For DWC: Dad Cullen and daughter's first ball...her date is Orlesian
Lily (15), Adelaide (3), Cullen/Grace,
Lily squirmed in the dress she had been “encouraged” into.The rich maroon satin creased under her palms as the thick golden earringsclinked against golden caps that crimped the ends of each thick braid that ranover her head. She had been dressed to match them all. Cullen was trappedbetween her and his wife, Grace’s hand firmly holding him in place, hisyoungest, Adelaide, wide-eyed and blinking at all the colors that swarmed theballroom. Only one word summed up his collective ire:
Josephine had let them know in her way that it would be verydetrimental to not attend this ball. Grace had nearly had a panic attack whenshe had learned, causing all manners of worry for the baby she currently wascarrying. Halamshiral was not a place of pleasant memories for any of them.Especially Grace.
One of the attendants ushered them forwards, his hawk likemask garish in the light. The doors peeled open and a loud imperialistic voiceannounced them.
“Bann Rutherford, and his wife, the Lady Grace Rutherford,Hero of Thedas. Accompanied by their two children, Lily and AdelaideRutherford.”
They walked forwards, Grace’s face flinching imperceptiblyas they entered the ballroom. Cullen squeezed her hand tightly, leading herthrough the tiled hall and up the stairs, where he bowed low to the Empress.Grace curtsied carefully, and Lily followed in kind, her head bending low.Celene smiled gently, nodding at Grace and Cullen, and then addressing Lilydirectly.
“It has been a long time since we have seen you, monpetite,” she said quietly. Lily’s back stiffened. The Game had begun.
“Halamshiral is as though I never left, your Majesty. Trulyit is as eternal as the stars in the sky, and just as beautiful.”
Another small, scheming smile.
“Your mother has taught you well. If I may be so bold, Iwould like to introduce you to my nephew, Alphonse,” Celene said, gesturinglanguidly to the side. A young man took three large steps to her side, bowinglow towards Lily. Celene beckoned her closer.
“Papa?” Lily whispered, frozen in place. Cullen frowned.Grace smiled pleasantly and started to guide Lily up the stairs towards theEmpress and her nephew. Cullen frowned more.
There were pleasantries exchanged, and Lily’s tinkling butforced laugh rang over the ballroom. As the pair walked off, she lookedbackwards, her face a mask of disbelief and a silent plea: get me out of here.
Song after song played and he was unable to get to her.Lords and Ladies demanded his attention, and just as Lily seemed like she wasabout to slip away, her paramour would swing her into the dance once again, hisfaltering steps a far cry from her fast-paced, sweeping ones. She was far moreat home at court than he was, and she was hating every moment of it.
Grace had settled into a seat, and patted his arm gently, asilent act of permission to leave her side. A duchess settled next to her andstarted drilling her with questions, which she smiled and answered effortlessly,a sly wink in his direction letting him know her  approval.
They had timed it well, the dignified rescue of theirdaughter. As the music wound down into a slow waltz, Cullen tapped the youth onthe shoulder. Lily smiled widely at him.
Alphonse stiffened. “And who might you be, Serah?”
Cullen chuckled low, shaking his head. “I would be herfather. Now, may I cut in, Serah?”
Alphonse paled, his hand shaking as he stepped away with aquick bow. Cullen moved into the space, spinning his daughter over the flooreffortlessly, the Lady Dowager Trevelyan’s lessons not going to waste as theymoved through the gentle, consistent steps of the waltz.
“Thank the Maker. I thought I would have to lead him into acorner and kill him,” Lily whispered, making a face in Alphonse’s direction.Cullen laughed.
“Please don’t murder the nephew of the Empress, Lily. Wewant to stay on good terms with the court,” he said, fighting the laughter thatthreatened to bubble up.  She shruggedand spun around silently, catching the swinging skirt with her hand and tuggingit out of his way at the last second.
“He would be asking for it.”
“Still,” Cullen whispered, lifting her into the air andturning around once, setting her down delicately, “best not open that can ofworms.”
Lily bowed low and smiled as the song ended. “Uncle Dorianwould call the night a bore.”
Cullen laughed out loud this time, leading Lily off the ballroomfloor towards her mother and little sister. “Boring would be perfectly finethis time.”
