The Other King

The Other King- A ball to Remember (Part 2)

IMPORTANT NOTE AT THE END PLEASE READ!

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My heart thumped inside my chest and my body was moving very slowly, inching towards the door leading to the hall in which the ball was taking place. As my front foot came down to touch the tiled floor, the rest of my body followed despite the cold and numb sensation I was feeling; my eyes glued to the dull grey ceiling. I can feel my dress underneath me, the soft silk caressing my skin, my hair laid on my shoulders, swaying ever so slightly in the breeze of the night. I slowly took a deep breath in and just as slowly, let it out again.

What have I done? Why didn’t I go? Do I really think it’s worth staying here? I asked myself all of these questions simultaneously, not knowing the answer to a single one. I felt like crying. Slowly, I wrapped my arms around myself, savoring the embrace, even if it was only me. I wished for someone else’s arms around me, to soothe me and give me some comforting words to calm me down, to simply express an affectionate act towards me.

My head snapped up as I heard the sinister creek of the wooden door. I quickly wiped away any trace of the tears before the intruder could see them. I bowed my head in case tears still lingered on my cheeks.

“Amanda,” I heard a familiar voice call to me, “is that you?”

I wiped my face with the back of my hand, ensuring there were no tears and looked up. There, a few feet in front of me, stood Dominic looking at me, curiosity on his face. I sat there quietly not know what I could say to him. He looked around his surroundings, standing near the door awkwardly. Finally, my mind began to function enough to say something, “What are you doing up here?”

“I…” he paused, thinking to himself, “I just wandered up here really. What are you doing up here all alone, are you ok? It looks like you have been crying.” He slowly walked towards me, crouching down next to me. He rested one of is big, masculine hands on my shoulder, his hand felt rough against my skin, almost like my fathers. “Amanda?” his voice was full of concern.

I took a deep breath, “I’m just nervous about the ball.” I couldn’t tell him the truth; he may go off and tell Peter.

He smiled at me, “How can you be nervous about such a small little thing like this?”

“I’ve never been to one. So I have reason to be nervous over this,” I sniffed.

“Oh.” There was a moment of silence; the silence soon became slightly uncomfortable. “Should we go join the people now?” He stood up and held a hand out for me.

I looked towards his hand and then back to the door that led back indoors. I looked at his hand once more and placed my dainty hand in his large one. He gently gripped my hand as I slowly stood up straightening myself out, running my other hand down my dress, eliminating any creases. He let me go and I wiped my cheeks once more hopping that I didn’t look like a big mess.

I slowly make my way to the door first; I could hear Dominic’s heavy steps following closely behind me. I opened the door cautiously. I heard Dominic sigh behind me as he reached over to fully open the door. I felt his tender hand on the small of my back, slightly putting pressure on it, indicating for me to move forward. I grabbed on to the railing tightly and peered down on everyone in the grand hall. It was the same as when I had left it, people continued on talking amongst each other and dancing to the soft harmony of flutes. Dominic continued to urge me forward down the stairs.

Irritated with him giving me small pushes, I turned back to him and whispered angrily at him, “Will you stop pushing me? I will go at my own pace!”