Thick as Thieves

Ball Fit For A Queen Part I

Cassian:

The ballroom was decorated extravagantly, as the Waevian king spared no expense to let the nobles know about his decision to name his daughter, Princess Eluna of Waevia, heir to the Waevian throne and ruler of the Isle. It was merely his majesty proving a point to those who previously thought his decision was made out of fear that his wife may give birth to yet another daughter, that he was, in fact, committed to having the princess be the first ever queen regnant of Waevia.

However upsetting it was for the current queen consort, his majesty was too strong-willed to be swayed by her pleas if she were to give birth to a son. I must confess, if King Renly of the Isle of Waevia ever bestowed such an honour upon me, I would not criticise her highness if she had accepted the responsibility of being the heir. It was a great honour that I, too, had the slightest chance to experience it a long time ago…

I brought a goblet of sweet wine to my lips, reminiscing of the plum wine produced by the rich noble families of the Eastern Empire, as I took in the nature-themed décor and the socialising nobles gathered in the room, some already merry from the delicacies and wine presented on the banquet tables. Women and men alike sported all kinds of dazzling colours, all except the royal blue colour, reserved for members of the Waevian royal family only. A troubadour, along with other musicians, began strumming a beautiful melody, adding to the festive atmosphere of the occasion, and servers were patiently awaiting orders.

The festivities of Waevia were far different from the festivities held back in the Emberlandian palace, where dancers entertained guests, a warm breeze of the desert flowing through the courtyards that danced with the dangling drapes hanging from the pillars, and the sound of water coming from the falls nearby, feeding the various fountains within the palace, should guests get too hot and cool off. The clothing was also not as rigid and stuffy, as the cold of winter was non-existent in the endless desert.

Longing to feel the scorching sands underneath my soles and to feel the sweat dripping down my back sent a wave of homesickness through my being. It’s been twenty years since I’ve crossed the borders of the empire into Esmor… twenty years since I’ve seen my mother Zenia. I have wondered countless days whether she still lives. What does she look like now? What does Gaius look like? I left him when he was on the verge of becoming ten years old. He must have grown into a strong man by now, a warrior of the sands, his skin tanned brown from training in the sun.

“Lost in thought, Assassin?” I heard the queen ask from behind me. “Hopefully you are not contemplating whether you should still execute your plans, no?”

“Rest assured, your majesty,” I replied to her dryly. “I am no man who goes back on his word.”

“I expect the princess to be dead by midnight, Assassin. You have agreed to these terms, otherwise I’ll have no choice but to cut off that barbaric head of yours and send it back to Emberland.”

I focused with a scowl on her devious violet eyes, her face concealed behind a fair mask made of silver and blue, blue feathers adorning the top of the crown over her head. “I shall finish the job in my own time, your majesty. You expect me to spill royal blood within the castle?”

“Either you do what you are told, Assassin, or you, too, shall join Princess Eluna in the afterlife before dawn.” She smirked. “Besides, we wouldn’t want that lapdog of yours to be punished for your crimes, now do we?”

My gaze scanned the crowds to see Theo easily resting with his back against a pillar, his attention being held by the troubadour performing and providing music. I had no other choice but to sneak him into the castle, dressed as some server, as he was supposed to keep watch over the king whilst I escorted the princess to a private place.

I sighed exasperatedly, realising that I had yet another life to worry about. Theodore is more than capable of handling ten men at once during combat, but as he is there as backup for when the king and his royal guard catch a whiff of an assassin being held under his roof, I cannot gamble on his life should the queen feel that I have shirked my duty to her.

I drank the rest of the wine in one gulp and spoke up, “The job will be done by midnight, and I expect my gold to be delivered to my ship. Once the deed has been done, Theo and I will retire from the castle to never be seen again.”

“Excellent!” she whispered and placed her hand on my shoulder. “Should I not have been this big with child, Assassin, I would have rewarded you with more than just gold… but I am sure you have women of all classes falling at your feet.”

I cringed inwardly. There’s no denying that the Waevian queen was as elegant and graceful as the rumours described her, but surely a wicked woman such as her is far below my standards. It’s but a blessing in disguise that she’s with child.

Trumpets were sounded with the arrival of the king. On his head he adorned a golden crown, covering his dark hair and on his arm he led a masked young woman. She was dressed in a royal blue gown, decorated with bows and beads. Her long hair fell down her back in waves and her face was covered by a mask of blue and silver. Though a circlet was absent from her crown, like the queen stated she’d wear earlier, it was the necklace with a gemstone which made her stand out as a royal descendent.

to the throne, Princess Eluna of Waevia!”

I bowed, following the nobles’ acknowledgement of the king and his heir. The young princess curtseyed next to her father, candlelight from the various candelabra casting a warm glow against her pale skin.

Troubadours began playing at the king’s cue and soon lords started asking for ladies’ hands and led them toward the dancefloor while the king led his daughter to a platform with a table holding food for the royals to enjoy. Instantly, various suitors lined up in front of the table, asking for the king’s permission to dance with the princess.

“Shall we go introduce you to my sire?” the queen asked, startling me from watching the royals with curiosity. “It’s best that you earn her highness’s trust in leading her away from the ballroom…”

“If you insist, your majesty.”

I held out my arm chivalrously, and she gratefully accepted as she held onto it, and we made our way towards the platform. The king instantly recognised his wife, as he smiled at her lovingly as she curtseyed before him.

“Your majesty.”

“My beautiful wife,” he greeted her. “My, what a celebration you have thrown for our beloved Eluna!”

“She’s to be queen someday,” the blonde consort stated, glancing at the princess, who smiled at her. “Only the best befitting the heir to the Waevian throne.” The king placed a peck on her cheek before glancing at my masked face.

“Who do we have here?” he asked her. “Your distant relative who you had mentioned earlier?”

I bowed to his majesty before introducing myself as the queen’s relative. “Count da Silva of the kingdom of Claethorpes, your majesty,” I stated in a low tone. “A pleasure it is to make your acquaintance.”

“Welcome to Brickelwhyte, Count da Silva. I trust that things are going well in the place of my queen’s birth?”

“As well as it should, your majesty.”

The king smiled at me warmly. “I trust the queen has enlightened you about the celebrations hosted tonight?”

“Indeed, her majesty was kind to invite me to take part in the celebrations.”

“Which reminds me,” the queen chirped in, touching my arm. “His grace has been eager to meet the legendary young princess who was the first female member of the Waevian royal family to be named heir to the throne! Isn’t that right, Count da Silva?”

“It most certainly is.” I smiled, grateful for my royal upbringing in making small talk with the nobility. Had it not been for that, my part in putting up a front for making this scheme of hers believable would have been catastrophic.

“Very well. I shall introduce you to my daughter. Eluna!” The princess looked up from what she'd been staring down, her expression shielded by the mask, but in reading her body language, the princess was all but willing to be present at this feast thrown in her honour. “The Count da Silva of Claethorpes wishes to be introduced to you.”

“Your grace,” she acknowledged my false name and curtseyed. “Welcome to Waevia and thank you for attending the celebrations this evening.”

“I’m honoured to meet you, your highness,” I replied and took her hand, placing a gentlemanly kiss on the back. It’s something I’ve seen from how Waevian noblemen greeted the ladies in their presence. “May I add that you look especially beautiful for the occasion?”

“You may,” the dark-haired princess answered. “And thank you. It’s a pleasure to meet you, too.”

“What a lovely pair you two make!” the queen cheered. “Oh, my love! Do you not think that Count da Silva ought to dance with Princess Eluna?”

Eluna looked from her stepmother to me rather unenthusiastically. “Well, uh…”

“She’d be honoured, Count da Silva!” I heard the king state rather loudly, catching the attention of those who sought to dance with the princess before. “Wouldn’t you, darling?”

The princess stiffened as her father smiled rather forcibly, but reluctantly took my hand I offered to her. “Lead the way, Count da Silva.”

Rather distraught, the other men left for the rest of the ballroom, seeking out other ladies’ hands. I held the princess’s delicate, gloved hand in mine and steered her to the middle of the floor. As if on cue, the lute was strung, and a jolly melody made everyone move to its rhythm. Eluna, too, started to move, but I stood still, pondering on how Waevians go about dancing. Their ways were stiff and formal, with a lot of jumping here and there, but men and women all remained in perfect posture. It was strange for me, even if I hadn’t danced in twenty years!

“Your grace?”

“Forgive me, your highness,” I told her and began steering her in a direction. “I was just bedazzled by your beauty, I had to take a moment to take it all in.”

She shifted uncomfortably as I placed my right hand on the small of her back and swayed her with a straight back to the melody. Maybe the compliment was too much? I thought all Waevian ladies appreciated the senseless flirtation aimed at them.

“You’re not much of a dancer, are you?”

“How vigilant of you, your highness,” I stated with an awkward chuckle. “I must confess that I do not enjoy this type of dancing that much.”

“How do they dance in Claethorpes, then?”

“Uh, well…” I swallowed. Claethorpes? To be frank, I have never known of a kingdom named Claethorpes in my whole life of existence! How am I supposed to know of dances that come from a place I didn’t even know existed? “It’s not as stiff and formal as it is here on the Isle, your highness.”

She hummed, not pressing for the conversation to continue. The situation itself wasn’t going according to the queen’s plan, as I had to win the princess’s trust to lead her away from the ballroom. Though, she’s not at all talkative. She wasn’t what I had expected. It was as if she did not want to be here in the first place.

“Your highness, forgive me if I come across bold,” I started to get her attention. “It seems you are rather uncomfortable. Would you rather have me to escort you to some place else?”

If I thought her spine was rigid before, it couldn’t compare to how she stiffened now.

“I…uh…” I heard her breathing accelerate. “Please, excuse me, your grace. I think I’ll need a minute of solitude.” With that, she turned around and left me standing in the middle of the dancefloor. I glanced over to the king and queen and shrugged at the queen, whose expression was asking ‘What have you done?’

Elune disappeared behind a small door next to a pillar, the sound of her closing it behind her startling the guests. A buzzing murmur soon filled the ballroom, but the king commanded everyone’s attention.

“Please forgive our princess, folks. As you all know of her bashfulness, I am sure the Count from Claethorpes’s wooing caused her to take a breather. Do not be startled and let the festivities continue, for she shall return soon!” Some of the noblewomen giggled behind gloved hands and the queen had a fake grin plastered on her face.

“Ah, to be young!” she quirked, making the crowd applaud and continue with the dancing.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Theo emerge with a serving platter. “Wine, your grace?”

I took another goblet from the platter. “Did you see where she disappeared?” I asked him.

“It’s a door which forms part of a labyrinth leading to the servants’ quarters,” he replied. “It’s where the casks of wine are kept. My guess is that the princess just needed a moment or two to herself.”

I sighed. The queen never mentioned that her stepdaughter had such a hard shell. How in the world has the Waevian king named such a shy person to become queen regnant of Waevia if she cannot even handle something as simple as dancing with a stranger?

“Keep a close eye on the door and signal me when she emerges,” I commanded him. “I need to apologise for being so forward with her.”

“What did you say to her?” Theo enquired curiously.

“I merely asked her if she wanted to be somewhere else and if I could escort her there?”

“You fool!” Theo whispered. “She might have thought that you had ulterior motives!”

I have ulterior motives. I was instructed to kill her, after all, yet I did not appear to be some psychopath, did I? I frowned, luckily concealed behind the golden mask, but as the thought of other types of ulterior motives dawned upon me, I mentally facepalmed. Of course! How ignorant of me to ask her that, while men take advantage of innocent young women like her, exist in this world?

“I see you’ve realised your mistake,” Theo teased. “I shall keep watch, your grace. Why don’t you try some of the food served? I assure you we won’t taste anything like this in the coming months.”

I waved Theo away, his thoughts always being of what he could put in his stomach, and drank from the goblet. Time is of the essence, and if the princess does not emerge from the door an hour before midnight, I might have to frighten her more by hunting her down. That, of course, is not something I wish to do.

All I must do now is to be patient…