Chapter 22

"You look amazing," Alekai states as he walks into the closet, just as Elisa helps me into my heels.

"The dress is so flimsy, though," I complain, rolling my eyes as I pick at the silver dress.

“You’re just saying that because it's strapless.” Elisa chimes in, causing Alekai to chuckle and fist bump the Maid. I hate when these two gang up on me.

“It’s strapless, and I am braless. I feel like if I make one wrong move, everyone will see my body.” I state, catching the possessive look in Alekai’s eyes.

“No one will, and I will make sure of that!” I roll my eyes, sighing in defeat as I motion for Alekai to lead the way. Holding his hand out to me, I gladly take it, saying goodnight to Elisa before we head out of the closet. I quickly bend down to pet Chaos and Nova, giving my pups a kiss on the head before allowing Alekai to lead me out of the room.

“So, what charity is the ball for this year?” I asked.

“It’s for a women’s shelter, surprisingly. Mother got to choose this year, and she chose to help a local women’s shelter for abused women escaping their partners.” I smile, remembering the only interaction I had with Alekai’s parents and the way King Joseph groped the poor maid in front of Queen Arabess. It makes sense why she would choose this as the charity for the ball. The Queen seemed unhappy with her marriage, and I could not blame her.

“How long do we have to stay this time?” I ask, knowing that the ladies King Joseph had chosen as arranged marriage partners will be attending, including Linnate, makes me want to turn around and hide away with Alekai.

“Two hours. Then we can head back to our room and enjoy the night properly.” I nod, happy to not be stuck in this dress longer than I thought. The walk ends quickly, and soon we find ourselves outside the ballroom door, the butler announcing our arrival. The first stop is to greet the King and Queen. As usual, a poor maid is at the mercy of the King while the Queen ignores the scene beside her, most likely used to it by now.

“Good evening Mother, Father,” Alekai says as he bows and I curtsy. We wait for permission to rise, and when given, the Queen rises from her throne and gives me a warm hug.

“Did Alekai give you the good news?” She asks, a smile on her elegant face.

“Mother, I planned to tell her later tonight.” Alekai chuckles, the Queen linking her arms in mine.

“Well, I get to tell her as she is Duke Roland’s niece after all. He found Lady Jaida and Miss Aime. The problem is extracting them from their Masters.” My heart stops for a moment, only for an overwhelming joy to fill me. They were alive and found, even if in a similar situation as me.

“When can we save them?” I ask, finding it fitting that this news be given at a charity ball for a women’s shelter.

“Soon, I hope. Don’t worry, Lyra.” I nod at Alekai’s words, thanking him profusely for keeping his promise to find my friends. I will be able to see them soon, and I can’t wait. Queen Arabess smiles at me, handing me a handkerchief that I accept graciously and wipe a few stray tears of joy away before handing it back to her.

“Well, you two enjoy the ball. And Alekai, I won’t be forcing marriage on you anymore.” Saying those words, I feel her squeeze my arm before she releases me and Alekai wraps his own around my waist, giving his mother a genuine smile that I have come to know and love. Excusing herself to greet her next guests, the Queen turns to another woman whom I quickly realize is Linnate, standing by the King, the maid now gone as Linnate hands him a cup of wine from a passing waiter. Her glare is evident as she stares at me, and I smile at her as sweetly as I can before Alekai leads us away to the dancefloor, sweeping me off my feet as we twirl to the music. The room is filled with nobles and merchants, and Uncle Elyse comes to greet us after our third dance.

“Y-you found my Jaida?” His eyes water as Alekai hands him a handkerchief, my own eyes wanting to shed some tears as well.

“Yes, he did. We will be able to see her soon.” I say, my voice cracking as I hug my Uncle.

“Yes, we will!” He agrees, his tear-filled eyes also filled with determination. And then we hear it.

A piercing scream rings through the ballroom, silencing the noise behind us as a hushed whisper spreads through the crowd.

“Mother!” Alekai states, turning towards the direction of the thrones before taking off, running to where the scream originated. I quickly run after him, the two of us pushing through the crowd that soon realize who was trying to get through and parting quickly, allowing a path for Alekai and I to get by. The sight that greets us has me gasping. Alekai grows pale as we stare at his mother, her hands clutching King Joseph’s in hers as she begs him to wake up. Her sobbing is heart-wrenching as blood drips from the clearly dead King’s mouth, nose, ears and open eyes that stare blankly into the crowd. The poor maid he was groping earlier sits frozen beside his throne with horror on her face.

“G-Guards! Lock the doors and track down any and all Palace workers and guests in the halls. No one is leaving tonight!” Alekai orders as I carefully walk towards Queen Arabess, prying her away from her dead husband and catching a weird scent that worries me as I wrap a protective arm around the weeping Queen, who promptly clings to me.

“Kai, I could be wrong, but I think this is the work of poison,” I state, turning to look at him while the Queen sobs into my dress.

“I know. Only poison can do this.” He agrees. Guards quickly come to our side, some pushing the crowd back, others helping to place the fallen King onto a stretcher that was wheeled in. Alekai orders them to take his body to the hospital wing, presumably for an autopsy.

“You can’t take my husband from me.” The Queen pleads, and my heart breaks for her as I pull her closer to me and rub her back.

“I am so sorry, but it's too late,” I whisper, my own tears falling from my eyes as the heartbreak in her sobs causes me to cry. A maid quickly comes, offering to help me bring the Queen away, which I accept, letting Alekai know I will be taking her to my little kitchen, feeling that the sitting area there will be the perfect quiet place for her.

“Adam and Elisa will be there, I ordered a guard to let them know of the situation, and I will join you as soon as possible.” I nod, keeping a protective arm around Queen Arabess while leading her out of the ballroom, the maid helping us up the stairs. As we reach the third step, Elisa rushes to our side, taking the place of the maid and helping me get Queen Arabess to my private room. Settling the now-widowed Queen on a sofa by the fire and wrapping a knitted throw over her shoulders. Nova jumps up beside her, letting out a soft whimper as she licks the Queen’s cheek. The grieving woman turns toward the pup and cuddles her as she sobs. I pull Elisa to the side and sigh.

“Can you go to the Queen’s room and grab some comfortable clothes? I’ll stay with her until you come back, then slip out to change while you help her out of her gowns.” I ask, running a hand through my hair, happy to only have loose curls and not an extravagant updo.

“Of course. I will be right back. Adam is just outside, so if you need anything, call for him.” I nod, thanking Elisa before returning to the Queen, sitting beside her as Chaos watches from his dog bed. Elisa soon returns, and I slip out, greeting Adam, who informs me that Alekai is interrogating the guests with the guards.

I head to my bedroom, finding a set of pajamas and leaving a comfortable set out for Alekai with a note to change before joining Queen Arabess and me. I then return to my personal room, spying Queen Arabess lying on the couch, a duvet covering her, and Nova in her arms. I thank Elisa before grabbing a book to read and curling up on the opposite couch, deciding to read while I wait for Alekai to return.

“How is she?” I look up from the book I am reading to see a disheveled and tired-looking Alekai making his way towards me, happy to see him in the grey pajama set I left for him. The clock behind me chimes, signaling midnight, and I yawn.

“She’s been asleep for the last few hours. Nova hasn’t left her side. How are you feeling?” I ask, settling my book on the side table and motioning for him to join me.

“I…” he starts as he sits beside me, but his voice cracks, and he turns to bury his face in my chest, his sobs wracking his body. I instinctively wrap my arms around him, pulling Alekai closer as he sobs, his arms wrapping around me. I know that he had a strained relationship with his Father, but King Joseph was his Father, and he was murdered in the same room as Alekai. Soon his sobs quiet down, and I realize Alekai has fallen asleep. I sigh and look outside the window, the full moon shining down on us. I pray to whatever Deity is watching over us to find the culprit and quickly heal these two grieving royals.