parents began to talk.

Brady's eyes stayed locked onto me as he began to walk towards me and Kane.

Kane's muscles began to tense up as he started to come closer.

I squeezed his arm slightly, trying to let him know that it's ok.

"Your Highness, I would love it if you would honor me with a dance."

I grinned, "Yes." I said as I unwrapped my arm from Kane's, suddenly missing his arm around mine.

Tied like a pretzel.

Brady held his hand out as I sat my palm into his.

He squeezed it gently, but sadly, no reassurance was given to me.

We began to walk down the steps from the platform as I felt my dress began to run behind us.

Although, I felt like royalty. I sometimes didn't want to be.

I would rather be a normal woman sometimes, you know?

Go to bars and get drunk without someone crashing in on my fun, or drink a glass of wine and not think that I am alcoholic, or be able to sometimes be lazy and just lay in bed, or even just order takeout and sit on my couch watching Gilmore Girls.

But sadly, my life had other plans, and decided to make me a princess.

"Do you want to go somewhere else?" I suddenly asked.

Brady's mouth formed into a smirk. "Where would you like to go?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "Anywhere but this room."

He nodded as he began to drag me towards the entrance.

"Ok. I think I might have a place."