Kingdom Come

Chapter Twenty: Guard

I can feel the glares of the other nobles and royals. I ignore them. I step down the stairs, threading my arm through his. Immediately gasps and mutters ripple through the crowd,

"Music please?" I ask politely, the musicians jump into action, playing music. He leads me down the stairs, and I spin, setting my hand lightly on his shoulder. As he begins leading me in the dance, other 'couples' join us on the dance floor. "That was... brave of you," I tell him softly, he chuckles, shrugging.

He doesn't say anything, his soft hazel eyes calm and steady. Though the edges of his mouth curve upwards.

I can't help it, I poke his cheek,

"Come on, tell me how you can look my mother in the eyes when she's pissed and not faint in fear," I urge, he chuckles again, stifling it from turning it into an all-out laugh. He leans in, his breath fanning my neck,

"Actually, all I needed was to know that if I stood up to her, I'd at least catch your attention," he murmurs softly, and I can't help it, I blush slightly. He chuckles at my blush, swinging me around in a spin as the music commands it. This time, his hand doesn't rest on my waist, this time, his arm slides around my waist, holding me neatly closer.

His lips curl into a smile,

"Call me untraditional, but I've decided I don't care," he says softly, his head dipping down toward me. I chuckle softly,

"Well, you've certainly proved that," I tell him just before he has to release me to allow me to do multiple dizzying twirls.

I return to in his arms, and he gives me a small grin.

The song ends all too quickly.

"Goodbye," I whisper before dipping my head and returning to my seat.

"[Y/N]. That was... a bit inappropriate," my mother says softly to me. Without hearing the words, you would like her to be just chatting politely with a beloved daughter.

"Yes. It was, however, it's a good image. It will help the people to trust me once I take the throne. As well, it will tide them over, and ensure that the guards stay loyal for no reason other than that there's a chance I care about one of their 'brothers'," I tell her softly, calmly. She nods,

"Ah. Yes, very well done darling," she says proudly.

A few hours later, I've gone through so many dances that I've stopped caring about with whom. I'm finally allowed to retreat to my room. I get in, and immediately kick off the heels,

"OHHHH, thank god, I thought I was gonna collapse," I mumble, quickly tugging off the dress, which I haphazardly toss over a chair, grab a washcloth, wet it, and then I quickly scrub off my makeup, I pull the tiara out of my hair, and toss it on a table. I ignore the fact I'm practically naked and pull the strands of gems out of my hair before happily collapse into bed, pulling the covers over me, curling up, and falling asleep in the warmth.