Chapter 36
A fine line existed between dreams and nightmares.
Sometimes, only details set those two apart—a twist in the wrong direction, a situation gone bad.
Attending a royal ball dressed like a woman of rank and status should have been a dream, but as I followed the unfriendly fae, who had picked me up before Dion and I could meet and who had been adamant that I had to accompany him instantly rather than waiting for the prince to return, I was convinced the whole affair would turn out to be a nightmare instead.
Earlier, when I’d seen my dress for tonight, my breath had caught in my throat. None of the garments I’d received in Alaiann was anything less than fancy, but the finery of my ball gown was something else entirely.
Fae fashion was a lot airier than human one, but this dress married both styles to perfection.
Tailored from crimson silks, taffeta, lace, and gossamer, the corset top hugged my curves snugly, and some of the panels consisted only of lace, which made them partially transparent—my breasts were fully hidden away, though.
The skirts flared out from where the top ended, taking up as much room as the gowns of Ivreian noblewomen, but layers of different fabrics created the breezy look favored in Galanta.
Gold accents and embroidery decorated the piece, and at least one of the fabrics was dusted with the finest gold specks, which elicited a glittering effect and reminded me of stardust.
My hair had been fashioned into an updo, but a few locks cascaded from the creation, framing my face. The maid who’d helped me had praised my tresses and had assembled—at least in my eyes—a masterpiece.
Still, as my guide led me through some narrow corridors, it dawned on me that tonight, everything apart from my garb had been designed to embarrass me and to put me in my place.
The male in front of me even had the audacity to lie.
He’d claimed His Royal Highness had left detailed instructions that staff must follow to the letter.
So either he’d mixed up highness and majesty, or he’d been attempting to sow dissonance between Dion and me.
Considering that the prince had ensured I was dressed to perfection, I would have to be stupid to fall for this blatant falsehood—even if I didn’t know Dion as well as I did.
We approached the throne room, but my guide didn’t lead me to the giant arched doors.
Instead, he ushered me through a servant’s entrance.
Once inside, I found myself in a far corner of the splendid hall, where a lone plain wooden table, surrounded by eight chairs, stood almost completely hidden behind an enormous marble pillar.
Ah, the commoner’s table Galrach had mentioned.
“This is your spot. Sit down and stay put.” The male who’d brought me here huffed before hurrying away as if he were afraid of catching a deadly disease should he spend just one more second in my presence.
As I lowered myself onto the least rickety chair, I almost toppled to the ground.
That men usually helped women take a seat suddenly made sense to me. Still, in the end, I wrestled the fabric into submission, sat securely, and examined my surroundings.
The other tables lining the dance floor were splendid and decorated with all kinds of finery and lush flowers in all colors of the rainbow, while mine was only decked with a wooden dish, a simple glass, and some bread with cheese on a board—no one had even bothered covering the rough surface with a tablecloth.
There was no food on the other tables, and I concluded that the guests who were—contrary to myself—welcome would be served.
If Galrach wanted to humiliate me in front of his High Court and demonstrate to everyone what my place in this society was, he’d succeed all the way. As much as I tried not to care, the reddish color of my cheeks wasn’t due to beauty products alone.
Did Dion know?
Gods, if he didn’t, I could only hope he wouldn’t explode.
He was able to deal with me being insulted almost as well as with threats against my life—not at all. And him losing his composure in front of his grandfather and the entire High Court was an unpleasant prospect.
More and more fae piled into the ballroom. The herald announced each new guest by name—another action my guide had skipped—and if the sole plate on my table hadn’t been indication enough, it became very clear pretty fast I wasn’t supposed to have company.
Why did I care at all? Why did my heart hurt with every breath, and why did I have to fight the tears stinging my eyes?
Maybe because, against all odds and better judgment, I’d hoped that my first ball could be as magical as for the heroines in the novels I’d devoured when I’d been a girl. No matter how poor they were, the moment they’d been invited to a royal revelry, magic happened in their lives.
In my favorite story, a poverty-stricken young woman won an invitation to court by chance, and her entire village banded together to create a fine gown for her.
And when she arrived at the ball, her beauty and innocence drew all men to her like a moth to the flame, and not only did she spend her whole night dancing, but she also caught the attention of the handsome prince.
They married the same night and spent their lives together as a perfect couple.
How naive my younger self had been.
Realizing how far reality and fantasy were worlds apart—not for the first time—crushed me more than I’d expected.
People like me never got a happy ending—just like love, bliss was an illusion and only occurred in fiction. The best someone in my circumstances could pray for was a mediocre life, with no one abusing them on a daily basis.
Although I was hidden away, unveiled disdain was meeting me from every corner. For the High Court of Alaiann, I was less than vermin. And right now, I fought hard to convince myself that they were wrong.
The ballroom filled, and when the herald announced Ireas and Thain, who arrived together, an usher led them to one of the tables.
Before he sat down, Ireas—dressed in an elegant emerald green tunic and matching pants—caught my gaze.
Even though I forced my lips into a smile, the young fae stared at me with horror written on his features and whispered something into Thain’s ear before both of them stormed over.
Thain, whose white garb gave him an almost ethereal look, helped Ireas into the second least unstable chair, then sat down as well.
“It’s not wise to associate with the pariah,” I mumbled.
“Darling, this is outrageous. Fuck them all. Pretentious assholes.” Anger blazed in the redhead’s eyes, which was such an unknown sight, my heart skipped a beat.
“Dion will be furious,” Ireas added.
“Which, without a doubt, is part of the king’s plan.
You’d better make sure that your prince doesn’t do anything stupid.
Even though his grandfather mentioned something about the commoner’s table in his presence, I’m certain he won’t react calm and collected.
” Despite the gloom that had overcome me since I’d entered the throne room, a warmth blossomed in my chest. Having friends who stood by me, even if doing so could hurt their reputation, was special, and I would never take their support for granted.
While the two discussed whether it would enrage Dion more if Thain sought him out to remind him about the seating situation or if the redhead stayed alone with me, I monitored the ballroom once more.
Most seats had filled up, apart from the high table. Neither Dion nor his grandfather had joined the festivities yet.
Thain and Ireas were still deep in discussion when the herald’s voice rose over the cacophony of chattering.
“Esteemed courtiers and honored guests, rise to your feet. His Royal Majesty Galrach Folus Iadrann, High King of Galanta and Emperor to the Eternal Throne of Alaiann, has arrived.”
Two waves went through the ballroom. Everyone hurried to stand up before the males went down on one knee, and the females dropped into curtsies. Of course, I did the same.
The fae king entered his domain, crossed the hall in powerful strides, and halted on top of the stairs, observing the scene below him before promenading to the head of the high table.
As a servant helped him into the ornate chair, he waved his hand at his gathered subjects dismissively.
Another ripple of motion went through the crowd as everyone rose once more.
“Don’t sit down yet, darling,” Thain leaned over to me, whispering in my ear.
Only seconds later, the herald’s voice resounded again.
“I present to you His Royal Highness Dionadair Dorchadas Coroin De’An Scriosta, Scion of High King Galrach Folus Iadrann, Crown Prince of Galanta, Heir to the Eternal Throne of Alaiann, and Field Marshal of the Endless Legions, accompanied by Lady Danartha Teideal Eiri. ”
And then Dion entered the ballroom. He was a vision in crimson and gold, donning the garb I’d admired hanging in his wardrobe, and the color suited him exceptionally well. And—was he wearing a crown? Oh, he must hate that.
Even the scowl on his face couldn’t change the fact that he was beautiful. So much that my heart clenched.
Sadly, the same could be claimed about the brown-haired female clinging to his arm.
Invisible bands compressed my chest, pulling tighter and tighter as I examined the fae who had been a part of Dion’s life for so long.
She wore an impressive dress in black and silver, along with a precious tiara adorned with purple gemstones.
I couldn’t deny she looked just as regal as he did.
Together, their perfection was almost blinding.
I swallowed hard around the giant lump in my throat and stared at the prince and his escort until Ireas elbowed me into a curtsy. “Nayana, pay attention and figure out who he’s matching with and who not.”
Gods, had I been so apparent in my disdain?
But when I glanced up, I realized what Ireas meant. My dress—the dress Dion had commissioned for me—had the same shade and golden embroidery as the prince’s attire, and the spark of warmth returned to my heart.
Dion’s gaze roamed the ballroom in a casual sweep so arrogant and bored, his glowing eyes dripped superiority across the whole room, and whenever they landed on someone, his scrutiny moved on, finding the other party undeserving of his attention.
The moment his observation reached me, his entire expression softened for a heartbeat before a vicious fire blazed in his amethyst depths. Oh, he wasn’t happy at all.
The malevolent heat morphed into a murderous snarl, the one where people commonly found excuses to leave the room—or the country—so they weren’t in the near or far vicinity of the very angry, far too powerful, and morally compromised fae prince.
And if I were honest, Dion spotting Thain sitting across from me didn’t exactly help. Hopefully, I only imagined the growl hovering in the air. Gods, if he exploded during the first minute of the event, we would be in so much trouble that I couldn’t even grasp the severity of the consequences.
Finally, he turned his attention away from our table and led this Danartha, who held herself as if she were a queen, to the high table, his jaw clenched so tight I was half afraid he would never be able to relieve the tension in his facial muscles again.
He lounged down to the right of Galrach, not even bothering with helping the female into the chair next to him.
She glared a hole in his head until a member of the staff hurried to save her.
As soon as the royals had placed themselves, everyone relaxed and assumed their seating as well.
Wine was served, but the commoner’s table was obviously undeserving of anything other than the warm, stale water that stood next to the food in a simple carafe. A servant who hovered nearby pondered if he should approach the two fae in my company and was stared away by Ireas.
“Ireas, since when are you so unfriendly?”
“Since open bigotry is obviously a thing.”
“You don’t have to—”
My attempt to convince my friends to go enjoy themselves and leave me to my own devices was interrupted by the king getting up, demanding silence without raising his voice. Controlling a crowd with cutting glares alone seemed to run in the family.
Only when not even the slightest rustle was ringing out anymore did Galrach start to speak.
“Welcome, esteemed loyalists, to this very special winter solstice ball. Although this event is a longstanding tradition at Alaiann Palace, this season, our revelry is touched by an occurrence no one would have thought possible. But then again, who else could surprise all of you with his accomplishments if not my own heir? He took the challenge upon himself to embark on a quest, armed with the burning wish in his heart to ensure the ongoing safety of the Eternal Throne and his High King’s mighty reign.
With the greatest pleasure, I announce that my grandson Scriosta recently successfully conducted the Rite of Binding, a feat that, as everyone knows here, has not been achieved for decades.
So, let us all toast to my scion and to the power he wields for his king and kingdom. ”
Dion’s whole body went taut, his face contorted into a mask of rage, but he schooled his expression quickly.
Next to him, Danartha almost burst with pride, as if she were the one being celebrated instead of the prince. She beamed at him as if he were her world, and my stomach revolted, even though he ignored her completely.
After the toast, Galrach placed a hand on Dion’s shoulder as he sat down and muttered some words in his direction. The prince’s lips morphed into a slim line, but he curtly dipped his chin at his grandfather, then shrugged and snarled something to Danartha.
No, this ball wasn’t a dream but a nightmare. However, I wished I already knew how much more horror the occasion would bring.