I looked around in envy. I was in a formal dress and even though it was lighter than silk i felt like i was suffocating. I feigned a smile and was all elegance as i was shown off to different court officials. All around me was food. The smell of meat wafting in the air made me suppress a grimace, though i was distracted when i noticed movement. While the host happily talked to some stffy official i noticed the court's Master spy watching us, his hand tossing a grape up and down. He seemed amused as my eyes followed the movement. My eyes narrowed as he wiggled the grape and then plopped it in his mouth.
His blue eyes seemed to light up at the resentment in mine. I turned my head with obvious huff and tried to focus on the many faces that were being thrown before me. I noticed that i only had a few more tables to go before i could finally EAT SOMETHING. Seriously it had been what... eight hours since i last ate? I was at a banquet for crying out loud!
"You're hieghness how are you likeing our humble abode?" asked some small man in front of me. When i opened my mouth i was suddenly struck silent. A flying object had ricocheted off of a near by wall and into my mouth. As my mouth shut it was flooded with the sweet juice of a grape. I quickly turned to see the blue eyed elf facing the opposite direction, his shoulders moving up and down as he laughed. It made his black ponytail dance. I cracked a smile.
I finished my small talk with the man and was dragged to the next table, and then to sweet delicious dinner. Unfortunatley this last courtier was long winded. All he wanted to do was dress me in compliments and say how happy he was that i had come to this villiage, yadda yadda thank you princess yadda yadda. I blushed when my stomach finally made it's audible protest. The gentlemand and the host seemed almost shocked. what? I'm human. I NEED FOOD.
Thankfully not long after that i was allowed to advance to the banquet table. I piled my plate, not too high lest i seem glutenous an unlady like, and quickly looked for a table to perch. I noticed one, just beyond the spy's table. Once again he was tossing a grape while he chatted with an associate. I smiled, and walked over. Surprisingly he didn't seem to notice and with a satisfying snap of my jaw, i ae the grape out of the air. It was sweet, almost as sweet as seeing the look of surprise on his beautiful face. I nearly giggled.
Not long after i sat, my ladies in waiting came to me and we conversed happily.But this time of pleasantries weren't to last. Then long winded man from before i stood up and made a toast. Drawing everyon'e attention he went on and on about how it was so good to have a time or merriment while the country was at war. It preserved a sence of peace withing. Yadda yadda yadda. I stole a glance at the spys and saw they master spy, who's name i still couldn't remember, had his head in his hands, an expression of utter digust and boredom reflected from his wine glass.
Ever so sneakily i snuck a grape into my hand and when i thought no one was paying any attention i threw it at him. I was never one to boast about good aim, but even as the fruit sailed over his head his hand flew up and caught it. His eyes narrowed at me, asking me what the hel i was doing. In return i stuck my tongue out at him. He looked at me as if i was crazy but i could see a smile creeping at the corner of his mouth.
I fanned myself and feigned falling alseep, then cast an evil look at the courtier who was STILL talking. He nodded and then faced away from me. I couldn't help but pout a bit, i was hoping he would play with me. I sighed and nudged my closest friend, and started whispering about the courtier's obvious wig. When he finally finished and we all took a sip of our drinks, the music began again and all continued as before.
After a while i grew bored again, my ladies had dispersed and were talking with the locals. I didn't know anyone and was now isolated. I watched the people around the room, the laughs and the ones falling asleep. As my gaze driffted from one side to another i allowed it to drift to the table near mine with the darkly clad men who wore the allied kingdom's spy insignia. I was not at all prepared for what i saw.
The three men had all turned to face me. Each of their faces frozen in the most bizarre and silly ways. I quickly covered my mouth to keep from laughing out loud. Without a moment's hesitation i turned away and stuffed as many grapes into my mouth as i could possibly fit and turned to smile at them. The poor man sitting next to his leader was suddenly covered in a spray of wine as his friend friend gave a surprised laugh. Which caused me to laugh and nearly choke.
I was struck by his easy smile. He was rather handsome, his jaw had strong lines, high cheekbones, deep blue eyes framed with ebony black hair. He was definitely nice to look at. A man approached him and whispered in his ear. The leader quickly excused himself and left the room. With that the dinner quickly fell into it boring rhythm.
Later while in my room, i was talking with my dearest lady in waiting, Clara, about the spy's and the master spy. She laughed and said that it wasn't that surprising. As serious as his job was Shade, that was he was called apparently, was a jester in personality.
"Although he generally only shows that side of himself to friends. He usually doesn't like new comers." She seemed thoughtful but then shrugged."he is handosme though...." she nudged my arm and i just rolled my eyes. "Although, its actually a disguise. Only his closest friends know what he really looked like. Being part faebeing er... elf? as you would call him? he has the ability to change his appearance." I nodded. Glamour... fascinating.
When she left to draw my bath i sighed, wondering how i was going to get along with the people here. I was so unused to being treated as royalty. Two weeks ago i was sleeping on a hard floor and now, i looked at my big bed and shook my head. Fate was a weird thing.
When it was ready i walked to the bath and dismissed Clara and sank into the steaming water. I loved how they could turn it colors here, mine tonight was a deep purple, though it never stained the skin.
"Don't fall alseep there princess"came a deep voice. It was a pleasant one, it hinted at laughter. My eyes opened though i didn't rise from the water. Sitting across the room was a beautiful creature. Stunning. There was something familiar about him but i didn't immediately recognize him. He had golden blonde hair, a narrow and angled face and his eyes. They were emerald green but there was a familiar glint to them.
He cast me a playful grin and walked over to me. I froze. Even among "allies" there are still threats. THAT lesson was ingrained in me long before i was given a throne. He helped up his hands in a gesture of peace, but till continued to come to me.
"Be at ease princess. I mean no harm. I'v heard a lot about you... from pauper to princess all thanks to a little prophecy." He mused, kneeling down next to the tub. In a lightning fast motion he had my hair wash in his hands and was motioning for me to sit up. Hesitantly i did and he began to massage floral smelling suds into my hair.
"I think you will do well. This country is in a time of great transition. You are kinda. Smart." He paused and seemed to chuckle to himself. "Spunky. It will do everyone a world of good." He brought up a cup and begant o pour warm purple water over my head to rinse out the soap. His touch was very gentle, and i found myself completely relaxed.
"However, you are vulnerable here. You don't know your way around court. You're too honest; you'll make enemies. We may not be from the same kingdoms... but i'll keep an eye out for you." In a swift motion he pressed a kiss to my forehead and turned way. Once at the door, he threw something at me, and landed in the water. He cast me a devastating smile and was gone. I stared at the grape floating in the water for a good ten minutes after that.
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