He Strikes at the Hotel

Chapter Thirty Seven

Thankfully, Zachery and I were on a table with Nerissa and Pierre, along with Giles. It was a good combination of people, which made me feel much more comfortable. It almost felt as if we were on a family evening out.

There were three seats left vacant at our table however and I couldn't think who else would be sitting with us. Zachery's other guards - including the disgusting Jared - were scattered around the room on separate tables so that they all had a good view of our table from each corner of the room. From what I could see, they all seemed pretty content with where they were sitting, as there were a lot of beautiful women in even more beautiful ball gowns sat all around them. Even Jared had a half smug smile on his lips as he eyed every woman who walked past him. Urgh... Even the thought of him gave me the shivers and made my skin feel like there were bugs underneath it.

"Who are the empty seats for, Zachery?" Thankfully Nerissa had the good sense to actually ask, instead of assume like I was. She was sat next to Pierre and they were both glowing with happiness. The glistening of the crystal fountain which was very close to us shone in their eyes.

"Oh, well, those seats are reserved for my mother, father and brother. If they decide to turn up, that is." Zachery spoke bitterly about him family. It was then that I realised I had never actually asked him about his family and how he got on with them. I guess that was my answer.

"The King is going to be sat next to me?!" Pierre cried out, face whitening. Although I understood his concerns, which were quite obvious for anyone in his position; the funny side of it was shining through more so, with poor little Pierre, the extremely well mannered and reserved one out of us, was going to be sat next to the King of England for the evening, and he had only just found out. If it wasn't for us asking the question of who would be sat there, the King would have just rocked up and sat down next to him. I couldn't even bare to think of Pierre's reaction to that, as I would most likely burst out laughing like a mad woman.

"Yes Pierre, but don't worry. My father isn't quite as royal as what he is cracked up to me. He is quite obnoxious most of the time. He is, however, rather polite towards my friends. So there's no need to be concerned. Knock him down a peg or two if you like..." Zachery began to offer as he gave Pierre a suggesting look.

"I...I... I couldn't..." Pierre was stammering his words and we all laughed together at his panic, but Nerissa began to soothe him and rub his shoulders, trying to calm his nerves.

"Don't panic, darling, we are all here together. Forget he is the King, just think of him as Zachery's father, nothing else." Nerissa spoke wisely, comforting him along with the rest of us. As Nerissa is just a fan of the royal family, I can't quite believe how calm she is being. I suppose her maternal nature is suppressing her nerves like it usually does when anyone else is flustered.

"How could they miss the Royal Ball of all things?" I asked.

"They do try to come every year, but something their royal politics take priority unfortunately. My father is often a very busy man, with my mother carrying him along the way. My brother just likes to tag along most of the time to gain exposure." Zachery explained nonchalantly.

That phrase again. Royal politics.

As I began to get settled in with my surroundings, looking around at all of the beautiful decorations which had been hoisted up to the ceiling, pinned to walls or scattered across furnishings; the mumbled conversations of everyone around us hushed as I heard footsteps approach from behind us.

We all turned around to see what had caused the stop of the chatter, and saw that it was because the King had just entered with his wife and youngest son, contrary to Zachery's assumptions. I had only ever seen photographs of the King, never in person. I must say, he looked like an older, greyer version of Zachery. He was a very handsome man, with lines etched into his face each telling a story of something he had conquered. He wife - Zachery's mother - was beautiful. She had long black hair which fell down her neck in large waves which bounced along which her stride. She had a friendly face which greeted us before she even reached the table.

Zachery's brother however, looked nothing like Zachery. He looked more like Pierre than anyone. He had dirty blonde hair, had a paler complexion than Zachery and was also much shorter. He didn't have the charming demeanour that the rest of the family held. He seemed to radiate something else, not quite so charming.

"Ah, how lovely of you to grace us with your presence, Jeremy." Zachery said to his brother as he sat down at the table next to Giles.

"It's lovely to see you too, dear big brother of mine." Jeremy said with a twisted expression on his face.

"Oh Zachery, darling! How I have missed you." Zachery's mother chimed as she placed her hands on his shoulders and bent down beside him to give him a kiss on his cheek. Her voice was very well spoken and kind.

"I've missed you too, mother. May I introduce you to my friends, Nerissa and Pierre." Zachery said as directing her attention towards them. They both smiled in a painfully nervous way and both lifted their hands to give a small wave, and bowed their heads.

"And this-" Zachery motioned towards me. "Is Audrey Rose. The girl I spoke about in my letters to you since my stay here." He didn't make eye contact with me, but I could tell there was a hint of nerves as he spoke those words.

"Audrey Rose, dear, it is wonderful to finally meet you. Zachery speaks so highly of you, and I must say, you are truly stunning. From what I hear, your personality matches that too." She said sweetly to me, as she done the same to me as she did to Zachery, leaning down and planting a soft kiss on my cheek. It felt full of motherly love, which made me miss my own mother terribly.

"Thank you, ma'am. It's a pleasure to meet you. You must be an incredible woman to have raised such a gentleman." I replied, meaning my words, but giving Zachery a sly grim as I spoke them.

"Oh no! No 'ma'am's'. Please call me Violet. Or Vi. Anything but ma'am." She faked a gag as she said 'ma'am', indicating how much she resented being called it, which made us all laugh.

"I see where you get your humour from now." I directed towards Zachery, which he gave a warm smile in return to. I could tell him and his mother were close.