Unknown (NaNoWriMo)

Chapter 26:

He was standing by the fountain. It looked like something else was on his mind. Only the sound of the water was present. I walked down the steps. Thankfully Sanih gave me flats, because I didn't want to worry about navigating in fear of a twisted ankle. My dress was full length, so if someone was that desperate to make fun of me, they were pathetic.

Jumping out of my self-critique I noticed that he was still standing there quiet and it felt like the whole world was right in that moment. Hazen and Sanih must have left because they were nowhere to be found but I was only focusing on Khasir. I thought of the story I was told, of the moment when he first met me. It's interesting that there's always two sides to a story. I was enamored by him and I guess he was the same.

In this moment I wished I could see color. His eyes, oh I was told of. His amber eyes, his dark hair. But I could only see silver. I walked towards him and in that moment that silence I reached up and placed my hands against his face and waited. Waited to see what he would say. He turned me and he was speechless, much like I was. "Leigh you're beautiful tonight."

That calm, cool, collected voice always centered me in moments of madness and in moments of reflection. Of course I had to ruin the silence by just awkwardly saying "Hey." Lahe was laughing at me and I guess I was laughing at myself. He chuckled and said "hey" and I knew this is what our marriage would be. Royalty but underneath just two awkward people just savoring moments together.

Not a lot of words were said and they didn't need to be, but Hazen broke the awkward tension yet again by telling us that the carriage was ready. At this point it was just routine he would hold his hand out. I would grab it and we'd sit together.

This time Hazen didn't ride in the carriage with us. we sat together basking in the silence. Halfway there I just had to say something, so I turned to him. "I am so grateful that you are in my life. Just thought you should know." I stared out the window, but then felt something soft pressed against my cheek.

"You're special to me too." he said and though he didn't really need to say it was appreciated Off we went to the Royal ball where we would inevitably be judged but it was fine because we had each other and we knew that this would all be alright.

The first thing that I heard was the music. Just like the dances in the capital center, but this music sounded slow, not as lively. Hopefully it would pick up soon Khesir was a wonderful dance partner and I hope that others could recognize that talent too. The carriage rolled to a halt. He got out and made sure I wouldn't fall. Such a gentleman. I laughed at Lahe's comment and let Khesir guide me in.

We weren't stopped by the guards. I'd like to think it was out of respect, but it was probably out of fear. Something we needed to change over time. Unlike movies I watched in my previous life, we were not waiting to be announced. We could just walk in and enjoy the ball. And Khesir did just that.

Ladies dancing with partners; guys talking jovially in a corner. It seemed to be out of a dream,but it was real. The presence of Khesir's hand on mine reminded me. I looked around the room trying to recognize someone. I could see three of the main noble families, but the one that was missing actually surprised me.

"Where is the Arderredeen household." I whispered this to Khesir. Scanning the room he looked just as puzzled as I was. I didn't want this to ruin our evening so I told him not to worry about that and hopefully they would show up later. But in the back of my mind, something told me it was strange.

Khesir led me towards the royal family. The King looked as grumpy as ever and the Queen, I knew she did not like me. Still we bowed and curtsied because it was demanded of us. Khesir offered some cordial, but curt greetings. "Greetings your majesty." No word was spoken and he pulled me aside.

I was fuming. He was being polite and yet they didn't even acknowledge him. He had to guide me to a terrace to keep me from marching up to them and telling them off. His laugh broke me out of my murderous intentions. "I will never get used to how quick you are to fly into a rage." He could barely get his words out.

"Fly into a rage? I don't do it that often." My excuses were falling short because his laughter just covered them up. Letting out a huff, I just wrapped my arms around his chest. "It's because I'm protective of you." I said with a lighter tone. His lips pressed against my cheek and I had to stop myself from blushing. "I appreciate it but remember, these are royals we're dealing with."

"I know, I know, but soon I'm going to be by your side." We enjoyed the cool night air. Looking at the stars (well he was looking at the stars I was looking at a dark abyss). I could hear the music strike up in a faster tempo. This is what I was waiting for and he knew it. Allowing me to pull his hand, we entered once again into the ballroom.

Khesir had to guide me to the center of the ballroom, so I didn't hit anybody. Once we're settled, in his hands around my waist, I let the music take me away. Just like dancing in the marketplace, darkness overcame me. But it wasn't uncomfortable. We had been through so much these six days for the celebration.

After the dance ended someone came up to Khesir and whispered in his ear. I patiently waited, knowing that he would tell me if something was up. The person walked away and I peered up at him. "We are being summoned again. Seems they're curious about you." That didn't bother me and hand in hand, we walked towards the royals that sat on the throne.

I curtsied once again, having my head bowed until I was addressed. "Khesir, who is this young lady that you've brought today?" The Queen asked but it seemed more like a demand. I let him answer because I thought she would get mad if I did. "Her name is Leigh Alder. We met at the beginning of the celebration and have been forming an acquaintance."

That was the understatement of the century, but I don't think he was going to tell them that we were fake fiancées and then fell in love. Khesir continued. "She was also present at the magic demonstration at the Royal Academy of Magic." This is where the King stepped in. "We still haven't gotten to the bottom of this! Sintos said he made a visit."

I was taken aback by the King's harsh tone, but Khesir stepped in front of me. "Tomorrow all will be revealed; however, I have something to ask of you." This piqued their curiosity and he waited until the King waved his hand. "Very well. What do you have to say?"

"Can I announce our engagement tonight?" Khesir wasn't even planning on asking permission for whether or not to be engaged to me. The King and Queen were obviously taken aback. "W-what do you mean?" The King sputtered. Khesir held his ground. "We've been courting these past few days and I wanted to make an engagement announcement."

The Queen stayed silent which made me more unnerved. If I could see colors, I would guess that the King's face was around lobster red. "A Prince becoming engaged to a nameless woman. Have you no respect for our family lineage!" I clenched his hand in mine. He wasn't shaking, so I knew that he was firm in what he was saying. "She is a kind, selfless, and powerful woman. Why would I not want her by my side."

If the situation wasn't tense enough, I would have wrapped my arms around his neck and spun him around. This was a battle of wills and Khesir was winning. The King not wanting to make a spectacle out of this celebration, waved him away. He muttered out "We'll talk about this later."

Who once again escaped to that tiny balcony. Now I could wrap my arms around him and he let out a long sigh. "Did you really mean what you said?" I was curious. Not really testing if it was true, but just so my heart could flutter once again. Pulling me closer he rested his forehead on mine and whispered, "I would be a fool to see everything that you have and say it's not enough."

We shared a sweet kiss, that was broken up by my stomach growling. Letting out a laugh, he left to go find food. Resting my elbows on the balcony, I stared into the abyss unaware of the footsteps coming up behind me. "So that was your whole plan all along? Getting the Prince by your side." I hadn't heard that voice in awhile so I spun around and sure enough there he was. Rhedin.