Chapter 97 A Ball of Appearances

Chapter 97 A Ball of Appearances
Lysander’s POV

Despite everything that was happening, I was aware that, before the entire kingdom, the presence of Derek and his entourage had to appear as something planned.

I needed it to be believed that I myself had brought them there with the purpose of strengthening an alliance, and fortunately he ended up understanding that this was the right thing to do. Both he and I knew that it was the best we could do to keep up appearances, and there was no better way to achieve it than by holding a celebration.

It would be a grand ball to welcome them properly and in the most splendid manner. Everyone in the kingdom had been invited, as I needed to give the impression that we were more than pleased by their presence.

Everything was prepared as quickly as possible, and just a couple of days later, the palace doors were opened to receive everyone for the celebration.

The hall had been decorated with flowers and hundreds of candles that illuminated it completely.

The guests soon began to arrive, and no matter how much I wished to be somewhere else, I had no choice but to pretend that I was happy about the occasion. As if that weren’t enough, I was also forced to stand near the entrance beside my mother to receive the guests.

—Thank you for the invitation, Your Majesty —one of my soldiers said to me, accompanied by his wife and young daughter.

—You’re welcome, I only hope you enjoy it —I replied, just as I had done with the many others who had expressed their gratitude.

However, as soon as they moved on, I couldn’t stop a look of deep annoyance from forming on my face. It wasn’t about those people—not really—but about the entire situation itself.

—Change that expression and make a better effort —my mother ordered suddenly.

—Believe me, I am trying —I replied calmly, or at least I tried.

—Please, Lysander, don’t act as if this were torture; it’s only a ball. Besides, keep in mind that this could very well prevent a war —she reminded me.

—At this point, I’m not sure a war would be such a bad idea —I admitted openly.

—You can’t be serious —my mother snapped almost immediately.

—I’m afraid I am —I admitted, merely wanting to see her reaction, and I wasn’t wrong in assuming it would unsettle her completely.

—You cannot be serious, that would be utter madness —she scolded without delay.

—Of course I am serious, and you know as well as I do that Derek is not someone you can toy with. He won’t stop at anything until he gets what he wants —I reminded her.

—And you brought him to us of your own free will—that is true madness —I argued, and I knew I was right when I saw her expression.

—I only did what was necessary —she justified herself, or at least tried to.

—As for Derek, he will only be a problem if we allow him to be. We have the opportunity for him to become a great ally; we must not waste that, especially when he asks for so little in return —she said, acting as though she had everything under control.

—He’s not asking for little, he’s asking for me —I reminded her, as she seemed to have completely forgotten.

—He is asking you to marry his daughter, and I don’t think that is something too difficult to accomplish; she is beautiful —she said.

The truth was, I couldn’t deny it. Kara was indeed beautiful—one of the most beautiful women I had ever known—and even so, I could not conceive the idea of marrying her.

—You’re right, but I am already married —I had to remind her, even though it shouldn’t have been necessary.

—I don’t understand why you cling to that absurdity, not when Derek has already given you the solution. We both know what you must do to be rid of her, so just do it and let’s end this once and for all —she demanded.

—Astrid was only a mistake, an unexpected deviation in your path; but we can fix that right now. This is the last time I tell you: you will force her to break the oath, or I will do it myself—do not doubt that for a second —she declared.

—No, you will not —I replied quickly, ready to stop her if necessary.

—You will not lay a hand on her, I will not allow it —I said, even before realizing how agitated I had become at the mere thought of her being hurt.

—I don’t know what the hell is wrong with you, but you’d better fix it before this becomes a real problem. You only need to remember who she is, and the moment you do, everything will be fine —she assured me, though I was not certain that would be possible.

I wished I could argue further, but I couldn’t, because my gaze fixed on something beyond her. At that moment, on the stairs leading to the great hall, Astrid was descending.

She looked truly beautiful—something almost exceptional to behold. While it was true that I had always found her very beautiful, and there had been other occasions when she looked stunning, that night was undoubtedly different. She looked special, and I could find no better word to describe her.

She wore a lovely pale pink dress, very similar to the one she wore at the coronation ceremony, which told me it was another gift from Grandmother. The fabric, the details, and the craftsmanship all bore her unmistakable touch.

It was not a common design—not because it was expensive or unique, but because of its age. I had only seen dresses like that in paintings of Grandmother in her youth, and that made her stand out among the rest.

Although, truth be told, it wasn’t just that. Her brown hair shimmered in the candlelight, taking on an unusual reddish hue that caught my attention, and soon I became aware that it wasn’t only mine.

She then approached slowly to where I stood, and I could do nothing but fix my eyes on her—it was impossible not to.