Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

Chapter 101: The ball (1)

Arial awoke from his afternoon nap.

He got up, rubbing his eyes, and stretched. He was happy, for today was the big day. Today was the ball.

A week had passed since his family returned back to Acro.

Word had been sent out and hundreds had responded to the letters stating that they would take part in the festivities.

Many sent their reply sending their sons and daughter to the castle, mostly because it would be seen as disrespectful to ignore invitation from a high lord. 

Even the King had replied to the letter and had sent West Palais on his behalf. It was surely a sign that he trusted Arial's family.

On the other hand, Alderam still did not reply to his offer. Is he planning something? However, with the King sending West here, Arial could be at ease.

With this he can proceed to strengthen the Kingdom without worrying about the court politics

If Alderam chooses to do anything stupid, then he has no choice but to respond appropriately.

Arial have try to negotiate with him but it seems Alderam treated his proposition like it is a joke.

'Peace for the Dukedom and its strengthening.' He mutters. To strengthen this Dukedom, it would need a lot of reforms. Arial did not waste his time in the library. He read many books on administering a kingdom.

The only reason this nation needs a reform is because the old ways did not work.

At least it would not be effective if the Dark Lands invade. This is no longer the Age of Gods where people like Levitate exist that could cut a mountain into two.

He then shakes his head. He should not have let the matter dawdle too long in his mind today. Today is the ball.

He was reminded where his parent shows him the surprise guest.

The surprise guest is Helia. She has been spending a week in the castle and he couldn't t be happier.

Arial went to his wardrobe to select his attire.

He had to dress up for the ball, and most importantly impress Helia.

He chose an ornate garment, consisting of a three-quarter length coat made out of rich velvet fabric.

A three-dragon button design was fastened on the lapels; the same symbol was found on the cuffs as well.

The pockets on the outside and a breast pocket on each side of the interior make the cloths not only beautiful but also make it a useful as also it is fashionable.

Suited for ballroom and any occasion of nobility diner. It is black and red color.

Arial carefully examined his appearance in the mirror. Very regal, he thought.

Surely it would impress Helia.

he takes a few lessons in dancing from one of the etiquette teacher. Thankfully because of his agility, learning to dance doesn't seem like a very hard deal.

In his previous lives, dancing doesn't take much of what you do. There is not that many occasion to dance.

He took a deep breath and made his way to the main hall.

Two maids opened the door, and Arial immediately encountered hundreds of people all dancing and clapping.

They were full of joy.

Arial examined his surroundings: a noble's daughter, who was wearing a strapless gown made out of fine silk, was speaking with other girls while several boys, who were all wearing tight-fitting clothing, eyed her; on the second floor, a musician was playing a two-string melody.

There are many noble's daughters who wears dance costumes, all luxurious and beautiful. Made of finer silks and materials and the colors were colorful and bold that reminds you of the Far East kingdom of Renasia.

The manner in which gowns were assembled and created was very dramatic and complicated. Some gowns were strapless and others had long dramatic sleeves.

Various laces were entwined and sewn carefully over gowns.

Underneath the richer woman's attire would be a thick corset and sometimes there would also be a heavily structured petticoat.

This formed a perfectly round, almost cupcake like, shape towards the bottom of the gowns.

Headdresses also played a major part in the formal/dance attire

Numerous headdresses were worn to dances and social occasions; the most common of these for woman would probably be the cone shaped hats which were decorated with lace, ribbons and silks.

Another popular one which was worn by many of the lord's daughter is the headdresses which connected to the back of crowns; small round hats, braids or the laced nets which supported the hair which was styled in a bun.

Neat, beautifully handmade shoes wore also worn beneath these gowns.

The makeup and grooming of the upper-class woman wore to dance celebrations was very important and also very peculiar.

To prepare for dances, many women would shave their hair in order to attain the elegant expanse that was so admired.

Limitless examples of this are obvious in paintings. They would also shape and stain their lips into a rose bud shape and color them with various substances.

For upper-class men, changing fashion in dance to follow a social trend was just as important and it became a way of displaying one's wealth, and for men, one's masculinity.

Men's clothing was more fitted and tighter on the body. Just like his that is quite tight but not too tight.

The popular look was long, elegant and youthful.

The upper-class male attire would consist of boldly colored tunics with knee high hemlines, which continued to rise to mid-thigh length over time.

Some tunics would be decorated with various symbols and emblems while others were quite plain.

Arial looked around for Kyle, and spotted him sitting at a table near the corner of the room.

He wore a doublet with a chemise underneath, the standard attire for sons of nobles.

Many of noble's sons do this.

A sword would also be situated and fitted on the right hand side of his belt.

For this reason, the woman would almost always dance on the male's left side.

Prestigious leather shoes and fine silk and fur hats would also be worn depending on the dance occasion.

But Arial did not bring any swords, neither this ball admits any weapon or permit any weapons to come into the castle. The Vermont wouldn't want the Bloody Feast to happen again.

Arial look at Kyle and he smiles a bit looking at him.

Kyle furiously looked around for Helia, but she was nowhere to be found.

When the announcer spotted Arial in the crowd, he motioned the musicians to stop the music. In a booming voice, he said:

"Presenting the Count of Acro, Lord Arial of House Vermont." The crowd bowed their heads.

"Son!" Lord Aries yelled, his voice magnified by the momentary silence. Then he turned to the crowd:

"Please continue enjoying yourselves." The tension dissipates and the music is played again. The minstrel and the bards believe it is their cue.

They start playing again. Harmonious melody fills the room.

"Father, where is Helia?" Arial said, concerned.

Lord Aries smiled. "Well, I couldn't make it that easy for you, son." He grabbed Arial's hand. "Come with me to the balcony."

They made their way to the balcony, where the full moon illuminated them.

'Thank you my son for doing the hard job for me.' He suddenly said. Arial shook his head

'You have thanked me enough father' Arial knows that his father is ill equipped to become a military leader of the house.

His father is the kind lord. He knows nothing about waging war.

His father then went silence and look at the moon. Then they talked for a bit about the region affairs and then suddenly his father said

"You know my son," Lord Aries began, "I believe you have divine blood in you' Then he sighs as he looks at the moon

'Surely, someone like me could not have produced a son like you."

Arial held his hand. "I am your son, father. Mortal like you."

"But your feats are incredible. To lead an army at your age, what harrowing scenes you must have witnessed? Yet your father does nothing to help you."

"Father, having you alive and well, enjoying life is what I hope for you. Don't let those doubts trouble you. It's something that I have to do."

"I see" Said Aries, full of doubts.

Arial was getting distracted. He was looking around in hope of spotting Helia.

He still looked around the ballroom. He was so anxious that he couldn't even appreciate the beautiful preparation of the ballroom.

He knows the workers work hard on this ballroom but now, only one thing is on my mind.

Helia

"Where is she?"

Lord Aries smiled. "She is on the balcony on the upper floor waiting for you. She is in love with you, you know."

"I know father."

"Go, son."

A fathe rson moment and now he is meeting with Helia. See you all tomorrow