Long Live The Queen

Chapter 2 - The Ball

Everything was ready. To be honest, Jonathan always looked forward to these parties. On top of all the dancing and young girls fit-to-be-wed, there were narcotics and booze, and it was the one chance that many of them got to have a decent meal. Jonathan enjoyed watching starving people eat. They would make themselves suffer all at the one chance they had to be a glutton.

Jonathan’s cruel hazel eyes watched as servants and slaves got the ballroom ready from his throne. The last-minute preparations such as food were being laid out on big, gilded tables. The band that was going to be playing was setting up their equipment on the stage on the far left of the giant ballroom.

Already guests were arriving, servants showing them to rooms so that the ladies could freshen up from their travels and change. Jonathan was dressed in a simple black tuxedo, with red trimming. His hair was styled in a loose fashion around his shoulders, falling in thick cascades around his deceptively beautiful face.

He always looked forward to these balls. Picking out his next victim, there was something sickening satisfying about it. And the whispers that shrouded his mind grew listless with the mere thought. The next walking corpse bride.

He stood and stretched, his hand reaching and was met with White Man, holding out a goblet of wine the color of blood.

"Ah...good ghoul." Jonathan sighed happily, taking a sip appreciatively. "Bitter. Just like me." He let out a soft laugh. It was rare he was in a good enough mood to let himself slip into jovial tribulations. But tonight, was his favorite night of the year. It was like Christmas... but better. And what made it even more splendid... is that it was a full moon.

There would be plenty of entertainment tonight.

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Iris and Breon had left Windyna at home, for her own safety. If she, who was part Elven, showed her inhuman face to the Mad King she would be locked away in his castle for the rest of her days. At least that's what the rumors said about non-humans making their way into Jonathan's castle.

It was a two day's ride by horseback to the castle, and Breon and Iris had gone slowly. They wanted to be late as possible for the ball would be the evening they arrived. While most guests had opted to arrive a day early and rest - Iris had a little more stamina thanks to her Fae blood. However, she was worried about her father.

"When we get there, we will try to bypass the king, and go straight to the chambers assigned to us to change. We will take as long as possible to get to the ball. If King Jonathan sees us at least once, no matter how brief, he won't be able to say we did not attend." Breon was reminding his daughter, the royal city looming head of them.

"I know father." Iris sight softly. Since the moment the messenger had come into their house announcing the Queen's death, her mother and father had been drilling her. Plans, rehearsals, how not to act. Her parents had been getting intel on King Jonathan's interest in women from a family friend in the castle - but Iris did not think it would help.

Her biggest disadvantage was her fae blood, making her prettier than the average human girl. Not that Iris thought this about herself, it's just something she had been told. And reactions of suitors all her life told her that her beauty could be a dangerous thing. She was noticeable, she was going to stick out.

Jonathan liked obedient women who were easy to break. Iris had to act strong, stronger, and more independent than she'd ever been. All the while, not quite being disobedient enough to get a death sentence. Iris looked up at the dark sky, as the royal city that had once been brilliant and beautiful drew closer. She could feel the evil getting thicker and thicker as they rode on, pressing deeper into a cloud of malevolence that only she could feel.

Despite her mother and father's plans, conviction and determination, Iris Santanero knew she was not leaving that castle tonight or tomorrow... or ever again. She felt it in her gut, and as the wind howled in her ears, she silent sent a farewell to all those she knew back home...

Upon reaching the palace they were ushered into two bedrooms to change, and Iris could not help the fear that snaked through her as she showered and changed into her outfit in the room alone. Every noise made her jump as if she were afraid the king would walk in on her at the very moment.

She knew it was useless to be afraid, but she could not help it. Iris was very much attracted to the thought of living her life out and growing old one day.

Maybe he won't choose me like Mother says he might. Maybe he'll look right over me this time. She looked in the mirror at the black dress she'd chosen. It was simple, and it was dark like her hair. Her pale skin and golden eyes popped in it, but her golden eyes popped out attractively no matter what color she wore - even gold. There was nothing she could do but choose the simplest dress she had.

She just prayed the other girls might have followed suit - thinking about their own potential graves to be dug. A black dress in a sea of colors would certainly stand out. But this was not a fairytale ball. The one where the girls wanted to be a belle. Iris was sure she was not going to be the only one in black or wearing a simple dress.

She exited the room after making sure her curly hair fell in her face a little more than usual and was relieved to see her father waiting for her next to the door.

"Daddy..." she murmured and Breon held his arm out to his beautiful child, wincing at the sight of her. Even dressed for death, she stood out elegantly, like a black rose in a garden. Sir Breon had a sinking feeling in his stomach but there was nothing that he could do. Their absence had been noticed last time and it was a risk this night of having his entire village slaughtered by the Mad King.

Iris knew the risk. And she agreed. If she hadn't agreed for the safety of their village, Breon would have risked sneaking her out of the country instead. But there was nothing he could do to protect his brave, beautiful daughter. He simply had to pray and pray hard that she would be missed by the King's lustful and cruel gaze.

Upon entering the ballroom, much to both of their dismay, they were announced, and at the Santanero name, King Jonathan looked up - feeling pleased that his threat had been heeded about that noble family showing up for this affair.

His gaze fell on them briefly, glimpsing over them vaguely. Jonathan almost mistook Iris for plain, as her head was low, and her hair covered her eyes. But her gaze shifted in the slightest as she made her way down the stairs gracefully, trying to keep from falling over the form-fitting dress that she wore. She had a nice body, but it wasn't that that caught his attention. It was the smallest glimpse of her golden eyes that he caught, and immediately he wanted to know more.

But he would be patient. After all, there was literally a kingdom's worth of women here to choose from.

When Breon saw the King's gaze rise and fall on them, a small ray of hope blossomed in his heart. Maybe the king did not notice her. Maybe they could go home together after all, and he could tell Windyna that they could breathe until the next time...

He led his daughter to the food table and nodded at her.

"Eat. While you have the chance," he said softly. "It will be a good reason to keep your head down."

Iris nodded. The last thing she wanted to do was eat - not while her mother was going without back at home. But she did want to keep her head down, and her father was right. It wouldn't attract attention, and she could keep her face down where it could not be noticed either.

Her golden eyes scanned the table, and the amount of food that sat there made her sick looking at it. All around her, nobles and noblewomen were putting food high on their plates, the ballroom filled with chattering. Most of the girls here looked relaxed, and Iris could not fathom, as she noticed that the girls had dressed beautifully in bright colors.

Maybe she shouldn't have chosen the most depressing dress she owned. But what astounded Iris further was the laughter and ease that these people walked with. This was her first time, and her golden eyes went to her father, face furrowed.

"I don't understand, how can they be so relaxed, knowing that one of them is going to get their death sentence?" She whispered to her father, and Breon looked down at his daughter.

"Because none of them have the gift of premonition in their house telling them their doom. And look at the number of women here. It may not seem like a ball from decades past when allied kingdoms would come with their princesses and nobles, however... there are over 150 noble families here in our Kingdom, and of the families, approximately 133 have daughters - or more than one daughter. King Jonathan only chooses one at a time. They are all confident that they will not be chosen." Breon answered her softly, placing some fresh berries on his daughter's plate.

"So... basically I am doomed," Iris mumbled, and Breon shook his head.

"The future is never set in stone just because there was a premonition." He encouraged her. "Though, had I known you were going to dress for a funeral instead of a ball, I'd have warned you otherwise."

"I didn't think the women here would be cheerfully dressed. This ball is basically a death sentence..." Iris responded, sighing, picking up one of the berries, and putting it in her mouth.

It was the first time she'd had fresh fruit since she was 14 years old. The juices exploded in her mouth, and she couldn't help but close her eyes and enjoy it, despite the fact she wondered where it came from and why nobody else had fresh vegetables or fruit.

"You should try some of the meat next... it's simply to die for." A silk voice whispered through her ears and Iris' golden orbs shot open as she felt her father stiffen next to her.

"Your Majesty..." Breon mumbled, bowing his head.

"Breon. Welcome. I see you got my message from last time. Tell me, who is this succulent angel next to you?" Jonathan had made his way over without being noticed, after having amused the greedy noble who had sought his attention.

"My daughter...Iris." Breon said defeatedly, watching as Jonathan's hazel eyes ran down his daughter's form, and back up as if he were sizing her up. Iris curtseyed to the king, keeping her eyes down, her heart pounding in her ears as terror ran through her.

"Your Majesty. How do you do?"

"It won't do for a woman to look down like that. Look at me when you're addressing me. I demand it." Jonathan sneered, and Iris looked up at him, her eyes narrowing as anger coiled deep through her gut. Never once in her life had she been spoken to that way - but then again, her mother had warned her.

When her golden eyes met his, Jonathan could see the turbulence behind them, and he smiled - though it did not reach his eyes.

"That's better. What pretty eyes. And pale skin. You are gorgeous." The king said appreciatively, and Iris fought the repulsion that crawled through her body, making her want to leave her own skin.

"Thank you." She said stiffly, and Jonathan laughed.

"You don't know how to take a compliment?" He asked, curious of the girl, his hand waving up to dismiss Breon silently. Breon hesitantly moved further away - but he stayed close enough that Iris could see him, the feeling of doom settling on his shoulders.

So, Windyna was right... the first time Iris met the King she had caught his eye.

"I know how to take a compliment - but I have never gotten one from a King before. Do excuse me." Iris said, taking a deep breath. It didn't matter what the drills and practices that her mother and father had tried to teach her - she had to improvise now.

"Smart answer. You don't like me, do you?" Jonathan was perceptive - no one could ever deny him this. He appeared to have an intuition that rivaled the most brilliant of predators. But how was Iris to respond? Her first instinct was to turn and run - or perhaps tell this man exactly what she thought of him.

But she had to be smart, she wanted to live. And even if he continued to speak with her, she knew even if he chose her, she would have a year - at the least.

"I don't know you well enough to know if I like you or not." Iris settled on an answer relatively quickly and Jonathan laughed, this time the smile reaching his eyes.

"Oh, but you do know of me." He purred, and Iris let her face fall blank.

"Everyone in this world has heard of the Mad King Jonathan." She answered dully, and the smile fell from Jonathan's lips, though his eyes twinkled with mirth.

"Is that what they are calling me?"

"I feel as if you already knew that. This talk is idle. I'm not a fan of it." Iris hated how he was trying to portray himself - it was all menace. Like a cat playing with a mouse. Iris would not be a mouse. The surge of defiance in her was a new sensation, the anger running raw in her. This maniac enjoyed killing women, and she wasn't about to be toyed with.

"Oh, straight forward. Not often are people brave enough for that with me." Jonathan was enjoying the conversation. This one was different. This one might actually entertain him for a while.

"I'm not most people, Your Majesty."

"Well... I'm very glad about that. Perhaps you'll entertain me for a while before I give some other pretty girl a chance to catch my interest." Jonathan was enjoying this girl. It was rare that a girl would not either simply turn to tremble at his attention or throw themselves at him. Most women only knew of the two methods of survival when it came to him, though neither of them worked. At the end of the day, they were all his toys to hurt and maim.

"You're the host of this ball, are you not supposed to be entertaining me instead?" Iris answered before she could stop herself, the sarcasm leaking into her voice. She hated him. She hated the feeling of pure evil he radiated. Something about it seemed off, and for the smallest moment, she thought she smelt the rotten egg smell of sulfur when he laughed.

King Jonathan was only a mere human, but the evil that rolled off him in waves was thicker than any evil any ordinary malevolent human Iris had ever met. Jonathan grinned and offered his arm.

"Oh, worry not, pretty maiden. Because there will be entertainment. Join me... I shall lead the masses outside. I have a show that everyone will want to see. I think you'll enjoy it."

Jonathan waved his hand to the announcer of the ball, and it wasn't long before the man's voice was booming for everyone to exit the back doors of the ballroom, to the connecting courtyard. Iris' eyes went to her father helplessly, as she had no choice but to slip her slender hand into the crook of his elbow.

Breon followed a few paces behind, wondering what the Mad King had in store. When they exited the ballroom onto the courtyard, the moon not yet quite at its peak, he led Iris to the far side of the large area.

Iris could not help but turn her head from side to side in horror. To her left and right, gilded golden cages held 4 men and 2 women. The people inside were naked, most of them sitting or curled up on the floor of their individual cages, eyes blankly staring or closed. Upon closer inspection, she noticed that one man and one woman both had fuzzy pointed ears poking out of their hair, instead of normal human ears. The woman had white ears, and a fluffy white tail wrapped around her as she covered herself up as best she could with it. The man had a long thin black tail, and he sat with his knees to his chest, his ankles crossed, his black ears flat against his head, staring at King Jonathan with hatred.

They knew they were being watched, and as the courtyard filled up, Jonathan called for silence.

"Tonight, I have a special treat for everyone..." he called out. "To start the festivities, I give you all... my personal sacred ritual of the full moon. The creatures you see before you are were-beasts of two kinds: The beautiful and mysterious were-cat, and the infamously strong and aggressive werewolves..." He paused for a dramatic effect, and Iris fought back the grimace she felt taking over her face. Those poor creatures had absolutely no dignity or control. Iris pitied them so much that her heart ached.

"Inside those cages, they cannot change at will - but no were-beast can resist the pull of the full moon. And tonight, you shall see them all in their greatest glory. Do try not to get too close to the cages. While in human form... they're quite docile. It's a different story when they shift..."

Iris looked up at the sky, her face as expressionless as possible as the dread filled her. These poor creatures are on display. He gets off on their humiliation. and pain. Iris thought to herself, noticing that Jonathan was watching her, a little annoyed he could not read her emotions so easily as he could the girls he usually toyed with at these events.

"What do you think?" He asked, trying to feel her aggravation.

"Are these the only creatures you...own?" Iris said the last word hesitantly - uncertain if that was the correct term. She did her best to keep the venom from it, but she was afraid that it would be noticeable.

"Oh, no dear Iris. These are just a few. I keep the best of the best for my eyes only... and perhaps the eyes of my future bride." He said, smiling.

"What a lucky girl that will be," Iris responded, and Jonathan couldn't help but laugh.

"What a smart ass." He mused and Iris looked over at him, half tempted to knee him in the stomach. The evil cloud he radiated was making her feel sick to her stomach - and she felt dirty being connected to him with her hand.

"How long now do we have for this spectacle? I've heard were-beasts and full moons are not something people usually survive." She wanted it to hurry up and be over with, and she prayed she came off as anxious to see the transformation.

"Any second now..." Jonathan smiled, as the moon continued to rise steadily into the sky...