The Queen

Chapter 1

The red dress bellows out as a maid turns me again, checking the way the bodice fits and the way my dress caresses my figure. A fitting once again for another ball is the least of my worries. What concerns me the most is the men waiting inside that ball room, more specifically the prince of Abria.

He's said to be the best suitor in all the land, yet the rumors of his many women, luxurious lifestyle and rude manners leaves me wanting to try on another dress, not that I'd be allowed to with the ball being a mere hour away from beginning.

"Atraya." I hear my name being called as I'm being guided to another room to get my hair and make-up done. I normally don't go through all this fuss but it's tradition to look ones best when trying to appeal to a suitor. It doesn't even matter if my mother had just passed and that I was only given the crown a few weeks ago, all the nations focus is on me marrying and becoming queen.

They won't dare give me the crown without a husband and Nathaniel from Abria seems to be the only option in which to accomplish such a goal. I hated the weight of the rules and restrictions of Dacra but the laws were written long ago and like my parents always said, tradition must be passed down and inherited for it is from our ancestors and the ones who first discovered our great nation. We must pay tribute to them by upholding their values.

My mother was finicky about this in particular, while my father was always too busy running a country to ever give me context to this and why my mother believed so strongly in what our ancestors bestowed upon us. We could have been commoners had it not been for our ancestors wealth, greed and power.

I won't ever tell anyone as I never have but when I was a little girl, I had once dreamed of a simple life, with a regular man and a family that would live in the country side. I know this not to be my fate but as the staff ushers me out of my chair and to the ball room, I feel my heart jump as the doors open and I'm welcomed in.

I see many familiar faces over the years I've attended such gatherings and greet many of them. It isn't until I spot a man wearing a royal uniform that I feel myself tense up. The man is clearly the one I'm meant to meet and to marry, yet my hand shakes as he walks up and asks me for a dance.

I take a breath before placing my hand in his as he leads me onto the floor. "You're even more stunning in real life." "You've seen pictures of me?" I ask as he smiles. "They do you no justice." I feel his hand on my waist slide down, about to reach lower when I spin out of his hold. "Atraya!" He calls out as I smile and politely tell him that I must greet the other guests.

I do shake hands with a few more people, when I spot a man in dark clothing and wearing armor. I can't quite get a good look at him as the swarm of people keep blocking my view as I walk towards him. Who is this man and how did he get in here?

I get close enough to see him briefly bow to Nathaniel before talking to him in a hushed tone. I take a few more steps closer and see a tanned man, with curled black hair, brown eyes and blood on his face from a split lip.

He appears to have just been in battle as I now take note of the visible dirt on his clothes. "Don't threaten me!" I hear Nathaniel say to him as the man gives him another bow, with a nod of his head. "I'm sorry your highness." "It won't happen again." "You bet it won't happen again."

I could tell he's about to discipline or exile his knight, until he looks around and sees that I'm paying attention. "Atraya." "I didn't see you there." "Clearly." I whisper under my breath. I walk towards them as I see the knight avoiding eye contact, while Nathaniel is brazen with his gaze as he looks me over.

"I do apologize for interrupting your night." "Don't be, it's been quite a bore really." He finally looks at me as I say this. His brown eyes are dull and lifeless, yet as he stares at me, they seem to darken. "Your name?" "Excuse me your majesty, I'm Cirian." "Cirian." I say as he takes my hand and kisses it. "Atraya."

"May I invite you to share a dance with me?" His eyes widen, as does Nathaniel's as he steps in front of him. "Cirian really should get going, he needs to settle some matters within the troops." "It's nothing that can't wait till tomorrow." I take Cirian's hand as I reach behind Nathaniel. I see the prince suck in a breath of air at our closeness before I take Cirian from behind him.

I feel a slight tugging as I walk towards the middle of the room, under the brightest lights in the room, the chandelier. I motion for one of the staff to dim the lights as the focus is suddenly drawn to us as everyone dances. "Your majesty." "It's still your highness until I marry." I correct him as I wanted him to see me as someone closer to his level and not a queen.

"I should listen to his highness." "I do need to check on the troops and my fellow knights." "I'm sure the other knights can handle it for one night." I place my hand on his shoulders as he reluctantly places his hands on my hips. I slowly move my hands up until I feel the bare skin around his neck.

I see him shiver as my thumb rubs at some blood on his neck. "You shouldn't, I'm dirty." "I'd say you're quite the opposite." "The way the other men look at me isn't desired by me, yet the way you're looking at me now... it's an innocence I haven't seen in a man in a long time."

"Innocence?" He questions as I look at the dirt and blood that covers him. It's true that he isn't innocent in the traditional sense but I could see with just one glance that a woman has yet to take interest in him. His confidence hasn't matured and been distorted like the rest of them.

"I really shouldn't be dancing with you." "I'm not qualified." "You're actually the most qualified here." The soft music continues as I relish in his warm hold as I pull him closer. He seems to finally accept the situation at hand as his arms wrap around me, holding me close.

Everyone else in the room fades away as we dance, no one daring to interrupt. "You're warm." He says into my ear as I shiver. "You've yet to hold a woman." I say and while he doesn't respond, I know it to be the truth.

His tall and muscular physique is perfect, even at my short stature. His hold isn't one of strength either as it feels like comfort, of a duty to protect. I admire it as the song ends and I look up at him as his hand reaches out, taking a piece of my curly blonde hair and twirling it before he realizes what he's doing and steps away.

He bows slightly again as everyone starts to clap. It looks as if he's about to make a run for it, when I speak up. "Stay." Everyone hears it, as well as him as he halts his footsteps. He turns around and I smile at him before a horn is sounded as I expect midnight has come and I'm meant to now choose my husband.

I can see everyone's anticipation as I take the few steps up onto a platform as the room is quiet, except the hushed whispers that seem to be shared between Nathaniel and Cirian. I thought about giving a speech to lead up to who will be my husband but as I look at Nathaniel and Cirian, my own anger increases, especially when I see the prince take a hold of his arm firmly.

"Cirian, knight to Abria." I say as Nathaniel lets go of him immediately as everyone's eyes go to Cirian. "Your majesty?" One of the princesses ask as I've said nothing before saying his name. "He's to be my husband and Dacras king."

The whispers start as everyone turns to each other, while Nathaniel is the only one to voice his thoughts. "You can't take a knight as your husband." "Why not?" "Do you think him incapable?" "Did you knight the wrong man and now see the error of your ways?" He's now put on the spot as he laughs. "Of course not." "He's very capable."

I smile, knowing he won't dare say his judgement is impaired, not with everyone here. "Your majesty." Cirian says this time. "Your highness is right." "I can't be your husband." "Who says?" "The people." Nathaniel says with a smirk as I stifle all the lessons, rules and stipulations that were drilled into me from a young age.

"They'll understand." "They'll accept him." I say confidently as only I can hear the slight waver in my voice as doubt clouds my mind. Will they really accept them? Can they go against years of tradition and sacrifice?

Nathaniel's smile broadens as he walks up to me and whispers in my ear. "We'll see about that, just remember it takes months to plan a wedding and if you find it difficult, you can always come crawling back to me." Nathaniel turns around to leave but not before shoving past Cirian.

Everyone silently watches as I smile and walk towards Cirian. His foot steps back as I reach him. He looks around the room as if he isn't the center of attention at this given moment. I take his hand and he looks down, surprised as I lead him up the few steps, before turning him around to face everyone, with his hand in mine.

We bow to everyone in respect and as our heads come up, the cheers erupt as the clapping begins. Cirian looks nervous as he stands beside me, before we step down and are greeted by many in congratulations.

Cirian practically sticks to my side as we're surrounded by people. He doesn't necessarily pay attention to me either as we accept each toast and words of advice. The duke of Sneador is one of the few who takes his time wishing us the best.

He holds up his glass and clinks it with ours before leaning into Cirian's ear ans whispering something to him. I see Cirian's grip on the glass tighten until it breaks in his hand. "Cirian!" I gasp as the duke has a small smile. "I do wish you the best."

"You're bleeding." I take his hand as he stares at me, observing me as I call one of the waiters over to give me something to wrap it. I do so carefully and don't even see Cirian wince as I tighten it. "We should get this cleaned up." "No need." He says coldly as a maid comes over to clean up the glass and blood.

"What did he say?" "You shouldn't have to hear it, nor do I wish to repeat the foul things he said." "Tell me." I place a hand on his shoulder, wanting him to know I'm not ordering him, that I'm asking as his fiance.

"He said..." His teeth clench as he turns slightly away from me. "He said I could never please a woman such as yourself, that he's counting the days until you're begging for Nathaniel to come back." "He's wrong and I won't." I say to eradicate any doubt he may have.

"What if he isn't?" "That man has always worked with Abria and his alliance to Nathaniel runs deep." "I'd be surprised if he didn't make a comment or tried to sway one or both of our minds." "You just can't listen to him." "Why not?" "I never asked for this."

I see his anger and know now that we need to discus this in private. I tap my glass as everyone's conversations quiet down. "This evening has been a joyous event but alas the night must end." "I do hope you visit soon and send me invites to the next party." I smile as everyone starts to leave until the only ones left in the room is my soon to be husband and I.

"Why?" He breaks the silence as I face the door in which everyone left. "Why?" I ask him as I turn around, trying to play coy. "Nathaniel is who you were supposed to choose." "He was already being written up in the papers for being engaged to the next queen of Dacra."

"I'm supposed to go to war, to fight for the men we lost in the last battle." "I'm supposed to be by Rens side, telling him he'll make it even though the bullet wound is deep and most likely won't be able to be taken out." "I'm supposed to listen to his royal highness talk about how badly of a knight I am, even though I'm his first choice every time to lead the men out and onto the battle field."

I could feel the guilt sink in, yet as I looked at him, I knew my selfishness would come before his desires. "You're different." "Not only that but I felt my heart for the first time on years." "Not only is it racing in your mere presence but as you held me, I felt safe as my heart beat slowed and I basked in your comfort." "To put it simply, I felt something while dancing with you, in which I didn't feel with anyone else, not even Nathaniel."

"Did I ask for that?" "Did I ask for your care, for your heart and for a place by your side?" "Did I ask to be king?" I walk towards him and lean into his ear. "No but be sure to remember that you're mine."

I see the his body shiver as he pushes me away. "I don't want to be yours." "All this defiance for your soon to be queen, where is it coming from?" "It's coming from the man you just made into your fiance."

He storms off, walking up the stairs as I'm left smiling. I know he didn't mean to say it with how angry he must be but he finally admitted to being betrothed to me.

I run after him but not before chucking off my high heel shoes. The staff picks them up as I take off up the stairs. It isn't until I'm a few feet behind him that I stop and wait for what he'll do.

He comes across the landing as there's three hallways to choose from. I tap my chin curiously as he finally goes down the center one. The hallway that leads to my bedroom. Could he be doing this on purpose? Could he have planned to sweep me off my feet in such a way and is now going to lure me into my own bedroom?

My thoughts are proven wrong as he stops at the end door, my door and huffs. "If you're going to follow me, can you at least show me to a room?" "I can." I walk past him and open my bedroom door. He walks inside as he tries to shut the door but I catch it and walk in with him.

He turns around, with a frown on his face. "Why did you come in?" "This is my room." I walk over to the bed and sit on it. "Would you like to join me my prince?" "I'm-I'm not a prince." "You're right, you're a king." I move myself further up the bed and lay down as I beckon him over. I see redness touch his cheeks as he blushes.

He then huffs once again before shaking his head. He turns around and heads for the door. The thud sounds off the walls as he shuts the door and I hear a door opening to the right. He must be taking up one of the spare rooms.

I sigh as I lay in my bed. Today had been quite fun and even if my fiance is reluctant now, I'm sure he soon won't be. I'll need a plan and a way to truly convince him that being king comes with it's own benefits. The first gift I can bestow upon him is the knights and troops as they'll help with the battle Abria is currently facing, the only problem is getting Nathaniel to accept our help.

I assume he'll still be reluctant to talk to me, let alone have the man who stole his "queen" in his palace. The solution in which to convince my soon to be husband is limited though. He seems to care of nothing but Nathaniel, his knights and men. I'll start there but eventually I'll need to branch out and let him be interested in me.

To see my palace as a kingdom and not a prison. To see his queen as a woman and not a ruler. I will need to ease into this but truth be told I'm more then happy that my future husband isn't Nathaniel. The problem now lies with in his agreement to accept his roll, to change the peoples minds and to break a tradition and the stipulations that have been been passed down through every generation. It can't be that hard, can it?