Sneak Peek
Penelope did her best to recall the instructions Eloise and Colin had told her to help her navigate the castle. It did not take long before she reached the ballroom. She smiled as she entered, taking in the pure magic of the atmosphere, it floated through the room so seamlessly, it was impossible to miss. She went to the balcony, eyes scanning the room to find any signs of Colin or Eloise. The last thing she expected was for a head to turn, then another, and then another one after that.
Before she knew it, every eye in the room was on her.
Well… that was unexpected. Penelope knew that there would be stares in her direction once she began talking to Colin, she did not think those stares would begin before she even got to see him.
Each stare burned into her in a way that was intimidating but not off-putting. Penelope expected to feel the urge to run, and perhaps there was a small part of her that still wished to, but she also felt an odd sense of calmness. She had been preparing for this night for so long, nothing could scare her off. She reached the end of the stairs, still not quite able to pinpoint Colin or Eloise, but then the crowd parted, and there at the end of the room, the prince stood, staring at her with awe and admiration in his eyes, and something that looked suspiciously close to love.
He certainly played his part well. What an impressive actor he was, if Penelope did not know better, she would think that that love in his eyes was real.
Grinning, she walked briskly towards him, and he ended up meeting her in the middle of the room. Penelope curtsied, just as she’d been practicing for weeks. “Your highness.”
She could see the glint of displeasure in his eyes as he went to correct her and then stopped himself. It only made her smile wider. “Good evening, miss. I hope I do not sound too forward, but you look beautiful tonight.”
“Thank you,” she blushed, even if the compliment was fake, it was still from Colin. “You look very handsome as well.”
He smiled warmly at her before clearing his throat. “I was hoping you would let me… I- I would very much like to… That is to say, it would be an honour to lead you in this… this…”
His flustered act was rather endearing, she could not help but smile. “Are you asking for my first dance, Prince Colin?”
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