Chapter 5

She stood in front of the mirror. Her eyes twinkled with excitement, gazing in unbelief at her reflection. Taking a deep breath, she reaches for the silky ribbon of her corset, her fingers trembling slightly with a mix of nervousness. With skillful hands, she gently guides the ribbon through the loops, feeling it cling tighter around her tiny waist embracing her curves with a firm yet respectful touch as she pulls each loop tighter. The corset succeeded in molding her body into a graceful silhouette, her features popping out. Her figure portrays a petite hourglass shape. She released a sigh. She took a few steps away from the mirror to catch a glimpse of her final look, she was satisfied with it. She couldn't resist but admire the dress, with pearls hanging seamlessly on the white silky piece. She straightened her back and pushed her chin forward trying to imitate those high-class people she always read in the books, They were always adorned with cosmetics. She brushed off the thought of using cosmetics, she was an embodiment of being in her natural state. She packed her hair and tied it up in a neat bun. It was time to leave and her heart was pouncing in her chest. 

 "Celeste, your carriage is ready, make haste"

 Her mother roared from downstairs.

 "I'm coming ma"

She replied loud enough for her mother to hear. 

She picked the heels from the box as she hesitantly slipped them onto her feet. She felt uncomfortable in heels but she didn't mind because it was a gift from her mother and she treasured gifts from her mother.

 She took uneasy steps trying to familiarize herself with her feet as she walked downstairs, holding the hem of her gown being careful not to slip. As she alighted the stairs she sighted her mother staring at her with a certain pride in her eyes as she reached the bottom of the staircase. 

 "Bye ma"

Her mother placed a kiss on her forehead

 "You'll be fine"

She knew Celeste would be anxious as it was her first time attending the ball

 "I will ma"

 She said as she walked out of the door approaching the carriage that was prepared for her. She lifted the hem of her gown with her hands as she entered into the carriage and with a delicate sigh, she settled into the plush cushions. The coachman skillfully guided the horses with their hooves thudding against the cobblestone as they alighted. Celeste began to feel anxious as they started to draw closer to the ball house. She inhaled the fresh air of Clawthore as the carriage proceeded along the streets, looking out through the window, admiring the city. She remembered Damian's words again as those butterflies sprouted in her gut. She heard that many people found their mates at the ball and she couldn't help but be hopeful Damian would ask her to be his mate. The carriage suddenly came to a halt, shaking her out of her thoughts. 

"We've arrived madame"

The coachman said. 

She was dazzled by the grandeur before her. The lights are as bright as a thousand stars. Her stomach began to churn as she felt an uneasy excitement. 

"Madame, we've arrived"

 The coachman said again. 

She took a deep breath as she got down from the carriage. She slowly descended the carriage with dainty footsteps as she approached the door to the ballroom. As she stepped through the door of the ballroom, her breath was taken away by the beauty of the interior. The ballroom was adorned with crystal chandeliers hanging gracefully on the high ceilings of the room, casting a warm but loud glow over the room. She turned her head in a 360 to consume the sight. Her eyes sweep across the dancefloor as she sees a different caliber of people. The women twirled in their gowns of different colors, radiating beauty and elegance with the men dressed in their expensive tusks and tailored suits. There were several waiters dressed in uniforms, serving drinks to the guests, to think that there was a beast deep down within them. 

 "Excuse me miss"

The couple dancing said to her, she didn't know she had moved onto the dance floor. She was about to leave the dance floor when she felt a light tap on her shoulders. 

 "May I have the honour of this dance my lady"

He said with a bow, extending his hands to Celeste in a silent plea. 

Her heart skipped a beat as she heard the voice. She would recognize Damian's voice even in her dreams. She turned her gaze to him as she never let her eyes leave him. He was dressed in a stunning tusk, his broad shoulders exuding manly fulfillment, and his hair was neatly combed back which highlighted the prominent features of his face. His cologne was heavenly, she taught to herself as she placed her hand in his palm

 "your offer is tempting, but I must confess I can't dance to save a life"

 She said to him with an embarrassing blush on her face. She had no idea how to dance except for the times she and Lucia would dance goofy. She didn't want to embarrass herself amongst these people. 

Damian was not taking no for an answer as he grabbed her hands, pulling her to the dance floor. 

 "there's nothing to worry about my lady, it's as easy as weaning a human baby"

 She couldn't resist the urge to giggle. She became a little anxious but decided to follow his lead.

 "Just step where I step"

He said as he placed his right hand on her tiny waist pulling her closely toward himself, as his other hand was holding hers. She had never been this close to any man before, she could feel his breath lingering on her skin so softly. He moved slowly like he was grooming her, with every step he took she followed gently being careful not to trip. She missed a few steps but clung to him tightly so as not to fall, their gaze met and they both smiled as they moved on the dance floor in sync with the blissful music. 

 "it may seem as though you're the only one wearing a white dress tonight, and I must confess you look ravishing"

 He said unpretentiously admiring her beauty as he tucked a strand of hair that fell loose from the bun. She looked him in the eyes but quickly averted her gaze. She looked around the ballroom and realized that she truly was the only one wearing a white dress. The room was filled with different colors, mostly red but she couldn't see a white dress. 

 "you look handsome yourself"

 She said trying to conceal the ever-growing blush on her face. 

 Damian looked at her with so much affection, her beauty was ravishing and he felt a deep connection with her. His heart longed for her, craving to open up his heart to her but didn't have the courage. He had made up his mind to tell her tonight at all costs. 

 "it seems you dance more than you think

 He said as he ushered her away from the dance floor still holding her hands. 

 "I have a great teacher, don't I? "

She said with a smile of appreciation. She expected worse dancing from herself and even envisioned herself falling multiple times but she did better than she expected. Her feet were already sore from the heels and the dancing. 

 "My lady, do you remember the other night I had something to tell you? "

 He gathered all the courage he had at the moment to confess his feelings. 

 "yes Damian, I remember you said I should send your regards to my father"

 She could see how tensed he looked, she could swear she saw a sweat drop fall off his face. 

 "I have something else to tell you, my lady"

 He said as he held her hands staring deep into her eyes with fear and something else she couldn't decipher mixed in his eyes. Her heartbeat began to palpitate as she waited in anxiousness to hear. 

 "I'm all ears"

 She said in honesty

 "Let's go outside my lady"

He said as he led the way with her following him side-by-side