A Winter’s Ball - Ruby Lucas
Fic #9 of the Hamilton Prompts Song: A Winter’s Ball
“Ugh, did we fake an illness last time, too?” you asked as you stood on the top of the stairs, overlooking the ball. It was a beautiful winter evening to celebrate the marriage of Prince Charming and Snow White. A beautiful evening that would have been better spent with your girlfriend.
“Yes, you did,” Ruby said, ascending the stairs in a dress that matched her name. You moved behind her in your blue dress, keeping a big enough distance.
“You’re not going to leave me here, are you?” you asked. Ruby winked back at you and you laughed. Unfortunately, your father caught that exchange and gave you a disapproving look. He had never really gotten over your relationship with Ruby, and was always encouraging, or in this case, forcing, you to go to balls, in the hopes you would meet a wealthy, high class man.
You frowned back at your father, but walked onto the marble dance floor nonetheless. Ruby was across the room, hugging Snow and Charming in a warm embrace. You were watching her happily, that you didn’t notice a shadow come up behind you, until he tapped your shoulder.
“Hello, my lady,” the blonde man said. You gave him your hand, which he kissed as you curtsied.
“Prince Kain,” you said, recognizing the man who had come to every ball, party, and funeral your father had ever thrown.
“How are you, Y/N?” he asked with a kind smile. You knew that he knew you were with Ruby, but your father must have sent him over. Kain was such a kind, peaceful soul, that he probably would marry you if your father asked, knowing that you loved another.
“Fine, thank you. How are you?” He smiled and you saw him glance around the room.
“If my father sent you over, you can ask me to dance now. Don’t waste your charm on me.” He beamed at you and sighed.
“Thank you, my lady.” You laced your arm in his as he led you out onto the dance floor. Kain was a very good dnacer, and spun you around with ease. If your father had arranged it earlier, you probably could have loved Kain. But of course, now knowing Ruby, there was nothing you could do to stop your love for her.
Kain was polite, but glad when your dance was over. When it was appropriate, he rushed over to a pretty girl with dark hair across the room.
“How does a bastard, orphan, son of a whore, go on and grow into more of a phenomenon? Watch this obnoxious, arrogant, loud mouth bother be seated at the right hand of your father.” Ruby was behind you silently. She was always good at sneaking up on you. You looked over at your father as Ruby moved closer to you, touching your waist conspicuously. He was talking to a red headed duke, most likely, due to his attire. The man looked up at you suddenly with a creepy smile.
“Who is that?” you asked.
“Duke Charlie, a cousin of Charming’s.”
“Well off?” you asked, moving to stand next to your girlfriend.
“Most definitely.”
“Hmm, just my father’s type.” Ruby sighed and you frowned at her. You wanted to kiss her, but knew you shouldn’t with your father watching.
“Oh no, he’s getting up,” Ruby said. In truth, he was. He was stalking his way over to you two.
“Do you want to dance?” you asked her quickly.
“What? Right here? Right now?” she asked in confusion.
“Yes.” You laced your hand in hers and brought her out to the dance floor. Ruby put her hand on your waist, and you put yours on her shoulder. The song started playing and you moved softly across the floor with your girlfriend, for the first time in public.
“Your father looks angry.”
“That’s okay. This happy day is not for him.” She smiled again and you couldn’t resist the urge to kiss her. The music seemed to slow as your lips touched. You were aware of the disapproving look your father was giving you, but you didn’t care.
“He looks a lot angrier,” she said when you broke apart.
“Good. Then he has more work to do.”
“The duke doesn’t look too happy either.”
“Even better. You know there is something you have that the duke never will, no matter how rich and well off he is.”
“What’s that?” Ruby asked with a giggle.
“You’re reliable with the ladies.” She laughed and this time she kissed you and it was just as enchanting as the last. When the song finished, you knew that you had to leave the dance floor. Ruby walked with you towards Snow. She was grinning just as big as Ruby could.
“Hi,” she said, giving you a friendly hug. She looked over at Ruby and they both smiled. “That was awesome.”
“Thank you,” Ruby said.
“I don’t think he thought so,” Snow said. You turned around and saw your father standing behind you both. You sighed and walked towards him, needing no courage after what just happened.
“Y/N-”
“Before you say anything, I don’t regret what I did. I’m tired of you ignoring-” He put up a hand to stop you.
“Don’t be sorry. I am sorry. I shouldn’t have kept setting you up. I’m sorry,” he said again. You nodded, speechless.
“Thank you.” He nodded and hugged you. It felt like the eyes of the entire ball were on you, but looking over your father’s shoulder, you knew that wasn’t true. You were blending into the crowd, and that was fine with you. The only eyes you needed to be seen by was Ruby. Looking back at her, you found that. She smiled at you and the two of you embraced.
“I love you,” you said.
“I love you, too,” she said, through a happy laugh that was beginning to turn into a tear. Acceptance was a wonderful thing.
