Villainess From the Stars

50. His Mission (POV: Ralph Silvaine)

It was never his intention to search for a queen when he had initially traveled to the Continent.

All he thought about was protecting the precious existence that was the Starlight Soul.

Then he saw her the night of the investiture ball and his heart beat thunderously in his chest. He wasn't sure why he had never noticed it before but she was beautiful. Her happiness radiated from her like a glowing ore stone.

He wondered if this was what his father felt the first time he had seen his mother in her element. If she had shone as brightly as Vienna Thorne did her gown reminded him of the serkosos blossoms from his homeland. Homesickness stirred at the pit of his stomach while his gaze followed her, her eyes rising to meet his. Her eyes widened and he was quick to disappear. He needed to collect himself.

Then he saw her disappear from the main hall. His gaze traveled across the ball searching for Lady Nesrin not seeing her, he was quick to search out Lady Vienna.

The whispering chattering of ladies surrounded him as he passed by them in search of his quarry.

"He's the king of the Elem."

"Him? He's handsome."

He watched from the corner of his eye as Lady Adeena Nesrin curtseyed with a simpering smile on her lips.

"Your Majesty..." Lady Adeena's eyes traveled up the long glistening robes of the king but it was when her eyes met his mixmatched that she froze in place, her whole body becoming rigid.

"You..." She sputtered. Her voice cut off and her hands shook at her sides.

Her friends whispered behind her back and stepped back as if anticipating the rage of a king at such rudeness.

A cruel smirk appeared unhindered upon his lips, "How rude, Lady Nesrin. It's as if you don't know how your basic etiquette. How unfortunate." His gaze narrowed, "I told you I'd see you again."

Her mouth gaped but she couldn't utter one word.

"I told you there would be a price." He pointed at the artifact at her throat, his fingers brushing over the Pōrteacaleum cameo.

This time her hands rose to the artifact at her throat, no doubt feeling it burn her skin as soon as he brushed his fingers over it.

"Remember this Lady Nesrin, you'll never be able to move against me."

Then he swept away leaving her staring at him with a gaping mouth and eyes full of fear.

As he walked down the corridors his gaze fell upon a shadow and on instinct searched it out only to find where Lady Vienna had hidden herself.

It was the most he had interacted with her, even when undercover as a professor at the Academy. He couldn't help but enjoy how her cheeks flushed in embarrassment. He wasn't offended as she might have thought by her dissolving into giggles at his name, instead, he felt as if he had been privy to seeing a rare side to the woman; something she didn't normally show to others. He felt almost privileged. It was then that the thought of her as his queen graced his mind.

He felt drawn to her and he wondered if it was the draw of starlight in their veins, as if they were magnets pulling each other toward one another.

As he asked her for a dance, her slender hand slipped into his and he pulled her close as the veins of a couple's dance came into the air. His thoughts swirled with the possibilities.

"I would like to see you again, Lady Vienna. May I visit you at your home?"

"I would be honored to have you as a friend, your Majesty."

It would seem she was blind to his interest.

"I would like to pursue you Lady Vienna. I'd be the one honored if you accepted my offer to court you."

"Oh." Her cheeks rose in color. She swallowed before looking to the side as if collecting her thoughts.

"I understand you weren't expecting such an offer. However, I wouldn't wish to leave the Continent before making it."

"You'll be leaving soon?" She almost looked regretful.

"Will you allow me a reason to stay a little longer?"

She looked him in the eyes and his gaze stayed fixed upon her.

"May I have some time to think about it?"

"I will give you a week, Lady Vienna." He bowed over her her hand, kissing the air above it not wishing to frighten her away so soon.