Collaterals

The World went Black

It'd taken long enough to pull herself off the ground that by the time she'd shifted a final strand of her hair in place, Zarqa had joined the great many ladies-in-waiting, hovering just out her door and calling out to ask if she, "...Was ready yet?"

Leila had taken a breath, turning only to find the door pushed open, Zarqa marching in, Ladies on their tip-toes to catch a glance of Leila. The door shut behind the younger princes, who raised her brows at Leila, "I know the ball is in your honor but what is taking so long?!"

Leila had only shrugged, moving to the door. Zarqa put a hand on her shoulder, stopping her. She moved in front of Leila, brows crossed in concern as she searched her sister's face, "Are you...were you crying—?"

Leila had only given a guttural sigh, moving away as she mumbled, "No."

And so it was silently they'd made their way to the ball.

Leila hadn't danced once, though a great many had approached her in the hopes to be her first on the dance floor. Her smiles had been tight-lipped at best, nodding through small talk with the different lords, ladies, diplomats, and upper merchants. She'd had to remind herself, repeatedly, to loosen her hunched shoulders, to breathe. But every now and then her mind would wander— she'd be back on the floor of her room, clutching her heart and stifling her sobs— as she shifted almost aimlessly through a sea of the busy bodies and boisterous laughs. And when she glanced at the raised dais holding her parents, there it was: her mother's eyes, ever the watchful eagle, following her every move. And then there was the Captain, still her guard, still always just a few paces away.

He'd gulped when Leila stepped out the hall, the ladies shuffling out her way. Captain had taken a few steps forward, reaching to straighten her Hand's Sash. The step Leila took back was quick, a hand ahead of her as though to stop an approaching animal.

It was the very moment Ali had walked into, looking between them with a frown, "I come to ask, as I see Zarqa also did, what was taking my dear sister so long only to find...and what is this, exactly?"

Leila had not responded, only lowering her hand and watching the Captain straighten. He had the gall to look hurt before Captain turned to look to Ali, "I only meant to straighten the sash, your Highness."

"Hmm," he'd hummed, closing the distance between him and Leila. He held it as one held a soiled handkerchief, moving it so it was just about in place atop her shoulder, before dropping it down. He leaned forward, "Perfect. Stunning. May we go, now?"

She looked now, to where Ali stood, laughing with a group of courtiers. As though sensing her gaze, he turned, smiling to her and raising his glass. Leila tried to smile, only to close her mouth against a gag. Instantly she turned, slithering her way to an open balcony as quick she could. Leila gasped the air in, hands on the marble balusters. She leaned forward, trying to get as far away from the sounds of the ball behind her.

It was only a moment before she heard the Captain, stationing himself by the door. He did not approach her, but his presence had somehow pushed a weight onto her chest, the crisp night air electric around her. Leila leaned even closer to the railing.

"Careful...Someone might think you mean to jump."

Leila's breath caught in her chest. She turned, eyes wide.

Khaled was every bit the handsome noble, hair combed to the side, clothes neatly pressed. Incidentally, he too wore a deep ocean blue that was just a few shades darker than Leila's dress, so it seamed to lean towards black. He put a hand on his chest, jokingly, "I see I may have to change."