Weird Stares

The ride to Meldonis was long and tiring, but I didn’t mind. This was one of the few times I had left the castle, not to mention my first time leaving the kingdom. The village was as peaceful as always. Everyone cheered as the carriages passed by.

We passed by a forest on our way out of the kingdom. I saw animals I had never seen before and the cool air current going in and out of the carriage carried the scent of so many flowers. Valerian laughed at several things I asked him. He didn’t seem so in awe as I was of nature. Why would he? The crown prince had the power to go wherever he wished.

“Are those werewolves,” I questioned Valerian, gawking at some wolves whose furs had stripes of white and red. The big one sat on the grass, and the smaller ones were playing with her tail.

His face turned serious for a moment but went relaxed when he looked out to see them.

“No, Those are actual wolves. Nothing special to worry about,” he chuckled, pulling his head back into the carriage.

“How can you tell the difference?” I asked again, trying to hide my confusion.

“For one, werewolves don’t have stripped fur, and are much bigger than that. If you meet a wolf up close, you’ll notice they have black or brown eyes, contrary to the glowing gold of werewolves,” he answered. By the smirk on his face, I could tell he was amused by my questions. “How much do you know of werewolves?”

“Besides they are humans like us who can transform into wolves, and that Father really hates it when they get into the kingdom, nothing. No one ever answers me anytime I ask about them,” I replied, playing with the hem of my dress.

“That’s good enough. Humans and Werewolves aren’t really on friendly terms with each other, so if you ever see one, run the other way. Okay?” he advised, resting his hand on mine.

“Yes,” I said, my lips forming a curve that he cared about my safety. Although I expected him to tell me more about the werewolves.

“Enjoying yourself?”

“Hmmm,” I nodded.

“Good. Don’t think so hard over what Father said. I’ll handle him just focus on having a good time at the ball,” he assured.

I nodded with an almost-there smile.

“One more thing. When we arrive, stay close to me. It might be a peace-keeping celebration but there are some people I am wary about,” he added.

“Thank you,” I greeted, bowing again.

“For what?”

“Always treating me well, not like everyone else who ignores me as though I am not a member of the family,” I explained, struggling to hold back the tears welling up in my eyes.

“You don’t have to thank me. You’re my sister, I’ll always have your back,” he assured, giving me that warm smile of his.

If only my other siblings could say the same. I sighed.

By the time we arrived at the Royal Palace of Meldonis, it was already nightfall. As I stepped out of the carriage, the moon bathed me in its radiant light. I turned to Valerian when I started noticing loads of stares focused on me.

“Those must be moon gems,” Valerian commented, pointing to one of the gems on my gown. “They are rare gems that glow in the presence of moonlight. Now you look like a princess.”

As amazing as that sounded, I still didn’t feel comfortable with so many eyes looking at me. We waited for Father at the doors that led into the castle. Valerian filled me in that we could only enter after we’ve been announced, and we have to be with Father.

The wait was brief as Father didn’t greet so many people on his way. Just like the others, he stared at my gown before raising his head to my face. He smiled. Father actually smiled at me. It didn’t last a second, but it still counts. He had never smiled at me before.

“Presenting, His Royal Majesty, King Valerian of Alvannia.”

Father entered the palace after the trumpets had been played. I and Valerian entered behind him. Up till this moment, I never knew he named Valerian after himself.

The stares I received outside were nothing compared to the stares I received from the crowd of people in the large room as I walked down the carpeted aisle. I could tell by the numbers that their jaws dropped that they were surprised to see me.

When we reached the front of the aisle where we were to stand and welcome the other royals, I whispered to Valerian, “Why are they all looking at me weirdly?”

“Don’t mind the stares, this is your first ball, remember? They’re probably surprised at seeing an Alvannian princess that isn’t Regina or the twins,” Valerian explained.

I took his word for it and tried to relax. I looked around the large hall filled with people dressed in flashy clothing. Several torches circled it spreading the light of the flames. Everything seemed to have a touch of gold. Food was served on several tables, and some maids carried about drinks and snacks on trays.

Three more kingdoms were announced after ours. I caught Valerian staring at one of the princesses of RavenCrest as she walked the aisle. Judging by the smile she rendered when their eyes met, they must have something going.

The ball began sometime after all the royal families that were present had been announced. I and the rest princesses were asked to write our names on a small parchment which was later put in a box. The same was done for the princes.

Valerian explained that it was how the duo to have the first dance was selected. My whole body was tingling with excitement at the thought of having to dance with a foreign prince. Ever since Chloe had her first dance three years ago, she made it her lifework to taunt me with it before leaving for the ball. Knowing nothing about dancing, I asked Helena to teach me all she knew until I eventually mastered every step.

Everyone formed a circle around the hall, leaving the center open, as they awaited the announcer’s call for the first dance. Before us, he closed his eyes and lowered his hand into the first box brought to him. He pulled out a little parchment.

“Prince Deucalion of Belmont,” he called out, “will have the first dance with,”

The group of princesses behind me made a squeal as the young man sauntered out of the crowd into the clearing in the middle of the hall.

“Deucalion,” I whispered, looking at the selected prince. I couldn’t see most of him from where I stood, but he had beautiful black hair just like Valerian just longer, reaching almost his waist. He wore a red jacket over a pair of red trousers.

He caught my stare, and I instinctively turned back to the announcer. He pulled a parchment from the second box and having already been caught staring at the handsome prince, the thought of having the dance with him was no longer appealing.

“Lucky girl,” the announcer coughed out before calling the name on the parchment. “Princess Illyria of Alvannia.”

My heart sank hearing my name from the announcer. Where is a little bad luck when you need it?

I left the crowd and walked to meet Prince Deucalion. His lips curved into a cupid-bow smile as I approached him.

“Haven’t seen you in one of these before,” Deucalion commented as the music began. I silently fitted his stretched hand in mine, not knowing what to say. “You’re a silent one too,” he added, resting his other hand on my hip.

We danced under the candle chandelier; he twirled me away from him and lifted me up and back into his steel arms until the music finally came to a close. Everyone clapped, and I let out a breath I didn’t realize I had been holding when the prince released my hand from his gentle grip. I quickened my steps in search of Valerian.

“Can we talk?” I heard Deucalion’s voice ask from behind me.

Just as I turned to answer him, all the torches, candle stands, and chandeliers in the hall went out leaving us in total darkness. I tried to navigate my way around the darkness for a few seconds but before I could make it to Valerian, I felt someone seize me by the neck. I screamed at the top of my lungs.

“Illyria!!”