With a tall glass of wine in his right hand, King Oscar approached Anise, who was speaking to a group of nobles on the balcony above the throne room.
Anise dreaded the thought of having a casual chat with the king, unsure if she could succeed in staying cordial.
"Good evening, sweetheart," he cooed.
The woman felt she could never shake off the man. No matter how many years she had gone, reflecting his every advance, he would find a way to try to crawl back into her life.
"How many years has it been?" Oscar asked her as he took a sip of the wine.
"A while," she replied.
"It's a shame about Felix, truly," he smirked.
"Oh , I'm sure you were saddened by the news," she responded, rolling her blue eyes.
"Do you regret not taking me as your king yet?" Oscar asked.
"Oh, hell no!" She scoffed, folding her arms against her chest. "There's a reason I picked Felix to be my husband. It's obvious you were trying to get your current position, and it didn't matter what woman you married. You went straight to chasing the queen of Eldoria immediately after I told you off."
"Such cruel words," he fake pouted at her. "I really was actually fond of you."
"Was it worth it?"
"Indeed," he smiled. "The wife has no power under my rule. You would be surprised at how many men out there just desire the power the throne brings them. I know of a few such men. Those glorious bastards."
"I see, like, tends to attract like," she groaned. "Of course your friends would be scum, just as you are."
King Oscar let the glass down on the railing of the balcony. He then approached her, a devilish grin across his lips as he wrapped his arm around her.
Oscar leaned down for a kiss.
He was met with a fiery slap across his face.
Anise growled, and pulled away. She walked past him, but he grabbed her by the wrist.
"You may be pleased to know my princess and your king are getting to know each other," he let out a manic laugh. "You won't be rid of me too easily, it seems."
Anise forced her hand away and began to take steps backwards. "Just what are you trying to imply?"
"Nothing," Oscsr shrugged. "I simply wish for my daughter to marry a king. What's wrong with that, my sweet Anise?"
The copper-haired woman curled up her hands into fists and stormed off. She didn't trust him. She had never trusted him. A child of that wicked man could be no better.
If she were still the ruler, she would forbid Fennel from associating with her.
All she could do now was warn him against even thinking about proposing to a woman with such vile blood running through her veins.
Meanwhile, Fennel and Lilly wrapped up the dance. They both smiled toward one another, though the smile the king offered was more to be polite.
When they pulled away from each other, the small princess gazed up at him, admiration in her stare.
"Thank you," she said as she gazed into his eyes. "Your eyes are pretty."
Fennel was surprised by the sudden compliment. He blushed and looked away, looking out to the people toward the side of the room. "Thank you for your kind words."
"I meant it!" She insisted. "Your features are so soft. You're handsome! And kind!"
She laughed nervously.
"Well, thank you for the dance," he said politely and bowed.
"I hope we can dance again in the future," she whispered, looking to her feet.
Fennel nodded. He turned away, but felt a tug to the back of his tunic. He knew the small girl had clung to it. "Princess?"
"I-I," she stammered.
Fennel turned around. He gently patted the top of her head. When he did so, her tail wagged uncontrollably.
In that moment, he felt she was quite cute.
"Could you give me a moment?" He asked her.
"Okay."
Fennel nodded. He turned around and walked out of the throne room. He needed a minute to think things through.
The hall was dark, with only a few candles lit in the lanterns lining the halls. He took a deep breath, then leaned against the wall just outside of the lively room.
He ran his fingers through his hair.
As he stood there, lost in his thoughts, Japser approached him. The man had spent the evening watching him from afar. He hadn't even noticed he had been under his stare.
"Is it going well, your majesty?" Japser asked.
"I suppose," Fennel replied. "Though, I do admit it, I'll relish it when it's over."
"Who was the woman you danced with?" The knight's curiosity was getting the best of him. "She seemed very shy."
"Princess Lily from the kingdom of Eldoria."
Jasper gasped. "I didn't think royalty would travel to this kingdom for the ball."
"Maybe they have nothing better to do?" Fennel suggested. "It's not like there have been major conflicts the past couple of decades."
"True," Japser nodded in agreement. "A royal ball would be a tempting occasion."
"I suppose many royals enjoy them," Fennel said as he brushed his hair out of his eyes. "The women here leave a lot to be desired, but Lily seems decent. Do you think I should take her as my queen?"
"I believe so!" Jasper gasped, a delighted grin washing over his features.
There was a moment of silence. The king decided he should get the task over with.
"I best go back in," Fennel sighed. "Wish me luck."
"Good luck, your majesty."
The king smiled in response.
When Fennel stepped back in, he was greeted by several women, who interrogated him with questions about the princess. He had been getting terrible vibes from all of these women.
When he had somehow made his way through them, the small princess hurried up to him, a bright smile across her face. She asked her hands together. "I'm glad you came back."
"Of course I did," Fennel chuckled. "Charoux cannot host a ball without the king present."
"That's true," she agreed. "But I'm still glad."
Fennel scanned the room.
Oliver continued to play the lute and sing. Fennel could tell the bard had been watching over him the entire night. He offered him a smile, even though there was quite a distance between them.
Oliver's heart fluttered. He realized the king still thought about him while with the woman beside him.
Fennel offered the princess his hand. "Would you care to come to the garden with me?"
Lily nodded enthusiastically. She placed her hand in his.
Fennel led her from the room and down the halls. When he glanced over at her, he noticed the way she took in all the sights of the castle. He was so used to the long stretches of halls, so they quite bored him, but he could tell her sparkling blue eyes were soaking up everything around them.
She kept hold of his hand as she tilted her head back to take a look at the stars. "They're so pretty."
"They are," the king agreed. "But not half as gorgeous as you, my princess."
Fennel felt awkward spouting such a line, especially to someone he had just met. Though he felt they could become friends, he definitely felt no profound attraction to her. His heart already belonged to another person, though it was a secret that only he knew.
"I'm honored you spent time with me," she let out a content sigh. "I'll look back fondly on this night."
"Princess?" he whispered.
"Y-Yes?" She stuttered, turning to face him.
"Then let's just make this night one of many memories we share." His tone was serious, though his internal monologue was telling him his words sounded so forced.
Lily's cheeks burned. She placed her dainty hand over one of them, but she was stopped when the king took her free hand in his. "Don't hide your face."
"Okay," she whispered. "I won't."
Fennel placed one arm around her, his hand resting firmly against her lower back, and moved her delicate frame against him.
He leaned down and left a soft, sweet kiss against her flushed right cheek.
Both of his arms were wrapped around her as he embraced her in a tender hug. Her head rested against his shoulder, as he pressed his fingertips against her back.
"Thank you " she whispered.
"Lily," Fennel pulled back enough to gaze into her eyes. "Will you become my queen? Will you help rule over Charoux with me?"
As Fennel confidently asked the question, his mother stepped out onto the sidewalk on the opposite end of the garden.
A look of displeasure washed across her features. For the first time in ages, she trembled. Her son had picked Oscar's daughter to co-lead the kingdom before she even had a chance to warn her naive son.
Anise felt like a failure.
She had failed her son.
She had failed her late husband.
She had failed the royal court.
She had failed the citizens.
She had failed all of Charoux.
Words wouldn't be able to express the level of pain she felt.
Though Princess Lily looked innocent enough, Anise had her reservations. Aftdrall, the man who was one half of the reason she was born into the world, had never had a single good, honest intention in his life.
What if his daughter was the same?
Tears flowed from the woman's azure eyes. The former queen didn't even weep when her husband passed.
She hoped the princess was nothing like her father, but she had no faith.
Anise was strong, but she wasn't strong enough to deal with the guilt of allowing King Oscsr and Princess Lily to waltz into their lives.
It was too late to change fate.