Preparations For The Ball
The ball at LDMU was tomorrow and I would be officially attending as the King and not the Headmaster, but it was also my job as the Headmaster to ensure that everything was ready. Ordinarily, a party or social event is planned and executed from the student council, but the Opening Ball was my responsibility. I had brought in expert help though, so Vanessa was running about getting her staff to set up tables and hang decorations. I had chosen to adorn the hall with lavender roses in honor of our guest of honor. I was not supposed to be biased to The Batiste but since she was officially being presented to me and my mother, tradition is that the room where the lady’s house is to be presented should be adorned with the official flower of her house. Lavender roses were the flower of House Batiste, so the ball had to be decorated in this flower.
As I was choosing which tablecloths to use for refreshment tables, Malinus walked into the room. I looked at him and cocked an eyebrow, confused as to why he was here. Malinus knew me so well that he reaches into his inner jacket pocket and pulls out a teal envelope with a panther seal. I think I must’ve subconsciously smiled because Vanessa was next to me and nudged my arm, “I’ve never seen you smile so tenderly Your Majesty. Could it be affection for my little one?” I would not like to be ribbed at by this woman, she really enjoyed catching her prey and making them squirm. I would not be her little mouse if I could help it. I stiffened up and cleared my throat and attempted to place a stern look on my face, “Report.” Malinus bowed and pulled the envelope above his head, “This was received by myself from the House Batiste courier, he said it was for your eyes only so I felt, Your Majesty, that this should come to you right away.” I placed my hand on his head to tell indicate to rise and took the letter from his hands, “Thank you Malinus, you are dismissed.” He clicked his heels, placed his left fist on the right side of his chest, bowed and left the room.
I placed the envelope in my jacket pocket and with that action Vanessa spoke, “What? Not going to read it now?” I shook my head, “No, I prefer to read letters when I’m alone.” She smiled, “What happens when you get married? Will you leave the room to read letters?” I shrugged, “Who knows? If I happen to like the lady, I may be okay reading them in her presence.” Vanessa tilted her head, this time she looked like a confused puppy, “What do you mean by that? Don’t you get to choose your future wife?” I sighed because I had to give her my plan before it was to be announced tomorrow night. She wouldn’t give up and I curse my carelessness, “I was going to announce tomorrow night after Alexandra is presented to my mother and I that I would put the decision into a panel’s hands.” She giggled, “Don’t want to be pressured into marrying Melody, eh?” I rolled my eyes at her name, “That’s not my intention, no. Save Alexandra, I know just about every eligible lady in the kingdom. Every single one has their motivations to get to the throne. Some are all about the power, some just have a childhood crush on me that I think I’ve been too romanticized in their eyes. One in particular is after both. My motivation is to find a lady who wants to see this country thrive. A Queen should love her people and her husband enough to want to see both succeed. Many of the families behind the ladies are power hungry. House Maigny in particular is so power hungry that they stoke the fires in Melody’s heart to pursue me with vigor. Putting it out as a competition, the lady who gets the votes will undoubtedly earn her place by my side.”
Vanessa looked down and rubbed her chin, “So there will be no romance? That’s awfully sad to marry one someone else picks for you.” I sigh, “I was born royalty, it is nothing new for us to be married with no love in the mix. We don’t usually get to have that luxury.” Vanessa grunted an angry growl and shouted, “But you do! Why would you throw that away?!” I shushed her because all her workers had turned and looked at her. She smiled, shrunk, and then giggled like she was a little child that was caught stealing a cookie from the cookie jar. I turned to her and placed a hand on her shoulder, “I appreciate your concern, but I cannot see myself romancing these ladies.” She dropped her shoulders and looked down, “I just wish you would consider doing at least a date with each lady. Maybe you will find that you like one more upon further inspection. I feel like an aunt to you, and I just want you to be happy in life with a lady you love by your side. I lost my love; I don’t want you to lose yours before you even find her. At least consider what I have to say.” She brought up some good points, “I will consider it, it is never too late to add plans to the competition.” She smiled and said, “You know, the humans have shows on their televisions that have dating competitions. I feel like this may turn into that.” I looked at her with curiosity, “What are they like?” She chuckled, “I’ve only watched two with Talia, but it seems the man takes the ladies out on dates, and they make out while the ones that don’t go get into fights over who the man is interested in. I honestly feel like with Melody in the mix and Alexandra being there, it would turn into at least an argument. Melody won’t like being dethroned as the beauty of Vellum. I may be biased but Alexandra is more beautiful than Melody in both looks and personality.” Having met the lady, I could definitely agree with Vanessa that Alexandra was far more beautiful than Melody in looks.
I was still trying to get a grasp on her personality since I had seen two sides to her: the one who was tense in the Headmaster’s office and the other who was relaxed in front of the gate keeper. Perhaps that was both facets of her personality but maybe she changed herself depending on the situation which would be worrisome to me. I know House Batiste has great people in it but every once in a while, bad people come from good families. I knew this all too well; my brother would do anything to take the throne from me. He’s done some evil deeds to try to do so, many bordering on fratricide. I would guarantee that he would try to sabotage the Queen competition (the council is trying to figure out an official name for it). He was so obsessed with Alexandra that he wouldn’t want anyone else to have her and since she was an eligible candidate, he would sabotage at the very least her bid. On the other hand, he would never want to hurt her or cause her problems so he may sabotage the others. He was just that unpredictable. We knew this so the council and I decided it would be prudent to heighten security during the events.
When we were younger, he would talk about the beautiful Alexandra with the violet eyes and ebony black hair. I would often tell him that he didn’t know her so how would he know he was in love with her. He would say his soul knows her and their connection was so strong that he could feel what she felt. He told me she was often in pain emotionally and that if he became King, he would make those people who hurt her pay dearly. He would risk an all-out war with the humans for her and I never understood it. To me she was a girl that we met when we were younger, and she was a baby when her father brought her to get my father and Pretre Jean’s blessing. Many in attendance were affected by the Aphrodite ability but it faded over time. It never affected me though and Grand Pretre was left wondering why. To this day she still hasn’t figured it out which was rare for her. Blake was the most effected and he still seems to be obsessed with her based on the reports I am getting. I was told he even sent a messenger twice to her during her ceremony and her mother’s party. This troubled me because he would likely try to poison her mind against many here in Vellum, especially me. This thought tugged at my heart a little because she was already becoming a good friend and I didn’t want to think she could hate me. I felt the urge to go and read that letter. I turned to Vanessa, “Do you think you can take care of this for now? I really would like to take a break and read this.” I patted my pocket and her face lit up, “I would do anything for my little one so if it involves reading what she wrote you, of course I can take over.” I leaned over and kissed her cheek, “Thank you Vanessa, I won’t be long.”
I strode out of the hall and found a bench near a big shade tree on the lawn and sat down. This time of year was pleasant, everything was green and the sun still warmed us but every once in a while we get a wind off the mountain behind Tarn that brings some cold. Today was steady so I felt that reading this outside wouldn’t be too big of a deal. I pulled out the letter and began to read: “Lucien, thank you for clarifying that I can be informal. Can I just say that writing to you comes pretty natural to me? I don’t really know you, but it seems easy to say what’s on my mind. I am glad to know the gate keeper had high regard for me, I really enjoyed his company. He gave me some advice that I will be sure to follow since it seemed genuine and sound.” I sighed in relief that she understood that I was looking out for her. The warning was urgent to give her since I would not be able to do so before the ball tomorrow myself. I continued reading, “As for the ball, I flubbed my curtsy in front of Josiah and got pretty admonished by him. I don’t think he likes me very much. To make matters worse, my mother was there, and she let me have it too. She was saying how important it was not to embarrass myself, my family, or the royal family. I know this, of course, but I can be klutz sometimes and that just happened to be one of them. I have been practicing and I think I’m going to nail it when he comes today.” As if on cue, I look up to find Josiah striding towards me with a frown on his face. I tucked the letter away before he could see it, the envelope would make it clear who it was from. He came in front of me and bowed and I place my hand on his head, “Report.” He stood up with the frown still on his face and said, “The lady is perfect in both her waltz and curtsy. She is ready.” She nailed it as she promised, “Good, you may go. Please let Vanessa know that I will be right there.” He bowed at the waste and said, “As you will it.” After he left, I pulled out the letter in pride knowing that the lessons I sent to Alexandra had paid off and Josiah was not please. I think her assessment of him was pretty spot on considering his reaction just now. I finished reading the letter, “Anyhow, I wanted to make this a short letter because I will be seeing you tomorrow. I just wanted to write back to let you know I am working hard to both get settled in Vellum’s Blackwood and my lessons. See you soon, Alexandra.” I tucked the letter in my pocket, stretched and smiled. I got up with more motivation to get this ball ready.
