The Honor of Beasts

Chapter Seven

The music flows through the musky evening air mingling with the voices and laughter of the guests. I spent the last hour or two dancing or talking to royalty and nobility and it has left me very tired.

If you're worn out after a few dances how do you ever expect to win? An unwanted voice whispers in my mind. 
Dances are only tiresome because of the people you dance with.  I counter.

I glimpse Master Maurin conversing animatedly with a woman in the corner of my eye. He seems to be so engaged that I almost want to laugh. Maybe he's discussing the different ways he tortures me during training. Anyhow, I'm happy that he's enjoying his time. He deserves it.

I'm on my way to my throne when a young man steps in front of me. He bows then offers his hand, "Will you honor me with this dance, your Highness?"

I'm about to refuse but then he looks up grinning, "Caleb?" I ask, surprised. He almost looks like a different person when he cleans up. His dark, shaggy shoulder length hair is tied back and he's wearing something nice and neat for once.

"Cat got your tongue?" he winks at me smugly.

Unfortunately, his personality is still the same.

I mentally shake my head and place my hand in his warm one. "Let's just get this over with before your head grows too big."

"I think it's too late for that," he chuckles and leads us to a stop right under the tip of the dome. 

"So...," he starts as we begin swaying with the music. "What did Demetri say to you at the end of your dance?"

I blink, startled. "Why do you want to know?"

"I just do." He shrugs. "I'm curious as to what brought that flash of anger in your eye...or was it irritation — sorry, I'm completely bad at judging people." He tries to imitate my "look of anger or irritation", and unless I looked like a murder-scheming duckling in time out, he failed miserably.

"You were observing that good?" I chuckle softly. "Are you dancing with me because you just want to know that silly thing?"

"Of course not, your Highness!" He replied incredulously, eyes widening. I have to fight the urge to smack him. "I only want the chance to dance with such striking beauty!"

"Oh really?" I ask mockingly, trying not to smile.

"You truly are a sight, Rosalia," he replies warmly as his lips lift up in a genuine smile. Is he actually serious for once? It's just a minor, trivial comment, but for some reason it makes me feel very delighted.

"So, you're dancing with me just because of my looks?" I raise an eyebrow, unable to hold back my smile this time.

"Well, not just that. I also want the chance to enjoy your company; your horrendously lovely company." Now he's absolutely teasing me. "And to know what Demetri told you," he adds, bringing us back to the first subject as he twirls me around.

Why does he have to be so persistent? Demetri didn't even say anything important, it was just the way he said it. A threat laced through his carefully selected words. And the way his eyes sparkled balefully, I knew that he would do anything to become heir, then king.

Sighing, I look away for a second to find father watching me from his throne. What is that old crow planning now? I look around and find Demetri dancing at the other side of the ballroom, in the shadows. He seems engaged and...did he just laugh?

Narrowing my eyes, I observe his partner. She's a tall elegant woman with long chocolate-colored curly hair, wearing a magnificent dark blue silk dress, that I'm sure most -if not all- the women here will envy her about. She's familiar, I'm sure I know her...As she finally turns around, I catch a glimpse of her face.