Rogue agents 1: The prima ballerina (Completed)

A crown and a dragon

*Ryan*

I can feel the heat radiating from the king’s gaze, scorching enough to make me squirm. The air in the throne room is thick with tension, and I’m suddenly very aware of how all eyes are on me… Sebastian's, Karolina's, even Holly's, they might . It’s like being under a spotlight, and I’m not sure whether to bask in it or run for cover.

“Your Majesty,” I manage to stammer, but the king’s smile widens, and I can almost hear a sinister chuckle bubbling beneath his regal facade. I feel like a fish out of water, gasping for a breath of normalcy in this royal aquarium.

“Mr. Fox, you’ve made quite the entrance,” he says, his deep voice dripping with mock amusement. “You and your friends look as if you just walked here through the desert. Perhaps you all need some time to… freshen up before we continue?”

I glance at Sebastian. He’s wearing that stoic expression that means he’s ready to handle whatever comes next. I wish I could share that confidence. Karolina’s eyes are wide with concern, and I can practically hear her thoughts racing. Holly stands next to her, arms crossed, but there’s a glimmer of mischief in her gaze. Great, just what I need.

“Very well, Your Majesty. We would appreciate that greatly,” Sebastian replies, bowing slightly again, as if he’s trying to be the adult in this bizarre situation. “Lead us to our quarters.”

As if on cue, two servants step forward, and I can’t help but notice how they avoid making eye contact with me. They guide Karolina and Holly away, and a pang of worry twists in my gut. I want to call out to Karolina, to tell her that everything will be fine, but the words get stuck in my throat. Instead, I’m ushered with Sebastian towards another set of doors.

“Come on, let’s get this over with,” he mutters, his voice low as we’re led into a lavish guest chamber. The room is extravagant, decorated with silk drapes and plush cushions, but my attention is immediately drawn to a steaming stone bath set into the floor, steam curling up like a welcoming embrace.

“Nice digs,” I say, trying to inject some levity into the situation. “I guess the royal treatment includes bath time?”

Sebastian rolls his eyes but can’t suppress a smile. “Shut it, Ryan. We need to talk.”

Those damn servants all but pull the clothes of us, and I have to shoo them out of the room or they would have started washing us too, and there is no way that is gonna happen.

Once the servants leave, the door clicks shut with a finality that makes my stomach lurch. I can’t escape now. I slump against the edge of the bath, the warm steam enveloping me. A hot bath is nice, but it does little to ease the anxiety gnawing at my insides.

“Alright, spill,” Sebastian demands, crossing his arms. “What the hell is going on? The king seemed… Kinda happy to see you.”

I take a deep breath, trying to find the words. “Maybe the king kind of wants me to marry his daughter?”

“Maybe?” He says, his eyes narrowing.

“Okay… He does.” I roll my eyes. “He wants me to marry his daughter, which is why I fleed the country and did not want to return.”

Sebastian’s eyes widen, and then he bursts out laughing. “You’re kidding me, right? Is she, like, old?

I shake my head, “If anything she is a bit young, 19-20 I think.”

“So she is fat then… a total hippo,” he raises a brow.

“No… also That’s rather offensive Seb,” I tell him. “She is perfectly curvy in the right places.”

He kinda shrug, “So she is ugly then… that is why you ran.”

I scoff, throwing my hands up in mock offense. “Ugly? Absolutely not… she’s stunning..known for her beauty in fact.”

Sebastian laughs, but the sound fades, when he sees my face and he raises an eyebrow again. “So, you’re telling me you’re in a royal relationship with a beautiful princess? But you ran away… Is this some sort of twisted fairytale?”

“More like a nightmare,” I mutter, pinching the bridge of my nose. “I didn’t ask for any of this. I do not want to marry the princess or be a pawn in a royal game.”

“Do you even know her?” Sebastian asks, his expression shifting from amusement to genuine concern. “Why does the king want you… no offence but… why does he want you to marry his daughter.”

“Not really. I have only really met her once…” I trail off, the weight of my predicament pressing down on me. “Soo, I was kinda discovered in her room… and the king demanded we got married…”

Sebastian grins again, “you sly dog you… you where knocking boots with the princess.”

I groan, “No…” I sigh. “I snug in to steal something, I did not know she was there… she had slipped away from the ball to meet her actual lover… I was the one who got caught.”

Sebastian leans back, considering my words. “I guess we need a plan, If the king will really push for this marriage, we need him to tell of the connection to Venice first.”

“Right. Because it’s not intimidating at all risking to be forced down the isle,” I reply, sarcasm dripping from my voice. “What am I supposed to do? Walk up to the king and say, ‘Hey, Your Majesty, thanks for the lovely offer of marrying your daughter, but I’m kind of busy with my life back home… and you see this stunning girl, I am kinda trying to get with her?’”

“So you are trying to get in Karolina’s tutu?” Sebastian chuckles, but it’s short-lived. “You’re going to have to face him sooner or later. And maybe… just maybe…this princess could be your best ally in all this.”

I shrug, letting the steam wrap around me like a comforting blanket. “Or she could be my worst nightmare… I am not really sure how she feels about it… I was not allowed to talk to her.”

“Maybe we should try and get to talk to her?” Sebastian presses, his tone half-serious.

I consider it for a moment, trying to figure out how to swing it.

“Alright,” I say, determination creeping into my voice. “Let’s see what this princess is all about. But if I’m going to be a prince, I demand a crown, a sword, and maybe a dragon or two. If I’m going to be in this fairytale, I want it to be a good one.”

Sebastian shakes his head, a grin breaking through. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think you might actually pull this off.”

“Hey, just wait until I get my royal wardrobe,” I reply, a smirk creeping onto my face. “I have a feeling I’d rock a cape.”

As we share a laugh, I can’t help but think that maybe, just maybe, I’ll find a way to get out of this, and without loosing my chance with Karolina.