Last star shinning

11. A fool

I got ready for the ball. I do not know, why the king wanted to make it so suddenly. Usually, people announce it a week ago. But of course, we can't question the king. We made our way to the palace. Just as big and beautiful as I remember. For most of the night, I have not seen the king, or at least, I did not recognize him with all of the masks. I only spotted him nearing the end, but not how I expected...

He was standing at the top of the stairs, and when he started speaking, my heart sank...
- Ladies and gentelmen, I have gathered you all to announce my new engagement with the princess of Italy!
I started backing away, my throat became dry and my eyes started filling up with tears. While backing away, I bumped into lord Jasper.

- Your grace! Are you alright?
- I'm feeling a bit light headed.
- let me take you outside for fresh air.
He grabbed me by my shoulders and we started walking. I turned my head back to look at Lucien one last time. He looked at me, but with coldness in his eyes.

- What's wrong, your grace? - said Jasper.
- I'm still a bit under the weather from my incident few days ago. But I am assured, that I will be fine.
- Thats great to hear. Perhaps then, we should get back inside?
- You may go, my lord, I will join everyone in a second.
I waited for hin to walk away so that I could go, and remember the spot Lucien showed me long time ago one last time.

It was just as magnificent as I remember. I sat down on the ground. Looking at the water falling, fishes swimming. Idiot! That's what I would call myself. I trusted Lucien, when he said the other night, that he will come back to me. I trusted his lips, his hands. Lord, if anyone would have find this out.. I would be a walking shame of the town.

I hoped for Lucien to suddenly show up, and say, that this is some kind of a joke. But he didn't come. So I decided to leave this place with all of the memories I experienced here.
I reached the gardens and saw the king walking away from them.

- Do you think I'm an idiot! - I shouted at him.
He turned around.
- How could you! You said you will get back to me, and now look! You are marrying some kind of a princess! Is my rank not high enough for you? For us to be, I don't know, at least friends?
- Duchess, did I say we are not friends?
- You ignored and avoided me all ball Lucien! Who does that!
He let his head down.
- Go back to your family, Levina. They are looking for you.
- You know what! You are an arrogant, spoiled snob! I regret the day I met you!
- Levina -
- Screw you, your majesty! - I started to walk away angrily.
- How about I give you one last day to spend with me as friends? Tomorrow, perhaps?
I chuckled angrily.
- Do you really think I adore you so much, that I would ruin my reputation to spend a day with engaged man?! You don't care for anyone, but yourself Lucien! You showed that multiple times, yet I was blind, oh I was so blind!

I left him standing there, alone. I got back to the ball, immediately lord Jasper offered to dance. I needed to take out my emotions somewhere. I agreed.
I saw the king staring, but I did not care. I was angry, betrayed, lost. But, my mom always said " a person is like a bird. He may make you believe he is just as beautiful as his melody, but at the same moment you start to approach him.. he shits on you.". So I decided to play him back.
- My lord, can I have a word with you? Alone.
He seemed kind of lost for a moment, but he quicly replied:
- As you wish, your grace.
I glanced and Lucien by the corner of my eye when the two of us were leaving. He looked slightly angry, success!
- What did you want to talk about, your grace?
I didn't realize, that I will actually have to talk with him when I did so. At that moment, I just wanted to play cards with Lucien.
- Uh, how about you tell me about yourself?

- Ah, so I grew up with a single father after my mother -
I didn't hear him after that. I started to get lost in my thoughts and thinking how I ended up in this situation. I felt ashamed for my little plan and using lord like that.
- Miss? Miss!
- Oh sorry, I was listening to you, but I'm quite tired already. I think I should take a leave..
- No problem, please rest, your grace, you look very pale.
- Thank you, my lord, I wish you goodnight.
And so I walked away.