Chapter Twenty

The Prospect Ball unfurled like a tapestry of opulence, drawing the galaxy's most powerful and influential to Astreaus's resplendent palace. Tonight, I was not just an unnoticed observer; I was at the center of it all, cloaked in an intricate illusion. I was Irina, the Princess of the realm, fulfilling my duty as her decoy—a pawn in the intricate game of alliances and power.
The ballroom was a masterpiece of design, merging the elegance of eras past with the wonders of the future. Gilded heights and crystal chandeliers sparkled like stars, casting a warm, enchanting glow over the gathered guests. Extravagant floral arrangements, exotic and vibrant, blended seamlessly with alien technology, creating a breathtaking fusion that was both familiar and otherworldly.

My steps, calculated and graceful, carried me through the crowd as they whispered in awe. Dressed in a gown that mirrored Irina's signature style, I wore a dress of ethereal sage green with delicate accents of blue—a subtle nod to the hues of dawn that graced our planet. The gown's intricate design caught and reflected the ambient light, casting a soft shimmer that painted me as an ethereal figure.

As I moved, heads turned, and eyes followed my every step. I was not just a noblewoman, but the embodiment of Astraeus's future, a living testament to its strength and aspirations. Conversations were hushed as I passed, and I greeted each person with the regal grace that had been instilled in me from birth.

Dancing became a delicate art, a symphony of orchestrated movements. Alien princes and dignitaries vied for my attention, their courtly manners a mask for their true intentions. I navigated their words and advances with the grace of a diplomat, all the while keeping an eye on the Queen, Nerida, who watched from her throne with a hawk-like gaze.

The ballroom pulsed with life, a sea of elegantly dressed figures twirling to the rhythm of the music that seemed to caress the very air. Among them, Erza stood before me, his hand warm against my waist as we moved in harmony across the polished floor. His eyes, like liquid gold, held a promise of shared secrets and a connection that spanned galaxies.

With every twirl, every dip, I felt the energy of the ball wrap around us like a cloak. Erza's presence was both grounding and electrifying, his touch a lifeline in this whirlwind of glittering gowns and whispered alliances. The space around us seemed to blur, leaving only the two of us in our world of music and movement.

As we swayed, a glimmer caught my attention—a flash of movement on a balcony above. My gaze lifted, and for a fleeting moment, I thought I saw the silhouette of a Kaimari Warrior, his figure etched against the backdrop of stars. My heart dropped. The sight was so unexpected that I stumbled, Ezra catching me in arms of might.

Ezra's grip tightened as he spun me, laughter dancing in his eyes. His touch was reassuring, anchoring me to reality. But as he guided me back into his arms, the same archway came into view again. My heart stuttered, my breath caught.

Ezra's face, inches from mine, was etched with concern. "Are you alright?" he asked, his voice a warm breeze against my ear.

I tore my gaze away from the archway, my pulse quickening. "I thought I saw something," I murmured, my words swallowed by the music.

His brows furrowed, and he glanced toward the balcony. "What did you see?"

I hesitated, a shiver running down my spine. "It must have been my imagination," I managed to say, I could feel Nerida’s gaze on me. “I thought perhaps an assassin.”

Ezra's expression softened, his thumb brushing my cheek. "You're safe here," he assured me, his gaze unwavering.

With a gentle smile, I allowed myself to be swept away once more. The ballroom spun around us, the guests blurring into a tapestry of color and light. Yet, as I twirled, my eyes were drawn back to that archway—a tantalizing glimpse of a world beyond.
And then, in an instant, it was gone. As Ezra spun me one last time, my gaze fixed on the same spot, but the balcony was empty. No warrior, no figure against the stars. Just an archway leading to darkness.

I blinked, my heart still racing. "I must be more tired than I thought," I admitted, my voice laced with a nervous laugh.

Ezra's smile returned, though his eyes remained watchful. "Perhaps because I kept you up all night" he agreed, his touch a reassuring anchor as we continued to dance.
—-
After hours of swirling through the opulent ballroom, I was escorted back to my chambers to change into another gown. This time, I was adorned in white silk that clung to my figure, a daring neckline emphasizing my every curve. As I looked at myself in the mirror, I couldn't help but feel like a pawn in a grand game, adorned for display.

The journey to the intimate sitting room was a procession, the weight of my chosen sisters—Aelia, Amaya, Saija, and Irina—echoing the gravity of the situation. The room we entered was a dimly lit chamber, its decor a blend of elegance and dominance—Sakura blossoms and deep red hues mingling in an imposing dance. This was where the prospective suitors would present themselves, and my role as Irina weighed heavily on my shoulders.

I took my seat on the intricately carved cherry wood throne, my fingers tracing the elaborate patterns as I tried to quell the rising anxiety within me. Visions of the Kaimari Warrior's silhouette on the balcony haunted my thoughts, an echo of a past encounter that shouldn't exist. But there was no room for uncertainty—I had a duty to fulfill for Irina, for our people, and I couldn't afford to be swayed by fantasies.

The audience had shifted to a more select gathering, the room filled with those who had been chosen to witness the suitor presentations. Among them were notable rulers and figures, and the weight of their expectant gazes felt as they fixed upon me. Irina's reassuring touch on my shoulder offered a moment of grounding, her presence like a comforting anchor in the tempest.

Aelia's look held a mix of pride and amusement, her eyes a silent warning to any suitor who might cross me. "You will do wonderfully," Irina whispered, her voice a reassuring murmur against my ear.

Saija's gaze, fierce and unyielding, met mine for a heartbeat, her silent affirmation echoing her earlier words. "You got this." Amaya, our strongest warrior, only looked to the crowd.

The grand doors swung open, and the first suitor stepped forward. Suppressed laughter bubbled among my chosen sisters as we witnessed an elderly man, aged at least seventy, his offering as grand as his years—his entire farm planet. Aelia's swat at Amaya's antics behind me only heightened our silent amusement.

With composure I didn't quite feel, I addressed the suitor with the poise of a queen. "And how large is your population, sir?"

"Two hundred, Your Majesty," he responded, his voice trembling.

My brow arched. "Two hundred...?"

"Just two hundred, Princess," he affirmed, before being swiftly escorted away.

As he departed, I leaned closer to Irina, my voice barely a whisper. "By the stars, how many more are there?"

"One hundred, Your Majesty," she replied, and I could feel my resolve being tested by the absurdity of it all.
-----

The night was winding down, the air thick with a blend of excitement and anticipation. The prospect ball had been a flurry of introductions, conversations, and suitors vying for my attention. Among them, Prince Theo of Planet Helios had caught my attention with his charm and wit, his confident presence leaving a favorable impression. Aidenous, the Dawnlight Warrior, had also made an entrance that was difficult to ignore, his aura of strength and experience commanding respect.

As the evening progressed, the number of suitors had dwindled, each one presenting their case in turn. But then, a hushed murmur swept through the room, a subtle shift in the atmosphere heralding a new arrival. The announcement echoed through the ballroom, "Presenting Prince Ezra of Esos."

My heart quickened its pace as he entered, the air around him charged with a magnetic energy that seemed to draw every eye in the room. As his gaze met mine, a tangle of emotions surged within me—longing, apprehension, and an unspoken connection that defied the formality of the occasion.

Ezra moved with a grace that commanded attention, his every step deliberate and purposeful. As he reached the center of the ballroom, he bowed respectfully to Queen Nerida before turning his gaze back to me. His eyes held a warmth that transcended the carefully choreographed proceedings, a sincerity that echoed in the depths of his voice.

"Your Majesty, esteemed members of the court," his words carried across the room, his voice a mixture of charm and genuine intent, "I stand before you today with a heart unburdened by pretense."

I held his gaze, my fingers lightly gripping the arms of the throne. His presence was both a comfort and a challenge, a reminder of the intricacies of our connection.

Ezra's gaze didn't waver as he continued, his words a declaration that seemed to resonate with every soul present. "I ask for the honor of competing for your hand in marriage, to stand as a suitor among the worthy contenders here tonight."

The room seemed to hold its breath, the weight of his request settling over us like a quiet storm. I felt the weight of Nerida's gaze on me, her expectations and disapproval hanging like an unspoken decree.

My expression remained composed, my facade unyielding as I addressed him. "Prince Ezra of Esos, your proposal is not one to be taken lightly."

Ezra's gaze held a mixture of determination and vulnerability, a testament to the depth of his feelings. "Your Majesty, my intention is sincere, and my resolve unwavering."

The sincerity in his voice was a lifeline, a connection to the shared moments and unspoken conversations that had shaped our connection over the years. And yet, Nerida's watchful eyes reminded me of the intricacies of our roles, the responsibilities that held me captive.

"Your proposal is accepted, Prince Ezra," I declared my words a measured acknowledgment that carried the weight of my position.

As he bowed respectfully, retreating from the center of the room, our connection lingered, a thread of understanding that defied the formality of the event.

And then, a shadow fell across the room, a darkness that was both magnetic and foreboding. The hushed murmurs that had been coursing through the crowd were silenced by a mere presence. Prince Azhrel of Kairos had entered.

My gaze shifted involuntarily to the prince, his purple eyes like twin amethysts that held a depth of danger and allure. But it was not the prince who sent a shiver down my spine. It was the figure flanking him, an imposing force of iridium armor and lethal prowess. No, it couldn't possibly. Before me stood none other. It was undeniably, irrevocably him. The Warrior.