*knock**knock*
"Now presenting the Duke and Duchess of Ambrose with their children Sir Mage Knight Captain Ambrose and Lady Thea Ambrose...."
Everything faded out, falling in a trance like state. My chest feels tight and heavy. I can hear my heart beating out of my chest as everyone looked up at us. The feeling of someone had punched me in my stomach turns it into knots. Zander pulling me along down the stairs. Snapping out of it, I could feel all the eyes on us. Whispers sweep through the crowd of onlookers. I felt that cold chill down my spine once again. That Mage Knight must be here somewhere. As we get down to the main floor the people go back to normal. I stood next to Mother and Father. Zander had to step away to handle business. I make my way to the food and drinks. I fill up a plate and take a look around. They are look wonderful, but I do feel overdressed. Everyone is enjoying the evening. Gentlemen kept approaching me trying to get me to dance with them. First off, I am trying to eat and have a drink. Secondly, I do not dance. I got back to Father and Mother. People approach them catching up on the latest events.
"Your Grace, his majesty would like a moment to see you and her grace and Lady Thea." One of the Kings men approached Father. We were then escorted up to King Gabriel.
As we bow, "Your majesty, the Duke and Duchess of Ambrose and their daughter Lady Thea..."
"Ah! Deron! How the hell have you been?" King's face lit up once he seen Father. My Father has known King Gabriel since he was a little prince. Father even trained him. King Gabriel is a fairly young king and easy on the eyes. He is a fair and just king that is beloved by the kingdom. He became a king in an unfortunate way at an early age.
"Very well Your majesty. I take it you're doing well also?" Father replies.
"Yes, yes as long as these people keep my glass full!" King Gabriel says as he signals for a servant to fill his glass again.
"Indeed! You remember my wife, Aithne?"
"Hello, your majesty!" Mother bows again.
"This is our eldest daughter, Thea." He added, I bowed. Then the chill down my spine came back. Zander and that Mage Knight came out a side door behind the King. They both look over towards us as they walk by. We make eye contact but is soon broken by the king.
He stands and takes my hand, clasping his hands softly around mine. "My, My! Your daughter is beautiful. How old is she? Is she married yet?" The King askes and I feel my face getting red.
"No, not yet your majesty. Soon hopefully." Father answers.
He releases my hand and motions my father near him. "Ah! I may have someone in mind. Someone we both know very well! Let us talk privately!"
"Yes, your majesty" Father joins King Gabriel beside him. Mother and I bowed and take our leave to return to the activities. On our way back Zander joins us.
"Zander who is that Mage Knight you were with?" I ask.
"Oh, you don't remember him?" Zander questions.
"Am I supposed to?" I reply
"That's Drystan Regalshade, my childhood friend. Remember? We were trying to see you yesterday, but you were feeling unwell." Zander adds "He is a Captain; well, I stand corrected. His a General now. Pretty much taking over fathers' old position since he is retired."
"They are making him a general?" I question.
"Yes, he's a very skilled Mage Knight. He's the one that killed that Warlord last year too. " Zander replies
How can someone be born with that kind of darkness about them, I don't remember him being that way. At least I don't think so. Moments pass and more gentlemen introduce themselves. I believe word has gotten out that I am to be married. I suppose Mother had something to do with that. Everyone will jump at the chance to marry a Duke's daughter and a renowned Mage Knight General. Father returns from speaking with the King. He looks beside himself but relieved. What did they discuss?
"Aithne, I need a word with you privately." Father says as he grabs her arm.
"Of course, your grace!" She replies shocked.
"Let's dance!" Zander pulls on my arm.
"Brother! No!" I blurt out. Too late, he is strong and dragged me to the floor. Parading me around for all to see. Mother wanted him to show off her daughter. Like a prized animal at the fair. Everyone watching and the cold chills run down my back again. We finish dancing, then Father and Mother return. She has the world's biggest smile, from ear to ear.
"Thea, we have great news! You won't have to find a husband. The King and your Father have found a suitable match for you!" says Mother, grinning.
"What do you mean?" I ask in confusion. "Who?"
"Sir Captain Mage Knight Drystan Regalshade! Soon to be Your Grace!" She replies.
Chills went down my spine.
"Oh! Speaking of which..." She adds.
"W-what?" I say in complete disbelief.
I turned around and Drystan Regalshade is coming this way. I snap around and try to make a break for it. Mother grabs my arm, digging her nails in, whispering with smile "Don't fuss now dear. Smile."
As he is walking towards us, he pulls down his hood. Revealing his face finally. "Duke and Duchess Ambrose, nice to see you again." Drystan says. My face instantly turns red.
"Good to see you too Sir Regalshade. You remember our daughter, Thea. So unfortunate you couldn't see her when you visited the other night, as she was feeling under the weather." Mother says.
"Yes, that is alright. How are you Lady Thea?" Drystan asks.
I look away, ignoring him. I feel his cold stare on me. The feeling crawls across my skin.
"Your Grace's, May I have a dance with Lady Thea." Sir Regalshade asks Father and Mother without his gaze leaving me. What about me, why not ask me? Probably knows I would say no.
"No, Thank you. I had my fill for the night." I say.
"Now Dear it would be rude to turn down this young man offer." Mother says while nudging me.
I suppose she is right. Everyone is staring and I don't want to make our new General look bad in front of all these people. "Just this once." I say taking his hand.
"That a girl!" Zander says while pushing me forward. I glare back at him.
I look around at everyone and notice they are all staring. I take a glance at Drystan. I don't remember him being so big. In fact, I used to be bigger than him. When did grow up? Even though he has dark and unique look about him, he's quite handsome. Hair black as night that slightly covers his eyesight. Narrow eyes that look like rubies shining in the sun. For someone that is outside everyday he has porcelain like skin. He carries himself with confidence. But I have seen rocks that use more expression than what his face holds. He is in his formal uniform but accented by dark blue, like he's trying to match my dress.
"They are looking at you my Lady, not me." Drystan comments. I don't respond but I think that was his attempt at a compliment . We get to the dance floor. He raises my one hand and slides his other around my waistline. I flinch ever so slightly as I feel his hand touching my bare back in the dress. I take my open hand and place it on his shoulder. He has big broad shoulders. I can tell he's muscular, even over his uniform. He pulls me close, "You smell like Lilacs." He adds.
I don't comment. Even his voice is dark, almost has a growl to it. I catch a scent of him, filling my nose. My mind starts to wander to the dream I had of him. At the time I didn't know it was him. I feel my face getting hot and then the feeling starts taking over my whole body. The music quickens and we move faster, pulling me in closer. He whole hand on the small of my back. My chest pressing against his. I feel him looking down on me. I'm too afraid to look up and make eye contact with him. Everyone else is staring and whispering. My body feels like it's on fire. Not a single word spoken between us till, "Thea, I.." Drystan starts to speak up, but the music stops.
"Thank you for the dance." I bow and swiftly take my leave before he could finish what he was saying.
I head outside to cool off in the night air and walk the garden. I come across a Lilac bush that is withering away. I walk up to it and use my magic to heal the plant. The light from my magic brightens the area for a brief moment. The Lilac glows just for a moment while it takes in the new life I gave it. I lean into the flower to catch its fragrant scent. I finally feel my body relaxing.
"I knew it was Lilac." A voice coming out of the darkness followed by a body. The voice startled me because I thought I was alone. When I realize who it is, I roll my eyes.
"You shouldn't be out here by yourself." Drystan says.
"Ha. I can take care of myself thank you." I add " And you shouldn't be out here alone with a young woman. Unmarried I might add."
"We are to be married you know." He says. "The king wishes it." He steps closer, close enough I can smell him again. My mind goes back to the dream.
As he steps closer, I say, "Sir you need to step back!" I finally make eye contact and put my hand out against his chest as a barrier between us.
"Why do you treat me so coldly." he asks stepping in closer.
"Because I am not interested in you or this marriage. " I reply.
"Why?" He keeps pressing.
At this point I am getting flustered. No one has made me feel like this before. His scent engulfs me. He steps closer, my hand isn't much of a barrier at this point. It just sits on his firm chest. I can feel his breath on my lips. He is staring right at me. I look down at his lips, imagining what his kiss would actually feel like, what he feels like. I start to shake. I snap out of it.
"No, I don't want the marriage. I am being forced. By my mother, father, and everyone. No one cares what I want! I am not some prized pony up for auction, I will not be caged." I raise my voice. "Goodnight, Sir Regalshade! We are done here." I feel his hand lightly graze mine as he tries reaching for it as I walk away.
I don't know what came over me. I haven't seen that man since he was a child. Never had any sort of feelings towards him but now I feel drawn to him. I want to drink him in like a glass of cool water on a hot summer's day.
As I head inside, I find my parents and tell them I want to leave. Father decides to take me and soon our carriage arrives, and we take our leave.
I feel father gaze on me, "I understand you don't want the marriage, but it is for the best. You are special Thea, more than you realize. Your mother is only trying to keep you safe. Just like how I have been training you in case a moment arises that you do need to protect yourself. If others find out how special you are, they will use you or kill...." He stops. "Sir Regalshade will protect you now. He has agreed to marry you in a weeks time. This is my wish along with your mother's and most importantly the Kings. Soon you will be married and become a Duchess. You'll grow to like him, he may be different, but he is a good man and will treat you well. The King and Zander both vouched for him."
I stare at my hands and take in what he has said. "Despite what you may think might happen in my future because you think I'm "special" is not the outcome I have planned. I will not let anything stand in my way of what I want to achieve. I am not some little helpless girl, you made sure of that. I will do what I have to do but I am not some animal to be caged." I reply and shortly arrive back at home. "Thank you for bringing me home, Good Night Father."
"Good night my dear Thea." He replies.
Arya meets me at my room, "Oh! Lady Thea, how was your evening? What happened?" She was so eager to hear the latest news as she helps me out of my dress.
"Father and Mother found me a husband." I say. She could hear the disappointment in my voice.
"Oh, that's wonderful! You do not seem happy. What is wrong. We have known each other for a long time Lady Thea, you can tell me." She says as she starts brushing my hair.
I don't know what came over me in that moment, but I end up telling her everything. We laughed and then cried together. She listened and acknowledged what I had to say. Then after she listened to me vent, she said something that really stuck with me.
"Lady Thea, I am only a mere handmaid so I will never experience the things you are going through or will go through. But what I do know is that you will only grow if you get out of your comfort zone. Any pain or struggles you face now will only help you grow stronger as well. Use these experiences to change the future, so your children and your children's children can have choices that we were never allowed for women today. Be the change that you want to see in the world, make your own history." Arya says with conviction, looking me straight in the eye.
I remember her comforting me till I fell asleep, and I wake up feeling exhausted. Arya comes in and helps me get ready. I think I'll go for a walk to the lake today and bring a book to read. Arya hands me a book "I think you'll like this one, it's one of my favorites!"
I take it, looking it over. "The Sun and the Moon. What is it about?" I ask.
"It's about a woman falling in love with a demon." Replies Arya. " I know it's not something you normally read but I think it may help you in some sorts. Some say it is based on a love that will happen in the future."
"Thank you." I take the book and wonder how this could help me. "I'll be back later." I say heading out the door.