Had anyone ever noticed that the air in a ballroom was exceedingly stifling? I've had, so many times it could blemish me in the face of society. But I wasn't wrong. So many young ladies breathing down my neck and chirping 'Your Highness!' every now and then would ignite flames inside me. What in the good of god was so important to discuss? And that to with me of all people? I came in the room, decidedly thinking that I would map out a way to get into the Legion. However, these clueless gossips had me forgetting everything of importance.
"Mrs. Perrin was accused of having a affair outside of her marriage. Her entire family were literally run out of town last week. Such disgrace, the limp will never be able to show her face in society again!" One of them shrieked.
I frowned, reacting to the latest piece of news. "I do hope Mr. Perrin is keeping his mind calm. The best he can do is leave his wife and seek out someone young and genteel...." Another one smile coyly, hinting at herself. "Rakes make the best of husbands!"
"You do know," I started. "The meaning of Rakes don't you, Miss Sandra?"
"Yes, ofcourse. Why wouldn't I?" She gleamed.
"And I am hoping you also have the idea that marriage makes no difference to a man, noneless a Rake? Or do you think you can reform him?" I asked.
"Well, he is a Man is he not? I wouldn't blame him if his needs aren't fulfilled. But for a lady to do the same doesn't reciprocate the same reaction." Came the reply which annoyed me greatly.
I breathed. "Mr. Perrin is also known to have multiple relations, if you wish to talk about it. Mrs. Perrin might certainly be very wrong in this situation....but I believe their image is ruined due to both of their actions. Not just the limp as you stated." I finished. "It is so very delightful conversing with you, Miss Sandra. So entertaining to put you down with words."
All the ladies huddled around gave me serious side eyes. Being at a higher rank was certainly rewarding for me, since they couldn't really fathom going against my words. Slowly, the group divided into twos or threes and left leaving me so very greatful. Poisonous speech was needed for people like these.
I exhaled and grabbed another lemonade to moisten my dry throat. "You know your way with words, surely." A familiar voice said.
I looked up to find the Scorpion man standing infront of me, holding a glass of lemonade himself. It was confusing how his presence in front of me immediately managed to raise my spirits, but I was not going to fight it. No one ever had the ability to do this. "You heard the whole conversation?" I asked, walking closer to him. He was standing in the corner of the room like last time, quite near where us ladies were standing.
"Ofcourse. You made a very valid point." He responded.
We beamed at each other, I gave him a yearning look hinting at our last conversation.
A dance. Ask me for the dance that you promised.
In any normal circumstances, I never relished the idea of dancing with a man.....every dance had been kind of a bearing experience for me. However, I wanted to dance with this man. Just once. I needed nothing more.
"It is a wonderful evening, is it not?" He asked out of blue, certainly not addressing to the awkwardness in between us.
"Yes. Indeed. Very good." I said with a small voice, my hopes decreasing by the second.
I tapped my feet restlessly as I waited for his cue but none came. I was just about to ask him myself when he said, "Might I have the dance I asked for, the previous day?"
My face brightened up with unusual joy. "Yes. Ofcourse. I have been waiting for you to ask me."
He took my hand and led me to the dance floor, not breaking any eye contact with me. His touch was same as the first time when we mistakenly held hands under the constellations. Warm, smooth and comfortable. His eyes were dark green, which complimented his light skin shade. He had a noble countenance but kindness faired his personality. He was unbelievably attractive.
"How may I address you, my lady?" He asked, his hand now sliding over my waist.
My hand reached his shoulder as I replied. "Perhaps it is best for us to remain strangers. Identity complicates things, don't they?"
"They probably do." He said with a downward smile. "But I wish to know you better. You intrigue me."
"Well, let's give time the benefit of that, should we?" I said while he spun me around the room graciously.
He had a musky scent wafting about him, it was strong wrapping itself around me like an invisible tether. The closer he drew, the easier it became to think clearly.
Soon, the music ended and swarm of whispers flew around us which we completely ignored to no one's surprise. We were too invested in each other to look around and care.
"I am told I contain a lot of patience," the Scorpion man asserted. "If time is what you need."
"Certainly," I blushed slightly. "Just one dance won't be enough then...."
"It is not even a question, My lady." He remarked.
____
It was one of those rare ball evenings when I had retired early to the Palace. The entire place was still alive with servants, maids, helpers and soldiers stil roaming about the floor with buisnesses to get to. The scorpion man had proved to be more than just some curiosity fantasy, since the mention of him had somehow managed to fend off the Queen's nagging.
When I retreated away from the dance floor, the Queen had managed to find me almost immediately.
"Where have you been?" She had asked rigidly.
"Nowhere but everywhere." I replied lightheadedly. The after effects of a dance so good had kind of swayed me, but I shook myself back when the Queen alerted, "Amber!"
"Apologies, Your Majesty." I blinked furiously, putting my head into place. "I just came from the dance floor."
She frowned. "The Dance floor? Since when do you dance with someone without having been told to?"
"Um...well...." I stuttered. "I met this gentleman a few days ago...."
"Okay, And?" The Queen made a face that was similar to a young lady yearning for gossip.
"We talked then...and today we danced. It was good." I said shortly, focusing myself out of the conversation.
"Alright. Finally, womanhood is gracing you. Who is this gentleman?" She exhaled dramatically.
I thought about it for a moment. Even I didn't know who it was. I only referred to him as the 'Scorpion Man' of all designations. Should I give in a fake name? Perhaps in that way the Queen would never find out who it was.
Such a ridiculous idea.
For someone who had each and every member of the season pictured in her memory, making up a fake name was genuinely so ridiculous.
"Even I happen to have no knowledge of him. Unfortunately." I put out. Not a lie in any sense.
"Uh..." the Queen drew her eyebrows. "You danced with some random stranger.....and didn't ask his credentials?"
Yes. And I actually enjoyed it.
"We haven't danced for the last time, Your Majesty. Whenever we meet the next time we will dance for sure."
The Queen spoke nothing for a while. "In any case, I am just pleased that you are trying yourself. I don't wish to force you now that you have interest in someone. However," she touched my shoulder with every emotion possible. "Do get to know his name next time. It will do us much good."
And that's how I got out. The Queen was satisfied and supportive about my decision, so I got the unsaid permission of retreating. I didn't even need telling once.
After strolling about for absolutely no reason for an extended period of time, I stumbled upon a part of the palace that I once in the past had been intrigued for. Just like last time, it was dark and exceddingly inviting and was basically calling out my name. More so than previously when I realised that there were no guards alert.
The staricase was void with no one's presence.
And then it came to me. My shenanigans had kind of stirred some tension around the palace. The knocking out of two whole guards responsible for the safety of the nation's most expensive building's entire back entrance was thought certainly thought provoking. It needed some discussion with the King along with all the guards out at once while the rest of the palace basically stood bare. Such great thinking. No one could make match for the monarch's decision making skills.
I should've done so much more than just knocking out. Perhaps that would've put some sense into them.
My greed got the best of me and before I knew it I was walking up the lone staircase, my heart basically beating up in my throat. I still took slow and deliberate steps, clearly not caring about the fact that anybody could walk up to me suddenly.
Climbing the last step, I literally feasted my eyes with the vision that was forth. The door to the room of the Royal Archives, bored and wanting some action curtesy to it's controversial naming. It felt like a dream come true for me really, I had quiten down almost every evening and rose up thinking and wanting to get entry into the room. Going unbelivable lengths and taking serious risks over the months as if my life depended on it. And finally, it was in the palm of my hands. One peek, a few minutes and It would be enough.
The door was supposed to be camouflaged with the wall so that no intruder or whoever unwelcome made their way in. Honestly, it was due to my excitement and energy that it took almost no time to find the small difference in between the wall and door. I pulled the heavy door towards me and slowly....the inside revealed itself to me.
It was a relatively small room filled with papers, books and ink bottles. It had everything I needed, all information that I wanted to know.
"Your Highness?" A voice called out. "Are you there here?"
Yes dear Lord, ruin everything in the worst way possible for me.
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