“Tell me what?”
“It’s nothing serious, actually.” Nora replied.
“I have to go.” Axel suddenly said and Nora nodded at him before he walked away.
“If it is nothing, why do you look so worried?” Lily asked and Nora smiled at her.
“Because it might be hard for you.” She replied.
“Well, what is it?” Lily asked eagerly. She was getting impatient already.
“You will be hosting the next ball of the season.” Nora said and her eyes widened in shock.
“Wh… what?”
“The next ball party will be hosted by you,” Nora said again.
“I heard what you said the first time. Why am I hosting it?” She asked as she felt her heart race.
“Because that is the tradition. The newest bride of the season will host the second ball of the season.” Nora explained and Lily put on a worried expression.
“But I don’t know how to host a normal party, not to mention a ball, what am I going to do?”
“That is why Axel sent me here to help you. Don’t worry, we will be ready before tomorrow night.” Nora assured her with a smile.
“Tomorrow night? Don’t we have weeks to prepare?” She asked and Nora chuckled.
“No, we have hours to prepare. The ball is tomorrow night.” She replied and Lily’s eyes widened.
“What? But shouldn’t I be informed first and be given a lot of time to prepare?”
“Yeah, that is how it is done but your husband didn’t tell anyone he would be getting married so this is their way of catching him off guard too.” Nora replied and Lily sighed.
“Don’t worry. You have me. I have always wanted to host a ball by the way.” Nora giggled.
“So, first things first. Invitations. Don’t worry about that, I handled that earlier this morning, everyone important has an invite already. The ballroom in the house will… ”
“There is a ballroom in this house?” Lily asked, surprised.
“Yeah, of course. Do you know how huge this house is?” Nora asked and she shook her head in response.
“As I was saying, the maids already know how the decor will go, all they need is what to use which I have settled already too. About your dress, Axel will handle that too.”
“Oh, there is nothing left for me to do then.” Lily said with a sigh of relief.
“I wasn’t done talking yet.”
“Oh.” Lily muttered.
“So, this is where you come in. You will welcome the guests, you will address a few and you will dance with your husband and every other important man who asks for a dance.” Nora explained and Lily nodded.
“Okay, what type of dance?”
“A slow dance with classical music.” She replied and Lily shook her head.
“No, I don’t know how to do that.”
“I will teach you.” Nora replied with a smile and she nodded.
“What else do I have to do again?”
“Simple, be a flawless wife.”
The whole day went in a flash with Lily learning how to dance and walk elegantly. Nora spent the whole day teaching her in the ballroom and left to do other things concerning the ball.
It was night already, Lily already had dinner and she returned to the ballroom to continue practising the dance moves Nora taught her.
Not like she was fully interested in it, she just wanted to distract herself from thinking and also avoid Axel from insulting her. An insult that could make her think about how messed up her life is.
She just wants to be good at being his wife and get over everything. A year is still a long way to go and she hopes it ends so fast.
Lily kept dancing till she lost track of time. As she danced, she missed her steps and fell. She let out a loud groan as she felt pain in her feet.
She sighed and slowly sat up, her eyes drifted to the entrance and she paused when she saw Axel leaning on the wall and staring at her.
She hurriedly stood up and ran her hands on her dress.
“Goo… good evening.” She stuttered nervously. Axel stared at her for a few seconds before walking towards her.
As he approached Lily, she felt her feet glued to the floor and her heart skipped beats each time he got closer to her.
“It’s past midnight already.” He said.
“Oh.” Lily muttered and bowed her head, she couldn’t look up at him. She noticed he was still dressed in his tuxedo which made her wonder if he was just arriving and why.
The silence was awkward for Lily and she decided to walk away.
“Wait.” Axel said and she paused and then slowly turned to him.
“Yes?” She asked and he took a step closer to her, they were just inches apart but Lily’s head was bowed a little.
“Look at me.” He ordered and she slowly looked up at him, he stared at her eyes and she held his gaze.
“If you dance with me like that at the ball then you will end up embarrassing both of us.” He said and Lily nodded nervously.
“I… I have been practising all day, I will practise more tomorrow before the ball.” She stuttered in response.
He suddenly wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer to himself, a gasp escaped Lily’s lips as he did. As she got closer to him, his sweet fragrance welcomed her and she inhaled it. It was soothing and inviting.
“Wrap your arms around my neck.” He said softly and she slowly lifted her arms and did.
“Move with me.” He added and she nodded and looked down at his chest, he moved his feet and she followed his steps. She also recalled Nora’s teachings and put them in use.
She missed her steps and stepped on him.
“I’m sorry.” She hurriedly apologised, Axel didn’t stop, he kept dancing with her.
She stepped on him again and hurriedly apologised. She couldn’t concentrate anymore and she kept stepping on him.
“I’m sorry.” She said again as she missed her steps, Axel stopped and slowly let go of her waist. She withdrew her hands from him too but they were still so close to each other.
She could feel her heart beat rapidly and her knees weak.
“Goodnight.” She hurriedly said and walked towards the exit.
“Lily.” He called and she froze, she slowly turned to him.
“Yes?” She answered.
“If you mess this up, you won’t like the outcome.” He said and Lily gulped and nodded in response. She hurried her steps and walked away from the ballroom.
As she did, she couldn’t help but think about his words.
‘Was that a threat?’