Unspoken

It's THAT Ball Part 1

Chapter 10:

(Desmond POV)

It had been almost a week since we went out on our walk and I had been spending every free moment with Amber. We would go on walks, spend time in the observatory and enjoy each other's company in small outings. Amber was beginning to open up to me and I was relieved I was earning her trust. My mother had continued sending letters telling me how the people were outside of the palace and were demanding more from the rulers. She also kept saying how I owed it to her to help her. However, I kept thinking back to her letter from when Amber and I went on that walk, who in the Enchancian Family would ever go to an even in Coumure?

I was working on something in my workshop but, I kept thinking about what the letter said. James then came in, "Hey Des, I need a favor." I turned to face him, "What do you need?" He then handed me a small round glass charm, "Can you maybe put a smoke screen in there? I think it would be useful to have small smoke screens that we can just throw." I picked it up and looked at it, "Yeah, sure shouldn't be a problem I'll get it to you later." He nodded, "Thanks" and was about to leave. "Hey James do you know about anyone in your family going to a Ball in my home kingdom this week?" He shrugged, "I'd ask Amber, she is the one responsible for RSVPs these days." My eyes widened the Ball I am taking Amber to on Friday might be my mother's Ball. I had to talk to her now.

I went down to the throne room to see Amber and saw her talking with Baileywick. She saw me as she looked up from some papers and turned to Baileywick, "Excuse me for a moment." She walked over towards me smiling, "Hey what are you doing here?" "I need to know, where exactly is the Ball we are going to on Friday?" She cocked her head to the side, "Coumure, didn't your Mom tell you she was hosting a Ball?" My entire body tensed up, I knew it was probably what was happening but, when she said that I could feel my heart drop to my stomach, "Amber d-d-do we have to go to her Ball?" Her entire body drooped, "What do you mean? Do you not want your family to meet me?" "N-n-no, no it is not... it is not that... I... I" She looked back up at me, "Look you don't need to come with me if you don't want to but, I have already said I will be going." I could feel disappointment radiating off her as she turned around and I knew that I had to go, "Amber, I'm going to go with you." She turned back to look at me, "Des, you don't have to..." "Amber," I said stopping her. The only reason I did not want to go to the Ball was because of my parents and I had to make sure it was clear to Amber, "if you are going to go, so am I." She nodded her head, "Alright, if you're sure." I nodded and she walked back over to her work.

I was going to see my parents for the first time in 5 years in two days. I could feel myself growing more nervous but, I would do it for Amber. I'd do anything for Amber.

(Amber POV)

I couldn't shake the feeling that something was going on with Des. Ever since he asked me about the Ball something had been off. It was almost like he was the same Des from when we were younger, everything seemed to make him jittery. The Ball was tonight and I wish I was more excited for it. This was my first real date with Desmond and I knew he wanted to go on a date with me but, why didn't he want to go to a Ball in his own kingdom?

I got ready for the ball and was looking at myself in the mirror. I was in my favorite green ballgown and the maids had done my hair in some elaborate side bun and put on my silver tiara decorated with emeralds. I heard a knock at the door and saw Desmond waiting for me, "You look amazing Amber." I smiled and looked at him. He was in a black waistcoat and had an emerald green sash across the front that matched my dress. "Thank you, you look amazing too." I took his hand as he guided me to the carriage.

As we rode I noticed that Des was distracted with something. "Des, is there something you want to talk about?" He began looking around the windows of the carriage, "Amber Coumure, isn't like Enchancia. There are a lot of internal issues going on right now and we just need to be careful." I was a little confused about what he meant but, my question was soon answered as we began to fly over the kingdom. The fields were completely reduced to dust, the houses were falling apart and many of the shops were boarded up. I then saw a bunch of people outside the castle with pitchforks and torches demanding their rulers come out. I looked over at Des and I could tell that there was a lot more going on than he was going to tell me so I just held his hand.

We got to the castle and began walking inside. I was shocked as I walked inside and found the palace was filled with expensive vases, golden trimmed walls and even mirrors engraved with jewels. I could tell that Desmond was growing angrier as he saw all this as he tightened his grip on my arm slightly. I just rubbed my hand up and down against his arm. I leaned over and whispered, "We only need to stay for an hour." He looked over at me and didn't say anything but, his eyes were thanking me.

(Desmond POV)

Things had gotten so much worse since I last left Coumure since I had left and I wished there was something I could do to help them. The laws in our kingdom gave them complete power and there was absolutely nothing I could do until they gave me the throne or died. Amber seemed to be understanding why I had originally not want to come and I was thankful when she said that we could leave in an hour. We walked into the ballroom and I was just trying to focus on Amber.

We watched as my parents opened the dance floor and I was disgusted as I saw my mother's gown. It was a bright gold color with real jewels embedded in the skirt as well as some gaudy necklace and earrings and the biggest crown she owned. My father wasn't much better with all the broaches and jewels that were used on his suit. "You could feed the entire kingdom for a decade with that gown" I muttered to myself. Amber just squeezed my hand lightly. They finished their dance and I turned to Amber, "Would you care to dance?" I asked going into a bow. She curtseyed, "I would love to." We went out to the dance floor and I we began to dance a slow waltz. It was a perfect moment and almost made coming back here worth it. "Is that you Desmond?" I stiffened as I felt the chill of her voice. I turned to face her, "Hello Queen Lola."