The carriage ride to the ball was pleasant; everyone passed the time with jokes and fun conversation. Ingrid and Ian lovingly clung to each other the whole ride to the palace. Julia was enjoying the ride with her family, but there was one thing she had bothering her at the back of her mind.

This ball was going to be hosted by the royal family, and Laurence would be there. The thought of seeing him made Julia uncomfortable. He was the man who killed her after all.

With the bustling palace in sight, Tobias piped up, “Hey, dad, do you know what you’re going to ask his majesty for?”

Julia snapped her head over to look at her father.

“I’m not so sure yet, but I have until the end of the night to decide. Thanks for reminding me, Tobi,” Ian reaches out to pat his son's head.

“I mean, a new horse would be nice. We could go riding like we used to, darling,” Ingrid giggled.

Ian only blushed at the thought; whatever memory he had associated with horses and his wife. The idea was not something that Julia and Tobias wanted to learn about.

Once the family arrived, the sound of guards and arriving crowds cheered as they entered. From the start, Julia was accosted by the loud sounds of music and people talking. They were stopped at a small balcony overlooking the whole room, they were high above the rest of the crowd. The announcer being the one who stopped them. Banged his cane against the white marble floors, signaling for everyone to be quiet.

“THE GUESTS OF HONOR, SIR IAN AND THE REVENTÓS DUCHY,” a man broadcasted to everyone.

Ingrid raised her hand to the man and continued to the party, both children following close behind her.

The room was bathed in golden light from the many beautiful chandeliers hanging about. The color scheme of everything and everyone seemed to be a mix of white and gold. The only ones who were allowed to stand out would be the emperor’s family and the Raventós. 

Julia couldn’t help from looking at everything with intrigue and joy. The events in her old life were nowhere near as fun as these. At least no one looked like they were going to attend a funeral.

Tobias leans into Julia, “Hey, I think we are heading to the big guy now, so uh, I guess be on your best behavior,” Tobias shrugged.

“Oh, don’t worry, I will,” Julia smiles.

Sure enough, Ian and Ingrid were heading towards the emperor, who was accompanied by his many knights and, worst of all, his only son, Laurence. Emperor Gareth Vildimir is a towering creature, much taller than all his knights and Ian. The cold gaze from his bright blue eyes caught Julia’s attention. Even though the smile behind his large black beard seemed inviting to his old friends, Julia knew that those weren't his true feelings. 

Just his eyes alone can send a shiver down someone’s spine.

“Ian! Ingrid! My dear friends! How are you?” He proudly proclaimed as he brought Ian and Ingrid into a tight hug.

“I’m, ack! Your majesty! Can you let me go?” Ian coughs.

“Yes please,” Ingrid breathlessly adds 

The emperor lets out a loud laugh as he lets them go.

“I’m so glad you both were well enough to join us. I mean, what would we do without our guests of honor?” The emperor remarks.

“We could have just sent Julia to take out place,” Ingrid answers, placing a hand on Julia’s shoulder.

“Yes! As our empress-to-be, she should be more than capable of handling important events, am I correct?” He made eye contact with Julia when the finished his question. 

Julia could sense that same cold, almost antagonizing expression on his face, “Of course, our majesty, you are so quick to doubt my abilities; I am shocked,” Julia teased.

The adults all look at each other and let out a huge laugh, it seemed like they found her comment hilarious or stupid, but all Julia should assume was that they didn’t see her as stupid. At this point in the conversation, Julia saw that Tobias was starting to become bored and had walked off to the snack table. By this point, Julia was also bored and was on her way to talk to her brother, but the adults had stopped her. 

Ingrid, without breaking eye contact with the emperor, “Say Gareth, how about Laurence and Julia have a dance together? It could be a good way for them to socialize,” Ingrid said with a sweet smile.

“HA! What a wonderful idea, Laurence, dance with your fiancee and try to sweep her off her feet,” the emperor agreeably pats Laurence on the back, making him jump.

Laurence steadied himself and clears his throat, “Lady Julia, may I have this dance?” He offers his hand to her.

“I accept your request, your highness,” Julia took his hand as he led her to the dance floor.

 Right on cue, the music changed from a piece of bright and cheery conversation music to something akin to a waltz, even Ian and Ingrid went to the dance floor. Regardless of what Julia wanted, she knew she had to dance with him. But Laurence was confused at her sudden change in demeanor as they walked together. This is his first time meeting Julia since her reincarnation. He was weary of the fact she didn’t jump at the opportunity to become close to him. 

Once they made their place upon the dance floor, Laurence wrapped his arm around her waist, then took his other hand to hers.  

While dancing, Laurence spoke up, “So, what changed with you, my lady? You don’t seem like your usual preppy self?” He asked.

Julia smiled at him, “Well, I thought my little act got boring after a while, right Laurence?” She responded. “I mean, after a few years, me chasing you up and down the hall bothered you, right?”

Laurence raised his eyebrow, “So it was all an act?”

“You could say that vying for the attention of the person you are going to spend the rest of your life with got boring when I was the only one trying,” Julia dropped her mocking smile to one that better suited her annoyance towards him.

As the music started to fade to the end, Laurence dipped Julia to the final beat and asked, “is that why you aren’t wearing your engagement ring?”

“No,” Julia says before coming back up.

“Then why? He asked as he brought her back up as the music ended.

“It didn’t go with my outfit,” Julia bowed as she left to enjoy the rest of the party.