Chapter 22
Twenty-Two
The hum of voices on the other side of the door is like the angry buzz of wasps.
I would rather face a hundred of the creatures than the people waiting for me in that room.
None of the people in there actually care about who I am.
The lords and ladies only want to see the new plaything and if they can benefit from knowing me.
I know I am being judgmental, yet every interaction I have had with nobility has always been the same and I was treated like scum.
If they act differently around me now that I have a title and a new name, then it just shows what type of people they are.
There are only two people within that hall that I am looking forward to seeing, and that is Ella and the Prince.
Although, ever since our dance lesson earlier and watching the change in him, my nerves have been stronger than ever.
I feel so out of sorts, but I am putting it down to the fact I am about to step into a room full of people who will be staring at me.
If I allow myself to be honest, there could be another reason.
Despite my best efforts, I cannot deny that I am attracted to the prince.
More than that, I feel a connection with him, and have been running over and over the moment in my mind, looking for reasons why he left so abruptly.
There is someone else that has been on my mind. Caleb. I never did see him after my ceremony, and I worry that something has happened to keep him away. He might be here tonight, and I’m hoping I get the change to speak to him and check he is okay.
“Are you ready, my lady?”
Abbie’s voice snaps me back into the present and I glance away from the large double doors separating me from the ballroom to look at her.
She has been such a source of comfort for me today, in fact, I don’t know how I would have got through it without her.
I had fallen asleep in the middle of the day after our lesson, and ever since I have felt so weak, my body aching.
My back seems to be causing me the most pain, and when I had tried to examine it earlier, I could have sworn it was more scarred than it was previously.
Abbie had bolstered me and helped me prepare for tonight.
Even now she is standing firm by my side, despite the fact that the guards wanted to escort me alone. Watching her face down the guards has been one of my favourite moments of the day.
In answer to her question though? No, I feel nowhere near ready, but I don’t have a choice.
Steeling myself, I roll back my shoulders and keep my head high, remembering the advice she gave me while I was getting dressed this evening.
The nobility waiting behind those doors are like a pool full of sharks.
Do not let them sense your fear or see you bleed.
Everyone in that room is here for a reason, and whatever that is, it is to benefit them.
Ella has been allowed to attend for the first hour of the ball, so I am looking forward to seeing her.
From what Amir was saying, it sounds as though I will be kept busy with dance requests, so I don’t know how much time I shall actually get to spend with her.
Even so, I am sure she is loving this whole experience.
Not trusting my voice, I nod to Abbie and face the double doors once more. They open on a silent wind as if by magic and a hush falls across the room. Instantly everyone stares at me and whispers begin. However, as I step over the threshold, I feel as though I have walked into a dream.
The ballroom is circular, topped with the traditional domed roof that most large buildings in the city.
Chandeliers dripping with diamonds hang from the ceiling, lighting up the room, the gems scattering prisms of light across the floor.
Not that the floor needed any more decorating, the golden patterns painted across it span across the whole room.
Pillars provide more secluded areas off the side of the dance floor, yet that is not their prime function, instead holding up a small viewing balcony across two sides.
Forcing myself to stop staring, I start walking, only something catches my eye.
Glancing up, I find flowered garland strung across the hall from the balconies to the largest chandelier in the centre.
No, not just any flowers, but roses, just like the ones on my dress.
Is this a coincidence or something that has been arranged for me?
Whispers continue to grow and now I’m walking through the centre of the crowd I am able to hear some of the comments.
Not surprisingly, most of them seem to be about my dress, which I do not blame them for.
After all, it is stunning and I have never seen anything like it.
The fabric is softer than anything I have ever felt, and has the most gorgeous embroidery across it.
This dress must have cost more than most people in the Gutter earn in their lifetime.
Dripping in crystals, I reflect the candlelight from every angle.
Roses are embroidered on the bodice, glittering with gems, covering the lower part of the bodice.
The branches and thorns continue to weave down over my hips onto the skirt, the harshness of the branches softened by the additional roses.
More importantly though, the gems they have used in the decoration are real. Rubies and diamonds shimmer with an inner glow that I am sure only I can see. Only a handful of diamonds have been used, and any of their power is overwhelmed by the sheer number of rubies.
The gemstone comes in many hues of red and was one of the crystals that I used to sell the most of in the Gutter.
They symbolise love and faithfulness, something the women who approached me were the most interested in.
What many do not realise is that the ruby can also offer powerful protection over the wearer.
It may not have been the intention of the king, but he has provided me with the strongest shield I could have imagined. No one is going to harm me tonight.
The dress itself is made up of soft organza the colour of cream laid over the bodice in artful folds that accentuate my thin frame, making the most of the little curves I possess.
From my waist, the same fabric forms a partial overskirt, falling elegantly to the floor, rippling over my hips and backside.
This causes it to expose the deep wine-red underskirt, creating a contrast between light and dark.
It feels a little too close to the truth, as though the light represents the heavenly character the king wants me to be, and the reality of who I really am and the deal I made with a demon.
In the traditional Rune fashion, the dress is sleeveless to show off my new band, but a cape of the same fabric is pinned to my shoulders.
It is the same shade as the underskirt, the red so deep it broches on a different colour entirely, yet the brightness of the roses ties it all together in a stunning masterpiece.
I look like a princess, my golden band glistening brightly on my arm and my hair pinned back with yet more gems. This is a dress for royalty, not someone like me.
However, the king wants me to play a part, so that is what I will do.
Crossing the rest of the ballroom, I resist the urge to spin around and swirl my skirt like my inner child dreams of doing, and instead pray to the gods to keep my steps steady and not give away my fear.
Almost all of these people would have called for my death if they knew the truth about me and I feel as though I’m stepping into a predator’s den.
Releasing a long, slow breath, I focus on the hundreds of gems sewn into my dress.
As well as being laden with rubies, diamonds glitter across my dress, which are a great source of strength.
Reaching for the hum of their natural magic, I draw their strength, wishing to be as hard and resilient as the stones themselves.
Guests watch from either side of the room, but it is the far end that draws my attention.
Directly opposite the doors I enter from are two grand thrones.
Seated within are the King and Queen, the latter of which I am surprised to see here after her little breakdown the last time I saw her.
The prince stands on his father’s right side, his eyes locked intently on me as I walk toward them.
A flash of white catches my attention. Caleb, he is here!
Standing behind the throne in his full robes, hood up, he could be looking anywhere, but I just know that his gaze is on me.
My heart is pounding against my ribcage at being the centre of attention and under the shrewd eye of the king.
It feels so unnatural to be parading myself for all to see, and a chill zips down my spine, remembered pain whispering through my body from previous times that I have drawn attention to myself.
I’m feeling so jittery I feel like I might jump from my skin.
A flash of pink catches my eyes and I look across to see Ella.
She beams, looking stunning in her pale pink dress and glittering silver band.
She’s looking at me with such pride in my eyes and instead of comforted, I feel guilt.
Everything she has right now is because of a lie, one that I continue to tell her.
Stopping at a respectful distance from the royalty, I drop down into a deep curtsy at the foot of the throne, bowing my head to the king. Of course, this is the exact opposite of what I really want to do, of what I would say to him if Ella’s fate didn’t rely on my compliance.