The imperial caravan had arrived early that afternoon. I watched the lines of long row ships appear first as specs in the distance then in greater detail as they got closer to Citalia. The ships were like nothing in the Citalian harbors. They were long and low, more like row boats than the large sailing vessels beside them. I could make out ornate carvings at their masts, much like the mermaids and goddesses that headed our own ships, but these carvings were cruder, rough hewn and indistinguishable from such a great distance. I was told they were dragon heads. The symbol of the Orinthian Imperial Crest. Even with their humble masts, the sheer amount of ships was still awe inspiring. There must have been at least a hundred, though I lost count after a while. I had to be torn away from Astra's window at the first sign of dusk to ready myself for the ball held tonight in celebration. Astra had worked miracles with the seamstress for having such short notice. I let one of the seamstresses assistants help me step into the pink satin dress and work it around my corset.
"Pink is the color of femininity, perfect for the bride to be" she insisted when I voiced my hesitation for the color. But I couldn't deny now that the pale blush color of the gown was a good choice. It was a simple dress, meant to stress elegance over finery. A structured waist and drooping sleeves that left my shoulders bare and shivering. Not the best choice for a winter event but I hoped the heat of the ballroom would quickly stave off the cold. Astra adorned my hair up with dew drop pearls and crystals. She put matching jewels on my ears but left my chest bare.
"Shouldn't I wear some flashy necklace?" I'd asked, but she shook her head,
"And cover up those magnificent collar bones of yours? They're your greatest assets!"
"Whatever you say" I replied, now wishing for a shaw more than ever. But the last thing I wanted on the night of my engagement ball was to look like an old woman. Needless to say, I resisted the urge.
"Ok, you're all done" Astra whispered, she rushed the maids and staff out of the room until it was just the two of us before an ornate silver mirror.
"Close your eyes" I did as she told and let her guide me into position,
"Ok you can open them"
When I saw the ensemble I almost burst out laughing if not for the delicate headpiece I was determined to keep in place.
"Astra, I don't give you enough credit" I grinned. How could I have missed it? The layering of the dress and and the dropping sleeves for petals. The dew drop crystals and pears that seemed to drip of my hair like oversized water droplets. Hell, the pink.
" Roses were always your favorite" Astra mused, spraying me with the flower's signature scent.
"Now you will be one for the night"
"Thank you Astra" I couldn't express my gratitude for such a beautiful gown. It had been her idea from the start. Maybe as a way to cheer me up while keeping the anxiety at bay. Though she didn't show it, I was glad she knew how much my fears weighed on me. I pulled her into a tight hug.
"Ok ok" she smiled patting my shoulders. "Now I you need to get out of here so I can get ready"
" Yes yes, I'm sorry I'll leave" I rushed out the the room as quickly as I could, there was only an hour before the ball was set to begin, Astra would be running late because of me.
"Eira? Is that you? Oh darling you look so beautiful!" I heard a warm voice from down the hall, it was Mother. She was as regal as always. Fitted in an elegant sapphire gown of crushed velvet and gold that sunk around her like water.
"It was all Astra" I replied, doing a little spin so she could see it in it's full glory. The giddy delight I got from the way the skirts spun around me took me back to my gleeful childhood. I felt like a princess from the ancient fairy tales with magic and happy endings. Not a king's daughter caught in a political marriage with a stranger. Mother beamed with pride. She'd always been a lot soften than Father, it was easier to gain her praise. Maybe that's why I gravitated more to Father, where affection was hard fought and relished like a rare delicacy. His cold demeanor made his smile all the more gratifying. Mother shook her head still smiling sadly. When she'd heard about the marriage, she cried. I knew she only wanted the best for me. She wanted me to be in love, like she was with my father. But I think she also knew that this was one of the burdens that came with the crown. The people always came first.
"Is Astra ready?" Mother asked, breaking the awkward silence,
"No, sorry she just got started."
"That girl" Mother sighed, exasperated.
"Well, actually-"I started, wanting to defend my sister's name, but she cut me off
"Come on, you'll want to see the royal party approach"
Dutifully, I followed in her wake. Behind the front doors of the palace was the massive great hall. The two front doors were carved from gold veined rock and engraved with the crest of Anthea. A phoenix flying above the morning sun peaking out from behind the mountains. The matching stone floors were carpeted by an ornate blue rug and ran up the curved double staircase onto the overlook above. Along the walls hung drapes and tapestries depicting the oldest tales of Anthea ballads and battles alike. Now the rays of a waning sun cast their aber glow across the entrance hall. Mother whisked me around the overlook to the massive windows the looked out past the front courtyard and down the stone paved palace boulevard. Already I could see the procession approaching. The Court would arrive first. They came in gilded coaches, all emblazoned with their respective house crest. The ball would start at sundown so the most important people would arrive a bit after. The ones coming in now were the low Court or well off commoners who had just managed to scrounge up an invitation. It was clear from their walk that they'd never been to the palace before. A family with two teenage daughters about Astras age actually went to go touch one of the tapestries before being told off by a guard. I couldn't help by smiling a little. Their novelty was my normal. I often wondered what it would be like to travel to a whole new world, then I would experience what those people were now. The sense of awe, the thrill of new sights, sounds and smells. I'd never gotten to travel though. Maybe once I was married I'd be able to travel to Damara, Orinth's capital city and, as many travelers had told me, the most beautiful city in the world. The thought of my impending nuptials soured any excitement I may have felt about the ball or even the prospect of traveling. Mother nudged my shoulder, a subtle warning that we were being watched. Indeed, I saw the same young family staring up at us from our perch on the overhang. I fell into the all too familiar facade of graceful princess. Melting my sulking grimace into a soft smile. I nodded at them, Mother often told me a little acknowledgement was all that was needed to break awkward stares. Sure enough, the mother beamed and quickly rushed her girls out of the entrance hall in the direction of the ballroom.
"Good job" Mother whispered, so silently I almost thought I'd imagined it. Now that we were here, there was no escape, the trickle of guests became a flow as the sky turned from a peachy salmon to deep set gold. Before I knew it the sky was dark and the room was illuminated instead by the shimmering glow of the crystal chandelier high above. As discreetly as I could, I slipped down the corridors to the second floor entrance to the ballroom. Father and Astra were already waiting. From behind a red velvet curtain I could already hear the roar of voices and the clink of glasses from the party.
When Father saw us his shoulders slumped a little. I guess he had worried we were going to be late.
"We were greeting the guests" Mother said softly, patting his shoulder. He nodded,
"King Runar? Have the Orinthians arrived?"
Mother solemnly shook her head, " No sign yet."
"To be expected" Father mused,
"Well, no need to stall the celebrations, its time for our entrance"
I couldn't remember how long we stood up on the royal balcony, smiling silently as the last of the guests were announced on the other side of the hall. It was no surprise that the Orinthians were late. Their entrance required splendor and bravado, nothing that could be executed properly so early in the night.
Then a horn sounded in the distance. I held my breath. Here they were. In just a few moments I would meet the man who I would spend the rest of my life with. Then the ballroom doors swung open. Huge uniformed men and their slender dates cascaded into the room. All of them adorned in their navy uniforms and shining military medals that glinted in the candlelight. The procession was huge, much grander than I anticipated, the other guests stepped back to the sides of the hall to give them room. Trumpets blared.
"Emperor Runar Harsivar X of Orinth and Crown Prince Laurent Harsivar" the herald called, and then two men appeared in the doorway. My breath caught. There was Emperor Runar a title I had never heard him called, burly and square jawed. Just like all the portraits I'd seen of him. And standing next to him. My breath froze. He was a beanstalk of a boy. Impossibly tall and lanky with curly black hair and dark eye. He had a nose a bit to big for his thin frame and a red mark starkly visible, across the left side of his face. Whatever I had expected the mysterious Laurent Harsivar to look like, it wasn't this. I glanced beside me to Astra. Exchanging a look. She glared back at me with confusion and shock in her eyes. It was clear this was not what she expected.
As quickly as I could I regained control of my face. The last thing I wanted was to look shocked. Letting my mask slip-even for a second- could be detrimental. We were not in a place to be slighting our soon-to-be overlords. The attendees sunk into low bows and a look at my father made me realize we were to do the same. My face flushed. How entitled could I be? Forgetting to bow to an emperor was a mistake I would not soon forget. Emperor Runar waved his hands, signalling for us all to rise. The orchestra began a flashy waltz and the Court hurried to pair up and take to the floor.
I knew what I had to do. Astra at my side, I descended into the crowd. In the heat of the dance floor I could already feel my layered dress becoming stifling. I saw the Prince begin to approach, his father was nowhere in sight, no doubt making a b-line for the King. I fought to keep my panic off my face. Astra squeezed my hand and scurried away. I didn't know why I was so scared of this stick of a man but my insides still tumbled when he reached me.
He bowed stiffly, I realized that even when he lowered his head he still towered above me. I didn't dare look up
"My Lady" he said. It was so quiet I could barely hear it over the swish of silks and the strum of the orchestra. I sunk into a deep curtsy, bowing my head low lest my face betray me.
"Your Highness" I murmured, matching his volume.
Laurent didn't even need to ask, holding out a white gloved hand. We both knew what we needed to do.
We swept onto the dance floor midway through the dance. I praised the stars it was a simple waltz. Though I was a proficient dancer, I didn't trust my shaking nerves. Laurent was an adequate partner. He knew the moves, though without the flourishes common among The Court. I nearly keeled over in embarrassment when I leaned in for a twirl and he awkwardly righted me as the other dancers spun their skirts. I could tell he knew he'd done something wrong when his face reddened. But he didn't say anything and turned away so I couldn't see his face. I focused on my feet and the rhythm of the music. The first two dances were done in heavy silence before I let him lead me off the dance floor.
"Thank You your Highness" I dropped into a low curtsy again and he left quickly, leaving me with a knotted stomach and and a half finished introduction. We'd barely even spoken. I'd spent the last two weeks stressing about this moment. And for what?! A half greeting and a silent dance?It was all I could manage not to scowl. I knew the room was watching.
As quickly as I could manage I made my way up to the royal balcony again. Father and Mother were in deep conversation with Runar. My stomach dropped. The last thing I wanted was to talk to this man. But before I could make myself scarce he spotted me.
"Your Excellency" I murmured dropping into a deep curtsy, he nodded.
Up close Runar was even bigger than I thought. He towered over even my father. Cold dark eyes and a formidable salt and pepper beard framed his face. He had a long scar over the left side of his face and I could see now that the left eye was milky and blank. He was half blind. Somehow that scared me even more.
"Lady Eira I presume" he said, voice deep and gruff.
"I pleased to make you acquaintance. I was just talking to your Father here on the proceedings of your engagement."
"-Yes" I stammered, of course that was what he'd been talking about. What else was there to discuss?
"And I see you've already met my son Laurent" he smiled, looking behind me. I whipped around to see Laurent making his way up the stairs. I forced a smile onto my face. Stars, what did he want?
"Uh- Yes, I have"
I sounded like a dumb child. Tripping over my words. I felt my face heat and prayed that they'd attribute it to the warmth of the ballroom and not my ineptitude.
"I am please to hear it"
Laurent paused by my side. He looked as uncomfortable as I felt, the thought gave me solace.
"Your Excellency, you called me" Laurent muttered in that same deep murrmer he'd greeted me with. I startled a little, he called his father by his title? I'd never once addressed my father as Your Majesty, even in formal settings.
"Yes, Laurent I think you and Lady Eira should get to know each other better. Get away from the dancing, share a glass of wine and some good conversation."
My father nodded, "Yes you two should get to know each other better, this is after all a party for our two countries to connect."
I clenched my jaw to keep from objecting, "Yes Father"
"Eira why don't you show His Highness to the Ruby Room. Its much quieter in there, you can hear yourself think" Mother offered, smiling,
I nodded, the Ruby Room was adjacent to the ballroom it was a private room for political meetings to take place during a party without moving to far from the action.
I'd always liked the Ruby Room but never spent much time inside. At least I would be comfortable, I thought as I skirted around the edge of the ballroom, Laurent in toe. The entrance to the room was a gilded panel with a golden rose in the center that acted as a doorknob. Discreet, but not too hidden. I felt a hundred eyes on my back as I swung the panel open to allow Laurent to pass through. No doubt there would be rumors circulating about this tomorrow.
As the name suggested, the Ruby Room was done up in red velvet. Plush couches and dark stained tables made up the majority of the room. Deep red drapes covered the walls, muffling the noise from outside. It was cool and dark inside. I rubbed my temples. I hadn't realized how loud it was out there. Laurent looked as if he wanted to collapse on the couch but he restrained himself. I took a seat opposite him not sure where to begin. We exchanged a few moments of painful silence before he relented and sighed, deflating into the couch.
"This place is much nicer than out there" He said, away from the noise I could hear his voice better. It was warm and soft, like those old crooners that performed at lazy cocktail parties.
"You like it?" I asked, he hadn't raised his head and from this angle I could see the exposed flesh of his neck. There was a mark poking out from under his dark hair. I couldn't make it out in this light but I bit back the urge to ask about it.
"Yeah" he said, more like a sigh than a word.
I smiled a little, I couldn't deny I was tired too, I hadn't slept well last night. Or any of the nights for the last two weeks to be honest. But luckily powder had hidden the purple crescent moons under my eyes so I wouldn't look like a zombie the night I met my future partner for life. This silence was a lot less tense then the one before and I let myself unwind a little. The heat of the crowded ballroom had left my skin and I felt goosebumps on my exposed shoulders. I knew I should have brought a shawl.
"The dress is pretty" I didn't notice Laurent had sat up, he was studying the folds of the rose petal skirt making his way up to my eyes. I squirmed a little, embarrassed at being looked over.
"But it looks cold"
I coughed out a pained laugh, "Yeah"
I realized this was the first time I'd actually seen him up close. Now I could see the mark on his face a little closer. Despite myself I squinted at it. It looked somewhere between a burn and rash. A deep red and almost purple in some places, blotting the right side of his face like cow print.
"I see you've noticed the birthmark" he said, I blushed and turned away. I felt once again like a guilty child.
"I'm sorry"
"No its fine, I'm used to it" he replied, I looked back hesitantly
"If you don't mind me asking-" I almost stopped myself but it was too late now, "what is it?"
Laurent smiled a little, but it was grim. "I was born with it" he began
"Its called a port wine stain, my mom had it"
I nodded, "I'm sorry-"
"It's just a birthmark, there's no tragedy in it" he cut me off. I winced. The sooner this was over the better.
"Ok now its my turn to ask a question" he continued, changing the subject. I looked up, nodding quickly.
"The dress" he nodded down at the skirt,
"Its a rose right?"
I found myself smiling, he'd gotten it.
"Yeah"
"It's cool, I like the concept" He leaned forward to study it more closely,
"Are you interested in fashion?" I questioned, surprised.
He paused, but after a moments thought nodded slowly.
"I suppose I am. I don't see any designs like the ones here, even when I'm in Damara"
"Well you're here now, you can talk to my sister Astra, she's the mastermind behind this one"
He smiled, "Yeah that would be nice"
I let out a little breath, this wasn't so bad.