5. Welcome ball

"When you get to the ball, you are gonna meet my little bros and sis." Ryu said proudly.

"That's nice, Do you have a big sis?". Arya asked

"Yeah, but she's already married." He said and turned to her.

"Ok now let's dance, shall we" he tuned into a soft music, from the music box that sat on the table, then went to her, bowed a little and held her hand.

"Put your other hand on my shoulder" then wrapped his hands around her waist and gently pulled her closer to himself.

"Follow my steps carefully" he said.

Arya just stayed quiet, her tummy was flipping being so close to Ryu and she didn't understand why, she manage to relax as she inhaled his warm scent, he smelled of summer.

"1.. 2.. 3,... 1.. 2.. 3.." he repeated as he led the dance.

"Sorry, am sorry " she said and she stepped on his feet.

"It's ok, beginners do make mistake" he said with a sweet smile.

After a few minutes of practicing they heard a knock on the door and Ryu friends came in.One had a cognac coloured hair and a lapis blue eyes , and the other a long jet black hair and bottle green eyes, his eyes making him look cold and distant. They were both as tall as Ryu.

"Arya, meet my friends, Daven and Xavier" he gestured, first at the one with dark hair then the other with lapis blue eyes.

" Hi"she waved.

" You aren't that bad like the way I imagined " Daven said and tucked some loosed strands of hair behind her ears making her take a step back. Ryu was quick to notice Arya was uncomfortable and decided to make the situation less akward.

"Come on guys let me cook something before we go for the ball, you wanna help Arya?"

"Sure, I will like that"

Arya said and immediately fled into the kitchen and Ryu follwed suite.

" She's cute" Xavier grinned and Daven nod in agreement.

A few minutes later, they were done in preparing the dishes and invited Xavier and Daven.

"I still can't believe you cook Ryu, like it's just dosen't seems normal for a prince to be good in the kitchen" Xavier said and ate a forkful of noodles.

"Am quite different you know" Ryu responded and winked at Xavier.

"Here Arya, have some meat, you look to slim for your age" Xavier said and put two pieces of meat on her plate. This made Arya shy and she stuttered in her response.

"Uhmm-th-thanks" she murmured looking down.

" So Ryu who's the extra plate for, you aren't having any visitors again right? " Xavier asked when curious about the additional servings.

" It's for Arya "Ryu responded causally.

Xavier and Daven looked at theirselves and then back at Arya she was just finished with the second bowl and was reaching out for the third. They were dumbfounded cause they hadn't seen any girls who likes food as lean as her.

" Wow! She really got a large appetite" Xavier said immediately Arya went to return the plates to the kitchen.

" It's cute though "Daven added with a mischievous smile.

" Just delete anything you are thinking in that your naughty head Daven " Ryu said and Daven laughed .

" We still have time to get together right? "Xavier asked looking at his watch.

" Come on let's go before the ball starts " he added and headed towards the exit of the dinning room.

" Guys! Are you coming? "Xavier asked again.

"Uhmm.. what about Arya?"

"She's not a baby, is she?.. she can be on her own, come on let's go "Daven said pulling Ryu along.

" Arya, I will be back! "Ryu said before he was pulled out.

" What's wrong with you Ryu?,Don't tell me you are falling head over heels, for a girl you barely know?" Daven asked on sighting Ryu's worried face as they walked.

"N-no dude, I just want to win her heart then crush her feelings, like we usually do." Ryu said almost feeling guilty.

"Whatever you wanna do man, don't just fall for her, you know the rules buddy" Daven said giving him a slight nudge.

"Yeah, I know".

After their meeting, they all went their separate ways to prepare for the ball.

"Are you ready Arya? " Ryu asked

He was waiting for her to finish dressing, so they could both go together to the ball. He looked at his self impressed by his looks. His attire, meticulously crafted for the annual welcome ball. He wore a doublet of midnight blue velvet, so dark it seemed to absorb the light, yet shimmered with threads of silver that traced intricate patterns of the Azurean crest – a stylized griffin rampant. The doublet, fitted snugly to his form, emphasized his broad shoulders and lean physique.

Over the doublet, he wore a surcoat of heavy, ivory silk, embroidered with constellations in gold thread. Each star, painstakingly sewn, represented a noble house of the realm, their placement carefully dictated by ancient custom. The surcoat fell to his knees, its hem edged with a delicate fringe of pearls that swayed gently with his movements. Finally Arya came out, Ryu stared at her, she was looking so beautiful, she wore a dress almost the same color as his and it hugged her slim frame, her long platinum blonde hair was let down and pinned at both sides and she wore a black wedge.

"H-how do I look?" She asked looking nervous.

"Breathtaking.." Ryu answered immediately, she smiled and walked towards him but tripped on her heels while walking, Ryu was quick to catch her before she fell.

"Are you sure you can walk on those?" Ryu asked

"I have never tried it before" Arya said and straightened up and continued moving forward.

Ryu chuckled at her attempt to not fall again and then he swept her off her feet, making her yelp in surprise.

"What are you doing? Keep me down, I can manage on my own" Arya said unconsciously wrapping onto his long regal, afraid of being dropped.

"If you continue walking like that to the car, we will be very late" he said

"Maybe when we get back, I will also give you a tutorial on how to walk on heels" he added in a mockery tone that she didn't notice.

" T-That wouldn't be necessary "she said, her ears all pink.