A Game Of Chess

3. Pretty

Lennox Sejova

Even though my vision is absent, I know that the princess of Lastar is the centre of attention as she danced on the floors of her castle. The fabric of a silver dress swirling around her body like a ghost, her hair like a magic as it curled down her shoulders. Elven ears are tainted with luxurious silver jewellery. The princess being the goddess sent from above. 

"Lennox." My hearing identifies Kiora next to me, calling my name to make myself aware of her presence. "Stop staring at the princess," I reply to her with a little smile. Tormenting. "I am not checking the princess out." Defensive. "Sure, if you say so."

I take a deep breath through my nose and try to concentrate on only one of the sounds circling through my head. I notice that the musicians stammer in their music, only for a few seconds. Almost as if their attention was stolen from them.

Strange.

"What is it?" I ask Kiora, wanting her to either tell me that there is actually something going on or that I'm just imagining things. "She's here, in the ballroom." Even kiora's voice seems off, which never happens. Well, only happens when someone gives the guard butterflies. "That killer, I believe that they call her the Man-Eater. Ridiculous, but it suits her." I pull my eyebrow together in a line, the assassin? "Where's the king?" The lingering time feeding my nerves, hearing the whispers around me. "On his throne, keeping his eyes on her." I take a confusing breath, wishing that I had my sight.

I fucking hate uncertain situations.

"What's she doing here?" Paline.

"I think that she has a contract with the king. Look how careless he acts," Kiora mutters. A silence, about a minute long. "I know who she is." The princess goes to stand on my left, in between me and Kiora. Protecting herself.

"Vince has told me about his first love before, how her hair was as red as my ex's. How they had the same reddish eyes, he reminded him of her. He told me that redheads are rare and toxic. It must be her, why else would he be following her every step?"

I know that Kiora is biting her bottom lip at this very moment, wanting to tell the clueless girl of the vicious murderer living outside of her safe castle walls. The murderer that is now walking among her people. "Maybe." Is the only thing I hear in the colour of Kiora's voice. "You should stay with us for the rest of the evening, princess. For your own safety." I speak aloud. "Of course." I hear her soft voice, a little disappointment flowing along with the sound.

The silence of their voices brings back the numerous people chatting and crying music. My head starts to spit as it has nothing to latch onto. My breath hitching for a second. "I'd rather see than have excellent hearing." I say, hoping to start a conversation with the girls next to me. "You're perfect the way you are, Lennox." I smile at Paline's words. "That does not mean that I'd rather have the power of sight." I feel a touch on my palm, fingers running in between mine and then holding my hand. "I am wearing a silver dress, like usual. A heavy necklace that is filled with silver jewels dangles around my neck, almost hitting my breast. My feet are in silver heals, which is only for you to know because my dress covers them completely. My lady made my hair into a half-up bun, which also has some pearls scattered along the strands. And my face is bare, with slightly red cheeks I guess."

I love it when Paline describes the world for me. It makes me feel safe, the princess makes me have the power of sight. "Kiora is wearing forest green, which looks striking with her brown hair and chestnut eyes. She could do something about those boring human ears of her, they are naked Kiora. A true shame. Your colour is dark blue as it matches your dark blue braids, perfectly complimenting your dark pigment." I smile, what's the point of seeing when you have a princess elaborating the world for you with such pretty words. "The ballroom is all white, chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Waiting for someone to cut the ropes and collapse on the stone floor. Most people are dressed in darker colours, except for me and Vince. Oh, and the redhead is also in some kind of silver. I wonder if my brother did that on purpose."

"Better?" She asks me, a second hand touching me on my shoulder. "Better." I smile. "He's eyeing us." Kiora then says, completely ignoring Paline's previous words. Probably unaware of the little flirty remarks. "Who?" I ask. Paline releases me out of her hold and at that moment I knew.

"Paline?" I softly ask, uncertain. "I am just here to tell my sister that even though Miss Bonnard cannot hurt her or any other ally, she should stay out of talking range. As her bodyguards I expect you to protect her." I lower my head, closing my eyes. "As you wish, Your grace." Kiora speaks. I now hear his footsteps leave the three of us.

How did I not hear him approaching? The surrounding sounds are distracting, though not that distracting. "Kiora, Lennox. I've got a new game cooked up for us to play." I sigh and hope for the worst. "It's called. Talk to my brother's lover." Why does she always have to provoke him? 

"No."