Mare's Pov
Calm down Mare. Everything is going to be fine.
I mean it's only the night where I officially get engaged to Maven in front of hundreds of Silvers and in turn the entirety of Norta, making it extremely impossible to back out of this, leaving me to be stuck with Maven for the rest of my life until one of us dies.
No big deal right?
I'm absolutely the worse at fooling myself in these situations.
I pace back and forth in Maven's room as I wait for the maids to come and dress me up. I chose my own dress for tonight so it won't be a surprise as to what I'll be wearing. So that's a bit comforting for me. Not a lot but still comforting.
This night is going to be the biggest night I've gone through so far. Not only is this ball supposed to bring together Norta and Lakeland, which have been fighting for years, this ball is where Maven will propose to me and I'll agree to be his wife and queen.
Needless to say, this night will be very very important for us all.
A knock on the door snaps me out of my thoughts and go open the door.
"Well you look calm princess."
Mal walks in and the three maids walk in behind him. I'm almost surprised at how he looks. He's in a different royal guard uniform. This one looks special as it follows the colors of the house of Calore.
"Very funny Mal. We both know I have no reason to be calm right now." I reply.
We did get to work out that problem between us that day and now we're back to our regular ways. It was really hard, to be honest, since Mal was really mad about everything, but in the end we fixed it.
I never want to have to deal with an angry Mal ever again though. If I thought he was really sarcastic on a normal day, I was wrong. Not only was he extremely sarcastic, he was borderline rude. I don't know if he was holding back but the amount of attitude and anger in his voice was enough to make a soldier cower in fear.
Glad we fix that problem.
"I'm just trying to lighten the mood. Today's a big day. I'll be there with you and so will King Maven. Tonight will go fine. This time, we'll make sure no one tries to kill you or anyone for that matter." Mal says.
That will be needed. The last thing I want is another assassination attempt. I just need this ball to go smoothly.
"Thanks for that." I respond.
I let the maids take me to the bathroom to get ready.
I strip down myself as they prepare the bath. My skin is about to be red from the scrubbing they are about to do. I have to look as presentable as possible.
The water smells amazingly sweet as I step in. I stay still, like usual, as they clean my hair and scrub my skin. Not a speck of dirt is on me once they are done.
Once they they take me out of the bath, I sit down and let them get to work on my hair and makeup.
I watch as they put makeup on me to bring out my lips and eyes. They put a red color on my lips. Dark enough to catch attention but light enough not to stand out too much. They use a light pink color to make my cheek look fuller.
With my hair, they keep it simple but royal. It's out but curly. It doesn't take away from my face but insteads brings it out more. It's so simple but looks so nice. They put, what I'm now going to call, my signature lightning pin in my hair.
Now it's time for the dress.
One of the maids bring in the dress I chose. Just the sight of it makes me feel a bit better. The dress itself isn't what makes me feel better. It's why I chose it is what helps me.
It's an electrifying blue ball gown. It's a fits perfectly up top and once it reaches my waist, it puffs out. For once, there are no sleeves on this dress.
No sleeves mean no manacles.
When Maven showed me the dresses I could choose from, this one immediately caught my eye. Not only did it remind me of lightning, which was different than the normal purple I wear to represent my ability, it's sleeveless. A symbol of my new gained freedom. Maven told me that I won't have to wear the manacles from this night forward. He said it looks better if I am able to move freely and not look so weighed down due to the silent stone that's always adorning my wrists.
I was very excited to finally wear something that shows I am no longer a puppet.
As I put on the dress, I enjoy the feeling of my bare arms. It's nice to wear something that doesn't cover my arms.
Once they finish with everything and I put on my high heels, I take one last look in the mirror.
"You're a beautiful young woman. Go make every Red proud by showing them we're just as great as those stuck up Silvers." A maid says to me.
That's the first time any one of them has ever complimented me or spoke to me like that. They support me. Not every Red hates me for what I have to do.
"Thank you. I'll try." I reply.
I walk out of the bathroom, nerves eating me alive but somewhat confident.
"Wow, you look amazing. The king is going to love seeing you tonight." Mal says.
"Thanks. It kinda feels good." I reply.
He walks and stops in front of me.
"Listen Mare, what I'm about to tell you is very important. I'm going to take off your manacles just as the king ordered me to do. However, just because you'll have your lightning back doesn't mean you can go crazy. I'll let you know this now, if you try to run away and escape, I will go after you. If you try to fight, I will fight back. I have orders to bring you back no matter the cost, which means I will not go easy on you. If you try to attack the King then I will have to bring you down. Do you understand me?" Mal says.
His tone is so serious. I guess he really isn't playing around. It's clear that even if I planned on running, which is one of my plans just in case I can't handle the idea of being married to Maven, I'm going to have one hell of a fight escaping.
"I understand." I reply.
He nods and takes out the keys for my manacles. My heart races as I get closer to feeling my lightning again. It's been over a year since I've last felt it. He unlocks the manacles and they fall to my feet.
The rush of electricity flows in my blood as I suddenly begin to feel the lights buzzing and my own storm brewing inside me.
"Are you okay?" Mal asks.
"Yeah yeah, I just have to get used to the feeling again." I say.
It feels amazing. It's almost overwhelming but yet it feels so good.
"Can you handle it or do you need a bit before we walk out?" He asks.
Outside of the room I'll probably feel more of the electricity around me. But I'm going to have to face it soon.
"I'm fine, we can go now." I say.
I put my arm in his as he escorts me out.
"Tonight is going to be fine. Try to have fun and don't worry about all those Silvers. Just focus on you and King Maven. I won't be right next to you like I usually am but I will be able to keep an eye on you. After the announcement is made, King Maven will be by your side for the rest of the night. Everything will go fine." Mal says.
I can't believe I'm saying this but I can't wait for the time when Maven will be by my side. The last time I had to go to a ball I had him by my side throughout the night. I don't think I can be in a crowd of Silvers by myself for that long.
"What will I do if someone approaches me? You know they are all nosy." I ask.
I can just hear the questions now.
"I think King Maven has something already planned for that." Mal says.
We stop in a separate room as usual before we have to face the crowd. Surprisingly though, Maven isn't here. But the Samos siblings are.
"Where's Maven?" I ask.
"He went to go give his opening speech to the crowd. We were told to wait here for you." Evangeline says.
He went ahead already? He's usually here to at least see me off and remind me of what this event will mean.
"I'll be with you for the night. He wasn't too excited about the idea to begin with but once he realized it means that you won't be by yourself in a crowd filled of Silvers, he accepted my offer." Evangeline says.
She offered to stay by my side for the night? That's awfully kind of her. It does make it easier for me since she's a female and a Silver. It wouldn't look as suspicious if we stayed close to each other for the night until Maven comes.
"What about you? Where will you be?" I ask Ptolemus.
"I'll be around, keeping an eye on you two. I'll be near your guard if anything." He replies, giving Mal a dirty look.
Mal gives a smile in return. I wouldn't be surprised if they tried killing each other by the end of this night.
"Well then is everyone ready? It's showtime." Mal says.
I nod and Evangeline links arms with her brother and head out.
They will walk in first and then I'm assuming I will walk in by myself. Mal will be within a good distance of me but I'm assuming he won't actually escort me inside.
This is it. This is the last night I have to perform as a doll.
I walk out, back straight and head up.
It's now or never.
The sound of music fills my ears along with chatter. The sight of how many people are here alone makes me want to run away. There's so many Silvers all in one place.
At least they aren't trying to kill each other. You'd think a room filled with Nortans and Lakelanders would be kinda chaotic or at the very least tense. But surprisingly it's not, as far as I can see.
Maven must have really used some sweet, manipulative words in his opening speech.
I walk further into the crowd, hoping that Evangeline will appear soon. That's definitely a first, I actually want Evangeline near me. This ball just has everything backwards.
As I walk through the crowd, I don't miss the looks I get from majority of the people. Those from Norta learned to stare less obviously, since they see me so often. Those from Lakelands have no such discretion. They stare at me boldly and talk about me at a volume that can clearly be heard while passing.
If just seeing me gets them going, imagine how they are going to be when Maven proposes.
I finally catch a glimpse of the familiar metallic silver I know to be on Evangeline. I try not to make it so obvious as I walk up to her. I can just see people starting to approach me. That hesitant footstep is all I need to know that they want to invade my business like always. I rather have someone with me, one who knows how to keep up a lie with me preferably, when they do approach me.
I casually, or what I hope is casual, walk up to Evangeline and the person she is currently talking to.
"Pardon me but may I borrow Miss Samos for a bit. I would like to talk to her." I say politely.
The woman nods and heads off in a different direction. As she walks away I hear her say something about Newbloods and filthy Reds.
I ought to shock her now to show her what us filthy Reds and Newbloods can do.
"I should thank you for that interruption. She pushed too much for my liking. A Lakelander clearly. Asked questions that shouldn't be asked and talked about our high houses with a judging tone." Evangeline says.
Figures. Anyone in Norta who pays close enough attention at least knows how to insult me underhandedly.
"I can see people just waiting to approach me, Nortan and Lakelanders. This is the first time they see me without Maven or Mal right next to me listening to every question asked. They're practically jumping at the chance to see how the lightning girl acts without someone over her." I reply.
"Let them come. Ptolemus and I taught you everything you need to know about handling Silvers." She says.
That's true. Their lessons did go into how to act proper even when provoked. It's a pain, and to be honest I won't follow it too much, but still useful to know.
We decide to stay in one area and move in small amounts. We don't stand directly next to each other but close enough to hear what someone says to the other.
Honestly, it feels weird that we're watching out for each other like this, and it makes me very suspicious. Why is she being so kind to me suddenly? We were never friends so why be so polite and cordial to me?
"Good evening."
I come out of my thoughts and look at the person who just greeted me. A young male.
"Hello." I greet in return.
"You must be the infamous Mare Barrow also known as the lightning girl." He says.
I stop myself from giving him a look at his statement. Infamous? It may be partially true, depending on whose story you're taking, but it's still an insult.
"I wouldn't use the word infamous but yes that is my name." I reply.
"I saw you from where I was and I just had to come to at least greet you. I must say, you're pleasing to the eyes. It's no wonder why King Maven keeps you around despite your terroristic actions." He says.
He's antagonizing but he does it so eloquently. It makes me want to punch him.
"It's not only my looks he keeps me for. I'm an interesting person to say the least." I reply.
"I'm sure you are." He says.
"Well I must say I must bid you a goodbye now. We've greeted each other so now we can continue on with our affairs this night." I say as calmly and politely as I can.
"How rude of you Miss Barrow. We've barely had a conversation. Are you in a rush for something?" He responds.
I'm in a rush to give him a beat down, that's what I'm in a rush to do.
I look around the room looking for someone to save me from attacking this guy. Evangeline is currently held up with her own person and by the looks of it, they said something they shouldn't have.
Sadly anyone who could come now would look much too suspicious.
"Not at all. I just want to also greet others. I'd like others to know me more than what I was forced to do." I say.
I was forced to do a lot of things I didn't want to do, just not the ones most people think I'm referring to.
"How nice of you. You're trying to clear your name. Word of advice for you then. No matter what you do, you will always be a low Red who did nothing but attack her own country. You standing here as if you are higher than any other Red does nothing. In the end you're still a Red and you're still under us Silvers." He says.
How dare he just insult me and every Red and Newblood there is?
Electricity tingle at the tips of my fingers and begs me to release it. I want to watch as electricity flows through his bones, showing him how weak Silvers can be.
"May I cut in?"
A voice snaps me out of my thinking.
Ptolemus steps beside me and faces the young man.
"I don't know if it wise to say such things to her so openly. You wouldn't want the wrong person to hear you now would you. Of course though I'm sure the King would love to hear what you have to say. It is about one of his associates that he himself has personally pardoned from their actions. I can tell him personally for you if you would like." Ptolemus says.
The young man's face fills with a silver rush showing that he's either embarrassed or upset.
"No that is not needed. I apologize for disturbing you Miss Barrow. Have a good evening." He says and quickly leaves, mumbling under his breath.
Well he left quickly. He's a punk. Scared just like everyone else. Scared of Maven. Scared of their reputation being destroyed by crossing the king. Just like what happened to the Samos siblings.
"You got rid of him." I point out.
"Yeah I can see that. Lesson for you, if you plan to go head to head with these people, learn how to get under their skin. Once there's the chance that they will be going against something involving the King, they back out easily. No one in the high houses want to be looked down on. I don't know what's more shameful, having his mercy and our dignity practically stolen from us or dying by his hand." Ptolemus says.
Maven did say he was going to punish them even if they are alive.
"Why did you help me?" I ask.
"If you haven't realized, not only do I owe you my life, I owe you my sister's life too. You saved both our lives. That's not something that should just be forgotten." He replies simply.
Is that why they are both being civil with me? Because I saved their lives?
"Now I'll say this once. I suggest you run and run far away from here. This may be the only time you aren't stuck next to that guard or Maven. If you try to escape, Evangeline and I will both help you." He says lowly to me.
What? He's telling me to run?
I look to Evangeline and she makes eye contact with me from her peripheral. She nods slightly, telling me that she knows what he's telling me.
"It's your choice Lightning Girl. Do you want to stay here as a puppet like everyone else here or do you want to escape? By time one of them realize that you aren't in the room anymore, it'll be too late. You'll be far enough to put up a fight. Tell me Mare, are you going to fight or give in?" He says.
He's not wrong. I don't have to give in and play along. By time Maven sends guards after me, I'll have enough room to use my lightning and fight my way out. I don't have to play nicely. If I do try to run, then I won't have to marry Maven. If I escape then I could find my family and we could come up with a way to just get out of this war. Leave this war to those who want to fight it. If I keep fighting this war, someone is going to give and even I'm afraid that it may be me or someone I love.
Ptolemus walks away as to avoid causing anymore suspicion by staying next to me for so long.
I start to walk to the edge of the crowd slowly. If I stay calm and act like I'm just walking no one should notice me actually leaving. Ptolemus may be right. This may be the best and only time I have to even think about running.
Imagine being free after spending over a year here with Maven. I won't have to spend the rest of my life with him. I won't have to be surrounded by Silvers that only see me as a freak or something disgusting.
I may be able to leave.
I continue to walk, trying not to draw too much attention to myself. If I keep this up I could be in the hallways soon. Once I'm there I could run away.
I try to avoid eye contact with people, fearing that that my eyes may give away what I'm thinking. I still greet and wave to people as I pass to at least make it look convincing.
As I get closer to the edge of the crowd, my hope kinda picks up. What if I really do escape? I could see Mom, Dad, Bree, Trammy, and Gisa again. I could see my little niece. I could see everyone again. I could help them.
My hands fidget with each other.
My eyes as I look around the room suddenly land on Mal's. He stares me directly in the eyes as if he was watching me the entire time just waiting for me to look at him. No smile is present on his face. His hands are folded behind his back as he stands like the guard he is. His eyes already tell me what he's thinking but he mouths it to me anyway.
'Try it'
I stop at those words. He knows what I want to do. His words earlier come to my mind.
"If you try to run away and escape, I will go after you. If you try to fight, I will fight back. I have orders to bring you back no matter the cost, which means I will not go easy on you."
He will chase after me. He will fight me. He will make sure I don't get far.
I completely forgot that easily that Mal is always watching me. Not only is he always watching me, Maven is too.
I don't dare look around to see if I can spot Maven. I'm actually afraid that he may also know what I was just thinking.
"Got cold feet?"
Evangeline walks up casually next to me as if we were talking about the weather.
"I can't do it." I whisper back, still trying to handle the thought of Mal and Maven knowing what I'm thinking.
"Why not?" She asks.
"He's watching me. The second I try to make a run for it, he'll be right after me. Not only that, escaping won't mean much with a livid Maven hunting after me. No one wins if I try to run." I say, slowly realizing that myself.
The only way anyone gets a somewhat happy ending is if I stay with Maven. That's the only possible way.
"If we want to survive this, I can't go anywhere. I have to deal with him personally and up close. I can't fight from afar anymore." I say.
She follows my gaze and sees Mal watching the both of us. She tries to hide her surprise quickly.
"Very well then. For all of our sakes, I hope you can survive that fight." She says.
She heads back into the crowd and once again I'm left by myself. I know no one is that far from me but still I'm alone to my thoughts.
No more thoughts of running away. If I want to win this I have to play with what I have and use it to my advantage.
I turn back to the crowd and go into the sea of people.
It's almost time anyways. In a matter of minutes, I'll be in front of everyone. My last turning back point is gone. I have to play now.
I have very small talk with people as I let the time pass. I just need the time to pass.
Soon enough I feel a tap on my shoulder.
I turn around, already knowing who it is.
"It's time princess." Mal says.
I nod and we walk out of the crowd and closer to where Maven will come out soon.
"You almost did a risky move there Mare. I thought you would have taken my warning more seriously without me having to stare you down like that." Mal says, looking forward.
"I always did make risky moves. Trust me though when I say I took your warning very seriously." I reply.
We keep looking forward knowing that this conversation will continue later.
Maven finally comes out to address the crowd.
It's the first time I've seen him tonight. He stands in front of everyone tonight looking as if he was always born to be a mighty king. He stands there like the royalty he is but like the king he never should have been.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I do hope you are having a good time tonight. I have an important announcement I would like to make to everyone and would appreciate it very much if you would all listen." Maven begins.
This is it Mare.
Everyone quiet downs and the music slowly fades away. Maven has everyone's attention.
"I know there has been nothing but division and war between people for such a long time now. Tonight signifies a day where one war is ending and a new alliance is born. I would like to start a new bond and end another war tonight." He continues.
I take a deep breath in. Nothing is going to change this now.
Maven holds his hand out towards me as a way of asking me to join him in front of everyone. I walk up next to him as I try to ignore the hundreds of stares I am getting.
"Mare Barrow, you are the first who brought to light a new group to our structure. You are one who showed us what happens when someone is able to use fear to control another. You are one who showed us all what someone is willing to do for their people and their family. You are extremely special." He says to me.
Maven takes my hand and gets down on one knee. He stares me in my eyes, a clear message written in his eyes that he knows I tried to run. His eyes tell me that he knows that I'm scared. He knows this is the last thing I really want to do but I have no other choice. He knows I need him if I ever am going to get through this crazy war.
He knows and he's enjoying it.
"So will you Mare Barrow give me great pleasure and help unite all of our people, ending the barrier of fear, by allowing me to have your hand in marriage?" He asks.
Gasps fill the room at his proposal. Small whispers go around the room.
"Tell me Mare, are you going to fight or give in?"
Ptolemus' words from earlier play in my head. A legitimate question really and this is the last time I can ever ask it.
Am I going to fight or give in?