Not my anything pt 2

Caroline (CC) Condor was halfway through clearing the lower level of the Arden ballroom. As she steadily made her way to the stairs, he came out of nowhere. He was in front of her before she knew it. She tried to sidestep him, the way she had every man who tried to ask her to dance up until now. However, this one was not to be turned away. This man was a prince.

He bowed gracefully for her and she gave a quick curtsy, before trying to escape again.

“Prince—” he began.

“I know who you are,” she said hastily, stopping in her tracks.

The prince smiled.

“A woman after my own heart. No introductions needed then, Princess Caroline,” he said, bowing once more. He held out a hand to her. “However, I wouldn’t say no to a dance.”

Five minutes passed, then ten and Bart finally admitted to himself that he was waiting for her to show up. Why hadn’t she reached him yet? His curiosity getting the better of him, he turned back around and wished he hadn't. It was a waking nightmare. The kind where she laughs at something he said the moment you turn around to look at her. And suddenly you realize that you should be the one holding her, the one making her laugh. That she should be dancing that dance with you.

Ethan threw another glance over his shoulder, saw what was happening and put a hand on Bart’s shoulder.

“Better luck next time man.”

The longer Bart watched, the angrier he got. With the guy, with himself and especially with her. The angrier he got, the less able he was to turn away. Her eyes met his again. She could always see past the deadpan poker face. He knew she knew that he was fuming and that made matters worse. As the dance progressed, their eyes remained fixed on each other. With the ending of the melody, CC pulled away abruptly. Bart was about to run out to her and ask her a million unfair questions. Make a scene. Hopefully not kiss her.

As if by divine intervention, before Bart could make his move, CC and her partner ran into her brother.

Aaron had a girl on his arm, as Prince Aaron always did. It was a mercy when it was only one. As soon as Aaron laid eyes on CC, the redhead was all but forgotten. Bart’s eyes had somehow managed to unglue themselves from CC as he followed the redhead up the stairs. As she ascended to the second floor, the redhead watched Aaron as Emily Maine joined him. Her own existence had evidently been entirel forgotten.

She let out a cackle of laughter, as though Aaron being a dick was amusing. Now on the same floor as him, her eyes met with Bart's. There was hurt in her warm amber eyes as she approached the two men. She blinked once and it was gone as her gaze shifted to Ethan.

“Hey there stranger,” she said, pasting a smile on her face.

Ethan’s mouth broke out into a goofy grin as he picked her up and gave her a similar greeting to the one Bart had received.

“Aria!” he yelled, setting her down with a thump before taking her hand and presenting her to Bart.

“Ria, Barry. Barry, Ria. My sister, who is also a princess,” Ethan said, giving Bart a wink. 

“He’s never subtle, is he?” Aria said with a giggle as she held out her hand for Bart to shake.

“No, he really isn’t,” said Bart, taking Aria's hand.

Bart was about to shake her hand, but then thought better of it. The pity swimming around in his eyes was unmistakable as his lips touched the back of her hand. She pulled back with force, hurt flashing in her eyes again. Ethan rolled his eyes, took her hand and put it back in Bart’s.

“Good! I’m glad you’re both aware. Now do my bidding and dance!” Ethan ordered.

Aria was about to pull her hand away again when Bart pulled her into his arms.

“It’s just a dance,” he said, stroking the vivid, red hair flowing down her back.

Aria's small smile didn’t make his heart hurt as she put her head down on his chest the way CC's did. She wasn’t as beautiful as CC either. Bart understood that that wasn’t her fault. To him, no one could be. Ethan patted himself on the back, giving Bart a thumbs up when he was out of earshot of the pair.

“I’m sorry about Prince Aaron. It is unfortunate that you have made his acquaintance so soon after coming to our country. That too, for the first time,” said Bart.

“Are you in the habit of apologizing for other men, My Lord?”

“No, I just don’t do well with crying women,” he replied in earnest.

“Ethan has you pegged alright. You are exactly what he said you’d be. Handsome, strong, honest. Where do I get one of you?” she flattered boldly.

She looked down to where Bart had been stealing glances at a couple dancing together. With a jab to his chest, she said, “This one appears to be unavailable. Just my luck.”