Okie dokie everyone, are you all ready for the BIG CHAPTER?!
But first, just got to explain one thing. Hehe
Here is the explanation for the big festival they've been talking about. Every year since the defeat of Mornhavon, the kingdom celebrates with festivals all around. Along with that, Zachary throws a special ball for those who were directly involved with the war and/or fighting. At this ball, everyone wears the specific colors for wherever they were involved: ie- Green Riders-green, Lord Governors- providence colors, Weapons-black (of course); I think you get the gist. As we found in the last chapter, Karigan only went to the very first year of these special balls, she found it too painful to rub newly healing wounds.
If anyone has any more questions regarding this ball or anything else within the fanfic, don't hesitate to message me. I don't bite.
With that being said, let's begin!
Chapter 20
In the very early morning of the king's ball, a lone figure wandered the darkened halls of the castle. Her full length black cloak covered her body completely and the wearer hid their face with the oversized hood. As they quickly passed the occasional lit torch hung on the stone walls, orange and red light illuminated their profile briefly. No one else roamed the halls at this hour, but their heart still pounded with the burning, lingering fear that they would be seen and her very early morning escapade reported. They moved with assurance, knowing full well where they were headed and how to get there.
Eventually, the wanderer came to a sudden halt at the bend in a corner. They flipped off their hood and quietly spoke, "Fastion, thank the Gods I found you."
The figure approached the, slightly stunned, Black Shield. Fastion took his hand off the hilt of his sword and answered, "Lady Coutre? Is something the matter? Why up so early?"
Sarah Coutre's face was barely seen in the nearby light offered by the hanging lit torch. "I'm fine Fastion, but I need your help. I don't know who else to go to."
The Weapon's brows furrowed in confusion, "Just tell me Lady."
Sarah licked her lips nervously, "You and the other Weapons, they hold Karigan G'ladheon in very high respects, do they not? That's what I've been told."
Fastion nodded, "Yes, she is our Sister."
A nervous breath was released from the young woman, "Fastion, some of the other noble women, they're planning on attacking her, harassing her at the ball tonight. I need to get in somehow and help Lady Karigan. Somehow so that my family, nor anyone else sees me and causes an uproar."
The Weapon watched her steadily before his eyes fell briefly. Nobility and the aristocratic were not Karigan's forte. Just thinking of it, Fastion remembered the first night that she had been at the king's ball right after the Eletian Shawdell arrived. She was a nervous wreck. Granted, she had improved some as the years had gone by, but the sight of her running out of the ballroom that first night remained imprinted in the Black Shield's memory. Karigan most likely wouldn't appreciate someone thinking her weak in anything. And she had too much stubborn pride to ask for help. Sometimes, some things were best done without asking.
When he finally spoke, his eyes rose again to meet the woman's, "What do you need?"
"Help me get into the ball room tonight, let me stay in the shadows with you and the rest of your comrades. I will stay close to her and keep an eye out for the other women. That's all I need," Sarah responded.
Fastion nodded once, he moved forward again and gently took the woman's arm, "Come with me."
-GR-
In the early moments of dawn, where the birds had just begun fluttering around and singing outside the window, Karigan's eyes opened slowly. She rolled over in the very comfortable feather bed and groaned. She needed to get up and get ready, as her love had told her to. Only the Gods knew what the man had planned. If only she could just stay in the bed for five more minutes.
The door slammed against the stone wall in the antechamber.
Karigan's eyes snapped open.
"LADY KARIGAN LADY KARIGAN LADY KARIGAN!"
Under the blankets, Karigan tensed for any impact as the sound of the excited child's screaming fast approached. And sure enough, the princess herself bound onto the bed and commenced jumping on it, laughing and shouting the entire time. Smiling, Karigan sprang up herself and snatched the girl up into her arms and lay her down on the other side of the bed. She leaned down over the princess and tickled her mercilessly, rendering the girl defenseless as she writhed and wiggled, tears pouring down her face and cheeks.
Backing up, Karigan wiped a couple of tears from her own cheeks before swooping down one last time to plant a wet kiss on the princess's cheek. She glanced back up at the bed chamber door to find Laren standing in the doorway. Leaning against the headboard of the luxurious bed, Karigan asked, "What are you guys doing here?"
"I wanted to help you get ready!" Anne said, wrapping her arms around Karigan's waist.
Karigan's brow quirked but she said nothing else. Instead, she watched as Anne jumped back off the bed and skipped over to the armorer. She stretched to her tip toes to reach the knobs and, eventually, swung it open.
As Anne struggled to reach the gown's hangers to bring them down, Karigan rose from the bed and quietly padded over to the wash basin to splash water to her face. Laren wordlessly sat upon the bed after pushing a desk chair over in front of the armorer for the princess to get to the dresses easier. Karigan joined her soon after, running a brush through her brunette hair. She whispered to Laren, "What is this all about?"
Laren shrugged, "The princess wants to help you get ready for the day? What more do you need?" The former captain turned to give Karigan an innocent look.
As they both watched the girl make trips back and forth the bed and the armorer, Karigan continued, "Why do I feel like everyone knows something that I don't?"
Laren scoffed, "You're obviously over thinking this." Karigan narrowed her eyes at the other woman, but let the matter pass. For immediately after, Anne came up to her and took Karigan's hand and pulled her up and over to her pile of gowns lain haphazardly on the edge of the bed.
Karigan tolerated the long passing of time of rifling through every gown that was in the dresser. But they eventually settled on a much simpler gown, gold in color. A maid that had come in halfway through helped Karigan into the dress. Together, the women decided that it would be better if they left Karigan's hair loose and unbound.
When it finally reached about noon, the women finally made their way down to the lower levels of the castle. Apparently, Zachary wanted to meet them there. As they walked, Karigan found herself getting slightly nervous, since she didn't really like surprises. Usually when she was involved, they weren't usually good things. Eventually though, Laren opened the main door of the castle and they passed through. Anne instantly spotted her father standing, waiting for them in the middle of the courtyard.
From that distance, Karigan watched with a smile as Zachary bent to catch his daughter and lifted her up into his arms. She watched as she stepped down the stairs as Anne whispered something in his ear and he beamed at her. Karigan stopped at the bottom step, mesmerized, nearly to the point of tears, at the bond between the two. For a moment, she imagined him having the same look as he held another child, younger and with brown hair and her blue eyes. He said something in reply before setting her down back onto the ground. She began her approach again as he looked over and caught her eye as she came toward him. He seemed to waver in place as he stood and he took in a deep breath and let it back out slowly.
He reached out his hand toward her and Karigan took it, letting him bring her even closer. Her belly erupted into a flurry of butterflies as she discovered that he too was dressed very simply, in fact, they were commoners clothes. He was a man now, not a king.
In shock, Karigan took a step back to get a better look at him. A hand came up to her mouth, "Zachary, you're . . ."
Zachary brought her back to him, laughing. Then he kissed her soundly on the lips, effectively silencing her.
He brought his mouth to her ear and whispered, "Surprise." Karigan, still shocked, watched as her love stepped back again and took out a strip of cloth from his pocket. He smiled at her, "Do you trust me?"
Karigan sucked in a deep breath and answered, "Yes."
Nervous, she watched as he stepped behind her, then he lifted the cloth to her eye level.
He wrapped the cloth around her eyes and she felt him tie it behind her head. She heard him ask from behind her, "Can you see anything?"
Karigan shook her head, "No."
She heard someone else, maybe Laren, ask her, "How many fingers am I holding up?"
Karigan saw only darkness. "I don't know, I can't see anything," she answered. Now she felt someone wrap their arm around her shoulders and gently lead her forward. Soon enough, she began to hear the distinctive clap of a horse's hoofs on the stone and the beast's snorting. The hands on her shoulders left and then she heard the creak and groan of the leather tack and more clapping as the horse shifted.
Another pair of hands led her forward again, just a couple of steps. One hand raised her own left hand and she felt the familiar hand of her love grasp the risen hand tightly. A pair of hands grasped her waist and they both lifted her up and seated her somewhat on the horse, behind the saddle. Karigan shifted her weight better on the horse's back; she'd have to settle for sitting side saddle on the horse. There was no way she would be able to swing her leg over the person before her, sitting in the saddle, in a dress, blindfolded.
She heard Zachary say to her, "Wrap your arm around me love. I don't want you to fall."
Grinning, Karigan slowly did so, wrapping her arms around Zachary's toned body. Then she heard Laren say from beside them, "Make sure you both are back by fifth hour. In time to get ready for the ball tonight."
The vibrating rumble of her love's voice answered back, "I'll make sure Laren." And with that, he gently tapped the horse's sides, urging him forward. Karigan tightened her arms around him and rested her head on his back. She trusted him.
Eventually, Karigan began to hear cheering, singing, clapping, and music playing. Karigan raised her head from Zachary's back while at the same time, she felt him pull back on the horse's reins, halting it. Zachary unwrapped her arms from around him and told her over the noise, "Hold on."
Karigan gulped as Zachary suddenly disappeared and then reappeared by taking her hands in his. He reached up and told her, "Hold on to my arms and slide off." Karigan nodded, taking a firm grip on his upper arms and letting him steady her as she slid her body off of the horse. Her feet met the ground again with a hop as Zachary settled her against him again. Karigan could hear him laugh before he turned her around and positioned her a certain way, then he asked, "Are you ready?"
Karigan answered, trying to speak over all the cheering and clapping, "Ready for what?"
She felt his hands at the back of her head again and then she felt him lean forward, and his lips touched the shell of her ear, "For this."
Karigan shivered.
The blindfold suddenly fell away and the light assaulted her eyes. Karigan squinted in the new light and shielded her eyes with her hand. Eventually she was greeted with the sight of men and women pairs dancing gleefully to the musicians playing. Everyone cheered and clapped to the music, stomping their feet.
They were in the center of Sacor City.
And she was pretty confident in her assumption that they were now at Sacor City's Day of Victory Festival.
Karigan spun around to face Zachary's beaming face. "Are you serious? Am I dreaming?"
Zachary took her hands, spinning her around and whispered, "You tell me." And then he pressed his lips to hers once more. A couple of cat calls followed as Zachary said next, "Let go get a couple of drinks before we take this to the dance floor." Karigan laughed and wrapped her arms around Zachary's neck.
Over the hours, Karigan danced and laughed more than she had in months, since before she had come back to the castle. She and Zachary blended in completely amongst all the other dancing, bounding, singing, cheering people. About halfway through, the festivities drifted to surround a large bonfire. They both didn't drink much, nor did they partake in many of the foods that were available. They were so engrossed in the feeling of being finally free of the nobility, free of the rules, free of the stuffiness.
It had only felt like a few minutes to Karigan but several hours after they had arrived at the city center, they both walked off the dance floor, still laughing and holding one another tight, unwilling to let go. Karigan leaned into his chest, out of breath. She watched him as his eyes looked up to the castle's grand clock.
Fifteen minutes until 5.
Both pairs of eyes sobered and fell toward one another. Zachary's hand reached up to gently caress Karigan's cheek before he swooped down and captured her lips with his for the hundredth time in those few short hours. Zachary smiled slightly as he pulled back, "Don't fret my love, the night is only beginning. And I have more planned for us."
Karigan's brow quirked in silent response.
He pulled her toward where he had tied his horse. He skillfully untied the reins from the post, jumped into the saddle and reached down. Karigan grasped his hand again and he pulled her up behind him. With a grin, she wrapped her arms around him and settled in again for the short ride back to the castle. As he spurred the horse into a canter, Karigan leaned forward and placed a teasing kiss to Zachary's neck and then began to nibble on his ear.
"Kari?"
"Hmm?"
"I love you, but don't do that," Zachary laughed, sending Karigan too into a fit of giggles into his shoulder.
It was too soon, Karigan felt, by the time that Zachary slowly pulled his horse into a halt in the castle's courtyard. Laren and Fastion were already there, waiting for them as the horse came to a stop. "Fifth hour! I was really hoping that you'd get back with time to spare, but no. You two had to trot in here AT fifth hour!" Laren ranted, coming to the horse's side to grab Karigan's arm as she slid off the horse.
A stable boy held the reins to Zachary's horse as he jumped back down out of the saddle and took one last bound to Karigan to kiss her soundly on the lips one more time. Immediately after the two parted, Fastion took the king's arm and began to lead him away, presumably, straight for the king's suit of rooms where he would be cleaned, groomed, and dressed for the ball. Karigan watched, her teeth nibbling her kiss swollen lips, as Zachary reached the top of the stairs and turned to give her one last burning look in the doorway.
Fastion growled and gave him one hard push through the threshold.
Karigan's giggle was cut off when Laren began to lead her toward the same threshold toward her own suit of rooms.
As soon as the pair walked inside the guest suit, Laren shouted, "Maids!"
Three young maids came running out of Karigan's bed chamber and took hold of the flustered woman and dragged her through the bed chamber and into the bathing room, where a tub of hot scented water waited for her. They quickly stripped her of her day clothing and plopped her into the water, Karigan hissed as the hot water hit her skin. One of the maids began to add a little cold water to make it more comfortable, the other began wetting her hair and washing it, and the last started on cleaning the rest of her body.
Karigan twisted and cursed at the maid focusing on her body the most, "Give me the damned sponge and let me do it!"
"KARIGAN!" Laren shouted from the bed chamber, "BEHAVE YOURSELF!"
Karigan scowled and snapped the sponge from the maid's hand, finishing the front of her body herself.
Soon, Karigan was rinsed and was scooped back up and out of the water and towel dried. Again, she glared at the maid drying her body, and again, she snatched the towel from the women and did it quickly herself. The maid threw her hands up and stomped out of the bathing room. Karigan could only assume that she went to prepare her gown and other accessories.
Immediately after the towels came a small silk slip. Just enough to cover her but not enough to be seen through the gown.
Then, next was the corset. The maids stood Karigan behind a chair and put all of their muscle into tightening it. Laren stood in front of Karigan coaching her to suck in her breaths for the tightening. Karigan scowled more and swatted Laren away, wincing. Laren came back to cheekily tell Karigan, "It's not that tight . . . DON'T GIVE ME THAT LOOK!"
After the corset was the gown. The seamstress had kept the gown exact to what she had drawn mere days before. It was a floor length, green dress that had gold trim around the bottom edge, around the neckline, and the sleeves. It had a small trail, making it look much more elegant, taking some of the simplicity. The square neckline did plunge from the sleeves to show a hint of the cleavage that she had. The sleeves were long and fitted until they reached Karigan's elbow, flaring out dramatically.
The maids topped off the gown with the matching brown leather cord belt that wrapped around her waist and flowed down the front of the gown. Another one of the maids held out a long silver chain with an emerald pendant and clasped it around her neck. Then, the same maid turned around and placed the bracelet that Zachary had given her around her wrist.
Lastly, the maids sat Karigan down in front of the vanity and got to work on the perilous task of styling her hair. The trio blotted the last of the dampness with a fresh towel, curled the hair slightly, and then piled only about half of Karigan's hair on top of her head, leaving the rest to flow freely down her back and shoulders. One of the maids suggested adding other accessories into her hair, but Karigan waved her off.
Once Karigan slipped on the black slippers, she was officially declared ready.
While Karigan and Laren quietly talked in the antechamber, someone else knocked on the door. Laren stood from her chair and quickly swung the door open to reveal Karigan's escort for the duration of the trip to the ball room.
Fastion stood impeccably groomed and garbed in black as he watched Karigan expectantly. "Are you ready to go sister?"
Karigan also stood from where she sat and took a deep breath, steadying herself in preparation. Fastion offered her his arm as the trio left the suit of rooms and began their trek down to the ballroom.
About halfway through, Fastion noticed Karigan's shaking hand, clinging to his arm. His other hand came to comfortingly pat the back of her hand before gripping it tightly. "You'll do wonderful sister. Just stay close to the king or any of the other green riders there and you'll be just fine."
As an afterthought, Karigan asked, "Shouldn't you be keeping watch on the king?"
"As I was one working then, I was invited to attend as a guest. There will be plenty of others watching over tonight," he answered.
Karigan wasn't ready when they finally did reach the wide open doors of the castle's ballroom. They stopped at the two soldiers stationed at the doors and Fastion said to them, "Fastion Barnes, Sir Karigan G'ladheon, Laren Mapstone."
The soldiers nodded at each name, checking on their papers before them before letting them through.
The room was very well lit with every chandelier, candle, and torch around the room lit. The polished stone floor reflected the bodies of every person in the room. Every other pillar skirting the edge of the main room was decorated with a hanging tapestry representing each Sacoridian province. In the shadows beyond the pillars, Karigan knew dozens of Weapons stood posted, hidden in the blackness. Along the west wall were well stocked tables full of food and drink and standing behind those were more servants posted, hands clasped in front of them, ready to make runs back to the kitchens for replacements.
In the thick of it all, stood Zachary very well groomed and garbed in a linin undershirt, silver doublet, black overcoat, and black trousers and boots. And of course, the silver circlet sat perched upon his head. The complete opposite of what he had worn earlier.
Fastion muttered something about getting them all drinks, but Karigan barely registered his departure. She and Zachary's eyes caught one other. She watched as he took a sudden shallow breath and his eyes widened. He had seemed to completely lose interest in the guests that he had been speaking with just before. He seemed to waver in place again; trying to seem normal but yet be at the same time completely lost. Karigan grinned at his antics, she noted that it seemed like he still hadn't taken another breath.
Karigan watched Zachary from across the room and she made a motion of her taking a deep breath and releasing it. She smiled as she watched him take a deep breath with her and release it. She nodded once to him, accepting the chalice of Rhovan white wine from Fastion.
Fastion left the two women to go converse with a couple of the other Weapons that were also there as guests.
Meanwhile, Karigan and Laren meandered toward the edge of the ballroom, where they met with other veteran Riders that had survived the war. Karigan exchanged many a hug with the veterans as they spoke of the years past and talked of their lives after their commissions.
"Karigan?"
Karigan turned at the sound of her name and was shocked to see the face of her best friend staring back at her. "Estral?"
The other woman smiled broadly and nodded, coming forward as quickly as she could to meet Karigan in a tight embrace. Karigan continued to hold her but took a step back, "Oh Estral, you're . . . you're pregnant!"
Estral gazed down lovingly at her protruding belly, "The mender back in D'Yer says I'm about 6 months now." Karigan couldn't hold in her excitement as she enveloped her best friend in a hug again.
After a while, Karigan stepped back again and asked Estral, "Where's Alton?"
Estral glanced back, "Oh he's caught up with the king and the other lords. I'm sure both he and the king will come by around here shortly." Estral looked back at Karigan and continued, "Ever since he heard of you and the king's courtship, all he's wanted to do is see you again. We haven't seen you in, what has it been, 11 years?"
Karigan's smile faded some, "I've missed you both too. Honestly," Karigan leaned in to whisper to Estral, "I've missed you more, I haven't had another woman my age to talk with." She leaned back again, "But don't tell your husband." Both of the women laughed.
"Well well well, what do we have here?"
Karigan and Estral turned to find Ladies Mirwell and Arey glaring at them. "I seems, Lady Arey, that the castle wretch really did have the guts to show tonight," Lady Mirwell continued. Estral took a step back and Karigan, standing her ground, was vaguely aware of the other veteran Riders, crowding up behind her and Estral.
"I'm a bit surprised that she doesn't have her hands all over the king tonight Lady Mirwell. Getting him aroused just enough during the night, and getting him just drunk enough on the wine to get him ready and more willing for you to go into his bed tonight," Lady Arey added.
Karigan's jaw clenched, but she held her tongue, saying only, "I didn't come here tonight to cause trouble Ladies."
They scoffed at her. Then Lady Mirwell stepped closer to Karigan, "Just you wait whore, after tonight, the king will see his mistake and go looking elsewhere for a new queen." Lady Mirwell smoothed out her voluminous gown and adjusted her hair, sending a scandalizing look over in Zachary's direction. Karigan too glanced that way, he was watching the exchange closely, it looked like he wanted to come to her rescue but held back by a vigilant Alton.
"When I am made queen, the first thing I order will be the banishment of all peasants from this castle except for the servants. Commoners don't belong in the castle. They belong outside, with the beasts of burden," Lady Mirwell continued, stepping back. "And you, whore, I will personally have banished from the kingdom, for seducing the king like you have," she added.
"Stop!"
Karigan's head whipped around to find Estora's younger sister, Sarah striding toward them. She was garbed in black, but a hint of a gown peeked through her cloak.
"Leave her alone Mirwell, she doesn't deserve this!"
Karigan moved toward the girl, her hand extended to stop her advance on the other Lady. She glanced around them all to find that they were creating a scene; everyone was watching. Wide-eyed and very much interested. She turned her attention back to the Ladies Mirwell and Arey and watched them. Karigan took a leisurely sip of her wine. All was silent, each woman waited, sizing each other up. And then Karigan finally spoke, "It's interesting, is your self-confidence so low that you feel the need to verbally attack someone that is of lower rank than you? Do you feel that a peasant can be better than you? Do you feel that threatened by the common person?"
Lady Mirwell turned into a fish in that instant. Her mouth opened, then closed, then opened again. Then she stomped off without another word.
And that left Lady Arey standing alone, facing Karigan. Karigan continued, "And you, do you feel that inferior to another Lady, someone that should be equal to you, that you follow after her like a dog?"
Lady Arey's eyes widened and she made no further comment to defend herself. Instead, she followed after in the direction that Lady Mirwell had taken off to.
-GR-
Fastion had made quick work of getting Zachary back to his rooms and putting him in the skilled hands of his valet to get ready. Zachary endured it all with the experienced patience that came with years of standing still during times such as this. His valet dressed him quickly in a long sleeve linin undershirt, black trousers and boots, then a black doublet over the linin shirt, black great coat. As the valet stepped away from him, revealing the simple silver crown- Not a crown, he thought, an elaborate ball and chain.
Zachary stood in the middle of the room, simply staring at the crown sitting atop it's table for safekeeping. He knew he probably looked ridiculous. But after that brief time with Karigan earlier in the day, he finally got a glimpse of what his life could have been like had his father not made the decision that he did. He had felt so happy, so carefree. It was there where he and his one true love could be together without having the constant eyes on them. Where their love for each other would not be so forbidden.
He sighed, glaring at that crown.
He could not change the past.
Zachary finally stepped forward to carefully pick up the circlet. He wrapped his hand around it tightly. No, he could not change the past, but perhaps he could change the future. He did not want to force something such as this upon his son if he did not wish it. Of course, he did not want the crown, and yet, the brother that did want the crown, would have ravaged the kingdom to the ground if his father had kept him as heir.
That would be something that he would have to have a talk with his son about, but not now. Zachary thrust the crown upon his head and spun on his heel, striding toward the door. Swinging it open he was met with the presence of his two children watching him expectantly. He pointed to them both, "A Weapon might be by later, if so, go with him. But after, I expect you both in bed by at most eighth hour. Is that understood? I'll be by to check upon you two after this is over with."
They both nodded. "Yes father," they both said simultaneously. Quickly, he bent to press a kiss to each of their heads.
He said to them just before he left, "I love you both so much."
It was shortly after the official start of the ball that Zachary began making his rounds around the room, greeting all who had arrived. And it was while he quietly spoke with the Lord Governors of D'Ivery, L'Petrie, D'Yer, and Penburn provinces that he spotted her in the corner of his eye. At his second look, Zachary's eyes rooted on the sight of his love, looking absolutely beautiful is an elegant but simple gown of green. She took his breath away as he took in all of her from the distance between them. The need to take another breath burned his lungs, but at the moment, he felt himself very unable to do so.
Eventually, she caught sight of his minor (to him) problem, she smiled. He felt his knees wobble and threaten to buckle but he held firm. Still smiling at him, she coached him from afar, telling him silently to take a deep breath and let it back out slowly. He did what he was told, he would honestly do whatever she told him to do. He wished he could join her to stand by her side, but duty kept him where he stood now until the conversation concluded. Eventually, Karigan and Laren wandered over to the edge of the room to join fellow Riders that had survived the war. It was there that she stayed.
While he spoke still with the other Lords, he caught sight of two other Ladies in what looked like, a very intense conversation. All of Zachary's attention focused on the women across the room. And it was at that moment that the entire room seemed to quiet around them.
"I didn't come here tonight to cause trouble Ladies," Zachary heard Karigan say. His brow furrowed.
They seemed to scoff at her. Then Zachary watched Lady Mirwell step closer to Karigan, "Just you wait whore, after tonight, the king will see his mistake and go looking elsewhere for a new queen."
Seeing red, Zachary took a step forward to intercede, but Alton's hand stopped him in his tracks. Zachary was about to snap at the lord, but Alton stared at him in the eyes seriously, "Wait Zachary, wait to see what she does. If you intend on making her your queen, she'll have to handle herself with people such as these."
Zachary was about to object still, but Lady Mirwell continued, "When I am made queen, the first thing I order will be the banishment of all peasants from this castle except for the servants. Commoners don't belong in the castle. They belong outside, with the beasts of burden," Lady Mirwell stepped back. "And you, whore, I will personally have banished from the kingdom, for seducing the king like you have," she added.
"Stop!"
Zachary's head whipped around to find Estora's younger sister, Sarah striding toward the group of women. "Leave her alone Mirwell, she doesn't deserve this!" she shouted at the other Ladies.
Karigan moved toward the girl, her hand extended to stop her advance on the other Lady. He watched as his love kept up a neutral façade as she looked around them all. Then she turned her attention back to the Ladies Mirwell and Arey and watched them. She took a quick sip of her wine. The entire ballroom was silent, everyone waited to see what the king's intended, a known women with a famous temper. And then his Karigan finally spoke, "It's interesting, is your self-confidence so low that you feel the need to verbally attack someone that is of lower rank than you? Do you feel that a peasant can be better than you? Do you feel that threatened by the common person?"
He was shocked, but his years of training kept his king's mask firmly in place, despite it. Lady Mirwell didn't speak for a moment then she stomped off without another word.
And that left Lady Arey standing alone, facing Karigan; the ballroom held their breaths. Karigan continued, "And you, do you feel that inferior to another Lady, someone that should be equal to you, that you follow after her like a dog?"
Zachary couldn't see the other woman's face; Alton's arm fell limp against his side. Now he could go to his love, but he was just as shocked as the rest of the room. After a time, the other woman matched Lady Mirwell and she followed after her in the direction that Lady Mirwell had taken off to.
-GR-
Karigan followed their retreat with a bored countenance but a deep raging fire still burned in her eyes. When she glanced around her again, all those around her were in visible shock. Where Alton's arm had been held out, blocking the king from interfering, it now lay slack against his body, his eyes wide and mouth gaping. Such as it was, with most of those around her. So Karigan stared into her glass of wine for a moment. Then she suddenly downed the rest of it in only a few gulps. She handed the empty cup to Estral and wordlessly walked away.
Zachary came running up to her as she neared the ballroom doors. He stopped her, grasping her arm and coming to stand in front of her as the ballroom looked on. He caressed her cheek and whispered, "Kari."
Karigan met his eyes and said simply, "I'm done. I've made my appearance, stayed a little while. I'm going back to my room."
Karigan began to take a couple more steps, but again, Zachary blocked her. "Kari I need to talk to you, please," he said.
Karigan glanced around them and replied, "Not here." Zachary nodded and gently took her hand and led her out of the ballroom. Once again, Karigan let herself be pulled in the direction that her love wanted to go. But this time, it took her up several flights of stairs, up to the castle's rooftop. And still, he pulled her toward a familiar place. Karigan came to realize that they were stopping at Zachary's astronomy tower. There, there was a table, with two lit candles and a rolled up piece of parchment, lying in wait.
Zachary released her hand and approached the table, he said to her, "I had been thinking about this for a long time. I think William and Anne would appreciate a change in scenery." Karigan watched from a little bit of a distance as he unrolled the parchment and set the candles upon its two top corners, holding it open. "I was thinking that I could take the children to the royal estate, in Hillander. So I met with an architect to start planning the estate's renovation in preparation." He turned finally to gaze at her with dark eyes, "Would you like to see it?"
Silently, Karigan nodded once as she advanced on the table. Zachary moved out of the way and stepped toward the side, watching, waiting. Karigan scanned the parchment, which showed of a grand estate, definitely smaller than the behemoth castle they now resided in. But it held all of the necessities that the king would ever need to complete day to day activities. Karigan nodded again, "It's a beautiful design. I think the children would love it."
"I was thinking we could all move there," Zachary said.
Karigan froze. Her eyes snapped up as her heart instantly began pounding a million times a second. When she finally had the courage to glance over at Zachary, she gasped, taking a step back in shock at what she saw.
Zachary down on one knee, looking up at her with so much love in his eyes, with a simple diamond ring offered for her. She could tell that he was probably just as nervous as she was, for his breaths were shallower than normal and there was a definite shake in his hand that was held out for her, offering the ring.
"Karigan, would you do me the honor, of making me the luckiest man in Sacoridia? Will you be the mother of my children? Karigan, will you marry me?"
A gush of air rushed out of her lungs, as she held her hand to her mouth. Tears sprang to her eyes and she let them fall down her cheeks. She was trying her best not to break down, but she managed to choke out, "Yes Zachary, of course I'll marry you!"
Ta da! That was actually so much fun to write as I'm racing against the clock to finish this before my laptop's battery charge dies. Lol I thought about splitting this chapter into two, but I was on a roll so I decided to just put it all into one. And officially, I do believe that this is now the largest chapter in the story. :D I hope you guys liked it and as usual let me know if there are any grammar problems and such annnnndd . . . review/follow/favorite!
*Edited 3/25/16*
With many many hugs,
Bornagaindisciple