Chapter 4

A tall young man wearing a black suit with gold trimming emerged from the shadows. He was wearing a golden mask with a dragon mark covering half of his face. His hair was as black as the night, and his eyes were as dark blue as the ocean deep.

"Who might the gentleman be?" Isabella asked courteously.

"I am Ragnar of Avalon," he greeted. "I give my greetings to the third princess of Wales." He bowed down, and she replied with a courtesy.

"Thank you, Sir Ragnar," she said.

He looked at her for a while, and she felt a little awkward. His dark blue eyes were fixed on her, and she started to drown in their depth.

Ragnar walked toward her and came closer. She was so surprised at the proximity that she involuntarily stepped back and tripped, but he caught her by the hand and pulled her into his embrace.

"S-sir..." she said awkwardly.

"I'm sorry to startle you," Ragnar said. "I just wanted to give you this."

"A Purple Passion?" she asked in surprise. Purple passions are the rarest kind. They can only be seen in remote parts of Avalon. It was also their national flower and included in the crest of the royal family of Avalon.

Ragnar put the purple passion between her right ear and head.

"The flower's beauty comes alive when you are wearing it," Ragnar said. She blushed at his compliment.

"Sir Ragnar..." she said. She was still in his arms and wanted him to let her go.

"Dance with me," Ragnar said.

"Huh?" She was confused. It sounded more like an order than a request. He looked like one who never takes no for an answer. Then he pulled her gently inside the ballroom to the dance floor.

Once they entered, all eyes were on them. The chattering of the guests slowly stopped. Isabella was a little surprised. "Who might this young man be to make all the people in the ballroom silent?" she thought to herself.

The guests who were dancing on the dance floor came to a stop and gave way to them. Once they were at the center, the young man turned toward her and took her into his arms. They were now in the dancing position, ready to hit it.

"I believe you know how to dance, princess," Isabella caught the teasing smile on the young man's face.

Dancing was one of the things she practiced two weeks ago because she wasn't given any princess training. They needed her to practice dancing every day so she wouldn't embarrass them in public. She thought bitterly.

"Yes, of course," she answered.

Then the musicians started playing the music.

The young man guided her into dancing. It was like she had been dancing her whole life. She didn't feel like a novice anymore.

The feeling was ecstatic. Every twist and turn they did was graceful and elegant. Isabella didn't realize she was wearing a smile on her face. The young man who was leading her smiled while looking at her. She looked into his deep blue eyes, and they were enchanting. She felt like she would be engulfed in them at any time. It was like they were the only ones in the ballroom, in a world of their own.

Then the music came to its climax, and they started slowing down until the music stopped. A huge round of applause was heard in the ballroom.

They stared at each other for a while before the cheers got to them. The young man bowed in front of her, and she gave him her courtesy.

"Crown Prince Ragnarok of Avalon," Isabella could hear her father behind them. "It’s a pleasure to grace us with your presence today."