The Devil in Reign

Champagne.

She kept her eyes trained on the floor.

Alexandria was still so confused as to why she was personally asked for by Christian. She kept her head down as she walked in, hiding her left hand from him.

She heard the door close and quietly sighed, turning around to face him.

"Your Highness." She said with a curtesy, finally facing him for the first time in weeks.

"My sweet angel, Alexandria." Christian replied as he walked towards her, his footsteps echoing throughout the room.

She finally had her glimpse of him for the first time. He wore a deep navy suit with patterns of golden thread along the seams and buttons of the suit, making him look regal as ever. His chest was decorated with medals, golden that complimented the suit perfectly. His hair was beautifully done and his lips seemed to be coated in a subtle pink lipstick. His green eyes seemed brighter against the dark melodrama of the mask that covered his face. His nails were painted black, his fingers covered in the usual embellishment of rings... except for one.

"You look absolutely stunning." He stated, taking her hand and softly pressing a kiss to her cool flesh.

"The dress code was black and white, did you not get that information, hm?" He asked with the cock of his eyebrow, letting go of her hand and walking off to the desk.

She didn't look around at the office when she first walked in. It was easily one of the most beautiful rooms she had ever been in.

Rich mahogany wood for the shelves and desk, a vast fireplace with beautiful Corinthian leather chairs. The vast alcoves and shelves filled with books that looked so ancient that she just wanted to read it all. Deep coloured spines framed the room, showing the family portrait of Christian, his older sister, and his parents. They looked so beautiful. Christian looked so happy.

"I must've missed it, Your Highness." She muttered, staying where she was, not wanting to be scolded by him.

"I should've had you kicked out of this ball." He stated with malice, pouring some sort of liquor into a glass. "But I didn't because there's just something about you," he continued, turning around with two glasses, one of Champagne and one with some sort of rum in his hand. "In champagne that I seem to like." He said quietly, a hungry and hellish look in his eyes as he handed her the glass. "Sit."

She took the glass, devoid of emotions as she followed him over to the chairs and sat alone on the love-seat across from him. She took a sip of the bubbly drink and placed it down on the table beside her.

"How have you been, Christian?" She asked simply and quietly, not daring to pry.

"I've been fine, darling. Busy as ever." He said with a clipped tone, placing the glass against his pink lips and sipping some of the liquor. "And so have you, clearly. How are the wedding plans going with your fiancé? Good, I'd be hoping. Although he doesn't seem quite like the man to want a wedding, him being away from you and all.." he finished with a smirk, placing his glass down on the table.

It was at that moment that Alexandria wished her mask covered her eyes. She felt enraged. A burning, hot anger seethed through her veins as she stared at his masked green eyes.

"They're going wonderfully well, Your Highness. Thank you for your kind concern." She responded with fake politeness, crossing her hands over her skirt.

"I was thinking of requesting him to be of service as one of my personal kingsmen and stationing him out in New York for six months. T0p pay. By the time he comes back, he'll be one of the wealthiest men on the continent. What do you think, sweetheart?"