Chapter 6: Emelia's Debut pt.1
King Edward opened the heavy wooden door, and Emelia stepped across the threshold into the castle. Everywhere Emelia looked, her eyes found something to behold. Tapestries hung on the walls, and paintings of ancient rulers and battles filled the stained glass windows. Gilded vases lined the balconies, illuminated by a warm light that bounced off the polished marble pillars that framed the halls. The intricate details of the castle astounded her—from the ornate floors to the intricate vaulted ceilings. The sheer size was overwhelming; after spending four years in a tiny cottage in the woods, she felt minuscule in this grand palace.
As Emelia passed another hallway, a passionate lovemaking scene stopped her in her tracks. She could feel the heat radiating from the couple entwined in a hot-blooded embrace. The man’s eyes smoldered with eagerness as he held her against the windows. His hands moved feverishly under her dress as her neck arched to meet his hungry lips. They were oblivious to the world, unaware of any onlookers or interruptions. But suddenly, the man’s gaze shifted until his captivating blue eyes met Emelia’s. Recognition cut through her, and she knew it was him—Prince James. He quickly let go of the woman, stepping away from her as he stared in disbelief at Emelia standing there.
Startled, she quickly turned her head and stumbled straight into King Edward. Her face flushed with embarrassment as she stumbled back. “Oh, I’m so sorry,” she stammered, shaking away the haze of thoughts that had clouded her mind.
He patted his suit pockets to straighten the fabric and reduce the wrinkles before smiling reassuringly. “It’s quite alright, my dear. Just head down this hall to your bedroom.” He lifted his arm in the direction of the hallway to his right, gesturing gracefully with a sweep of his hand.
Before she followed Edward down the hall, James suddenly called out with a faint tremble in his voice, “Emelia!” She froze, feeling momentarily unsteady on her feet. They locked eyes when she looked back at him, and an uncomfortable stillness settled in the air. Her lips parted to speak, but no words came out. Instead, she glanced down at his disheveled clothing. His trousers were unbuttoned, wrinkles in his shirt, and a wild mess of untamed hair atop his head. With quick hands, James’ tucked his shirt inside his pants and ran them through his disheveled hair, trying to make himself presentable. His eyes seemed almost panicked as he looked at her, and she mustered a weak and awkward smile before turning to follow Edward.
Edward opened the door to the room with a flourish. He stepped aside, allowing Emelia a view of the luxurious space. Rich, cream-colored walls were painted with delicate florals and fine, ornate details. A grand mahogany bed with golden sheets and a white, lace-trimmed canopy hung from the ceiling. Across the room was an oversized chaise lounge in front of a crackling fireplace. On one side, a carved wood cabinet shone brightly in the light. On the other side, a bathroom with a custom crystal chandelier and all the amenities one could need. Edward beamed as he saw Emelia’s expression. “This is your room,” he said softly. “I hope you like it.”
Emelia spun slowly in a circle, her eyes wide and her mouth slightly agape as she took in her new surroundings. She ran her fingers over the grooves of the intricately carved wooden birds on the four-post bed and marveled at the beauty, “Like it?” she asked in a daze. “It’s bigger than the entire cottage,” she added in disbelief.
Edward’s low, kind chuckle echoed around the room as he walked over to her. He gently touched her shoulder and kissed her softly on the forehead. “You have time to get settled in before the ball begins,” he said, giving her hand a final squeeze before departing.
Emelia’s gaze was fixed on the wooden door as if it could give her the answers she desperately craved. Each second felt like an eternity, and when the silence finally settled in, she realized she was completely alone. She shuffled over to her bed and collapsed onto the mattress. Her eyes were transfixed on the canopy above, which seemed to be the only thing in focus. Memories of James with the other woman invaded her thoughts. The image of them kissing burned into her brain. Maybe that’s why he hadn’t come to see me lately?
Emelia closed her eyes, recalling the warm afternoon with James at the cottage, the way his hand found its way to the small of her back and held her close, the dazzling sparkle in his eyes as he leaned in closer, and then the gentle pressure of his lips against hers. A delicate shiver ran through her body, and she could still feel his comforting embrace around her. She opened her eyes, shook away the memory, and willed herself to focus on the task at hand—impressing everyone at her debut ball that evening.
She reached out, opened the wardrobe doors, and stepped back in awe. Inside were gowns and dresses of all different styles and colors. Some had intricate beading, others had bold floral prints, while others were made of shimmering silk. Her gaze fell to the matching shoes, some with jewels, feathers, and lace trim, lined up neatly at the bottom of the wardrobe. Along with the dresses were delicate bracelets and necklaces, each one more beautiful than the last.
The sudden knock at her door made Emelia jump. She made her way to the door and opened it, only to find a servant girl standing there. The young girl’s eyes were wide with excitement as she announced that the ball was about to start and reminded Emelia it was time for her to make a grand entrance.
Emelia nervously stepped out of her room, following the girl down the hallway. She could hear the faint twinkling of violins and the murmuring of people in the distance. As Emelia made her grand entrance, she couldn’t help but take in all the astonishing details. The ballroom was draped in gold, and bright sunlight cascaded in from large windows, reflecting off every corner of the polished marble floor. Hundreds of people filled the enormous space, each dressed in tuxedos and gowns that looked like they had been pulled out of a fairy tale. Emelia watched as they glided around the room gracefully, their movements creating a kaleidoscope of color and sound. She felt a sense of awe as she took everything in, feeling like a queen amongst royalty.
Queen Angeline presented Emelia with a flamboyant gesture, introducing her as the new lady-in-waiting. Emelia’s eyes darted around the room as dignitaries and courtiers sized her up curiously, whispering to one another. As conversation gave way to music, King Edward slowly approached Emelia. He took her hand in his, pulling her to his side. His blue eyes met hers in a reassuring gaze, and before she could protest, he bowed his head and asked if she would dance with him. As they spun around the room, Emelia gracefully glided across the floor, her gaze never leaving her partner’s. She felt like a gazelle in a herd of wildebeests, with Edward leading them in a majestic dance. His movements were perfected from hours of practice, and he held her hand firmly, gently guiding her through each step. When the song ended, Edward turned to her, and their eyes locked. “I’m very proud of you, Emelia,” he whispered. The guests clapped and cheered, amazed by the intricate and beautiful choreography they had just witnessed. As the music started again, everyone joined in on the dance floor and twined around the room.
Emelia took this moment as her cue to step out of the spotlight and shuffled through the evening crowd towards the hors d’oeuvres table. She grabbed a tiny cube of meat, popping it into her mouth before experiencing the succulent and savory flavor. She was about to grab another piece when a deep, authoritative voice made her freeze, “Emelia.” She slowly turned to see a man wearing a regal golden crown. His eyes were like chocolate pools, warm and inviting. His hair was brown and flowed just past his shoulders. His smooth skin was the color of a tan ivory cup. Emelia felt like she was under a spell as she watched him take a step toward her.
Emelia’s face lit up, and without hesitation, she threw her arms around him, her voice full of joy, “Leon!”