Waltzes and Wine (Exclusive)

Xander Lykos

I closed my eyes in frustration at the colourful ribbons being waved in my face. I hated festivities like this, but when a foreign king decides to pay a visit, such displays are needed to put on show to establish good connections... anything less would be an insult to the visiting monarch.

“This truly is a sight, isn’t it Xander?”

I turned to Romin who did not look me in the eye, entranced by the dancers before him... as long as he was kept happy. Ribbons of gold silk were wrapped around each column, the chandelier sparkled, filling the room with its light. Nobles chatted at the sides of the ballroom as they watch the dancers as well, the women’s eyes filled with disgust while the men’s were filled with lust. The hypocrisy in the air was laughable, this nobles would sneer and put down women who did not dress conservatively, but would leer at them the second they got a chance to. The dancers continued their performance as more low-rank nobles entered the hall, they just the opening act before the herald formally announced our more esteemed guests.

“I believe so, Romin.”

Romin was our guest of honour, and had already helped himself to my wine, swaying in his seat in an attempt to move to the beat of the drums. The herald's trumpet sounded, causing the nobles to turn the the entrance staircase, gossiping about those who were about to enter. They would belittle them behind their backs, but grovel at their feet when they came face to face in hopes of securing marriages between their children so that they could move up the rungs of the ladder.

“Presenting Their Royal Highnesses, Princess Risha and Nera of Miryia.”

Romin clapped wildly as his two daughters descended down the steps, their elaborate blue and purple gowns forming a train behind them. They seem to glide across the ballroom till they reached their father and me. They curtsied with such trained grace before looking up to meet my eyes, smiling rather lavishly. I walked down the raised platform to kiss their hands.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Princesses.”

“Oh do believe me, my King. The pleasure is ours.”

They curtsied one more time before walking to the side. Romin gave me a sly smile as I returned to my seat.

“Xander, tonight might be the night you find a bride. I assure you there are truly women of good breeding amongst us tonight.”

He was making no effort to hide the fact that he wanted me to marry one of his daughter to forge an alliance. Hell was going to freeze over before I let our kingdoms merge, forcing me to take on all the debt he built up from choosing to throw lavish parties instead of improving his kingdom.

The herald continued to announce the various aristocrats, all of whom humbly bowed at the feet of my throne, but I knew better. Some of them had plotted to take my throne away from me after my father’s passing, they were lucky that the proof seemed to have disappeared before I could have them executed for treason.

“Presenting His Royal Highness, Prince Orion Lykos of Avarelia.”

My head snapped up as my brother strutted towards the thrones before stopping, arms open. No care to my position was given, I left my throne to embrace him... it had been years since I last saw his face.

“Brother, were you not supposed to be in Teris to complete your studies?”

“You underestimate my ability, dear brother. I completed my studies much earlier than expected, so here I am.”

“What kept you?”

“I am sure you know, brother, Teris has much to offer and I had to sample many of its jewels.”

I shook my head as I clapped my brother on the back. We walked back to my throne where the servants had already prepared a chair for Orion. It was a comfort to have him back, at least now I had someone to share my misery with... although he enjoyed such festivities.

“Presenting His Lordship, Lord Stephen Blackwood of Avarelia and Miss Rose Elken of Avarelia.”

Orion made an affronted noise at the mention of our half-brother, he saw their existence as an insult to our mother. My father was a great king, there was no doubt about that, but his various discretions left much to be desired. Orion woke me up with a sword to my throat before my coronation, asking me to swear that I would not take any mistresses. It was an easy promise to make, I did not see marriage in the cards for me, although I knew one day I had to for the sake of my lineage. Orion held a more disdained view of our half-siblings as he was the one who had to stay and watch our parents fight endlessly about my father’s affairs while I was away in battle.

“It seems that bastard managed to snag himself a lady after all.”

I looked up to see a a true vision of beauty. I had only seen Rose in her simple day dresses during her stay in my castle, and they were usually covered in dirt from her duties. Although even then, I could not deny her beauty, but today it was almost ethereal. She wore yet another simple gown, unlike the other ladies of the court who covered themselves in feathers and ruffles, but each time she moved down the steps, the gold fabric shimmered like the sun against the ocean. There were roses painted on the fabric, the vines twirling around her body. Her fair hair was in no fanciful up-do, but simply pinned back by her namesake flower. She kept her head down as she shyly walked down the steps, holding on to Stephen’s arm for support. He was in his usual black surcoat, his hair slicked back and eyes full of pride as he walked Rose down.

“What house does she hail from?”

Romin seemed to have the same interest in Rose as most of the other nobles in ballroom. His eyes followed her every movement as she timidly walked down the ballroom.

“She is our Royal Healer. Stephen must have asked her to be his companion for the ball.”

“It is truly a shame then.”

He shook his head at Rose’s lack of pedigree, I wonder why... a lady's background had never stopped him before. My attention shifted as they reach the foot of the raised platform in front of me. Stephen bowed with all the regality of a royal while Rose performed a less than perfect curtsy, earning her snickers from the chittering birds around her. Romin went down first to greet the pair, placing his hand on Rose’s till she politely pulled away. It was now Orion and my turn to greet them.

“Lord *Blackwood*, I never thought you would come to such festivities.”

Orion sneered Stephen’s last name, giving him a reminder of his parentage. As a result of being borne by my father’s mistress, he was forbidden from taking on the Royal name. My father might have given him the title of Lord, but he would never become King. Stephen grit his teeth as he took Orion’s outstretched hand.

“An invitation from the King should always be accepted, Your Highness.”

Orion gave me a raised eyebrow before moving to greet Rose, a genuine smile on his lips as he took her hand. I shook Stephen’s hand in a courtly fashion before moving to stand beside Orion.

“Your beauty is as radiant as the flower you were named after, my Lady.”

He placed her hand against his lips as she blushed at his words. Stephen seemed to twitch at Orion’s actions, though that might have just been a trick of the light.

“You are too kind, Your Highness.”

Orion placed another kiss on her hand before moving back to his seat. It was now my turn to greet Rose.

“My brother's words speak the truth, Rose. You look breathtaking.”

Rose raised her eyebrow at me, a small smirk on her lips.

“I suppose one does look different when they are not covered in plant scraps and blood, Your Majesty.”

“I suppose they do.”

I lifted her hand to my lips as well, pink staining her cheeks as I stood up.

“Save a dance for your King, my Lady.”

It was amusing as she stood rooted to the spot, her eyes wide as her mouth opened and closed like a fish. She didn’t move till Stephen grabbed her hand, that had fell to her side, leading her to the sides of the hall.

“Who knew that Stephen could charm a lady... a beautiful one at that?”

“Orion be civil. Those outside our family are already trying to cause strife, the last thing I want is to have to watch my back around my own family.”

“He is not family, you know that as well as I do, brother.”

I rolled my eyes as Orion continued to mutter under his breath, he truly disliked Stephen the most out of all our half-siblings. The rest of our half-siblings had left the kingdom years ago, sent off for work or studies, and we never had to hear from them again. Stephen on the other hand, remained in the castle and grew up with the both of us, a privileged that must have been awarded to him as he had been the son of my father’s favourite mistress. Orion had tried in his youth to oust him from the castle, but never succeeded which earn Stephen his ire even more. There was nothing I could do to change his mind, but I tried my best to be civil to Stephen. I paid him no mind, let him live in the castle whenever he wanted, and in turn he did not bother me.

A servant came to inform me that they were the last to arrive. The nobles walked to the centre of the room awaiting for Romin and I to officially start the ball, their chittering never seemed to cease as they gossiped about the latest scandals of the guests. It pained me to know that I would have to speak to them and dance with the ladies of the court afterwards... although the thought of dancing with Rose did not seem as painful.

Servants knelt before the both us of to present us with the ceremonial swords. They were decorated with various jewels representing Miryia as a sign of respect to the visiting king, and as a sign of good faith, he would be allowed to keep them. By the look on Romin’s face, it seemed he could not wait to dismantle the sword and sell its jewels. We unsheathed them and stood facing each other, placing our swords against each other.

“Let the festivities commence.”