When The Gold Is Gone ✔ ~ trixya

Chapter 10: One Step Closer

The ballroom was decorated with flowers from floor to ceiling, soft pastel pedals covering the painted room and falling softly down as the hours passed, coating the floor and moving along with the people dancing. Katya found it quite beautiful, and she could see that all the attending guests were in awe of the decorations. 

"I must say mother, you have quite outdone yourself." Katya said.

"Thank you, Alexej. You seem to be in quite a merry mood tonight. May I ask why?" The Queen asked. 

"Must I have a reason to act well? Would you rather I go back to my regular gloomy ways of life?" The young girl teased.

"No, of course not, it is lovely to see you in brighter spirits." 

Katya's eyes searched the room, even though she knew the one she was looking for was not yet there. There was no way for the Princess to enter the hall without being announced, and yet the Resvyan's clear blue's searched every corner of the room. She felt foolish, her heart running away from her quickly, but she was also happier than she had been for a long time and she didn't want the warm feeling to disappear. 

She walked away from her mother, nodding to the young women in the room who were eager for the Prince's acknowledgment. It was strange, but somehow the fact that Katya's bride was finally back in the country only seemed to encourage other young women to try their luck at getting the Prince's favor. Perhaps they were hoping for a position as the future King's mistress, but Katya knew she could take none. It was already risky enough that she had visited one of the town's brothels, but at least there it was only one woman was aware of her secret. She knew it was foolish to make such visits, but she also expected that some would find it suspicious if she had not. It was how you became a man after all, something her uncle had reminded her time and time again.

"Presenting; Her Royal Highness, Beatrice Elizabeth Agatha Mattel, Princess of Midrosen."

The eyes of the crowd turned towards the young Princess who had just arrived, and Katya once again felt herself fall under the beautiful girl's spell. Her gown was a light blue color, the large skirt embroidered with golden flowers, the top adorned with gold lace. Her neckline was in full view, the arms of the dress only wrapping around the sides of her shoulders, and Katya couldn't help but move her gaze towards the exposed pale skin of her neck. The front of her hair was pulled back slightly, fastened in the back with a small gold ribbon, but the rest was hanging freely down her back in loose ringlets. On top of her head was a crown, this one simple and small, with golden flowers wrapping around rounded diamonds and deep blue sapphires. She was a vision there she stood searching the crowd for familiar faces. Like an angel come down to earth from heaven above, or a fairy who had escaped from the pages a storybook. 

Katya stepped forward, realizing that the girl was probably searching for her and also wanting to stop anyone else from asking the Princess for a dance. She felt oddly possessive, something she knew was silly seeing as they could never last anyways, but at least for now she wanted to pretend that a future with Trixie was possible. At least for now she wanted to pretend that Trixie was hers, that she would always be. 

"Prince Alexej." Trixie said, sounding as if she was breathing out a sigh of relief as she spoke. 

"Your Highness, you look radiant." Katya said as she offered the girl her arm which the Princess soon accepted. 

"You flatter me, sire."

"Only as much as you deserve." Katya answered flirtatiously as she led the girl towards a table filled with all the food and drinks one could wish for.

"Am I to understand that these compliments are to become a common occurrence?" Trixie asked jokingly.

"Well, they must if you continue to outshine the stars." 

"Oh no, my stomach, I think I might be getting sick. Perhaps it's your cheesy lines?" 

"Rude, here I was trying to act nice and this is how you respond." Katya responded, faking insult.

"Oh, I am sorry, Your Highness. How can I ever make it up to you?" Trixie asked dramatically. 

"I think... you are obligated to dance with me."  

"Oh, am I now?" The Princess challenged.

"Yes, you're absolutely forced to join me on the dance floor. It is the only way to make up for your rude ways." Katya said as she leaned forward in an exaggerated bow, causing the Princess to laugh sweetly.

"Oh well, if there is no other choice." The Princess said, taking Katya's hand and following her onto the dance floor.

Katya's arm wrapped around the girl's waist, pulling her close, her other hand meeting Trixie's outstretched arm. They waltzed graciously around the hall, feeling the eyes of most landing on them. But Katya did not feel uncomfortable, did not wish to pull away and end the dance early, instead she felt the need to pull Trixie closer against her own body. She felt bewitched by the girl's honey-brown eyes which sparkled with joy as they turned and turned. 

In that moment, nothing else existed.

The world was only Trixie.

Trixie's joyous laugh.
Trixie's bright smile.
Trixie's soft hands.

There was only her, and nothing else.

And Katya realized then, how deeply she had truly fallen.