Allerleirauh

Chapter 2

2

“The König wishes to dance with you, princess.” I felt Lord Haven’s touch on my shoulder as he nudged me toward my father’s extended hand. Usually, most of my time during my father’s balls was spent in the shadows of the grand hall sipping on the provided punch or eating pieces of the fruit provided on long silver trays scattered among tables. The tables were decorated with tall golden candelabras, and long streams of white and blood-red table cloths. It was warm from the many guests, while the mixture scents of roasted meats and flowers filled the room.

Even on the anniversary of my mother’s death, my father decided to host a ball, generously giving his attention to those who still sought his affections in marriage. He filled the ballroom with the finest decorations, many of which were encrusted with the brightest and most beautiful jewels. Every table was filled with foods and fruits, and accented with bouquets of knapweeds, edelweiss and peonies. The high chandeliers, which hung over the guests, glittered in the flickering candlelight. He would only host the most talented musicians, sending invitations far and wide to outlying kingdoms for geniuses and savants.

My father only ever chose the most beautiful and most charming to dance with. But tonight was different. Everything about this party was different. The selection of the women invited were few. It was obvious my father’s options were growing slimmer. My father’s hope in finding his golden-haired wife was diminishing.

As I was led to him, I took in the sight of my father’s selection of women surrounding me. They were adorned with layers of rubies, sapphires and emeralds. But all of them wore different shades of yellow on their heads. None of them were any match for my mother.

I stared frozen at my father’s hand as he extended it to me.

“Take his hand, Princess,” Lord Haven hissed at me, nudging me harder as he pulled the glass from my hands. The guests were watching the two of us, waiting to see if I would accept.

“Aurelia,” my father said with a grin as he took my hand. I could only imagine how pink my cheeks appeared as I raised my hand to my father’s shoulder.

It seemed as soon as my father drew me onto the dance floor, soft whispers of gossip bubbled up from the crowd; all eyes were on him and me.

Something changed in my father. He held me more tightly in his embrace, sweeping me up and swirling me around the floor. His blue eyes glassed over, becoming strangely unfamiliar. I knew there was a change in the room and in his presence since the encounter at my mother’s grave. There was a change in the way he watched me.

“You have grown to become quite a beautiful woman,” he murmured softly against my hair. I was almost sure I could smell the strong odor of wine on his breath.

My father’s hand came to rest on the small of my back, as his thumb from his other hand brushed against the crook of my neck. As he twirled me around the room, he pressed against me more closely, his breath washing over my earlobe.

Breathless and a little dizzy, I pushed myself away from him and took a step back. Danger. The word resonated in my head and a memory from just a few years ago flashed in my head of the young maid in the hall with a tattered dress and tear-stained cheeks. She haunted me. My stomach twisted, as my eyes began to burn with the thought.

I knew the cruelty my father harbored just beyond his regal exterior. A warning twisted in my gut, pushing me to run.

“Aurelia? Come, finish the dance with me,” he beckoned with an outstretched hand.

I took another step back and shook my head. I pressed a hand against my forehead and another against my waist, hoping the paleness of my face would allow me to take my leave.

“I think I’d like to rest,” I replied softly, giving my father a low bow.

I was surprised when I felt his hand on my back as he followed me to sit. With the snap of his fingers, several servants surrounded us with choices of fine wines and food.

“I hoped perhaps you would allow me to treat you,” he replied as he cradled my hand in his. “Join me. I would like to speak with you privately.”

Succumbing to his attentiveness, I followed my father as he guided me to his and my mother’s thrones; hers sat empty—alone. I paused in front of his chair as he took a seat and then gestured towards the queen’s. Did he truly wish for me to take her seat? He studied me, amusement bright in his eyes.

“Sit,” he commanded. Only at this, I moved to sit on the edge of the throne. It felt odd as my fingers dug in to the arm of the chair. A coldness settle in the pit of my stomach, causing a deep shudder through me. I could feel my father’s dark gaze trail over me.

“I feel quite guilty, Aurelia,” he confessed as the corners of his mouth turned up in a small smile. My cheeks burned as I lowered my gaze to my fingers knotting in my lap.

“Why?” I asked gently, tilting my head curiously.

“Because, I feel as though I hardly know you. While you were being educated, I was busy ruling the Königreich. But here you are, a grown woman.” He lifted his fingers to his chin as he smiled wider. “You remind me of the Königin.”

I wanted to cringe at his words. My whole life, I longed for attention from my parents, and yet as my father spoke to me now—gazed upon me—I knew this was not the way I wanted to be recognized. I did not want to remind anyone, least of all my father, of my mother.

“If you could have anything, anything at all, what would you wish for?” he asked, leaning on the arm of his throne, pushing his face closer to mine.

Perhaps he was expecting me to answer the way my mother would have. Perhaps he expected me to demand jewels and finery. But I knew I truly wanted one thing—one thing for me, for him, and for the kingdom.

“For your happiness, sire,” I replied genuinely and bowed my head in reverence. My father seemed to approve my response and smiled.

“You’re quite considerate, Aurelia,” he said with a chuckle. “I do like that about you.”

“I have always tried to be considerate, sire,” I said, shifting uncomfortably.

“Indeed.” His eyebrow twitched with curiosity. “How far would you be willing to go for my own pleasure? My own happiness?”

“What could bring you more pleasure than this?” I asked as I gestured out toward the courtiers, who danced to the string and horn melody filling the ballroom. “Your court is devoted to you.”

“Many things would bring me pleasure,” he said with a smirk. “Are you devoted to me, Aurelia? Can I trust that you will be as devoted and loyal to me, if not more than them?”

“I am as much of a servant as they are to you, father,” I replied.

I turned my gaze back toward the dancers again, watching as the men and women pressed their hands together and made large circles around the room.

“Your answers truly please me,” he finally said after an extended moment. “I wish to please you.”

“Please me?” I asked as I turned to look at him. Why was my father suddenly so interested in my happiness? He smiled warmly and nodded.

“Of course. If I were to send you gifts, would this please you? Could this be a unification between the two of us? I wish to be closer to you. I wish to know you.”

I spent years wishing to hear those words. Once, I desired nothing more than to share a relationship with my father and mother, and yet after all this time, everything felt different now. Who my father had been to me as a child, and who he was now were becoming dramatically different.

“I wish to see you more at these parties as well,” my father continued. “You are of age now, are you not? It is time for you to take your place in my court. To be seen.”

The possibility of interacting with my father’s court had never been offered to me, at least, not so openly. I began to wonder if this would open the possibility of a marriage arrangement among the nobility. I had grown up knowing my role as the König’s daughter would result in a marriage to better help my father’s kingdom. The idea of possibly becoming someone’s wife sent a jolt of both hope and fear through my heart.

I replied with a silent nod.

“Would it please you to join me?” My father asked, his blue eyes brightening with amusement. I slowly nodded again. I was apprehensive when answering his questions. It felt almost as if he were asking much more underneath the surface of his words.

“Then you shall,” he replied and grinned. He took my hand and carefully lifted it to his lips. I did all that I could to resist the urge to pull my hand away from his. His eyes pierced mine as he pressed a kiss against my skin, sending a cold shiver down my spine. All the hair on my arm stood in revolt. I pulled my hand away as quickly as I could before darting to my feet. Hastily, I curtsied to him. He nodded in my direction and I took the opportunity to leave.