`After their walk concluded and the day was near finished, Izana and Ria, both of them being quite drowsy, had decided to retire for the night, as the Grand Ball was to begin the next evening. Once they reached Ria's chambers, she spoke quietly.

"Izana?"

"Yes, Ria?" he replied in a less formal manner, as Ria had given him permission to use her first name only earlier during dinner.

"Would you...come a bit closer?"

Izana did so, and was rewarded with a faint kiss to the lips. It was almost feather-light in its sensations, but Izana was spellbound regardless. As Ria then kissed him on the cheek, she embraced him softly.

"Will you stay with me in my chambers? Just for a little bit longer?" she whispered. "I don't want to see you go just yet…"

She quieted as Izana returned the kiss, just as light as she had given, before he embraced her as well.

"Of course, Ria." he murmured. "Anything."

As she opened the door, and stepped aside to change out of her day wear, Izana looked around, admiring the simple yet beautifully made and engraved oaken furniture. A large shelf filled with books lay near a balcony with a perfect view of the dusk-laden sky over Acordia.

Ria then emerged, wearing a light silk nightgown, pale blue in color, almost wispy yet beautiful in appearance. As she laid down on her bed and Izana sat next to her, she sighed in content at feeling Izana brush his fingers over her cheek lovingly and carefully.

"Thank you." she murmured. "Truly, Izana, thank you."

"You're very welcome."

Izanna tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, and she yawned before curling up under the blankets.

"Izana?" she asked one last time.

"Yes?"

"Will you be my escort tomorrow evening to the ball?"

"I'd be honored." he replied, taking her hand lightly. "Your father even asked that of me the day I arrived."

"I'm twice as grateful to you now, I suppose." she murmured. "I should retire. It will be quite a long event for us tomorrow night."

Izana gently leaned down and kissed her cheek, before wishing her goodnight.

"Goodnight." she smiled faintly. Izana stood up and prepared to leave, and as he reached the door, he turned back one last time to see she was asleep soundly and quietly.

As he left for his own chambers, he passed by Ria's Guard, Cedric, who asked if she was still awake.

"She's sleeping now." Izana replied. "I stayed with her for a bit. Would that cause any trouble?"

"I don't believe it would, Your Highness." Cedric replied. "Have a good night."

"And the same to you."

As Izana settled back into his own chambers and was soon asleep himself, the moon came out from behind the evening clouds, sending light down onto the slumbering Palace.

X

The next day seemed to pass by in a blur, as the Palace staff began a frenzy of activity to decorate and prepare for that evening's Grand Ball. Ria and Izana did not see much of each other during that time, but Cedric was more than willing to pass notes between them should he intersect with either of them.

As time passed and the sun eventually set over the Palace, Izana dressed in his formal wear, mounted his sword on his waist, and giving a nod to his attendants, proceeded forward, without need for directions. As he approached, Cedric and King Josiah came over from where they were standing by the door to Ria's chambers.

"King Josiah, Cedric." Izana said in greeting.

"Prince Izana." Josiah replied. "Ria should be finished shortly. It seems she took extra time to prepare something special for tonight."

"Then I hope to put my anticipation to rest." Izana replied courteously. At that, the door opened, and Izana could only stare at his partner. Ria wore a stunning gown of purple, interwoven perfectly with gemstones and gold on the bodice, and matching flowered sleeves. A silver necklace and her usual pendant lay at her neckline, and the skirt was perfectly layered with satin and ruffles.

The sight of her took Izana's breath away. As he gently took her gloved hand and gave a kiss, Ria blushed but did not look away.

"Ria, you're...stunning, marvelous,beautiful, I can't say anything else." he smiled. "No other words do proper justice."

"Thank you so much, Izana." she replied, taking his arm as they proceeded to the ballroom that lay next to the gardens. "I'm honored to have you with me tonight."

"The honor is mine." Izana nodded. "Shall we?"

Ria nodded, and as the couple and King Josiah sat at the table of honor, the light music quieted in a show of respect as Josiah stood up.

"I extend my thanks to you all for attending." he spoke. "I also extend my gratitude to First Prince Izana Wisteria of Clarines for his presence here tonight. For too long, Acordia has been silent amongst the stage of the known world. Tonight, that changes as we open our borders to all who would come to settle, trade, and live among us."

"Now, without further ado, let us celebrate."

As Josiah sat down, the attendees applauded as the music started once more. Servants moved in with platters of food, ready to begin serving all present, and the ball officially began.

As Izana and Ria sat next to each other, eating slowly and carefully, Izana could hear faint conversations going on amongst the crowd. Many of them were not worth further note, but he could hear some that referenced him.

"He certainly is quite handsome, I'm glad he decided to come…"

"I wonder if he and the Princess are close?...I would certainly believe so…"

"I'd be surprised if they were not…"

Izana closed his eyes, took in a breath, and then turned to Ria, who looked at him with a raised eyebrow of curiosity.

"Is something wrong, Izana?" she asked quietly.

"No, not at all." Izana replied. "Merely taking in the conversations around."

"I see." she replied. "Does it disturb you that they speak of us?"

"I don't think so." he nodded. "Their complements are welcomed, but does it not bother you?"

"I've learned to let people speak their mind at events like this." Ria rolled her eyes playfully. "It's nothing to worry about, Izana."

He nodded in reply, and as the dining finished, the dance floor opened. Izana stood up, Ria soon following.

"May I have this dance, Princess Ria?" he asked courteously.

"Of course, Prince Izana." she replied. As they moved to the center, the attendees quieted, while the orchestra prepared a waltz.

"I trust you'll lead?" she asked.

Izana nodded in reply. As the soft, elegant music began to play, the Prince and Princess began to dance in perfect unity.