Dragon's Only

6. Unexpected truth.. Part II

Debby's POV

I could see the room full of people of all ages wearing the most expensive attire they can afford. Abruptly all the buzz quiets down. All eyes are now looking at me. As I walk through to the centre of the room, I hear soft hush murmurs. Those piercing eyes are following me.

My father brings me to the centre to start off the father daughter dance. It's to embark the piece of news that I am now a member of the kingdom as well. My mother walks to the other part of the ball room. She is greeted with nods. The music begins. My father holds my hand and makes me look into his eyes. With an assured look he says, "Follow my lead. And hold your head high."

I don't know if he is saying for what comes next or for the dance posture. As we dance together I forget everything for a few moments as I enjoy twirling with my dad. When the music stops, we bow to each other. He takes my hand. I follow him accross the floor to my mother.

The ladies give us space to stand. They greet my father with a respectful bow, "Sir Richard Alexander." My father gives a curt nod. My mother steps in on the other side of my father. To which the ladies bow, "Milady Isabella."

Excusing themselves they move to the other group of people. While we stand sipping wine. I can hear one of the ladies in blue silvery gown. She is almost as old as my mother. I recognise her. She is one of my friends parent, Lady Arianna Gonsalves. "Poor child, she didn't get her gifts because of her mother." To which the other in middle age wearing a golden yellow gown replies, "Richard should never have married Isabella. He would have been better off with ..." Her name is Lady Elizabeth Sirius. We lock eyes together. She smiles nervously and nods. They both scurry away to the other side of the ball room.

The dinner is announced. The doors to the dining room opens. A huge table is set for all the nobel families. Plates with cutlery are ready. The buttler helps the Nobel's to their seats. The table is lit by tall candles making it a perfect romantic escapade. If only it was. My father sits at the end of the table. My mother sits at one side and I at the other side of the table. Beside me sits Lady Arianna and her husband, Sir Gonsalves. Beside my mother are seated Lady and Sir Sirius.

The table is packed with the families of Nobel. I notice none of the children of the families have made it to the ball. This is weird.

The butler announces the first course as waiters come to serve the starters. On a day when nothing is as it seems, I try to concentrate on my plate instead. I hear the Gonsalves couple whisper. The lady seems to point something out while the man is trying his best to hush her. She flatly ignores her husband and starts whispering with the lady at the opposite table, Lady Sirius. Sir Sirius doesn't seem to like his wife getting too comfortable with Lady Gonsalves' comments. Sir Sirius clears his throat. Lady Sirius gets the hint and withdraws to eating. Lady Gonsalves seems perturbed and consults with the Lady beside her. While I am watching them trying to hear what's the gossip that can't wait for Lady Gonsalves, I hear the cling of the glass. I look at my mother who is raising her glass to toast. All eyes on her, she says, "To all the guests for coming to my beloved daughter's Debutant Ball. May you all give her blessings as she steps into the society." Every one raises there glasses. At the end of the table one hears the murmurs begin again. I just raise my glass and smile at my mother then take a sip.

Before Lady Gonsalves could begin her conversation again, an old man sitting at the end of the table. He had this thin frame. I did not quiet recognise him. I think I have seen him only a couple of times at the King's court. He says, "To Sir Alexander for hosting this ball and inviting all the Nobel's families here." The table whispers, "Hear, hear."

His wife sitting next to him. She seems to eat his share of the portions too. She is half his height and round in physique. "You could have dropped the idea of the ball Sir Alexander." My father looks up. "We know your daughter took after your wife. She is devout of any abilities. Ain't the debutant ball held for fairies who gain abilities." She looks around for agreement around the table. Few look down, few just eat quietly, few dare to look up.

My father clears his throat, "I believe so. To answer your question you all were already invited. It would be impolite to cancel invitations at the last minute. Plus, we are celebrating our daughter's 16th birthday."

She continues, "However Sir don't you agree if only you had married.."

I hear a slam on the table. I look to the source, it was my father. "Not a word about Her Ladyship in her house. If you don't have the courtesy of being polite then you are not welcomed here." He shouts.

"I am just trying to say Sir, that your daughter is at a disadvantage here. If only you had consi.."

"Enough! I invited you to have a meal at my daughter's 16th birthday. If you don't want to eat and talk ill about my family on my face Mr Trance can show you the door. While you are at my house, I believe you will have the politeness Lady Isobel Regina!"

Sir Regina stood up bowing, "I am sorry Sir Alexander." He bows and pulls his wife along. They exit through the door. I can see my father fuming. His elemental beast seems just under his skin.

'Oh Dear! The dinner became bad to worse is no time.' I had just finished the starters. I nod to Mr Trance, our butler who has been serving us for generations now. He instantly comes to my side asking, "Would you like the next course Lady?"

I look at him, "Lady?" He smiles and nods, "Yes you are Milady." I smile back at the word and how it sounds on me. I nod yes. My father's focus has come back to the table. He is looking at me. I can't really understand why he looks at me with those expression. Something tells me this evening is far from over.

The next course is served. Lady Gonsalves is back to whispering while her husband tries to restrain her. My mother interrupts for the first time. "Lady Gonsalves, it seems you have something to say. Please share it with the whole table."

Lady Gonsalves looks at my mother confused for a second then regains herself quiet swiftly, "Oh nothing dear!"

My mother perks up one of the eyebrows at 'dear'. I am like 'O.o here we go round two.' She corrects herself, "What I mean my Lady, is that we are so sorry that Debby here didn't get her abilities. Poor child."

Lady Sirius adds in, "Yes, such a lovely child. But she will not stay in our kingdom." My eyes go wide. "What!"

My mother responds, "And why not?"

Lady Gonsalves adds, "You know without her abilities she has no place in our kingdom. And let's face the facts you will have to eventually move out of the kingdom with her. I am assuming you will move with your child."

My mother replies, "First, she is a late bloomer like me. Second, even if she doesn't get her abilities, she is and always will be royalty."

I look at my mother as my jaws seems to hit the ground, 'I am what now?'

Lady Gonsalves continues, "Common Lady you don't mean that! A royalty can't be without any abilities. She can't lead at all. She can't save us."

"I am sure she will be the most powerful fairy this Kingdom has seen since the last wars."

"Oh dear! Stop dreaming. Only humans dream. We fairies don't."

My mother seem to loose her cool. "Enough Lady Gonsalves! One more word of disrespect I will forget you were invited in my house."

Lady Gonsalves throws the napkin down. She stands so suddenly that the chair almost fell. She greets, "I don't stay at a place where I am insulted."

Another bang on the table. Geez! this time the plates and cutlery clatters off the table. I see my soup fountain up and back in the bowl. My father is red eyed. Those eyes rarely surfaces. Infact, the eyes become red only when he has lost his cool as well. And that never happens. I have always seen tinker abilities surface for my dad but never fire ability.

He loudly barks, "Sir Gonsalves keep your lady in check."

Lady Gonsalves simply huffs, "As if! Let's go dear these fairies don't know to respect their guests. Comeon everyone."

"Anybody leaving this table with Lady Gonsalves is conspiring mutiny to the crown." My father just gives an angry glare to all.

'The crown? Royalty? what is going on. What will the King and Queen say to it?'

I am confused. I look at all the men sitting at the table with their heads down. They seem to be frozen at their place. Sir Gonsalves shakes his head looking down. He seems to abandon his wife. The other ladies at the table are as much confused as I am. However, they just follow their husbands' lead. All just look down.

Lady Gonsalves pokes her husband, "Why are you not leaving with me. What can mere nobles do. Even we are Nobel's. Well, if they leave we get a seat of theirs. What's so wrong in that. They anyways seem so high and mighty. All these centuries I have been here, I have only seen them in their high seats"

Sir Gonsalves gets up from his table. He kneels. 'He Kneels!' He says, "Your Highness, I am extremely sorry for my wife's misbehaviour."

My father responds, "So you have been waiting to claim my seat?"

Lady Gonsalves says, "What's so wrong with that."

Sir Gonsalves stands up and hits his wife hard on her cheeks. So hard that she falls down. Her hair is ravaged. She looks as evil as her words. Her expression turns to her husband, "Why?"

Sir Gonsalves nearly seethes through his teeth, "Know your place woman! Apologize to His Highness. Now!"

"I won't. What is wrong in what I said? It's true most of the ladies want that high seat."

My father interrupts, "Name the ladies!"

"I am not answering to You."

Her husband says, "Yes! You are. You are answering any questions asked to you by His Highness. Answer Now!" he shouts.

"Lady Isobel Regina and Lady Elizabeth Sirius."

My father nods to Mr. Trance, "Call Sir and Lady Regina back." Mr Trance exits and comes back after a few Ehns.

Sir Regina looks at the situation immediately falls to his feet, "Mercy your highness."

My father says, "You knew?"

Everyone is quite.

My father continues, "What are you apologising for?"

He seems to be at a loss for words.

"Repeat what you said Lady Gonsalves!" my father barks orders.

"Speak you wretched woman!" Sir Gonsalves continues.

Lady Gonsalves looks so lost, "Í think it's high time that these Nobel's..."

"Which Nobels?" my father adds.

"You Sir and your woman, the Lady is brought to their knees. We feel you abuse your power and show off how high and mighty you are."

"Who agrees with you?" Sir Gonsalves adds.

This time lady Regina stands her ground, "I do."

"And what about you Lady Sirius?" my father asks.

With a weakened voice she says, "I don't Your Highness."

Lady Sirius and Lady Gonsalves look betrayed.

"No men is to answer my next question." All the men in the room nod. "Do your husband's agree with you? If they do, you will be excused and granted mercy and jewels for being truthful."

The men look confused.

My father adds, "If the ladies speak the truth, I will see to it that their husbands are guaranteed a high place in the court house with more power and riches."

Lady Regina took the opportunity, "Yes! Your Highness."

"What about you Lady Gonsalves?" my father questions.

"No! Sadly my husband is too low not to want high places. It's me who wants it. Can you promise it to give me Sir Alexander?"

My father flicks his finger at Mr. Trance and laughs a loud laugh. It thunders across the room as well jolting every body that hits the sound waves. A few warriors appear and cuff Lady Regina, Lady Gonsalves, Lady Sirius. Lady Sirius tries to break the cuffs, "Why me?"

My mother says sternly, "You will be further questioned."

Lady Gonsalves shouts, "This is wrong! I was promised." She looks at my dad who just sits and smirks.

I haven't seen this side of my father at all.

"Take the Sirs too please Mr.Trance."

Mr Trance replies, "Yes, Your Highness."

As the room clears my father address everyone at the table. "Well, that was one uneventful evening. I hope mistakes won't be repeated again." He looks at a the Sirs in the room. All the men nod and look down.

"Mr. Trance please call the carriages and have our guests a small token of gift to celebrate the memorable 16th birthday of my lovely daughter."

Mr. Trance goes to arrange. My father comes by my side to lead me out of the room. My mother follows.

We reach the bedroom. My mother closes the door helps me get the dress and makeup off my face. "Dear, we néed to talk. It looks like there are things I can't protect you from unless you know about yourself more."