The Spaniard's Bride

Two

Roseanne fluttered her fan as the crowned Prince of Austria pulled her to the side of the grand ballroom, "You surprised me, my lady."

Roseanne raised her eyebrow from behind her mask, "How so, my lord?"

He gestured to her feet, "You are like a tiny dancer. Absolutely perfect, precise and graceful. I am quite jealous."

Roseanne smiled proudly, "I cannot help it. My years of experience have brought me to become such a graceful woman."

The Prince smiled kindly, "No doubt, I still wonder who you are."

Roseanne hit him with her fan lightly on his arm, "That is no matter! This is a masquerade, is it not? Why should I reveal my identity and spoil the night?"

"Are you suggesting, madame, that I find your identity on the dawn of tomorrow?"

Roseanne stepped back and smiled, "Whatever pleases you, my lord."

She started to walk away from him, but the Prince grabbed her hand, "You, my lady, please me. If you may, I would..."

"Like to have the next dance with you." Another voice said, causing both the Prince and Roseanne to look at him.

"Her Highness still owes me a dance from the last time she refused me. So, if you do not mind, dear Wilhelm, I would take the Princess off your hands." Her savior said, smiling at her.

The Prince bowed and placed a smooth kiss on her hand before the savior began to lead her away.

"Thank you, Jason" She whispered when they had gotten far enough away, "Besides giving away my identity, you saved me from such a menace. He was quite a persistent devil."

Jason, a friend of her brother's and a knight, had been her protector as long as she had remembered. He was the one man who had never fallen for her. The one man she had never won over.

His life goal was to protect her.

Jason's smile faded, "I thought you promised not to get yourself caught up with his kind."

Roseanne smiled, "I cannot help that they fall at my feet so quickly."

Jason glared at her, "One day, something is going to happen to you and it won't be good. Rose, you need to become serious about your decisions in life."

Roseanne scoffed, "That's no fun! Dance with me!"

She skipped over to the dancing area, with Jason in tow.

Her eyes gleamed as he twirled her around, catching the attention of nearly every single attendee of her father's ball.

She loved the attention, loved having the men fall at her feet and the women envy her.

Her life was meant to be envied.

"See, dancing makes everything better." Roseanne sing-songed.

Jason smiled slightly, "Yes I agree but the people you fill your dance card with are not satisfactory."

She stuck her tongue out at him, "Again, I cannot help being beautiful."

Jason bowed and stepped away from her, leaving her mid curtsy.

Her red lips pressed into a thin line as she whipped around.

She hated how he babied her. She was a grown woman and deserved to be treated like one. Not like his little sister.

A warm hand encased her arm and pulled her into him.

"I hope you do not mind, princess, if I lead you in in baile." A smooth voice asked. (a dance)

Her eyes met warm chocolate brown eyes. The man who had offered her a dance with tall and handsome, with a dark mask covering his tan face.

She let the handsome man lead her a smooth dance, their bodies working together.

She couldn't see anyone else but him.

She never noticed her father or brother watching her curiously or Jason's mouth falling open.

"You are quite beautiful." He whispered, "It is a wonder you are not married."

She gasped as his finger twirled around her hair, "You hair is so captivating and your skin... Tan seductor." (so seductive) 

Their heartbeats worked together as they twirled around the ballroom.

And at the end, she swooped into a low curtsy as he bowed, their eyes never leaving each other.

She turned quickly and tried to catch her breath, with one hand pressed against her chest.

Jason caught her by the arm and pulled her to the side of the ballroom, "What was that?"

She shook her head, gasping for breath, "I-I..."

Jason's eyes burned with anger, "He nearly claimed you right there. That Spanish seductor is a cruel, vicious ruler that..."

Roseanne stumbled away, "I think I will take myself upstairs."

Jason raised an eyebrow, "Are you sure you are fit to..."

Roseanne felt her head spinning, her vision starting to fade.

Jason lowered her into a chair, giving her a look of concern, "I told you dancing with all those men would tire you out."

She simply nodded.

Something about the man she had danced with the effect not only her mind but her body. She couldn't concentrate. She couldn't breathe or talk.

Jason did his best to block her from everyone's view but soon enough it seemed like everyone was staring at her.

She managed to compose herself, forcing a wide smile onto her lips and standing up straight.

And then she saw it.

Her father, watching her, along with the man she had danced with. They studied her like a piece of meat, determining whether or not she would suit him.

Her lightheaded self returned. She knew far too well what this would mean. It had been awaiting her for quite some time.

Somehow she had always avoided the topic though.

But as she turned away once more, she knew it just as set in stone as it would be.

She would have to marry this man.