The Ruler of Wattpadia - Contest

Lord Jayce de Lons of Dusau

I put on my best black suit, and a blue striped tie. 'I must look my best for the ball. Queen Oxy is looking for an heir.' I tell myself. 'You must look professional, Jayce.' I leave my manor, and begin the long trip to the Queen's ball at her castle. It's a long way from Dusau. As my horses trot along, pulling my carriage towards the castle, I allow my thoughts to drift to a possible future. Me, sitting atop the throne. The thought of it makes me giddy. I could finally make the realm prosperous, and lead everyone to riches and happiness. I smile happily, looking out the side of the carriage. 'All of this... Could be mine,' I imagine.

It takes almost the entire day to get to the castle, and I finally get to stand and stretch. I slowly get out of my carriage, and look at the driver.

"Thank you," I nod, and give him two gold coins. He looks at me in shock, and I know that it's because he's supposed to be working for free. He's a slave. "Don't you give that to your owner. You keep it," I tell him. "You earned it." I watch as the man pulls away, smiling openly. 'There should be no slaves in Wattpadia,' I think. 'It's a horrible life, and it could be done without. There are enough people looking for work as it is. I slowly approach the castle, unsure. I eagerly take in the sight in front of me. Oxy's castle is a delightful palace, and is clearly designed for this purpose. I nod at the doorman, and enter alone. Inside, I can see several nobles, clearly all from Ashburg. They show off several new contraptions that they have come up with, and talk amongst themselves.

Then I see one lady, alone in the corner. She wears a dark, purple dress, and looks on at the proceedings in solitude. Her hair is tied in a bun, and I instinctively walk over. 'No one should be alone at a ball.' I approach.

"M'lady," I greet, bowing. "Would you accept a dance?" I ask. It's Lady Onxy. She looks at me, as if sizing me up, and then nods.

"Certainly." I take her hand, and lead her onto the dance floor. A waltz begins playing, and I thank my lucky stars that my father made sure I knew how to dance. We dance in step until the song ends, and then I bow and head towards the enormous table full of food. Everything imaginable has been prepared. Duck... Turkey... Exotic fruits... I grin and sit down. I look around, and see one face I recognize. Lady Saffron sits across, slowly nibbling on an apple. I give her a slight smile, and she smiles back.

"Enjoying yourself, Lady Saffron?" I ask her. She nods at me.

"Yes... Yes I am, thank you." She reaches for a square of chocolate, a delicacy, and I chuckle.

"You always had a soft spot for that stuff," I tell her. She shrugs.

"Why not enjoy the good life?" She answers. I take a tumbler of wine, and sip it merrily.

"Very true."

After a few minutes of filling my stomach, I return to the dance-floor, but Lady Onxy is not visible. 'Come on, Jayce,' I think. 'There's tons of ladies here. Just man up and ask someone to dance. It's just a dance, after all.'

It take me a minute before I come across another lady who is neither dancing nor occupied elsewhere. Her silvery-white hair catches my eye, and I stroll over.

"May I ask for a dance, m'lady?" She looks at me, slight surprise showing on her face.

"What's your name?" she asks.

"Call me Jayce," I tell her. "And you?"

"Shayne Brightwell," she answers. I take another dance, and my eyes seem fixated on the silvery wisps of hair on her head. 'What happened to her?' I wonder, but say nothing as I enjoy the dance. When the music stops again, I bow out respectfully, and decide it's time to go. 'It's getting late, and I have a long night of travel ahead.' I see Queen Oxy watching the proceedings, and step over.

"Thank you for this evening, my Queen. It was a delight." She nods at me, as I leave, happy to have been invited. I return to my carriage, and the slave smiles gleefully at me.

"Leaving, my lord?" I nod at him. I nod back.

"Let's go."