Dreamwalker's Bride - Chapter 109

Chapter 109: Overheated
Trace tried to think of a way to interrupt the homey scene between the man in yellow and green and his wife. She accompanied him towards the table that held beverages to cool the overheated dancers.

And yet, since he knew the man in green and yellow had something to do with Oakdown’s plot, his feet became frozen to the floor when he tried to walk over and interfere. That blasted command!

“It’s simply uncanny,” A woman near him was saying.

“So you’ve said,” A mildly bored voice replied. “But as we are unlikely to meet the princess directly, there seems little point in continuing this train of thought.”

“I just meant that she makes me miss my sister by looking so much like her,” The woman had a longing in her voice. “I hope she’s well.”

Trace turned his head ever so slightly, pretending to examine the bunting and floral decorations on the walls while he snuck a glance at the talking couple.

Though he had only seen Katia once, and Jin a handful of times, he was sure it was them. The conversation all but guaranteed it. Before Trace could think about his actions, he turned and offered his hand to his unwitting sister-in-law.

“May I have the honor of a dance, madam? That is, if your husband does not object.” He looked towards Jin, who shrugged.

“I’m not much of a dancer,” He shook his head. “It is up to you, Katia.”

She looked a bit like a startled deer. “Oh! Um, that sounds lovely, thank you.”

Trace escorted her to the dance floor just as Anaisa and her partner were returning–apparently he had garnered the benefit of a second song in a row, something no other suitor so far had achieved. The gossips around the room twittered at a new pitch over the development.

“I apologize if I was abrupt,” Trace smiled at Katia. “You seemed in need of a dance.”

“Indeed, it seems ages since I last danced,” She admitted. “My husband is a cobbler. Since he assisted the head of the Shoemaker’s Guild in preparing many of the royal shoes for this evening during his temporary placement, we were graciously extended an invitation by His Majesty.”

Trace admired her humility. Not so long ago she had a claim to one of the highest stations in the land, yet now she didn’t hesitate to own being married to one of the humblest men in the room.

“I’m sure the shoes he makes are wonderful,” Trace nodded, and Katia glanced down.

“I do believe you are wearing some of them–that design across the toe is unique to their workshop, I have learned.” She beamed at her knowledge of her husband’s craft.

“They are incredibly comfortable. I must commend your husband for his fine work.” Trace was warmed by her enthusiasm.

The couple danced close to where Anaisa and the man in yellow and green wove amongst the couples of the ballroom, and Trace caught a look of confusion from his wife. He tried to smile at her, but her dance partner said something to reclaim her attention. He frowned.

“I saw you dance with the princess, before,” Katia said thoughtfully. “You seemed to like each other.”

“Are you a matchmaker?” Trace teased. “Perhaps I should set you on the case.”

“I think I would find great delight in helping people find happy matches,” She mused. “But it is not my calling.”

“Is it not?” He asked, his eyes cutting back over to Anaisa. “What a pity.”

“For you, perhaps,” She giggled. “I am content.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” Trace smiled sincerely. His sister-in-law’s well being was important to him for several reasons, but her happiness was also something he desired for its own sake. “You said your husband’s placement was temporary, will you be staying in the city afterwards or going elsewhere?”

“We should head home, to the town of Droth, tomorrow.” Katia’s smile faded.

“Will you miss the city, or is that frown because you miss your town?” Trace wondered aloud.

“I miss my sister, but I do not know whether she is here or there.” The woman admitted. “If… if you could introduce me to the princess, I think it would make me happier. My sister has hair just the same color, and the sight of it makes me long for her.”

Trace swallowed. Katia was bound to recognize Anaisa if they spoke. The king would disapprove of the princess’s double being publicly exposed, but how could he explain to Katia that she shouldn’t say anything or react?

“I will see if there’s anything I can do to arrange an introduction,” Trace offered.

“Thank you!” Katia beamed at him. “I’m Katia, by the way. I’m not sure the etiquette for introductions at a masked ball, but it seems silly for you to do me such a favor without the benefit of knowing my name!”

Trace chuckled at the same time he panicked inside. Should he give her a fake name? None at all? He recalled a few of the conversations he’d eavesdropped on during the earlier stages of the ball. Some people who didn’t want to reveal their identities had chosen fanciful, fake titles to call themselves for the duration of the evening, like ‘Sunshine’ or ‘Raspberry Cake’.

“It is lovely to know you, Katia. This evening, I am going by the name ‘Sky’, because of the color of my coat.” Trace explained, and she nodded as the song ended.

“I see. Thank you, Sky, for the dance and the company. I must return to my husband now.”

He bowed at the waist. “It is I who should thank you for the dance. It was a delight and I hope we have occasion to repeat it. In the mean time, I think I should try my hand at pursuing another partner.”

His eyes shifted back to Anaisa, who was once again plagued with suitors that would not allow the stranger the opportunity for a third dance in a row. Katia giggled.

“I wish you the best of luck. The most difficult heart to win might be the most wondrous to hold!” She waved jauntily at him as she walked away, and he chuckled before turning back to where Anaisa still stood amongst the enthusiastic throng.

Getting to her again might be more of a challenge than he thought.