A Week later....
It was the evening of the Lotus Ball, the Lotus Ball was a celebration that rang In the blooming of the Lotus flowers, it was somewhat of a national celebration throughout Sumeru Kingdom, Your Father and Mother planned for tonight's ball to be rather grand, all the nobles In the land would be there as well as other families from other Kingdoms, Candace and her husband would be attending as well which made you excited, It had been a month since you'd last seen her and she'd recently given the news that she was pregnant, which brough great joy to you all,
you'd just freshened up In the bath and now you were getting ready, Maharet dried your hair for you a little more with a towel, another maid came and helped you to dry off before you headed back Into your bedroom, you put on a moisturizing serum onto your skin and face, putting on your undergarment, Maharet put some perfume behind your ears and behind your knees
she then brought your dress over, It was beautiful gold with some white, and you had a red and gold shawl around your arms (Click arrow above to see dress), Maharet tied It closed In the back as she then started to do your hair, putting It into a half up and half down style with a few flowers, and your crown, you put on your earrings while the other maid fastened your necklace, It was big and gold with rubies hanging from It, with some bracelets on your wrists
Maharet smiled, "you look beautiful my lady, I know the General will think so too"
you blushed a little, "Maharet"
just then there came a rapping, Maharet went to go answer and there stood Candace, Maharet bowed low as she passed by coming over to you, Candace smiled "look at you"
you stood up, you smiled "Elder sister"
Candace was dressed up beautifully as well, and her hair was adorned, she touched your shoulders, "Mother, Father and the General are waiting for you"
you gave a nod, slipping on you shoes, she then let go as she started out your bedroom and you followed, walking down the hallway as you headed towards the palace's grand hall, and the guards outside of the door bowed before opening the wooden doors, and you silently gasped at the splendor all around, though you'd seen many parties In the palace like this before, but the Lotus ball was very near to your heart, as you came inside many of the guests bowed
you and Candace walked over to your parents, your mother smiled and gave your head a pat
King Xavier smiled, "Now the Celebrations cane begin"
"Candace, shouldn't you sit down" said Queen Devika
Candace smiled, "I'm only a month pregnant, so It's no trouble Mother"
you looked around, just as you caught sight of your Fiancé, Cyno was standing away from the crowds as he was near the outer wall, he was dressed very nicely for the ball, you knew he was always kind of distant from others, you smiled a little as you started going over to him
and just as Cyno looked he saw you approaching, a blush came to his cheeks as soon as he saw you, and you fiddled with your bracelets as a pink flush came to your own cheeks
Cyno walked over to you, "Good evening, Princess"
you smiled, "Good evening General,"
Cyno cleared his throat, "I don't personally like parties, but If need be I'll go"
you nodded, "I understand that"
"The Grand Princess Is pregnant I've heard" he said
you smiled, "yes, I'm very happy for her"
Cyno smiled a bit, "Their Majesties will be grandparents, and you an Aunt"
you smiled with a giggle, "but that means you'd be an Uncle, General"
Cyno then realized, bringing a hand to his chin "you're very right about that"
just then a few nobles came over, showering you both with compliments and Congratulations on your soon marriage, Cyno didn't much like attention like this but he bared with It
and when they left Cyno let out a sigh, he then looked to you "would you like something to drink"
you nodded, "oh, that'd be nice"
you and Cyno walked over to the banquet table, there was an array of foods and desserts that were decorated with Lotus, he picked up golden pitcher and poured you some chilled tea
before handing the chalice to you, "oh, Thank you"
you had a sip, It was very cooling and refreshing with a hint of sweet but floral taste, Cyno got his own Chalice, you picked up a piece of the Panipuri before taking a bite, it was crisp and the potatoes inside had a great flavor, you got another piece and offered it to Cyno
he took It and had a bite, "It's good, but I've never eaten this much before"
"really?"
he nodded, "yes, because in the last two years I've been mostly in the desert, In the villages that remain there"
"I see"
Cyno sighed, "there was a time I was dehydrated, I suppose I pushed past my limits but I didn't let myself collapse"
you were surprised, "oh my, you had a very strong will didn't you"
"No matter how harsh the environment or battle, I've always pushed on"
you started, "That's very admirable General, but you should take care of yourself more"
Cyno nodded, "perhaps you're right"
you and Cyno ate a bit more of the food as you talked, and while he made some jokes, just then you caught sight of Nilou, you waved to her and she rushed over
"there you are! good evening General Mahamatra"
he gave a nod, "Lady Nilou"
Nilou smiled, "Congratulations, you'll soon be an aunt"
you smiled, "yes I know, it's so exciting"
just then you heard the musicians play another tune, and many started to dance,
Nilou smiled and went to join, she'd always been the best dancer ever since childhood and It brought many a smile when she danced, Cyno looked to you and started thinking, he started thinking long about this before he nodded,
he put his arm behind his back, and bowed "May I...would you care to dance"
you blushed, but then smiled "you've said you're not a dancer though"
"I'm not, but for you I will try" he said
he held out his hand, and you placed your hand In his as you followed him out onto the floor, in terms of dancing you were still trying your best, you and Cyno stood a few steps apart like the others with partners, you then followed along as you raised your arms and stepped around, Cyno then held your hand as he spun you around, he really didn't want to make a fool of himself as dancing wasn't his thing but he tried his best, you soon came together and locked your hands as you slowly spun together, before you parted and swayed your hips while gliding your hands
Cyno then came behind you as he placed his hands onto your waist, a blush came to your cheeks but then he lifted you up and spun you around, you looked down at him as a smile started coming onto your face, and he returned the smile as you locked eyes for the moment
he set you back onto the ground before lifting you once more, and you started to giggle, as the pacing of the music became faster, you and Cyno danced together as one with It seeming he wasn't a bad dancer like he'd said,
you giggled, "General you said you weren't a dancer, but you're doing wonderfully"
Cyno spun you around once more, before bringing you back to him and this made you very close, you felt your heartbeat quicker and the blush returned, something in the air changed It had become full of tenderness and great affection, and Cyno could feel It too
and without realizing, you found yourself following as Cyno his hands with yours, you could feel a warmth In your chest the more and more you looked at him,
Cyno started, "Princess I-"
he drew closer and it made your heart skip a beat, but then he stopped himself as he changed positions, and you came back to reality as you felt your heartbeat was still going quickly, you did some hand movements as you then did the same with your feet, as Cyno placed his hands on your waist once more before he dipped you as the music ended, you both panted a little bit
everyone clapped, he then brought you back up as you clapped as well, Cyno looked around before he started walking out to the balcony outside, and you followed along as you came outside seeing the moon high In the sky, It was very beautiful and the stars glistened
"do you remember the constellations I taught you?" he asked
you smiled with a nod, "yes, I haven't forgot yet"
Cyno looked back to the sky "Tonight you...you look beautiful"
you blushed, "thank you"
It was different when he said It compared to others, from his mouth It was like you could believe It all the more and that went for whatever he told you,
"I've never danced much, but tonight...this was nice" he said
you smiled, "I agree"
"General, I must confess in these few months we've gotten to know each other better, I've enjoyed myself"
Cyno smiled, "So have I,"
you blushed pink and you felt your heart skip a beat again, you'd been feeling this a lot lately and It confused you as to what this feeling was, It was a little scary but at the same time it was something wonderful, just then the warm wind started to blow through the air as you both looked to the stars.
(Music belongs to World Music OFCL, all credits go to them)