The Lover's Ball
POV: Alexandra
Lucien started his story in the stereotypical human way to start one. I had wondered how he picked that up but I didn’t want to question him and interrupt the story. He winked at me and smiled, “What, no questions or witty comments?” I shrugged, “I’m waiting for you to continue the story.” He cleared his throat, “As My Lady commands of me. There was a noblewoman that lived in Mesha, she was the second daughter of the Duke so she likely would not inherit the title. One day she was visiting Blackwood and got lost in the forest. She was frightened because it was the deepest darkest part of the woods and she couldn’t see. The night was just about to come and she could hear the creatures of the woods calling out to her that she was in danger. Just as she had given up all hope and was losing consciousness, she felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her. She fell into a full deep sleep as she was being rescued. She woke up the next morning in the manor, cleaned up and the wounds that she had gotten from the thorn bushes she encountered were dressed. The housekeeper had just brought in her breakfast when the young noblewoman asked who it was that rescued her. She was told of the woodcutter that lived in the deepest darkest part of Blackwood. He lived there so he could harvest the darkwood for the kingdom since that was the wood that burned the hottest for their fireplaces. Not many would venture that far into the woods, especially one who didn’t have strong defensive magic as he did.”
Lucien paused to take a sip of wine, “How are you doing so far? Do you need anything?” I shrugged, “I guess I could use more water if you please.” He walked over to the beverage cart with the glass I had been using and poured the water then handed it to me. He sat down and smiled, “Hmm, where was I?” I took a sip of the cool water that he had just given me, “You were talking about how no one ventured into the forest without strong defensive magic.” He nodded, “So he was a little surprised that he should find a fair maiden sobbing so deep in the woods. She didn’t look particularly strong but she was stunningly beautiful. He figured she belonged to the manor so he had taken her, on his horse. They were so grateful for the safe return of the noblewoman that they attempted to reward him with gold. He declined because he didn’t have use for gold. So the woodcutter left empty-handed but House Batiste promised the woodcutter that he shall name his price at any given time. The noblewoman didn’t like how he had left with no reward so she asked one of the servants if the woodcutter could be fetched to the manor. Some short while later, the woodcutter was brought in front of the noblewoman. As bowed to her, she was struck by how ruggedly handsome he was. She fell in love at first sight.”
I busted out laughing at this point, almost spitting water on Lucien. If I hadn’t turned my face, he surely would have been sprayed. He sighed, “And what brought on this fit of laughter?” I cleared my throat, “I just think this story is a bit cliché. Damsel is in distress saved by the outcast and she falls in love with him without knowing a thing about him. No offense but life doesn’t happen that way.” He shrugged, “I probably didn’t exactly happen that way but it was so long ago that we will never know. Just let me tell the story.” I waved at him to continue, he sighed again, “So she fell in love with his looks at first sight. Better?” I nodded and he continued, “She asked him if there was anything she could do to reward him for his kindness. He smiled at her and told her that he would send word to her in Mesha about what his reward would be when it came time. The handsome woodcutter returned to his home deep in the forest and she returned to Mesha. Fall came around and it was time for the King of Vellum to host his annual Fall Masquerade as I will be doing soon. The noblewoman received a message via a Toxzi rider from Blackwood Deep along with a box. The message said simply: meet me at the ball wearing this. It was a necklace, nothing so extravagant as the one I gave you but she loved it. She had turned down other offers to escort her to the ball knowing that the writer of the message was her handsome woodcutter. They met at the ball and he knew instantly which lady was his beautiful noblewoman because she was wearing his necklace. They ended up getting married after that and lived happily ever after.”
I sighed, “That’s a nice story but I don't know what that has to do with us.” He laughed, “The lore is that if a man deeply in love invites the woman he loves to the King’s Fall Masquerade using a piece of jewelry. If the jewelry is worn by his lady love and he can recognize her, they will be blessed like the lovers at the ball from the story. I think it is a beautiful gesture and sentiment so I wanted to do this with you.” I smiled at him, “That is romantic and beautiful. Thank you for that, Lucien.” He smiled back at me, “No, thank you for being you and making me fall for you daily. Your actions here with these people tell me everything about who you are as a person. I know that you genuinely care about these people.” I took another sip of my water, “Oh well, Vellum has been such a welcoming realm despite, you know, the racist assassins going after me. I just want to love the people and help them as much as I possibly can in my lifetime to show how grateful I am for them.”
He sighed, picked up his wine, and leaned back in his seat, “That brings me to the next thing I want to tell you.” He seemed to want to lean on the wine in his glass for the courage to tell me what he wanted to tell me next. He took a big gulp of what was left of his wine and jumped up from his seat. He poured a large glass and asked over his shoulder, “Do you need more water?” I picked up the glass that I had barely touched and said, “No, I think I am good.” He nodded and walked back to his chair and took another gulp of wine. I leaned forward, “You want to slow down on the alcohol there, Lucien? I’m worried you will get drunk and you won’t be coherent enough to carry on any conversation with me.” He sighed, “Sorry, I had been wracking my brain all day trying to figure out how to broach the subject of what I need to talk to you about now.” I reached out to him and stroked his hand, “I’d hate to think you can’t talk to me about anything, Lucien. I won’t judge you for anything you have to tell me.” He nodded, “Okay, I think I can talk to you about this then.” I nodded, “You can.” He looked me in the eye, “You know that as a King, I have the power to make things happen. Right?” I furrowed my brow confused at him, “What on Vellum are you talking about, Lucien?” He clenched his jaw, “This silly competition. I can make it to where the desired outcome happens for both of us.” I gasped, “Are you talking about cheating, Lucien?” He sighed, “I am, I have been thinking about this a lot and I think the alternatives are just going to be the worst possible options for both me and Vellum.” I shook my head, “But it’s pretty dishonest. Don’t you think there would be backlash and repercussions if anyone were to find out?”
He sighed and pushed himself up from the chair and movement that indicated that he was extremely frustrated. He started to pace behind his desk, I walked up behind him, wrapped my arms around him, and placed my head on his broad back. I could hear his heart beating so fast but I couldn’t figure out if it was from my hug or that he was so worked up that it caused his heart to race. I placed my hands on his pecs and felt him grab them and sigh. His heartbeat started to slow and I spoke, “I know that this situation is tricky, Lucien, but you must maintain a level of integrity as you always have. You must stay the course and if I am to be your wife, it has to be done legitimately. The only thing you would gain from helping me out would be a cloud of doubt around my legitimacy and a dark cloud around a potential marriage between us two. I would likely grow to resent you for putting me in the situation. I don’t want anything to taint our happily ever after. You have to give me a chance to win over the hearts of the people who make the decision. You said so yourself that I am probably halfway there on my own.” He pulled one of my hands to his face and gave a quick peck on the palm, “You are right but it is so frustrating watching you go through all of this and I cannot support you openly. I know you have suffered for your pursuit of a place by my side. I want to just be your shield.” I sighed against his back, “Sometimes you have to let me stand on my own.” I felt a vibration against my head and heard him with a low, almost inaudible hum then a whisper, “This is what they meant.” I lifted my head from his back, “What did you say?” He shook his head and turned to me, “It’s just something Apollo told me once about letting you shine through your strength. I just realized that is what he meant. I will agree that you can do this on your own. Just know that you have me silently cheering for you.” I smiled, “I know you are and I know you are anxious but relax and have faith in me. Okay?” He nodded, “I will put my faith in you. Now I think we need to get you back to bed.”
Lucien called in a guard who specialized in wind cloaking magic and he was able to cloak both Lucien and me. Lucien had insisted that he escort me back to my tent so he could personally ensure that I could get back safely. I laughed because I thought that the wind cloaking would be enough and he finally admitted he wanted to optimize the time he was going to spend with me. We walked over silently so as not to give away that we were cloaked, all the while he held my hand so that he knew where I was. The camp was calm and quiet as we made our way over to my tent. We had finally reached my tent and he brushed his thumb over my lips. He awkwardly planted a kiss right next to my lips and we both silently giggled at the clumsiness of his action. He brought my hand up to his lips and kissed and whispered, “Good night, my love.” He left shortly after and I wistfully entered the tent as the magic wore off. I panicked thinking that Lucien had been caught without a guard escort as the magic wore off so I stuck my head out of the tent. I heard Derek clear his throat behind me and whispered, “What on earth are you doing?” I looked back at him, “I’m looking to see if the cloaking magic wore off of my escort.” Derek shook his head, “Cloak magic is usually cast with wear-off perimeters. Looks like yours was set to wear off once you entered your ‘domain.’ Since you’re out here, this is your domain as far as magic is concerned. I’m sure he has the same perimeter.” I nodded, got ready for bed just as soon as Derek laid back down in his cot, and I gently laid my head on the pillow and sighed a dreamy sigh.
