Everlastingly Loving You - Chapter 47

The tour ended 3 hours before the charity gala ball started, giving Sophia more than adequate time to get dressed for the event.

Out of her lilac purple suit and tie-neck blouse, she’d soon change to her ensemble for the night.

Juliette hadn’t come with her, thus, she was on her own when it came to preparing herself for the gala.

Hours later, Sophia was all dressed up in her new ensemble, one that she’d picked out herself and was strictly Sophia’s ‘brand’. She had a simple makeup look so as to keep the attention to her dress rather than her face.

She checked herself out in the mirror, impressed.

From a jewellery box, she took out a pair of Cartier platinum diamond studs, hastily wearing them before slipping on her signature red leather pumps and placing her masquerade mask on.

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Nicholas headed in her direction, being unable to take his eyes off of her. She looked more radiant than usual in her current ensemble.

“You must have one serious fondness for anything red,” Nicholas said, acknowledging Sophia’s outfit.

Sophia spun on her heel, realizing it was Nicholas talking to her; it took a while since he wore a mask that covered a part of his perfect face.

Since in the public eye, Sophia had currently been known as a fashion icon, it was a given whatever she wore was bound to dominate the fashion industry, and once she was photographed wearing the outfit, it was to fly off the racks in no time.

Even Nicholas had to admit, she looked sensational.

He said coolly, blatantly lying, “You look modest.”

Sophia rolled her eyes, before she quickly looked him up and down.

“Not so bad yourself, Ambrose,” she retorted.

Despite the fact that if Sophia were compelled to speak the truth,  she’d almost instantly admit Nicholas looked incredible. And Nicholas could say the same for her, not that his ego would ever allow him to do so.

Sophia donned a long, ruby red v-neck gown that had a natural waistline along with a side slit made of silk satin, paired with the same pair of Cartier platinum diamond earrings mentioned before, her signature red leather heels, and last but not least, her masquerade mask in red and black adorned with swarovski red crystal and silver accents.

Whilst Nicholas wore a crisp, grey, long-sleeved shirt adorned with cufflinks engraved with his initials as well as a jet black suit jacket, a pair of black formal suede shoes and a black masquerade mask with a matte satin finish.

They’d arrived at the charity gala ball, whereas guests were being checked off the exclusive guest list since the masquerade ball was – as Sophia had put it – a security nightmare.

Hands intertwined, Sophia and Nicholas headed for the small line of royals right outside the ballroom. Once it was their turn, a guard asked, clipboard in hand, also unaware of who exactly he was speaking with, “Names?”

Sophia and Nicholas hadn’t needed to answer him, as once he laid his eyes on Nicholas, his face twisted, and he gestured at the open doors without saying a single word, bowing to the duchess and prince, mumbling something under his breath from shock.

Looking at Nicholas, Sophia remembered what Angelica had previously told her, that he was the black sheep of the royal family.

She stared at him, engrossed.

Although his family ostracized him and treated him , he’d still showed up to the charity gala ball for reasons unknown, despite the fact that many of his other family members – his parents specifically – decided not to make appearances.

“Why’d you come to the charity gala?” Sophia asked Nicholas out of the blue.

“Come again?”

“This charity gala, why’d you come here when it wasn’t mandatory or necessary?” Sophia repeated.

Nicholas glared at her as if she’d said something to aggravate him.

“Is the reason that I support the cause the charity gala’s being held entirely for not enough?” Nicholas asked.

Sophia peered at Nicholas with approbation. She hadn’t been anticipating that, she’d never have expected Nicholas was a charity type of prince.

The esteem she held for Nicholas increased.

“Wow, didn’t peg you as that type of person,” Sophia admitted.

“So what type of person did you peg me as?” Nicholas demanded.

Sophia looked him up and down.

“Calm down, you’re making it incredibly difficult for me to be more affable to you,” Sophia said, brows furrowed and arms crossed.

“Besides, would you want to know what type of person I think of you as?” Sophia asked, brow raised in amusement.

Nicholas sighed. In all honesty, he’d rather not. He shook his head.

Sophia murmured, “Thought so.”

She skimmed the surroundings as jazz music played, before her eyes gazed at the dance floor. Before she asked, Nicholas beat her to it.

“Care to dance, Windsor?” Nicholas asked, smirking.

Sophia curtsied.

“Oh, but of course.”

Nicholas tried not to smile as he extended his hand for Sophia to hold. Other couples were pairing up, readying to dance.

“Try not to fall,” Nicholas told her, his tone cool and calm.

From the depths of her mind, something whispered, ‘I already have.’