The Devil in Reign

Ballgowns.

"Feeling like Gatsby for that whole year."

Alexandria placed the last bobby pin in the back of her bun and placed the diamond band atop it. She stared herself in the mirror as she gently touched one of the two loose curls framing her face.

As she placed on her diamond drop earrings, she looked like a princess, dressed in champagne tulle that made her seem like she was floating. She looked like an angel, devoid of all sin. The only things hinting to her demons were her deep red lips and guilt hidden in her crystal blue eyes.

Her eyes trailed from her reflection to her husband, looking handsome and dapper as ever in his black as night suit and slicked back hair. She turned her head slightly as he placed a subtly jewelled rose gold chain around her neck. With his initial engraved on the diamond pendant, filled with a slight gold. J.

"I love it." Alexandria whispered subtly, as he placed one on the bend of her hips, which was covered by the metallic corset of the Ballgown.  

"You look like a goddess." He whispered, gently rubbing a piece of the flowing tulle fabric between his thumb and index finger. 

"Thank you so much, babe. That means you're my king." She whispered with a small laugh, pecking his lips softly.

James checked his watch, tapping the glass surface as he let go of her waist.

"Baby, the car is here. Should I wait for you or—" He asked, gently caressing her arm.

"No, no. Go on ahead, I have to find my shoes." She lied, a sweet smile on her lips.

Giving him two minutes as he went, she pulled up her skirt to reveal her stunning gold LouBoutins and sighed as she opened her drawer which she kept her socks and miscellaneous items until her fingers enclosed around a cold, piece of jewelry.

Christian's ring.

She was meant to return it tomorrow but she didn't feel like slipping it in her clutch to hide. Instead, she placed it on her middle finger, right next to her engagement ring.

She looked herself in the mirror one last time before biting her lip and walking out and down the stairs.

••••••••

The King was a more casual, sophisticated man. Instead of castles, he preferred mansions. He preferred a sleek modern hall to a Victorian architectural ballroom. 

In Alexandria's défense, the time when she came with her parents, it was to their palace. And since they had passed, Christian seemed opposed to anything near the general scheme of a castle.

The only tradition he didn't change was the fact that all his guests got picked up in a Rolls Royce by one of his own personally hired chauffeurs.

She sat across from James as they pulled into the lot of his London home. Today was her last day in England before she was off to Vienna and she hoped with all her heart that this night would be worth it.

The door opened and the chauffeur offered his gloved hand out to help the woman out of the car. She accepted standing up carefully and saying her thanks, shaking the man's hand only to realize she had given him her left hand, where the King's ring prominently sat. He gave her a look before letting go and she mentally cussed herself out.

If he had noticed, who's to say James didn't either.

"M'lady." James said with an arm out for her, laughing quietly as she slipped her arm in his.

"Are you nervous?" She whispered, as she walked into the large, ebony and onyx mansion with a smile on her lips. Phones and other electronic devices were not allowed. But in this day and age, and with her job, there was no way she could give up her phone for a few hours.

And it seems like Christian knew that.

For as they want through security, through the large gates, they were not stoped by either of the kings man. They just went straight in.

But before the entrance to hall, they were each given a mask.

James was given a class black eye covering that sat on his perfect cheekbones, making him look even better than he did before.

And Alexandria was given the most beautiful mask she'd ever seen. Golden jewels covered the swan like mask, angelic feathers off the sides of the ends of the mask.

"You look like royalty. Your mother would be proud." James said to her as the kingsmen on either side of the large doorway opened both, letting the pair walk in.

Alexandria gasped aloud. It was easily the most beautiful room she had seen. Contrary to what she had thought, the hall was a perfect mix between modern and Victorian. A grand ceiling made of what seemed like gold with crystallized leaves hanging down from the arches all leading to the grand chandelier that sat in the middle of it. And grand golden staircase lay on the other side of the room, leading up to a portrait of the royal family. The walls were so beautiful. Sleek obsidian with golden undertones and grand windows. Everything was so beautiful. So majestic. Regal.

It seemed that it was a black and white affair. The only differences in colour being the masks. Women were in black or white gowns, ranging from cocktail dresses to almost bridal gowns. Men, all in dark suits. And it seems that Alexandria didn't get the message. She felt out of place in her champagne ballgown, like she showed up to a funeral in all white.

She clung onto to James' arm as they mingled, her doing her best to not talk to anyone and let her fiancé do all the talking. She was a diplomat, but all her grace and espionage abandoned her in that moment.

Until James let go of her and she tensed.

"And you were asking me if I was nervous?" He said with an amused chuckle, an endearing smirk on his handsome face.

She rolled her eyes and playfully smacked his arm as he took her hand and led her to the centre of the room where couples were already dancing together.

He bowed before her and brought her hand to his lips in a gentle kiss.

"May I have this dance, darling?" He asked, standing up straight and slipping his arms around her waist.

"Of course you can." She responded, her slender, porcelain arms snaking their way around his neck as they held onto each other and swayed to the music.

In that moment, everything was perfect. She didn't want it to end. Dancing with James in the crystallized light, she felt fulfilled and at peace with everything.

Even when the chatter died and music died down, she still continued to sway with him until James stopped completely. She placed her one hand on his chest as she followed his gaze and she noticed why.

Because up above, on the platform of the grand staircase, His Highness has arrived.

He had clearly scanned over his guests and settled his gaze on one couple in particular.

He was staring at Alexandria with daggers in his eyes.