Glacies Regina
Chapter 3
The Devil In White
There was no rest for the Queen the following morning. Once awake at around half past eleven o'clock, forced to rise by Jasper, her loyal attendant, her ladies in waiting spent most of the afternoon trying to help the Queen find the perfect dress for the ball. All of the girls were excited by the upcoming ball while the Queen was dreading it. She dreaded how it was coming closer, and she would dread every second being stuck in the ballroom with Reaver. Never the less, she did agree to let him host the party so she did have to attend it, despite her desire not to. Even Jasper insisted that she attend the ball.
"Oh what does her majesty think of this dress?" asked one of the girls named Annabelle. She showed the Queen a beautiful black dress with silver trimming. The dress had a square neck cut, but left her most of her bare back exposed. Silver laces were tided on the front part of the dress, a corset like design. The sleeves went down a little bit past her elbows, puffing out a bit with black lace around the opening. The dress went down just past Annabelle's feet, she being shorter than the Queen. All of the other girls giggled and praised the dress.
"Oh, you would so beautiful, your Majesty!" shrieked Grace, turning to giggled with Lillian. The two girls could not help but laugh, both in a euphoric state. Raven could not help but smile. Her loyal ladies always knew how to make her smile.
"Very well, then I shall wear this dress." Stated the Queen. All of the girls bowed their heads then proceeded to help dress the Queen. Taking the dress behind the blinds, they helped her begin to put on the dress. With a strange timing, a knock was heard against the door.
"Do not worry madam, it is Jasper." Came Jasper's voice from behind the door.
"You may enter Jasper." Said the Queen as Isabella, Grace and Lillian helped remove her nightdress.
The knob turned and Jasper entered the room, "You asked for me to inform you whom would be attending the masquerade, madam. It seems that your brother will be attending the celebration. And, if I am not mistaken with a lady 'friend'."
The Queen mentally paused but continued to get dressed into her ball gown. Interesting. She did not know Logan had been a courting, but then it really was not her business. Even with sparring her brother, though they reforged their once fragmented relationship as brother and sister, he never told her about this. Then again, he never seemed like one how was interested in seeking a wife. During his reign, he never really saw to find a woman to be his bride.
Within minutes, the Queen was dressed for the ball. Stepping from behind the blinds, she stood before Jasper, her ladies in waiting following her.
"Simply marvelous your majesty. You will certainly be the beauty of darkness," complemented Jasper.
The Queen looked at herself in the long mirror, surprised how well it looked on her. She could not help but twirl around, letting the skirt of the dress expand. Her smile lit up across her face. She was content with it.
"Thank you Jasper," she replied, turning to face him. He bowed in return. She then turned to face her ladies, all of them wearing their common dresses. "You all may go and prepare for the ball as well. I shall remain here and do my make up and hair." The girls all curtsied and left the Queen. Jasper was the only one who stayed behind. The Queen then sat herself down by her vanity, trying to figure out what to do with her hair. Looking at herself in the mirror, she noticed the old butler standing by the door.
"Is something wrong Jasper?" She asked, brushing out her hair.
"No madam, nothing is wrong. As always, I am here to assist your majesty." He replied. He had always been loyal to her, helping her from small meager things like her appearance to major conflicts, some dealing with her emotions. The young Queen smiled at him through the mirror, he seeing it. He watched her as she played and worked with her hair. In the end, she decided to place her long flowing hair into a bun. It was a large bun, with some of the ends falling down from it but it looked nice. With her hair done, she moved onto putting on her makeup. She went really simple and wore only eye makeup. Carefully she put on her eyeliner and mascara. The then turned to face Jasper who knew that she looked stunning.
"Oh that reminds me," he began as she was putting on her black shoes. He left the dressing room and traveled back to the chamber. On the bed was a black mask embroidered with silver lines that ran along the mask. Black feathers were held to the right side of the mask by a silver broach carved into the shape of a rose. Taking the mask in hand, he presented it to the Queen.
"Oh Jasper, it's beautiful." The Queen said breathlessly.
"I found it on your desk, I believed someone has given it to you as a gift." He said handing her the mask. Taking the mask, she tided the black ribbon behind her, securing the mask to her face. She was dressed for the ball. Looking at the grandfather clock in her room, she noticed the time. Ten minutes till five o'clock read the clock.
"I guess I should be off soon," She said, a tiny bit of dread in her voice, "Thank you again Jasper.
"You are most welcome madam." He replied, bowing before her. Turning away, he left her in her chambers with Titus. Titus lay in his basket by the fire. Raven proceeded to her dresser where her jewelry box rested. Opening the box, her eyes fell upon her mother's precious necklace. It was a collar necklace with rubies all around it, held together by silver. From a distance, one would mistake the Queen for having been the victim of assassination, her throat giving the impression one had slit her throat. As well as the ruby necklace, she inserted ruby earrings into her ears. There were two rubies, the one on top smaller than the one on the bottom. Once both in, she turned to the doors. As soon as her hand clasped the handle and opened it, she found Reaver standing in front of the door. He was wearing his usual attire but also was wearing a mask as well. It was a red goblin mask one with a large nose on it, protruding out.
"Well, there she is, her royal majesty," he said in a false cheery voice.
"Reaver! What are you doing here again? I thought that you'd-"
"Be at the ball already? Well as much as I am eager to meet the many lovelies there, I am afraid I cannot enter without the guest of honor." He said, his hand grasping hers. His fingers locked onto her fingers, pulling her forward as he moved out of the room. The scandalous man before the Queen pulled her with much haste, she having to lift up her skirt so not to trip on it.
"Master Reaver, why do you pull with such speed? Slow down!" She ordered, struggling to free her captured hand.
Reaver continued to pull her along till they made it to the door leading into the ballroom. He stopped and quickly fixed his appearance, just as the Queen smoothed out her skirt. Her beauty, she a striking young woman clothed in black, enraptured his eyes. He could not help but stare at her as she fixed herself. Then the clock tower's chimes rang out, sounds escaping the bells. Her eyes could not help but look up at the man staring at her. Her cheeks began to blush, Reaver's smirk growing with satisfaction.
"Master Reaver, it would be most helpful if you would stop staring at me," commented the young monarch averting her eyes. The second chime echoed through the halls of the palace.
"I am afraid your majesty, I cannot." Reaver commented, he eyeing her with utter desire. The third chime rang out from the bells. The Queen merely sighed, looking straight at the doors. The fourth chime sounded then finally the fifth. She could here the trumpets play behind the doors, announcing her arrival. The sound began to grow and the doors were opened before her. Raven's eyes beheld the sight of a dark ballroom filled with people in many different masks. Some half masks, some full faced, held up by their wearers. Patterns varied, some checkered, some with stripes, all different fall colors and beautiful metals. Gold and silver lined most of the masks, they weaving mysterious designs into the mask. Even the features of the mask varied from person to person. Some had feathers so large they hit another person who merely walked by. Some had noses that were a good foot long, all of the people hidden behind their masks. Those in the ballroom turned to face the Queen and Reaver, they all bowing before her.
"All hail her royal majesty, Queen Raven!" Said the head of the royal guard.
Without any hint or clue, Reaver pulled the Queen forward, they both making their way down the stairs to the ballroom floor. The people continued to bow before them, the members of court already interested why the Queen would allow Reaver to escort her to the ball. Oh what juicy rumors would follow in court. The Queen was pulled to the center of the ballroom, the people then rising. The Queen turned to face the musicians and nodded her head. They with a smile on each of their faces began to play a familiar song that was often played at the Halloween balls, Danse Macabre Op. 40. Reaver did not let go of the Queen, his hand still holding hers. At first she tried to pull away, but he tightened his grip, keeping her by his side.
"Reaver, release my hand now." She hissed in a low voice.
"You insult me your majesty. I escort you to the ball and you will not offer me a dance?" He replied, looking into the eyeholes of her mask. He then pulled her body to his, his free arm wrapping around her waist. The fiddle player then began to play the intro to the music, the sounds piercing. All was still on the dance floor, until the flutes and the violinists began to play with the harp player. The people flowed with the music, swaying to the lovely rhythm. The fiddle player then began to play on and off with the flute players, then playing its key theme the rest of the musicians came into the song. The people continued to glide on the dance floor, gracefully just as the dead would in the song.
Reaver looked into the eyes of the Queen, drinking in her beauty. He led her across the floor, elegantly moving his feet with ease, she following him. As the music's tempo increased in speed, the people sped up moving from spot to spot. When only the violinist played, followed by the xylophones that mimicked the sound of bones, Reaver began to spin the Queen. She twirled away from him, he still holding onto her hand. She then was pulled back to him as the drums and trumpets played a brief crescendo.
"You handle yourself well Master Reaver," commented the Queen in a low voice as the music reached a slow pace.
"And you too my lady," he smirked. He then let go of her waist and hand and raised his right and placed her palm against her own raised palm. They touched, his glove feeling her soft hand. For four counts they walked, palm pressed in a circle then switched palms, walking in the other direction, as did the others who danced in the room. After another count of four, they joined together again, he slowly pulling along the floor, the harps and flutes playing their piece of the song with ease. The Queen looked at the masked man before her and could not help but smile.
Perhaps it was not entirely bad to let him through this ball.
With her head coming back to reality, she caught herself staring at Reaver far longer than she wanted to. He noticed this and his smug face could not have been more pleased. The Queen turned away, her pale cheeks turning red and easily seen against her fair skin and black mask. Reaver's hand could not resist and felt the bare skin of her back, he feeling her warm flesh. Mentally he cursed himself for still wearing his gloves, he wanting to feel her skin. The Queen's cheeks blushed even more, her whole face red. Reaver just smirked. The music then went from piano to fortissimo, a crescendo building as the band continued to play. The dancers all began to dance around the room with more speed, spinning and gliding along the floor. Then the violinist, imitating laughter entered, Reaver spinning the Queen around. Raven could not help but smile. Here she was enjoying the ball, the music, the dance. Everything was pleasant. But like all things, the music suddenly stopped, the violinist playing the breaking dawn and the fiddle playing its last somber notes before ending. Reaver held the Queen in his arms after the song had ended, not wanting to let go of her. Raven the noticed how she and Reaver were standing in the middle of the dance floor, under the chandelier, the people staring at them. The masked people then applauded, cheering and hailing their beloved sovereign. She looked out at the covered faces then back at Reaver. Inhaling a deep diaformatic breath, her right leg crossed behind her left leg and she lowered herself, curtsying before Reaver. His eyebrow arched but he gave a low bow to her. Rising from her curtsy, she turned to face the crowed, waving her hand to let them continue to dance. The people bowed and curtsied, as the Queen turned to face the throne set up in the ballroom. She elegantly made her way through, the people bowing before her. Once she sat on the throne, the people went back to dancing. Over the course of a few hours, the Queen watched as the people dancing and laughed in merriment at the ball. Standing beside her was her loyal lady in waiting, Annabelle.
"Madam, I could not help but notice that Master Reaver has been watching you this whole time," she whispered into the Queen's ear.
"Oh Avo," replied the Queen. Then the trumpets wailed out a stentorian call, indicating someone of a high stature had arrived. Standing at the top of the stares stood a tall man with black hair slicked back. His golden breastplate of armor and dark purple shirt covered his torso while his dark purple lined with gold and black boots were worn on the bottom half. Standing to his right stood a young woman with light brunette curls partially tied back. Her dress was a dark brown dress, balverine fur colored with black lace around the opening and the sleeves. She was a pale girl, shorter than the man who escorted her but very pretty. The Queen did not know the woman but she knew the man all too well.
Logan.
All remained silent as the former King and the woman traveled down the stairs. They approached the throne, both bowing before the Queen. Raven rose from her throne, stepping towards Logan and his 'friend'. She looked at him, he noticing her body in front of his and rose. A warm, welcoming smile hung across her face. Without warning, she clung to her brother, hugging him tightly as she had done as a child when they were much younger.
"Welcome brother," she greeted him.
"Your majesty," he said, grinning back.
"Logan, you do not need to call me that. You are my brother." She insisted.
He merely smiled. He then turned his head looking at his beautiful 'friend'. The Queen noticed her and smiled.
"This is Lady Elizabeth. She is from Millfield," he introduced her. Elizabeth curtsied before the Queen, smiling with contentment.
"Will you be staying long Logan?" The Queen asked.
"I am afraid not Raven. I must return to Millfield straight away but hopefully I shall be able to return for a longer stay come early winter." He replied. The Queen looked slightly sadden by the news but understood that he, like herself, Logan had duties to attend to as well. Having been appointed her head general, he always was away dealing with bandits and nuisances that threatened the empire.
"Your majesty," she spoke. Her voice was calm and flowing. Not high and nasally like some members of the court, but cool and collected. After exchanging greetings, Logan and Elizabeth meshed with the crowd and began to dance amongst the people. She turned to resume sitting on her throne when she caught the sight of the white devil staring at her. She froze for a moment, looking into the eye cutouts of the mask, doing the same thing. Breaking gaze, she proceeded to the throne and continued to sit until the bells in the clock tower rang ten chimes. The people began to leave and return to their homes. The Queen then rose from her throne and began to leave for her private chambers. Followed by her ladies in waiting, she left the ballroom and headed for her private chambers, her chambers that she rested in as a princess. Though Queen she refused to stay in Logan's room. Not long after stepping out of the ballroom, she turned to her ladies and dismissed them, telling them that they were free to go back home for the night. They bowed and left their Queen alone in the hallway.
Turning away, she decided to head not for her chambers but for the War Room. Her feet seemed to retrace the same path she followed on that fateful day she and her beloved Elliot traveled to the War Room. With her black dancing shows creating echoes and the dim candles hanging from the walls casting little light, Raven felt a sense of dread creep in from the shadows of her past. It made her feel exposed, not even her mask gave her protection. The choice she made that day would haunt her till the day she died. She wanted to save the people that day, she could not let Logan murder innocence who just wished to be heard. However, she did not want her Elliot to die. That day in the throne room, her heart was torn in two. She could not find the right choice in the game of life and death. It was too grey, nothing black and white. But she had made her choice, proving to her brother something he never knew. How much she was willing to forfeit for the sake of her people. That day still troubled her mind. She could hear the gunfire, the sound of bullets ripping through flesh and the collapsing.
Raven tried to shrug the dark day off, putting them behind her. Yet it was hard. The past scarred her deeply, so deep that she knew she would never recover from it. Her mind seemed to reenter reality, her eyes gazing upon the door into the War Room. She had nothing to fear this time. No one was to die. Grasping the cold, golden handle, she pushed forward and the door opened. Shutting it behind her, she approached the map table. Raven gazed at her kingdom, it much larger than it was before. She could not help but reflect upon the choices she had made to save her beloved Albion. All of them, she chose to become a saint, rather than a tyrant. Doing so, she had to sacrifice every bit of gold she had. All inherited from her mother's welfare. Such was the price to protect her people and the price all leaders had to pay.
Everything then went ominously still. A rush went up Raven's back, giving her the sense that she was no longer alone. She could feel eyes watching her in the shadows. Her body remained frozen, but her eyes scanned for anything near her that she could use. With luck, she noticed a letter opener on the map table. Ever slowly, she moved her hand towards the knife, her hand grasping the pommel of the blade. She had a firm hold on it but realized she had only one chance to hit her target. One shot. Inhaling a deep breath she sighed. Suddenly she turned, throwing the knife at the shadow. They, however, were quick. They were able to deflect the knife with their own weapon, the blade recoiling back. The Queen stood in the room, frightened and vulnerable. The shadow before her stood in the dark but then stepped forward, reveling a brass material cane.
"Now my Queen, you should know tis' dangerous to play with knives." The figure mocked, stepping into the light. The devil in white had followed her into the War Room.
"How dare you come before me! Why do you stalk me so?" Demanded the Queen. Reaver merely smirked at the Queen, still wearing his mask and all.
"I am not stalking you, mon Corbeau. I am just merely…wandering." He said, striding towards her.
"Ha! You just happened to wander into the War Room?" She hissed, retreating behind the table. Reaver continued his advances towards her, growing closer with each step.
"As a member of the royal court, I am allowed to roam where I please." He commented, his body now dangerously close to hers. She turned her back to him, flashing her backside. The cut in the back reveled her red dyed tattoo of an Old Kingdom design. Reaver's eyes widened, a sudden rush pulsing through his body. Carefully he removed his black gloves, jamming them into his pocket. Approaching her from behind, his fingers traced the designs on her back. The Queen froze, her muscles tightening. She felt his bare, warm fingers caressing her skin, tracing the patterns on her back. A sensation seeped from his fingertips and tickled her skin. But it was wrong. He was wrong. Raven regained control over her body, turning to face him.
"I am not a whore, Reaver. I am your Queen." And with that, she left him alone, all alone in the dim War Room.
X X X X X X X X X X
A/N: Well I must admit I am happy how long this came out. Truth be told, I had this all planed out in my head from the beginning, well mostly the ballroom part. XD I do hope you like it. I do hope that you all think that I am keeping Reaver in character. R&R
