The King and The God
POV: Alexandra
The Queen shot up out of her seat and slammed her fist on the table, “How dare you interrupt my welcome banquet for my honored guest?” I looked around the room and saw a female guard off to the left side of the Queen smiling at the King and his entourage. I took a mental note of that and decided that I would mention it to the Queen. I didn’t like to rat people out but it seemed odd that the King would know when to come in since I knew from Ny that the Queen did not communicate my arrival with him and I know that the King’s court is usually left in the dark. This was about my safety so I was going to make sure she knew since these two men were after me for whatever nefarious purpose. The King and Loki bowed to the Queen as they got closer. The King spoke, “My Queen forgets that any honored guests from another realm must be greeted dually by the Queen and the King according to code law 3.2.” The Queen looked at an older green-skinned fae, “Is that true?” The older woman snapped her fingers and a book appeared. She skimmed through a few pages, sighed, and nodded, “Unfortunately, Your Majesty, that is true. The King has saved you from a blunder most severe.” The Queen rolled her eyes, “Fine. Set up a table for the Renier and his entourage.” She turned to him, “You may stay but you may not cause trouble.” He nodded with his eyes still on the ground, “Of course, my Queen.” She sat down, “Another thing, you may only bring a few into the hall. Name them and they can stay.” He waved at Loki, “I will bring Lord Loki, Lady Malice, and Prince Calypso.”
A gasp was heard throughout the room as I looked down at Loki who didn’t look up at me but he had a smirk. Sylphia leaned in and whispered, “My mother has not seen my brother in quite some time as my father never presents him in court. The law states that Calypso may not enter court unless my father permits him.” I whispered back, “How long has it been?” She sighed, “It has been fifteen years. My brother is now twenty. My mother has often said how she misses him.” I looked at Queen Reina who had an unreadable expression but I knew her heart must’ve been pounding. The doors opened and in walked a handsome man who was taller than Lucien but just as gorgeous, “Announcing Prince Calypso, first and only Prince of Seely.” The Queen’s fist clenched in her lap as the son she had not seen in fifteen years approached her table and bowed at her, “My Queen.” His voice came out smoothly in a melodic tenor voice. She gracefully rose from her seat and stepped down from the dais yet again. She walked up to her son and helped him to his feet. She hugged him, “I have missed you, my son. I am so glad that you grace me with your presence.” His teal-colored eyes scanned the table in front of him until they landed on me. He stared at me while his mother was in a long embrace with him. It felt as if he was trying to seduce me just with that stare so that I would never want to leave Seely. If he had stared at me like that any longer, I might have.
As she pulled away his eyes cast back at her, “I have missed you also, my mother. It is good to look upon your beautiful face and marvel at your awesome power. I can only endeavor to be half of what you are.” She brushed her hand through his golden hair, “Well, you must enjoy your time here. I will introduce you to our guests later but please eat up. You look so thin.” She patted his cheek and turned back to the dais and I could see that she was holding back tears as she returned to her seat, “Let us continue the celebration then.” The King cleared his throat, “Apologies, my Queen but you forget something.” The old woman leaned forward and whispered something in her ear and the Queen sighed, “You may rise and address our guest.” The King rose and looked at me with his equally alluring teal-colored eyes, “Lady Alexandra, as King I welcome you to Seely on behalf of the King’s court. Allow me to present to you a gift of goodwill from me to you personally.” He snapped his finger and a young boy stepped forward with a golden box on a red pillow. He approached the dais and I began to feel something in the back of my mind that grew with each step the child took toward me. Suddenly a black wisp appeared in front of the table and Bash popped out growling at the child. The King looked up at me, “Lady Alexandra, I had heard of your pet and the conditions with which he appears but I assure you that you have nothing to fear from me. My daughter Princess Nystasia can confirm this with you.” I looked over at Nystasia and she nodded, “While my father can indeed be a cunning man, his intentions and wishes towards you at this moment are nothing but a friendly nature. It is genuine.” I looked at Bash, “It’s okay, you may return to me but don’t go away as you must be fed.” I thought it would be prudent to have him by my side so he could react quickly if I feel threatened. Reina whispered to me, “A very wise choice Alexandra. You cannot trust those two men fully.” The pup returned to my side and smiled at me anticipating the food he was going to get. The fae maids who had helped me to dress appeared next to me with a bowl for Sebastian along with some water.”
The child continued to me and felt the need to apologize to him as he was only going on his orders and was suddenly threatened by a shadow dog, “Child, what is your name?” He kept his eyes on the box on the pillow, “My name is Pallin, my lady. I am the page of Prince Calypso. I am supposed to tell you that you are the most gorgeous woman His Highness has ever seen. He would like to get to know you later when he is introduced to you and humbly asks for a dance later.” The child looked up at me, “Oh but he said you don’t have to answer him right now. He wants you to consider as you are not obligated.” I smiled down at the child as he handed me the box and said loudly, “His Majesty presents you this gift as an act of friendship between his court and House Batiste of Vellum.” I knew the procedure for accepting a gift from Seely royalty but I was not pleased with it. I took the box, placed it on the table, and rose from my seat. I stepped down from the dais and approached the King with Sebastian following behind me. I curtsied to him and kissed him on the cheek, “I humbly accept your gift, Your Majesty.” He lifted my hand to his lips and whispered, “Pity you are so young, you would have been a fine addition to my harem.” I knew this was beyond Seely decorum but I had to act like I didn’t hear him to risk offending him out loud. This would invite him to petition the Queen to seize me to answer for the crime of offending Seely royalty. I had to be careful since I knew the King was very cunning as Ny had repeatedly warned me when we spoke of Seely.
I took my place by the Queen again and opened the box to see a necklace with a small pendant on the end. I didn’t want to wear something from the King that wasn’t checked over by someone I trusted. Inwardly I was stressing out about placing it around my neck but outwardly I maintained a look of awe to simulate that I thought it was beautiful. Ny patted my arm and whispered to me, “You can put it on. He has not enchanted it. I had one of the maids cast a spell to check it while you were down with my father.” I nodded and placed the necklace on my neck, “It truly is a lovely gift, Your Majesty. Thank you.” He smiled up at me, “It really suits you, my lady. May I ask for the honor of a dance later in return?” I nodded, “You have my word, Your Majesty.” He smirked and turned to be seated at his table next to his son and the God of Chaos and Trickery. The banquet hall went from total silence to the raucous celebration that it was before the King came in. I tried to ignore the table that was set up to the right of us but it was hard when I felt the eyes of the three men on me the whole time. I knew the King and Loki were both planning to use me for some scheme they had but I could not suss out what the purpose of the Prince staring at me as he did. Ny leaned in, “If you’ll excuse me, I will go speak with my brother for a while. I know you are uneasy about him. I can get some kind of idea of what he means by his behavior towards you.” I nodded, “I think that is wise. Please be safe Ny.” She smiled, “Don’t worry Calypso and I are very close. It won’t be a problem.”
She rose from her seat and walked over to her brother who smiled as she approached. She sat down next to him and they had a conversation. The Queen was staring at this exchange, “Nystasia is so lucky that she gets to go into the King’s court to visit with Calypso. I don’t know if you know this, Alexandra, but I had not seen him for fifteen years. I am grateful that you were able to come because I believe Renier brought him here to meet you. I am not sure what he means by doing so though.” Sylphia sighed, “I think he means to have Calypso offer his hand to House Batiste. With it coming from the Royal House of Seely, His Grace could not refuse the offer outright and Lucien couldn’t refuse it either. Father often talks about forming a blood alliance with Vellum. I had thought he meant marrying one of us to Lucien but it seems he means to offer my brother to the nobility of Vellum. Alexandra being here offers the perfect opportunity.” I could see Reina clench her jaw, “That would cause strife in Vellum since Lucien has an intention of marrying Alexandra, would it not?” Sylphia shook her head, “Not necessarily, the Elder Council would have to intervene since the King would have a bias in this decision. This would have to be something you, father and the Elder Council would have to confer about. This would all be a moot point if Calypso rejects my father’s request to ask for Lady Alexandra.” Reina asked Sylphia, “Do you think he will?” Sylphia shrugged and looked at her sister, “My guess is that is why Nystasia is over there. She means to protect Alexandra by finding out what his intentions are.” Reina nodded, “She’s the best choice of us all as she has been blessed with the insight.” Shortly after, Ny rejoined us and her mother asked her, “Well? What is your brother thinking?” Ny sighed, “W-well, I think he means to woo Lady Alexandra but he wants to get to know her first.”
