Cardan and Jude

The Ball (And being Attacked)

'Look what I found for you...' The Bomb says as she walks into my room, cloud white hair bouncing. I turn around in my seat at the dresser and gasp.

'Found? How do you find those?' I ask, pointing at the glittering pair of emerald earrings she holds in her palm.

 
'Okay so I didn't 'find' them but no one argued when I took them.'

'From where?'

'Some old room. It doesn't matter. Try them on!' She says excitedly, walking to me and putting them in front of me. Carefully, not knowing their cost, I pick them up and put them to my ears looking in the intricate mirror sat on the desk.

 
'They match perfectly.' She insists, reaching up and clipping them to my ears. They dangle gently and shimmer in the candlelight.

 
'Okay, I like them.' I admit, getting up and walking to the larger mirror opposite my bed.

'Are you nervous?' She asks, coming to stand beside me and holding a small piece of the fabric of my dress in her hand.

 
'A little.' I lie. I'm a lot nervous.

'I'm not surprised. Your first big revel as seneschal to the High King. You look good though.'

 
I give a slight swish of my skirts, watching as they glide through the air, shimmery forest green silk braided with gold lace. It's a beautiful dress.

'Where's your dagger?' The Bomb asks, taking my seat at the dresser.

'Right here.' I reply, hitching my skirt to reveal the knife bound to my thigh with leather.

'And your sword?'

 
'In my hilt, prepared to be at my waist.' I say, walking over to Nightfell in its scabbard, laid carefully on my bed. I slide it across my hips and it sits comfortably, swinging intimidatingly as I walk.

'Good. Me, The Roach and the Ghost will be everywhere tonight so you needn't worry about protecting Cardan. He's safe as can be.'

 
I nod in response and take another look at myself before walking to the door.

'You coming?' I ask, signalling the way out.

'A different way.' The Bomb says, hopping off my chair and walking over to the bookshelf. She pulls one back. A clicking noise and then the bookshelf swings round to reveal a passageway. She salutes before walking confidently into the darkness. I wait before the bookshelf closes again and give myself a little shake. I needn't worry.
I needn't worry.

'His Majesty, High King Cardan.'

 
I shift uncomfortably as Cardan makes his entrance, waving gracefully to his subjects who clap almost resignedly as he slowly makes his way to the throne by which I stand. He catches my eye a few times, only lingering for a second before leaning in and shaking someone's hand, or greeting a pixie. I spot Nicasia on the other side of the great hall, watching jealously as he falls into the throne, immediately relaxing into a position that suggests he doesn't really care. About anything. I try to ignore the cut of his jawline, the deep black of his eyes or the way his closeness makes me shiver slightly with a feeling I'm unsure of.

'Good evening, seneschal.' He says.

'Good evening my king.'

'You look beautiful.'

'And you.' I say, almost blushing at his words. I grip Nightfell a little tighter as the first of many Folk kneels in front of Cardan, bowing its head respectfully. I must watch out for tricks tonight. I need to guide Cardan but not so that it looks as though I have complete control, which I do. But only for a year and a day. And time is flying.
I push away the thought and focus on the task at hand.