Chapter Eight

The ballroom was massive when I finally reached it, noble families all over the place as I took a breath and walked forward, searching for either William or Anthony. My heart deflated when I caught sight of neither man, and I began to wonder when they would show up.

"Melani, you look dashing tonight." Blinking at the familiar voice, I turned to face the eldest of the Rosethorn children, Marvin practically towering over me with his strong form.

At thirty-two, he didn't look a day over twenty-five, with his chiseled jaw and dashingly bright blue eyes. His brown hair was gelled back, and there seemed to be a five o'clock shadow dashing across his sunkissed cheeks. And he looked so formal wearing his Royal Guard uniform, with the signature Captain's insignia over his right breast. While we weren't exactly close, thanks to our significant difference in age, he was indeed the most tolerable of my siblings.

"Marvin, I'm surprised to see you here. How are you fairing? It's been so long since we last spoke."

Marvin placed his hands behind his back as those bright artic blue eyes surveyed the area, stopping briefly on another blond guard, before they snapped back to me. "I've been faring as well as anyone in my position can. It's been stressful, but I'll manage." He tilted his head. "I heard from the Rosethorn Gossip Vine that Mother and Father have arranged for you to marry His Highness, Prince William. Is that true?"

I felt my face warm, my cheeks no doubt flushed as I averted my eyes to the floor. "Y-Yes, that is true. We are to be wed next week, actually."

I glanced up as Marvin nodded to himself, a thoughtful look crossing his handsome features. "I've met Prince William before. He's a kind man when he wants to be." He looked down at me. "Congratulations, little sister."

My blush darkened, of course, and I could only smile shyly. "Thank you, Marvin."

"Ah, Lady Melani, there you are," William's voice sounded from behind me, Marvin immediately bowing respectively.

"Your Highness," my eldest brother muttered.

William wrapped an arm around my waist, sage eyes guarded before he recognized the other man. "Ah, Captain Rosethorn, it is quite a pleasure to see you again. How fares your pet dog?"

I blinked, my brows pinching together as I looked at Marvin. "You have a dog?"

Marvin nodded. "Yes I do. A pitbull by the name of Pixie." He turned his gaze to William. "And she is doing quite wonderfully. Actually. She's just had puppies."

William smiled warmly, causing my heart to leap at how handsome he looked. "That's wonderful. I may be inclined to snatch a pup, if I am to be honest. Dogs are wonderfully loyal and impeccably adorable. If that's alright, of course. I'll even pay you a hefty sum for one."

Marvin snorted and held up a gloved hand. "There's no need for payment. You can have one as a wedding present."

"Why thank you Marvin, that is so kind of you," I spoke genuinely, before I began wringing my hands together. "So, Marvin...how many of us are present? A-Are Mother and Father here?"

My brother pursed his lips. "Mother and Father could not make it, I'm afraid. Something about a business proposition with the Goldengers." I tried to ignore the way my heart clenched painfully at their absence. I don't even know why I felt so sad, especially since I'm always a disappointment to them anyway. When I felt a hand on my shoulder, prompting me to raise my gaze, I looked up, seeing Marvin staring at me reassuringly. "Don't be discouraged, sister. Besides our parents, all but one of us are here."

I sighed and nodded, playing with my fingers as I nibbled on the inside of my cheeks. "I'm assuming that Maddox is the no-show." It wasn't really a question. It was more of a statement, really.

"You know how that man is," Marvin confirmed as he grabbed a glass of wine off of one of the passing trays before handing it to me, "he is too preoccupied with his studies to even care what his family wishes of him."

I thanked him for the wine and took a sip, relishing the way it soothed my nerves, if only a little bit. And sure, while Maddox and I were not too far off in age together, with him being only five years older than me, and us not being that close at all, it still stung that he wasn't here. I guess I cared too much for those who cared so little about me in return, but I was used to it at this point. But that didn't mean it didn't still hurt me on the inside. Oh well. My family would soon be on the back burner anyway once I wedded William, so there was no point in feeling hurt by any of them.

Well that was easier said than done. It must be a woman thing.

"In any note, Lady Melani, let's greet some of the other noble families." William gently led me away from my older brother, and half an hour later we were sitting in the massive dining chambers, the servants bringing out all kinds of delicious looking dishes.

Beside me, William glanced at me, a small smile forming on his full lips before he turned his attention to Anthony, who stood guard at the main doors. The other man caught the blond's gaze, his own lips twitching before those teal eyes found me. He nodded in my direction, and returned his gaze straightforward. I bit my bottom lip and glanced down the table, immediately recognizing my older siblings.

The twins, Michael and Matthew chatted happily with their wives, with both brunet's occasionally talking with Maverick, who mostly nodded, muttering only a couple of words at a time. Marvin looked uncomfortable, but he seemed to be managing as he swapt words with the blond guard next to him, a man that he had glanced at earlier. They looked rather comfortable around each other, so I wondered if the blond man was Marvin's friend. I mean, that would be good for my older brother, since being in the guard wasn't easy, especially on the mind, so I was glad that he had a friend he could talk to. I do wonder what his name was, though. Curiosity killed the cat, right?

In the middle of my mental questioning, King Henry stood up, tapping his wine glass with a salad fork. "May I have the attention of everyone in this room?" Our King asked, everyone immediately hushing at the sound of his voice. When not a peep was made, Henry smiled and sat his fork down, his glass still in hand. "You are all probably wondering what this joyous occasion is for us to be hosting a magnificent ball. Well," he glanced down at William, who nodded and stood up, "I am overjoyed to say that His Highness, my son Prince William Featherborn of England, is finally getting married!"

The dining chamber erupted in cheers and claps, and when Henry gestured to me, my cheeks flushed a dark red. "Lady Melani Rosethorn, I hope that you and my William live the rest of eternity in pure bliss and happiness."

I let a shy smile form on my face as everyone's eyes flickered to me, causing my nerves to increase tenfold at the attention." And once everyone settled down and dinner was eaten, I found myself back in the ballroom, nibbling my bottom lip as William handed me another glass of wine. "So far, it doesn't seem like the devilish trio are up to anything." He turned those sage eyes towards me. "But after Father's announcement, I'm sure those brains are cooking up something devious."

I nibbled at my bottom lip. "L-Like I said, I'll be careful."

William stared at me intently before Henry called his name, causing him to look the other way. When Henry beckoned him over, William gently patted my arm and walked towards his father, leaving me mostly alone as I sipped at my wine. After a couple of minutes, the musicians began playing soft music, causing me to tense when Elliot began heading my way, looking like he was on a mission. Luckily, thank the wonderful God above, Anthony appeared before me, side glancing the other man before he bowed and held out his hand.

"Lady Melani, may I have this dance?"

I blinked, feeling my cheeks burn as I awkwardly nodded and sat my glass aside, shyly taking his hand. Elliot's face turned dark, but I didn't really pay too much attention to him, especially when Anthony placed his large, warm hand against my waist, other hand holding mine. My heart was beating so wildly in my chest I was surprised the other man didn't hear it. Or if he did, he didn't comment on it.

"I apologize for my sudden appearance, but when I saw Elliot heading your way, I decided to intervene. I hope I'm not making you uncomfortable." Those teal eyes were filled with sincerity as the man stared down at me, those plush lips pulled in an apologetic line.

I ended up giving him a warm smile, my cheeks still inflamed. "It's not that. I-I'm just an awkward person. Especially when someone is physically close to me."

Anthony smiled warmly, a twinkle in his eyes. "If it is alright for me to say...you are the most innocent, shy woman I have ever met."

My blush darkened, my heart a flurry of beats. "I-I am not!" The longer he stared at me, the more I realized he saw right through that lie as if it were a window. I averted my gaze, biting my bottom lip in embarrassment. "Am I really that bad?" I wondered out loud, risking a glance at the taller man.

"Not bad," Anthony reassured me, "endearing. It's a nice change compared to the spoiled nobility in this day and age. I've always thought so, since the moment I've met you. Trust me, this change is quite refreshing."

"You are way too kind to me, Anthony," I muttered, giving him a small smile as my heart raced in my chest.

Anthony's lips quirked, teal eyes sparkling as he stared down at me. "Always, Lady Melani."

A/N: So, for future reference, in case my story goes a certain way, nothing in here is based off of real events. Yes, the world they live in is in this reality, but there may be some stuff that never actually happened, and the reasoning for that is just that I'm too lazy to actually search this all up lmao. So yeah, if there's a big event that happens, a war, certain trades with certain countries, that's purely from my imagination and is probably not what really happened. So just a heads up to those out there who love history lol

But enough of my boring rambling! I hope you fine ladies and gentlemen enjoy the chapter! Let me know what you think of the story so far, as this is something new that I'm delving into. I'd love to hear some opinions.

Anywho, enjoy!