Chapter 1- The dance
Green eyes scanned the room, surveying the people gaily dancing and generally enjoying themselves. Torches lit the ballroom, casting a soft glow around the inhabitants. Food was laid out on tables arranged artfully around the room. The scene itself could have resembled a very beautiful painting. From her vantage point, high up on the dais, Lily sighed softly to herself, bored out of her mind, resenting the fact that she would have to stay for formality's sake. Being the queen, it was her obligation to stay, after all, it was her coronation reception; it would ruin the whole point if she left. But the main reason was the first impression she was now aiming to give her subjects, royal or not. She had heard of all the rumours about her lack of experience in matters of running a country, and it had made her so furious, that the entire coronation ceremony, she silently seethed that no matter what, she would become the best queen this country would ever have, and spite all her doubters in the process.
Watching the courtiers partner up and dance, she felt a slight twinge in her chest… how she hated her weak side. One would think that being the queen, she had a right to go out and dance if she wanted to, and true as this was, Lily chose to remain seated on her throne, opting instead to observe the enjoyment of others.
She was jerked from her reverie by a tap on her shoulder. Turning to face her distraction, she was met with the kind smile of her Minister of State, Brandon. A man well past his forties, he had been her support for the past few years. He was a father, confidante, and advisor all in one, and Lily loved him for that.
"You do realize you have an obligation of mingling with your future subjects?" asked Brandon
"Since when does something enjoyable like mingling become an obligation?" she shot back.
"Since you're the queen." Ah. The trump card.
"Well, be that as it may, I see no one I want to mingle with." Lily replied
"I'm afraid it's not a matter of choice, rather a matter of duty. And besides, they're only people, they won't bite….often." He finished.
He smiled kindly, the wrinkles of his age showing. Brandon had always been her closest confidante, right next to her mother, the late queen regent Suzanne. He had cared for her for much of her childhood, and had been a source of immense help during her struggle to overcome her parents' death. He was always full of wisdom and a certain witty humour that Lily enjoyed. Upon discovering her new role as monarch, she had immediately requested him to be her advisor, because if anyone could help her rule properly, it would be him. Now he watched her, regarding her with a contemplative look.
Lily laughed, and again skimmed the crowd. Brandon spoke, smilingly,
"Well, since you insist in being obstinate, how about I start you off?" Brandon offered her a hand.
Gracious to him for attempting to save her own self-destroyed image, she accepted his offer and rose from the throne, walking towards the dance floor. As Lily and Brandon settled into position, the tune changed to a soothing, sultry one, the notes reminding Lily of how tired she really was. She had to remember she was being watched like a hawk, so falling asleep on her dance partner was not an option. Keeping her focus, she conversed with Brandon, asking after his family and discussing what her new role as monarch would require of her. Though she may have been training to prepare for this day, she had never fully understood her part. Her mother and father had made it look so easy.
It was in the middle of an explanation about the importance of public appearance that a hand tapped Brandon's shoulder. Startled by the sudden pause, Lily stopped as Brandon turned to face the interrupter, and it seemed that the whole court had their eyes on him, this newcomer arousing much interest, and from some of the ladies, some very indiscreet giggles. Lily tried to discreetly crane her neck around Brandon to get a look at the source of the commotion.
"My Queen, someone wishes to dance with you." He bowed. Brandon looked to Lily for affirmation, and upon receiving it, allowed the stranger to take his place.
Suddenly, a hand appeared in front of her face, and looking up to find its owner, she was met with a pair of startlingly beautiful hazel-green eyes.
Cocking her head to the side, she regarded the man before her, as he asked, "For the queen, you sure know how to avoid using its privileges."
Aiming a raised eyebrow at him she asked, "I had no idea not wanting to dance was a crime."
"It isn't, but I believe you deserve to have some fun. So, would you care to dance?"
Smirking to herself, Lily looked around and said, "O, who am I supposed to be dancing with?" The stranger had apparently caught on to her little joke and smiled.
"Well, you could go by yourself, and of course, your entire court would see you as a loony, or you could dance with me, and look like a normal, not to mention active, queen."
Giving him a glare, Lily rose to the challenge (she had a habit to turn competitive at insults), and placed her hand in his; momentarily forgetting she had no idea who the hell she was saying yes to. As she settled into position, she felt her court turn to look at her, and all the courtiers whispering (quite loudly), about how it was about time she danced with some new people. Her acceptance of this strange man gave hope to some of the other courtiers hoping to gain the new queen's favor. Pretending to be temporarily deaf, she placed her hand on his shoulder, as he placed his on her waist. As they began to dance, she examined him again. He was tall, taller than her, with mussed black hair, beautiful hazel eyes tinted with green, and the face of someone who was full of mischief, as well as wit. He seemed able to charm anyone into believing everyone he spoke to, and Lily knew she might very well be one of those people. Taking a mental note to beware, she looked again at him, and he seemed to catch her gaze on him.
"You seem to be very interested in looking at me, might I ask why?"
Lily had been half expecting the idiot to insinuate that she was interested in him, and she wasn't disappointed. Deciding to give the smug bastard a piece of her mind, she replied, "Don't flatter yourself, moron. I'd like to know who the hell I'm dancing with."
"Ah, so the queen swears! What a scandal! Well, if you wanted to know who I was, a simple 'May I know your name?' would've sufficed, but you seem to be the type who likes to ask a simple question using the most words." He smirked.
He was so infuriating! How could he openly insult the queen like that? Granted, it wasn't that strong of an offense, but still! Didn't he know what she could do to him? Mentally taking a deep breath, she cleared her mind. Don't make a fool of yourself Lily. People are watching. She hid her emotion by arranging her face into a mask of mild interest, as he gave a deep bow.
"The Lord of Devonshire at your service, but you can call me James."
Inclining her head in regard of him, she curtsied, "and I am…"
He interrupted, smiling playfully, "The Queen, yes, I know."
Throwing him the dirtiest look she could muster, she replied, "Yes, I am, but I was going to tell you my name."
"Ah, but you see, I already do know your name. You have after all, become ruler of our country, it would only be common sense to know the name of the persona in charge of our futures, wouldn't it?"
"Well, you clearly seem to be in a mood to shut me up, so how about I let you do all the talking and I'll play the role of the typical demure woman and nod and smile, just like you expect me to?", she shot. James was undeterred.
"You really shouldn't be offended. It was an obvious statement; I was merely making it known. I'm not trying to stop you from conversation, but you don't seem to have anything to say."
"On the contrary, I have much to say. I simply have no listeners." Lily replied.
He raised his eyebrow in mocking. "Oh, is that right? Well, I've been considered quite the listener, so, do tell me about these riveting opinions you have, I'm all ears." He flashed her that annoying grin.
"Hmm… let's start with my opinion of you, shall we." He nodded, encouraging her further. "Well, physically, I don't have much to say that my ladies-in-waiting haven't already expressed. As for my first impression of you? Conceited, arrogant, cunning, manipulative, and a compulsive liar, attempting to extort secrets from everyone else without giving any of his own. Am I right?" she finished with gusto.
He looked thoughtful as they continued their waltz across the floor. "I suppose you're right on some counts, but highly off on others. I don't think your opinion can really be counted since you only just met me. I don't see how a two-minute dance can allow you to evaluate my person so harshly, seeing as I've barely done anything wrong. To you, anyway." Again, that smile.
Lily bit back her retort, opting instead to stay silent.
"What? Cat got your tongue?" James asked
"No, royal obligation," she replied coldly.
The dance was slowly coming to an end, and the couples on the floor began to disperse back to the food tables in the hopes of replenishing themselves before the next dance. Lily and James separated themselves as they bowed to each other. With a last look at James, Lily turned to go back up the dais. She never saw the lingering gaze of James' eyes on her back.
***
After dancing with a few more persistent lords and earls and suchlike, the world began to appear blurry, and Lily blinked, struggling to stay awake. She was tired; her feet were weary from dancing, and in one case, having her foot stepped on by a very flustered duke. James had not made any more appearances, and the hall had begun to clear out, all the celebrators happily inebriated, or gone home to attend to their own private affairs. She rose from her throne, stifling a yawn with great difficulty. As she traveled up the stairs and through the corridors to her apartments, she reflected on the day. It had not been as terrible as she had assumed it would be. She may not have enjoyed herself, but everyone else had, and so hopefully that bode well for her future as Queen of Verianthe.
Approaching her apartments, the guards opened the doors, and she entered in, wishing them a good night. It pays to be polite, her mother had said. She hoped this was true; Lily needed all the alliances she could muster. Her maids were there, and immediately set to work undressing her. This they did with nimble fingers and remarkable speed, and within minutes, Lily had been changed into her night dress and cleaned of all her make-up. Her eyes were almost shutting, and so she quickly told her maids not to worry with the rest (i.e. the nightly hair brushing), bidding them goodnight and telling them to take whatever was leftover from the feast. This, she had decided, she would do at all her celebrations: give the remains to those would also like to enjoy them.
The maids all curtsied, delighted at the extra food, and left Lily. She walked to her bed and collapsed onto it. Her eyes shut immediately and she drifted into a dreamless sleep, one of the last she would hope to enjoy.
