In the Shadows~zayn au~Completed ✅EDITING

~Chapter 77: Finalization~

I'm busting these out like a boss and I feel pretty accomplished. A bit of Zalysta for you *sniffle*. Also, there's a lot that gets set, as suggested in the chapter name.

Dedicated to @zaynforeverasthetic because she said I was her favorite Wattpad author 😱😍😩. All the love, boo and thank you so muuuch!! It's incredible to be told that!

Soooo they're at the banquet and she's been dancing with Adrian... GO!

That song ended and, after thanking Adrian for the dance, she tried to make her way back to the table. She was intercepted by Duke Crothers, though.

"Princess Kalysta," he greeted, holding out his hand, "would you allow me the pleasure of this dance?"

She agreed and felt herself relax just a bit as they moved about the floor. They were dancing the Elysian style so she was much more familiar with the moves and didn't have to focus quite as hard at keeping in time.

"I thought to give you a reprieve," he voiced quietly. "Constantly dancing with them must be putting you on edge. I hope to interject myself when possible to keep their presence from getting to overwhelming for you."

"Thank you," she answered sincerely. "I'm glad to have such a conscientious and mindful representative here with me. You do Elysium proud."

The Duke smiled kindly. "If it's not too impertinent of me, I would say the same for you. Not many could have handled the threat of war coupled with grave illness so well."

She bowed her head slightly in thanks and then took the opportunity of ease to inspect the room.

Though Murdoch had raised his voice for the dancing, he had not joined in at all. He and Queen Rowen remained at the table, watching the crowd. Adrian was dancing with a woman Kalysta assumed was another higher noble since he was a widower, though she did not know the woman by appearance to say who she was for sure. 

Unbidden, her eyes moved to the next closest dancing pair, which turned out to be Zayn and Duchess Crothers. He moved elegantly and it was clear that he was being authentically charming, for the Duchess was laughing a real laugh and Kalysta could see Zayn's full smile stretch across his face. It was such a lovely, welcome sight that she didn't want to look away.

But she forced herself, knowing that showing her feelings wasn't an option. She considered the other people instead. Assessing everyone, she couldn't help but notice the richness the Mullingan people displayed. They weren't as well-to-do as those in Cheshire, but it still surprised Kalysta that any but the royal family could afford mink furs, from an animal found only in Velia and Cheshire and very expensive to procure.

Another aspect she perceived was the mood of the people. They weren't particularly joyful, but neither were they morose. They showed emotions, unlike some of the other nations, but those emotions were muted in comparison. Kalysta wondered after it.

The next song she was surprised, and covertly pleased, to see Zayn approach her for a dance. She tried to keep her wits about her and school her expression into one of pained tolerance.

"Princess, may I take you for a turn this round?" His voice was brusque and simple.

"Yes, I suppose, Ambassador." She was pleased to find her own voice to be unemotional and steady.

He reached for her, but held her at a safe distance, much as Adrian had.

"What are you doing?" she asked quietly, barely moving her mouth. "We're meant to be keeping our cover."

"Yes, and would it not look suspicious if I danced with the rest of the visiting nobles and not you?" he mused.

She felt the heat rise in her face.