‘You’re on!’ Jackson said with a smile.
Olivia wondered what Alex was going to do about walking in with someone. ‘What about you . . .’ she began.
‘Don’t worry,’ Alex said. ‘Ivy sent word with Nadia that she’d rescue me.’
‘Your Highness,’ Olivia said with a curtsy. ‘You have been so nice, the whole trip. I’m very glad I got to meet you.’
‘That’s what friends are for,’ he replied.
The Countess clicked down the hallway towards them in a purple sparkling dress, incredible dangling diamond earrings and silver high heels. ‘Oh, good, you’re here! We’re just about to be announced. Everyone’s waiting.’
The Count followed behind, looking dashing in a grey morning suit with a deep red cravat. His moustache looked bushier than Ivy had ever seen it.
‘Have you . . .’ the Countess asked quietly. ‘Is your father feeling better? And where’s Ivy?’
Olivia bit her lip and shook her head. ‘I haven’t seen him since this afternoon. Ivy, er, she says she’ll catch us up.’ Whatever Ivy’s plan was, she hoped the Countess wouldn’t ask any more questions. I don’t know how long I can cover for her!
‘No matter,’ the Countess said. ‘You’ll escort me, won’t you, my husband?’
‘I would be delighted, my darling wife.’ They gave each other a quick kiss.
Olivia knew it would mean so much to her grandmother if her son would walk her into the ball, but at least she and the Count made such a cute old couple. She took Jackson’s hand and hoped they would end up like that.
‘The tradition is that Her Majesty enters first,’ the Countess said, looking back down the hallway.
As if on cue, the Queen turned the corner with two attendants carrying her impressive train. Her dress was deep red satin with sparkling beads intricately woven into heart-shaped patterns. Olivia thought she looked like a pretty version of the Queen of Hearts.
Everyone curtsied and bowed.
‘Dear Caterina,’ said the Queen graciously. ‘I am so looking forward to this evening. Happy Valentine’s Day. Thank you for hosting and for all that you do for me as a friend.’
‘Happy Valentine’s Day,’ the Countess replied. ‘You are most welcome.’
The Queen gave Alex a quick kiss on the cheek and stepped in front of the double doors just as they opened.
Olivia looked around for her sister, wondering why she hadn’t appeared yet. Does this have something to do with Ivy ‘rescuing’ Alex? she thought.
‘What a shame Ivy’s still not here,’ the Countess said, looking around.
‘Too late!’ whispered the Count.
‘Ladies and gentlemen,’ boomed Horatio to the crowd that filled the ballroom.
Olivia was amazed by the dresses and the decorations. Over a hundred faces were watching the door in anticipation.
‘May I present Her Majesty, Queen Stephanie of Transylvania!’ said Horatio.
Everyone inside curtsied and bowed as the Queen strode in. She made her way around the crowd, wishing them all a Happy Valentine’s Day.
‘Shall we?’ said the Count to the Countess.
‘Wait!’ a voice called from down the hallway and Olivia glanced back, almost clapping with delight when she saw her bio-dad hurrying down the hall, looking suave in his black tuxedo with a black shirt underneath.
‘Wait,’ Charles said again, his face flushed. ‘I would . . .’ He paused and smiled awkwardly. ‘I would like to escort you in, Mother. If you would have me.’
He held out the crook of his arm and Olivia saw tears of happiness in her grandmother’s eyes. ‘Of course, my son. Of course.’
‘I shouldn’t have been so churlish,’ he admitted. ‘You’ve been nothing but welcoming to my family since we’ve arrived and I think it’s time for . . . for some harmony.’
In the doorway, Horatio’s eyes glistened. Olivia felt a bit tearful herself and couldn’t stop smiling.
I’m so proud of you, she thought, beaming at her father.
The Count proudly stepped aside so that the Countess could link her arm through her son’s. Together, they stepped into the doorway.
Olivia heard murmurings of surprise coming from inside the ballroom.
Horatio smiled as he called out, ‘The Countess Caterina Lazar and her son, the Viscount Charles Vega.’
They stepped in unison into the room and began to greet guests.
Horatio leaned over and whispered to Olivia, ‘This is my favourite Valentine’s Ball ever.’
Olivia beamed. ‘Mine, too.’ She turned to Jackson. ‘It’s us next, I think!’
He gave her a huge hug and then took her hand. ‘You’re the only girl for me, Olivia,’ he said and Olivia’s heart burst into happy confetti.
Horatio smiled at Olivia and said, ‘Miss Olivia Abbott and Mr Jackson Caulfield.’
Olivia felt like she was stepping on to the field in front of crammed bleachers, except for all the ball gowns. She smiled so wide her cheeks ached.
She glanced behind her quickly to see Prince Alex waiting in the hall with the Count. There was still no sign of Ivy. Where is she? Olivia thought.
Then, the Countess was introducing her and Jackson to the Mayor of Bucharest, who wore a dark tailored suit with a colourful sash across his chest. His wife was wearing a beautiful cream gown and sparkling tiara.
Next in line, Olivia was surprised to see Nadia, wearing a pretty floral dress and her hair all in curls. ‘Tessa did my hair,’ she whispered, her eyes shining. ‘And it’s all because of Ivy that I got to dress up!’