Sorry it took so long for this update. Writers block was hitting me pretty severely and I didn't want the quality of the story to fall just to update. I hope you were patient and enjoy!
The ball was beginning.
Victor walked down from the stairs, his eyes fixed on Mara. She could feel her heart beat as she made eye contact with him, he wants to dance with me first, he wishes to take me. She shook the irritating voice of her geass-stricken self. She did not want to dance with him. He was weak, he was a Prince that had the thrown handed to him. He didn't deserve what he had, she didn't deserve to lose her mother.
She broke her stare with Victor and turned to Davis, "Don't let him dance with me, I don't want him to pick me as his Queen. Someone like me would only tarnish his name," she tried to look up at Davis with pleading eyes. Davis' eyes didn't shake their gaze. He was staring at Victor.
He thinks I've betrayed him. He thinks I have tried to take Mara away from him. My friend please, understand my actions. How could my loyalties be so split?
As Victor stopped before him Davis impulsively grabbed Mara's hand, fell to one knee and held Mara's hand loosely up to Victor, "Just as you asked of me, your Highness,"
Victor realized at that moment that his friend was conflicted. Two years ago Victor had taken the blame, and Davis stayed by him loyally, how could I ever doubt you? Victor grinned and reached out his hand and placed on Mara's, "Thank you Davis,"
Mara's heart jumped out of her chest at the touch of Victor. She couldn't believe that Davis would do exactly what she asked him not to. I'll have to use my geass on him and make him regret his actions for tonight. How could my loyal dog disobey his master's orders?
"Shall we dance?"
Mara smiled weakly, "If you insist, my Lord," she heard her heart pound, her mind rambling with thoughts. She felt like the luckiest girl in the world. To have the King chose me…could he really wish to have me as his Queen?
Without another word, Victor led her on the now empty dance floor. She felt the gaze of hundreds of people on her making her face red. Thankfully this is a masquerade. Victor didn't speak, he just snapped his fingers to signal the start of the music. Mara couldn't make eye contact with him, her own geass stopping her from being confident around him. He grabbed her arms and placed them in his own hand and on his shoulder.
Mara followed his feet as best as she could, she never learned how to dance before and trying to pick it up was harder than she wanted to admit. Her mind flashed to Victor and Davis as kids trying to teach her how to dance.
"Don't look down, look at me. Your feet will go where mine lead them to," Mara looked up slightly and her eyes met with his. Her heart beating faster she could feel the geass begin to take hold of her emotions again. She wanted this moment to last forever. She wanted to dance in his arms for the rest of her life. So what if she couldn't change the world, she could change her world, isn't it enough to feel like this? This isn't real! This feeling is just an illusion, using my geass on myself is my biggest regret right now.
"Mara, can't you see," he pulled her across the dance floor elegantly, her feet obediently following where he led, "You belong up here. You belong beside me at the top of this throne," he looked down at her eyes before turning his head, "Damn your pride Mara. Can't you give in to me? Can't you see I want you to come back? Just this once, can't you listen to me? Can't you be my bride and stand beside me?"
Mara felt her lips hesitate, "Yes," she had wanted to say, "I will stand beside you," they were words that she was thankful to hold back. She couldn't allow her own power, the power she was given to change this system, to put a stop in all of her efforts. She couldn't allow Victor a throne that wasn't earned. Her geass wouldn't allow her to say those words to him. There was a powerful side of her that didn't want Victor to hate her.
She turned away from his gaze, "Why would you chose me? Why would the King pick a commoner?" he opened his mouth to speak, "I won't let you tarnish your throne with me,"
"Mara I lo-" the music stopped and Mara pulled out of his grasp.
She took two steps back and curtsied as best she could, "Thank you for the honor of the dance," she bit her bottom lip and she turned and walked from the floor.
Victor stood, unable to believe what he had seen. Mara had walked away. Mara how could you? Several woman hurried to his side in hopes to be chosen for the next dance, but Victor couldn't only stare at the back of the woman he longed for as she shuffled out of the room. He felt an anger fill him, no doubt from the effects of Mara's geass, but to him it was merely a reaction. He was angry at her, how dare she walk away from the King. He pushed aside the crowd of women around him, his objective nearing the door the exit. He felt his blood boil, he needed to have her. It was no longer about his true feelings of love, it was about power. He was angry that she might have a power over him that he could do nothing about. He was the King, he could do anything.
He pushed through the last of the crowd but stopped abruptly at the sight before him. A tall dark haired man in a tuxedo hurried next to Mara, he draped a white shawl over her and opened the door. The man looked back at Victor, his face covered by the elaborate mask but his eyes enraged Victor. They were the eyes that a winner looks at the loser with. They were eyes that seemed to see Victor at the bottom. To this man, Victor was no King.
They were the eyes that Mara used to look at him with, the day she left the Manor.
"Well that strayed from the plan a bit," Ulrich hurried behind Mara who was walking down the steps to the manor.
"Nothing changes," Mara's voice was shaky with emotion. It made Ulrich curious about what her geass powers might be, "Send word to Brand to be ready. Tens will carry out her mission shortly,"
The ball had continued even in Mara's absence. Davis quickly went to Victor and told the women that he would need a moment for his injuries, "Victor I-"
"You don't need to say anything." Victor spoke calmly, his anger quickly subsiding, "I know you a have a guilt toward her,"
The two sat side by side atop the stairs by the rest of Victor's family, "I think it's about time for the toast don't you think dear?" Victor's mother stood and motioned to one of the servants to bring champagne. A short, white haired girl hurried up the stairs with a tray of 4 glasses filled with champagne and one glass with sparkling apple cider. She quickly bowed before reaching to distribute the glasses when James hoped from his seat. His angelic face smiled brightly up at the server.
"Would it be alright if I passed out the glasses?"
The server looked up at his approving parents before handing the glasses to him one at a time. Tens was nervous, she desperately hoped that the glass intended for Victor did not go to Davis. Any of the others would be okay, but not Davis. She stayed calm, her face was hidden by her mask, but she couldn't risk this small boy feeling uncomfortable. She handed the boy the glass that was intended for Victor. The boy's face turned menacing for a moment before returning to its angelic nature, "Mama, this one is for you," he handed the glass to his mom, his grin wide with happiness.
"Thank you my dear," the great Queen took the glass and held it waiting to be able to make the speech.
"This one is for me right?" the boy grinned sickeningly up at Tens, "Apple cider right?"
Tens suddenly felt very real fear for the boy before her. She nodded slowly and bowed once more before shuffling away. The boy's gaze still stuck in her vision, does he know that his mother is about to die? Could he be planning as well?
Winston's gaze caught on to Tens as she hurriedly walked in to the back. It was unusual for her to be so tense, that boy must be the reason.
The Great Queen stood and tapped a knife against her husband's glass, "Hello guests. I hope everyone is enjoying the ball. The King has just informed me that he will be joining the dance once again," Victor sighed at his mother's persistence, "but first I would like to make a toast," she raised her glass and the guests quickly hurried to get their own glasses to raise as well, "To the health of my son, King Victor. To the Kennsingtons. To the future Queen of our land!" the crowd mumbled in response and they all sipped from their glass, the Grand Queen as well.
Victor stood and walked back down the stairs to the hopeful woman waiting for a dance. He danced with several woman before the Grand Queen began to feel warm. She turned and smiled to her concerned husband, "I'm sure it's just the alcohol, don't worry dear," she stood and walked over the rail that allowed her to look over her son dancing with a beautiful woman she knew to be a princess. A sweat broke out on her forehead, her eyes could no longer focus on the dancing figures below her. She felt both hot and cold, her limbs felt frozen yet her body was boiling. She held on to the railing with all of her strength, but only fell to her knees. Davis was the first to jump up and held the Grand Queen, her husband also jumping to his feet at the sight of his wife falling ill. James could only stare at the scene with a wonder on his face.
The Grand Queen wheezed for air, every breath seemed to constrict her lungs further. She tried to say something to her husband but found neither the strength nor the ability, Richard, take care of our family.
With that the Grand Queen collapsed and fell to the floor. Her body slowly shutting down.
Victor looked up to see his mother fall. Davis had brought her back to her feet, but she fell a second time. He pushed the woman he was dancing with away and ran up the stairs, "Mother!" he looked down to see her pale body motionless on the floor. The Grand Queen had died, no she had been killed.
Victor clenched his fists, "The White Lions," Davis looked to his friend, "they did this. The White Lions….they killed her," Victor watched his father fall to his knees and try to scoop up the body of his wife. The Great King's face lined with tears.
"Dear, dear!" he pulled her body close to him and softly wept.
"THE WHITE LIONS!" the crowd screamed and began to run from the ball room as the escaped prisoners flooded the room. They had no interest in killing the guests, their aim was nobility.
"Davis, get my family out of here," Victor grabbed the sword at his waist, the one that was forged by Mara.
"Victor you can't-" Davis began to protest but stopped at the look in his friend's eyes. It was a look of determination. A look of revenge, "Understood, I'll be back in a moment. Don't die,"
Victor ran forward through the crowd. He knew his fighting skill was weak, but his speed would support him. He just had to break through the crowd of terrorists flooding through the doors. Suddenly Victor drew his sword to block the attack from someone he did not expect to be a terrorist. The elder man before him was dressed in a military uniform of the royal army, his sword had a cover over the hilt, "Excuse my attack you're Highness, but we have plans for a new leader,"
Victor clenched his jaw as he struggled against the attack. He cursed his luck to have to fight what seemed like an excellent fighter.
Outside the Manor: The Back Line
"I was worried that you wouldn't show up," Brand tapped on the metal leg of the Knightmare frame, "I've made some adjustments while I waited, do you want to know?"
Ulrich grinned as he climbed up the machine, "Why even ask?"
Mara stood at the base of the machine, with this it will be possible, "I'm coming too," she took a few steps close to the Knightmare before Brand jumped in front of her.
"What do you mean? Why would you want to reveal yourself now?"
Mara grinned, "I think tonight will be the final strike. If we play the cards right, we can take over this country tonight,"
Brand crossed his arms, "No way the people will accept people labeled as terrorists so quickly,"
Mara grinned, the geass-stricken voice in her head had finally become useful, "Oh I think they might"
"Brandi, Brandi!" the radio in the Knightmare called.
"Tens! What's wrong? Why do you sound hurt?" Ulrich snatched up the radio and replied, his eyes wide with fear.
"Ulli? There's a soldier here…Winny is…Winny is…"
"Don't worry Tens. I'm coming, don't worry," he looked at Mara with eyes that were filled with rage, "If Tens dies I swear Mara I will-"
"What will you do? Kill me?" Mara crossed her arms, "Then the throne would be yours. I have no intent on letting Tens die so calm down. This just means we have to change the plan a little bit,"
Kennsingtons Manor
Victor's sword had been thrown from his hands, the soldier before him holding a sword to Victor's throat.
"My name is Winston by the way,"
Victor looked at the man with disbelief, "I'm Victor,"
"You seem to have a lot of turmoil inside of you could it be, your memories are between you and your strength?"
Victor wasn't sure what he meant, "Are you calling me weak?"
Winston smiled, "Perhaps, but listen here King. The reason I fight is not for my beliefs, in fact I don't really care about you or your family. Our leader, on the other hand, has quite the strong feelings toward their cause…"
"What's your point?"
"I want a show Victor. And the way things seem to be heading appears to me that I won't get the show I need. So how about this?" before Victor could realize it Winston had grabbed him by the hair and pulled his face closer, their eyes locked on each other.
"Ah, what are you-" Victor saw it. The red symbol that stood in both of Winston's eyes.
"How about you forget your troubling thoughts?"
"Victor!" Davis had finally made it back to the fight. He pulled out his pistol and started to fight through the crowd of terrorists to reach Victor.
Tens was coming back into the ballroom just in time to see the bullet pierce through Winston's stomach. She kept her composure long enough to relay a message to Brand and Ulrich before her own eyes went red with the power of the geass.
"Victor! Victor!" at the sight of Winston falling most of the terrorists sped through the ballroom leaving their fallen comrades behind. Davis fell to his knees beside his friend who was laying on the floor, "Victor!"
He hardly noticed the white streak of light before he felt the cold dagger against his throat. A small eyed girl was beside him, tears welling in her red eyes. Davis held his breath, he didn't know how vested this girl was in killing him, but he had no intention of letting her decide, he slowly reached his arm over for his gun.
"Davis!"
He snapped his head over to see Mara running back into the ball room, "Mara! What are you doing? Run, get out of here!"
"Davis?"
He turned his head down to see Victor waking up from being knocked unconscious, "Victor, are you alright?"
"Victor!" Mara's face lit up as she saw him pull himself up on his arms.
Victor looked at Mara, then looked back at Davis, "Who is that?"
Mara took a step back, shocked at the cold look in his eyes.
"Ahhh I remember you," Victor stood up and glanced at the white haired girl holding a knife to his friends throat, "You're the maids daughter from all those years ago," he grinned, "It's been a while,"
Mara didn't understand, amnesia? That makes no sense…what's happening? She hurt inside, Victor seemed to have forgotten her. But what did that matter? If anything it made her task even easier. Dethroning a stranger would be like child's play, besides she had her geass, "Tens, let Davis go,"
Davis' face froze as the small girl put down her weapon and went to tend to Winston's wounds, "Mara, are you-"
"That's right Davis. I'm the leader of the White Lions," she took a few steps toward Davis but Victor stood in front of her.
"Then it was you who tried to have me killed? It was you that killed my mother?"
Mara sighed, "We were supposed to kill you but your evil brother gave your drink to your mother. How can you blame me for that?" she turned her gaze back to Davis, "Come with me Davis,"
"Don't listen to her Davis!"
"I want a world lead by the strong. I seek a throne sought after not a throne that is passed down,"
"She means to turn you against me, Davis!"
"Davis, I need you. Come with me,"
"I-" Davis took several breaths, his mind filled with choices yet he felt such an overwhelming need to trust Mara. He did trust her. He trusted her with every fiber of his soul. He let his hand drop on Victors shoulder and stared Mara deep in her eyes, "I will stand by Victor,"
Victor grinned at his friend and drew his sword, "The White Lions are no match for-"
The busted open to show a large robot, the Knightmare Frame, "Mara!" a voice from inside the machine called.
"You see Victor, you can't possible hope to defeat me; you are weak,"
Victor lunged forward, his sword raised. The only emotion he knew was anger he felt such rage and anger toward her. They were feelings he didn't understand he only acted upon.
Mara's eyes were focused on Davis, she needed him, rage…betrayal.
Victor watched as his sword ment for Mara fell down upon Davis, "Davis!"
Davis grunted and looked at the sword that was pushed into his shoulder, "Victor…..Victor you idiot!" Victor let go of his sword as he staggered backwards, the reaction of his longest friend made no sense to him anymore, "What do you think you are doing Victor?! How dare you attempt to lay a hand on Mara!?"
"Davis!" Mara put her hands on his wound, "Are you alright?"
Davis turned his head away from Victor, "I'm ashamed to have served you," with his good arm he raised his gun, the barrel pointed at Victor, "May you find your mother,"
All was quiet after the sound of the gunshot. All was still. Victory had been reached.
Thanks for reading! It may seem a little confusing and convoluted but it will clear up as I write more. I hope to begin updating this story more regularly (but no promises!)
What happened to Victor? What did Winston do to Victor? Did Victor die? What happens to the White Lions now?!