I nodded. This didn't explain why he was nervous, but I had a feeling it would lead into it. His words sounded almost rehearsed, so I wasn't going to pressure him. Besides, I wanted to know more.
"Yes, please." I put my chin in the palm of my hand and listened as he began to speak.
"Once upon a time, several hundred years ago, there was a prince of Paradisa. He was the beloved only child of the king and queen. He was supposed to marry a princess and continue the royal line as his father and his grandfather had done before him."
Henry's accent made listening to the story so much better. It sounded richer and I could almost see the prince he spoke of. I imagined he looked a lot like Henry.
"One day, the prince looked out his window and fell in love with a peasant girl. He saw her watching the sun set over the palace wall and lost his heart to her smile. Everyday he watched her, falling ever more in love with her. He knew it could never be, but he had to meet her. So, he pretended to be a commoner and snuck out to at least learn her name.
"She was everything he wanted in a woman. Smart, funny, beautiful, and kind. She treated him as an equal, rather than a prince because she didn't know who he was. Despite his best efforts, he lost his heart. When he confessed his love to her, he found that she loved him back. For a moment, they were happy.
"The prince knew she would make the perfect queen for Paradisa, but that her common birth would be a problem. It was law that the prince marry a woman of noble blood. He knew his father wouldn't even meet her without a title to her name. Legally, they could never be together.
"When he revealed that he was a prince, and their happy moment was shattered. She broke down in tears knowing they could never be together. It seemed hopeless, until the woman came up with a plan for the king to approve the marriage.
"The prince declared a masquerade ball to announce his beloved to the court. The king and queen were excited that their son had finally chosen a bride, and happily agreed to meet her at the ball. The prince then dressed his love in silks and a beautiful silver mask. She looked the part of a queen, even if her blood was common.
"She was the most beautiful guest of the ball. She charmed the king. She charmed the queen. They felt she was the right choice for their son and the country. The king gave his permission for the two of them to be wed. It was after this declaration that the woman removed her mask and revealed her station to be nothing more than that of a servant.
"She was chased out of the palace by the king's guards. The prince was furious that his father would go back on his word. The entire country was shocked and angered that one of their own was not good enough for the king. Under this pressure, the king relented and the prince sought out his love once more.
"They were married to the cheers of the country. She was the best queen in a hundred years of queens and the country thrived because of her wisdom. We call her the Peasant Queen. To honor their story, Paradisa holds a masquerade ball every year. No one knows who anyone is or what their station in life is. Janitors can be kings and princes can be paupers. For one night every year, everyone is equal and able to fall in love. That is the story of the Paradisa Ball."
I smiled as Henry's story came to an end. "I like it. But you forgot an important part of the prince and princess's story."
"I did?" Henry frowned, mentally going over his beautiful retelling. "What did I leave out?"
"And they lived happily ever after," I told him. "That's how a happy story always ends."
He chuckled and smiled. "I did forget." He put back on his story-teller face. " And they lived happily ever after."
His accent added an extra dimension to the words that made me believe for a moment that the prince and princess really did live happily ever after.
"I love it, but I still am unsure what the story has to do with cake." I pointed to the cake with my fork. I'd eaten nearly half of it during his telling. It had made the story even sweeter.
Henry smiled, but he looked nervous again. He slid an envelope out from under the bottom of the cake tray and pushed it across the table to me.
"What's this?" I picked up the envelope. It was made of heavy stationary that felt expensive. The Paradisian emblem of a twinned unicorn and dragon was engraved on the front. I recognized it from the seals on my work documents.
"I want to invite you to the Paradisa Ball," Henry explained. "We're holding one here in Washington this year."
My eyes widened and I opened the envelope to reveal a beautiful invitation written with golden ink.
"How? How did you get this?" I asked in disbelief.
"Work," he explained with a shrug. "I know a guy. A couple of them, actually."
I stared at the beautiful calligraphy. It reminded me of a wedding invitation I once saw in my stepmother's house for a billionaire's daughter. This looked even prettier. I couldn't believe Henry had invited me.
"So will you come?" Henry swallowed hard, looking at me with those big blue eyes.
"Of course," I replied. "Of course I'll come. Yes!"
Henry relaxed and grinned as I ran around the table to kiss him and thank him properly. He pulled me into his lap, wrapping his arms around me. He kissed my shoulder and then rested his cheek against where he'd just kissed.
"I'm going to have to get a dress," I thought aloud. "I need to wear a ball gown, right?"
Henry nodded. "Yes. And a mask."
"I can do that," I replied, a grin filling my face. "You are going to see what a senator's daughter can pull off. I'm going to blow you away."
Henry grinned and held me tighter. "I can't wait."
Chapter 19
"Jaqui? I have a question for you about tomorrow," I said, stopping in Jaqui's office before heading to the copy room to continue making folders. I felt light and free. Not only was I going to a fancy party on Saturday, but I didn't have to scan documents today.
"Sure." Jaqui paused with her fingers still on the keys of her computer and looked up at me. "What's up?"
"Can I get out a little early tomorrow?" I asked.
Jaqui frowned slightly. "As long as we're done with the folders. Why?"
I grinned. "I have to get a dress."
Jaqui's eyes lit up. "A dress? What kind of dress?"
"A fancy one. Henry somehow got us invitations to the Paradisian Masquerade Ball on Saturday," I told her. I grinned at the way her jaw dropped.
"No way! I've heard it's next to impossible to get into that. The president's even going!" She shook her head. "You seriously have to find out if Henry has a brother or a friend. How in the world did he get tickets?"
I shrugged. "He says he knows a couple of guys through his work," I replied. "But, I need to get a dress. Can I leave a little early tomorrow?"
"Yes, of course," Jaqui assured me. "You have to get something amazing."
"You want to come? I could use a little help picking something out."
Jaqui's face fell. "I can't. I'm behind on this delegation thing." She thought for a moment. "But, send me pictures and I'll give you my opinion as you try them on."
"I can do that. And thank you," I said. I was a little disappointed that my friend with the best fashion sense couldn't come and help me pick something out, but I understood.
I gave her a wave and headed to the copy room.
"Remember, you're going to send me pictures and I'll give you scores," Jaqui said when I stopped by her office Thursday afternoon. "I'm thinking that with your complexion, you need a jewel tone. Deep red, dark green, purple... I like purple."
"I promise to send you pictures. Thanks again for letting me go early today."
Jaqui waved me off. "You did a great job on those folders. You've been so helpful, it's not a problem. Now, get out of here and get a dress."
I chuckled and waved as I said goodbye and headed out of the office early. It felt strange to leave while everyone was still hard at work at their desks.
"Have fun, Aria," Gus called to me from his desk as I walked past. "Do whatever Jaqui recommends. Dress wise. Not man wise."
"I will," I promised, waving at him.
There was almost no traffic since it wasn't rush hour yet, so my bus ride to the dress store was easy and comfortable. I had some ideas for a dress, but I knew it really depended on what I found at the store. I had decided to try a bridal shop that specialized in high end gowns, especially since this was supposed to be a black-tie super exclusive event. I wanted to look like I belonged and I was willing to spend a little bit of my savings to do so.
I found the swanky shop in the downtown area and walked inside. Two circular white leather couches took up the center of the brightly lit room and soft music played overhead. Racks of designer gowns in various shades of white hung to one side while the other held a rainbow of colors and designs.