Odette and Derek met Fiera and Angel in the hall outside the dining room. Fiera and Angel had promised to wait for them so they could show how they should enter the dining room. Odette was used to there being certain etiquette even for entering the room, so she found herself unsurprised when Fiera had mentioned it.
However it did surprise her when she saw that no one really dressed up for dinner. She was also glad to see this, as the only thing in her wardrobe more formal than what she'd been wearing all day were elegant evening gowns, much too fancy for a regular dinner. So she decided on a similar outfit and was glad to see Fiera wasn't dressed much differently.
"Okay, it's really simple, I swear," Fiera promised, hand over her heart. "In fact, Angel and I have it harder than you, and it's still easy. All you have to do is just walk in after Angel and me. When we stop behind our chairs, it'll be your turn. "
At that, Fiera turned on her heel and faced the door. Angel took his place beside her. They snapped to attention and two nearby guards held open the doors as they passed through. The moment they set foot – in step, no less – into the room, a drum cadence began, announcing their arrival. Upon hearing the drums, everyone in the room stood up and placed their right hands over their hearts. Fiera and Angel didn't acknowledge them, not stopping until they reached their seats.
Instead of immediately sitting down, they stood behind their chairs with their hands clasped behind their backs, still not moving. The drum cadence stopped, and everyone remained still. Odette took this as the signal for her and Derek's turn. Instead of merely marching out, as Fiera and Angel did, Derek offered his arm to her, which was a comforting and familiar gesture. She took it, and they stepped into the dining hall.
Once again, the drums started their fanfare, this time accompanied by a trumpet. As they passed, Odette and Derek could see everyone give the full Guardian salute. At the end of the room, Fiera and Angel remained standing at perfect attention, but now they had their hands over their hearts as the others did before. Finally, they reached their seats. Derek, ever the gentleman, pulled out Odette's chair for her. She wondered if he was breaking protocol, but there was a large part of her mind that didn't care at all. She was just glad to have him beside her, after that scare earlier in the day.
When Odette took her seat, everyone else followed suit and dinner was served. The room was filled with the chatter of friends talking and the clinging of utensils. Servers walked around with food and drink, asking around if anyone required anything.
"Was all that really necessary?" Odette found herself asking Fiera, who chuckled when the words came out of her mouth.
"No, not really. It's just a show of respect. Guardians are a military group, so respect to those who rank above us is very important." Her explanation was broken by another laugh. "Just be glad that was the extent of it. Way back when, people actually had to come to the table and bow before the king or queen. But your mother abolished that, saying it was a little bit demeaning. I agree with her, but according to my mother, there were still quite a few people who bowed before her before they sat down, just because they thought so highly of her."
"And they think highly of me because I'm her daughter," Odette surmised.
"Yes, but don't worry about that. They accept you regardless of what you do, and though a lot of that does have to do with who your mother was, it also has a lot to do with who you are."
"But they hardly even know me," Odette contested. She certainly hadn't been there long enough for these people to judge. Two days was hardly enough time for them to know her.
"But they see the kindness in your eyes. They trust you because they heard what you did today."
"And what was that?"
"You showed the qualities of a true leader. You waited until you were needed and you jumped in to help me when Leda was making me look like the demon I used to be. You came to my defense, even when most people wouldn't."
"Why not? You've come to my defense before," Odette reasoned.
"Yeah, but there are people who wouldn't have the courage to stand up to some of the most powerful Guardians in the city. Even if they wouldn't dream of hurting you, it does make a lot of people think highly of you."
The rest of dinner, which was exquisite, was much lighter in atmosphere. Odette and Derek chatted with Fiera and Angel. When it was over, they retired to their room. Despite the day's activity, they didn't really feel tired. Things were at a much faster pace here, but surprisingly, they had no trouble keeping up. In fact, to Odette, it felt right.
This all contributed to how quickly Odette fell into the rhythm of every day she spent there. Each day, though not similar enough to be boring, was like the one before. So it surprised Odette when one day Fiera ended practice very early.
"Why?" she asked, confused.
"Don't you remember?" Fiera replied.
"No."
"The ball…?" Fiera coaxed.
"Oh!" Odette exclaimed. "It's tonight."
"Yeah, so we need to get ready."
Odette rushed to her room after she cleaned off her sword, something Fiera made her do every time they practiced. She was sure Fiera had already chosen the gown she would wear for the evening. Odette, on the other hand, hadn't even looked. To be honest, she'd totally forgotten about it.
Opening her wardrobe, she was a little disappointed to see there was quite a selection. Carefully, she took every formal dress that was in the wardrobe and laid it out on her bed. She methodically examined each one. Strangely enough, she'd never made such a fuss out of a ball before. But for some reason, this one seemed special.
Finally, she picked one. It was a gorgeous light blue. The neckline was low, but still classy. The straps wrapped around her neck and met in the center of her chest, fully exposing her shoulders. The dress hugged her body, accentuating her hour glass figure. There were no sleeves, but white gloves that reached almost up to her elbows. They fit perfectly, showing off her toned forearms with no bunches in the fabric. Since the night was somewhat chilly, Odette elected to wear a dark blue cape. It had the same golden clasp as her other capes, a winged sword, her family crest.
Looking at herself in the mirror, she was satisfied. She decided to leave her long hair down, not wanting to be overdressed – she still had no idea how everyone else would show up. Presently, there was a knock at the door. It was Derek, who immediately stopped whatever he was about to say to get a good look at her.
"Too much?" she asked tentatively.
"Not at all," he replied, taking her into his arms for a long kiss. "You look amazing."
He quickly changed into his best clothes. He decided to wear khaki pants, shined brown boots, and a black shirt with a contrasting white under shirt. He went without the cape, not really needing it with all the shirts he was wearing. Odette couldn't help but laugh when he mentioned this.
When they were both ready, they headed down to the ballroom. Odette was glad Angel had given Derek directions – Fiera must have given her directions as well, but somewhere along the way she forgot. The ballroom was higher than the first story of the castle, but not high enough to be on the second floor. As Derek and Odette climbed the wide stairs that led into the great room, Odette felt a familiar pang of nervousness. But it dissipated – if only a little – when Derek once again told her she was beautiful.
As with the dining hall, two guards opened the door and they stepped onto the grand staircase that led down onto the dance floor. The ballroom was larger than any other room of the castle. Along the back wall were several very large windows, through which a perfect full moon and bright stars shone through. As soon as the candle light from the many gold chandeliers hit them, an announcer regally called out their name and title to the many people below.
"Their royal majesties, Queen Odette and King Derek!"
As soon as the words were spoken, everyone gave the two the full salute. There were approving smiles as Derek and Odette gracefully, arms linked, descended the steps. Odette was surprised not to see Fiera among the crowd, or Angel, for that matter.
Odette ignored the lonely feeling. She'd been pretty dependant on Fiera since she arrived, so it was a little like having the rug pulled out from under her when Fiera didn't even meet her when she arrived.
But the feeling faded away when suddenly the announcer began to speak. "First Captain Fiera Bivar and Second Captain Angel Reed."
Several people placed their hands on their hearts. It was a good thing they didn't have to bow, as most of them were gawking at Fiera. Her dress was simply divine. It was black and strapless, the sleeves reaching just below her shoulders. Embroidered on the neckline was a silver ivy. The ivy traced her down the center of her stomach to just below her waistline, where two other lines of the ivy made an embroidered belt the seemed to hang just off her hips, accenting her gorgeous curves.
Angel was dressed in all white with gold trim. He wore his signature white cape, which flowed behind him, making him look all the more impressive. The shirt he wore buttoned up on both sides and had a high, stiff collar. His pants were also white with a gold stripe down the side, which continued down into his black boots. His blonde hair was combed back, exposing his statuesque features. Hanging at his side was his sword in an ornate gold sheath.
Arm in arm, they walked down the steps and met Odette and Derek in the middle of the floor.
"It's usually customary for us to arrive first," Fiera commented, smiling.
"Don't you think there are too many customs in this place?" Odette asked jokingly.
"Yeah, definitely," Fiera replied. "You look good."
"So do you. Everyone was staring."
Fiera scoffed. "They were just surprised to see me without my sword, that's all."
"Don't worry, I think Angel has you covered."
"She insisted I take it," he said, joining in the conversation. "I swear, you'd think she was useless unless there's a blade within close range."
Derek was just about to add to the conversation when the band started playing a slow song. This didn't bother him. He watched a few couples join together and begin to waltz. "Shall we?" he beckoned as he offered his hand to Odette, who without hesitation took it. He led her into the center of the other couples and they began to dance like they did the night they saw each other as the person they loved. It was like nothing else mattered, like no one else was there.
However, the feeling was gone when several couples completely stopped. Derek stopped dancing too, to see what the trouble was. Odette was a little startled at the sudden pause.
"What's wrong?"
"Look," he replied, lifting his chin in Fiera and Angel's direction. They were amazing, completely absorbed in the music. Their feet captured the steps of a perfect waltz, but their faces were far away from the movement. Truly, it was Angel leading. His perfect footing laid way for Fiera's responsive steps. Plainly stated, Angel was a gifted dancer.
When the song ended, Odette and Derek, among many others, applauded the couple. Fiera looked a little embarrassed, like she didn't know what was going on, but Angel was obviously pleased with himself. He and Fiera bowed low before returning to Odette and Derek.
"That was amazing," Derek complimented.
"Yes, it was," Odette agreed. "I've never seen dancing like that before." Odette was a pretty good dancer, though she'd never taken any classes. They'd been offered to her, of course, but she declined. She was the type of girl who would rather read than learn the steps to some silly dance she'd have to perform with a boy she didn't even like.
"Angel was the one leading," Fiera said modestly. "He taught me to dance, but he'll always be a lot better than I am."
"But I wouldn't dance with anyone else, dearest," he said, kissing her knuckles lightly. In turn, she blushed.
At that moment and for a few hours after, things seemed to be perfect. Even Odette, who never liked the balls her mother-in-law, Uberta, often threw, was having fun…
Which was why things seemed all the worse when one of the huge windows shattered.
