Alright.. here we go, chapter six.
Chapter 6 – Pax Pacis
"You are very beautiful," he whispered in Solita's ear as they glided through the ballroom. She frowned, but said in a polite voice, "Thank you." She was, after all, a princess raised with proper manners and perfect etiquette. A few seconds passed before Solita felt she was obligated to say, "You look quite charming yourself, Sir Leo."
Sir Leo indeed, was not an unattractive man. He was in his late twenties, it seemed, and of strong build, with a head of tight dark curls, and a closely cropped beard to match. Solita noted the deep scar that ran through one side of his neck, this man was obviously a battle lord, an experienced warrior.
"Please," he muttered in a rather cliché voice, "Do call me Leo."
It was then the music gently seized.
"Solita," said a familiar voice. Solita gritted her teeth, recognizing the voice immediately. Ethel smirked, and as the melodies drifted about the air again, he said in an almost mocking voice, "May I borrow my stepsister for a dance?" to Leo.
"Of course." Leo smirked back, as if they were sharing some joke among them, and he went to chat with Alaric.
"So. Are you enjoying the company of your precious suitor, my princess?"
"Yes, almost as much as I enjoy your company," she said sardonically.
He scowled slightly, and drew Solita closer to whisper in an almost fierce voice, "You do know, Solita, that my mother has arranged for the two of you to share a bedroom chamber tonight… so you may get to… know each other better."
Solita paled, her rain cloud eyes losing all of its reflecting glare. I will not have myself be taken advantage of, she thought angrily while making another mental note.
"And you do realize…" Ethel breathed, "That if you are pregnant with a child before being crowned, it will prove you irresponsible and unworthy of the throne…"
She assumed an expressionless gaze, and said suddenly, "Where did you get these red scars on your cheek?"
Ethel's leering smile faded, and his hand immediately reached to cover his cheek, obviously self-conscious of a scar that was not there. My mother's slap left no scar, only handprints. And they.. have faded already. But how does she know? He frowned, and turned to find all signs of Solita gone.
Why did he tell me that? Solita pondered as she glided away from the crowd. Did he merely enjoy gloating in my face? Or was it… something else? Was it because he wanted to warn me?
"You look stunning, Solita," said a cheerful voice nearby. Apparently Alaric was finished talking with Sir Leo. He beamed at her, and then with a cautious glance, led her outside of the ballroom, to the balcony towering over the West Gardens.
"What is it the matter?" asked Solita, alarmed by Alaric's fearful manner.
"I suggest you be very careful around this Sir Leo…" he murmured.
"Why? Is he a – "
" – I cannot say any more than that, I'm afraid…" Alaric's perplexed expression suddenly faded and he went back to his usual, happy-go-lucky manner.
"Do you remember when we first arrived in Nivalis, and you gave us a tour of the West Gardens?"
"Yes. And your brother, trying to pluck our snow blossoms…" Solita smiled slightly, as if amused by the memory.
Alaric chuckled, then saying in his usual defensive manner, "He was only trying to touch it to see if it would transfer its magic powers to him."
Under her breath, Solita uttered in sour tones, "The git."
"Pardon?"
"I said, 'so that's it.'"
Alaric eyed the distant buds curiously.
"What sort of rumors did you hear about it?" Solita asked.
"Well… It is said that the blossoms bloom only in wintertime, because that was when Queen Odessa died. And they also say that one of the three blossoms grant immortality to the first to breathe in its fragrance."
"Snow blossoms do not grant immortality," she said quietly. "One of the three blossoms has the power... to bring back the dead." Solita turned to look at Alaric. "But it is a secret. You mustn't tell anyone."
He nodded in understanding.
For a moment they stood in silence, gazing at the clear midnight blue sky and inhaling the sighs of the roses and tulips of the West Gardens. They could still hear the faint melodies of the music and the lively chattering of the nobles.
"I must go… my mother is probably looking for me now." Alaric stopped, and turned around. "Please do heed my warning, Solita. I've known Sir Leo ever since I was born." Before leaving he clasped Solita's hands briefly, leaving a leather-bound item in her possession. When she looked up, confused, the last of Alaric's robes quickly swished away from the corner.
Solita, perplexed, began to unbind the long leather strings, and was halfway finished when she heard soft footsteps. Quickly, she stuffed the object to the most discreet place she could think of, and resumed her stargazing.
Suddenly she felt firm fingers wrapping around her bare shoulders, on each side. Wincing at the iciness, she took the hands and casually removed them from her shoulders, turning around as she did so.
"Sir – " Solita cleared her throat, and said again, "Leo. It's a surprise to see you here."
"Well, who would guess that my princess has been hiding away for so long… we haven't even properly got to know each other." He smiled, a smile which Solita returned reluctantly.
She turned away from him, and looked out into the gardens yet again. "Leo… How do you find court with the king in Avienal?"
It appeared he was rather taken back by the sudden question. "King Iccus trusts me with many duties," he said plainly. "He is a good man."
"Indeed. How long have you been a warrior?"
"I started training when I was twelve," he said shortly. "Now, let us stop talking about me, and start discussing you." It seemed that he was about to launch into a romantic speech, and Solita lowered her eyes to look at the cobblestone sidewalk of the West Gardens below.
"I want to know…" Leo cast Solita a starry-eyed gaze, "…what gives you pleasure. What is it I may do to win your hand in marriage?"
"I am afraid I cannot fulfill your wants, Sir Leo. I have no interest in marriage." Her voice shook slightly, wondering if she said the right thing. "I regret to tell you it may be best for you to return to your own kingdom soon."
"That cannot be done, Solita." He fixed a passionate stare at her.
"What reasons have you to marry me?"
"I find your beauty…" he inhaled deeply, "… so irresistible." He slid a hand through the back of her robes, stroking her bare waist affectionately. "And I wish... to be the first to savor it."
"Sir!" Solita was furious. She threw his hands away, and fixed a steely stare at him. For some reason he found it strangely amusing, and began to softly chuckle, and only drew her closer, whispering in her ear, "I am pleased to tell you… the queen has graciously granted me a spacious bedchamber. And do you know what else she granted me?" Not waiting for her answer, he plunged in to kiss her passionately.
"Sir Leo!" a voice interrupted suddenly. Solita, for once in her life, was glad to see her stepmother standing a few feet away and with a strange expression on her face.
"Please do not continue your affairs with the princess out here." She smiled thinly. "Come. I believe it is time for you return to the chambers I had prepared for both of you." Solita's relieved expression faded into one of horror as she heard those words. Sir Leo smiled mischievously, and wagged a little finger, saying, "I shall see you in a bit," to Solita. He bowed briefly to the queen, and left.
Solita was left alone with her stepmother. She trembled, and said in a choked voice, "Queen Napea… Please, I do not find Sir Leo at all amiable… I would like to break off all relations with him."
Queen Napea raised her eyebrows in a cool stare. "That is not for you to decide, my dear. He has reminded me this evening, that I am in debt to him. I have been debt to him for many years now. He has made it clear what he wishes for repayment."
In a voice Solita barely could hear, she said, "It would do you well to please him tonight, Solita." Without another word, she left.
Solita shivered, and closed her eyes tightly. I must be calm, she reminded herself.Then, remembering the item Alaric had given her, she retrieved it from where it was hidden in her robes and began to unbind the leather strings once more. She succeeded in completely uncovering it, gasped softly at what it was.
Glimmering faintly in the moonlight, the Latin words pax pacis were smoothly engraved upon it. Pax pacis meant peace. Why, then… was it engraved upon a knife?
Now, replies to my reviewers:
EvenSong: hmm.. subtlely crafted into the story itself".. why thank you, that'sone way of putting it :) ..
CareBearErin: wow, you've got chapter 5 in a nutshell!
Paperbagprincezz: Liv Tyler as Solita? I can imagine that.. but of the more famous actors/actresses, I'm not so sure who I'd pick, really...
fireworksinmybackpocket: thank you, I'm pleased you think it's getting good...er.
dreamingdaemon: .:shudders at thought of stupid song:. ughh.. I wouldn't have been able to stand it, either...
.:Passes out hugs and oatmeal cookies to reviewers:.