Chapter 2: Blank Slate
Crimson permeated her cheeks as she attempted to suppress her shock at the causal interaction with the monarch of Nemesis.
"Your majesty," she breathed.
The slightest hint of a smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he nodded his head in greeting to Serenity. "The pleasure is all mine." His voice was smooth like honey and immediately eased her tensions.
She struggled to get up from the ground in her ballgown. Prince Demande quickly strode over to assist, extending a firm hand. Serenity suppressed the urge to gasp when their hands connected. The White Prince was truly ice; his touch was a taste of winter.
Once she found her footing, Serenity curtsied low just as the handmaids had taught her, sweeping her gown on the ground and averting her gaze. She rose slowly looking back up and replied, "Thank you, your majesty." A soft blush bloomed on her cheeks.
They stood quietly observing one another for a moment before Serenity broke the silence. "Do you like star gazing?"
"Not particularly. Evidently, the atmosphere near the Capital makes for opaque weather. It's rare to have a crystalline night like this." He commented.
"However," he said motioning upward. "I enjoy the concept of the North Star. Never wavering and always constant. What I strive to be as king."
"Does it ever get old?"
"Honestly?" He crooked his head looking at her intently. "Yes." They both laughed. "I live for moments where I can escape formality and just be myself."
"Well, what do you do?"
"For starters, I escape stuffy soirées at the first opportunity," he ribbed. "That and a good glass of red wine."
"I can imagine!" She chuckled.
"Where are you from?" He asked shifting the conversation.
"Apparently the Serpentine Outpost." She sighed and stared at at a nearby torch, readying herself for yet another conversation in which someone pitied her. She was so sick of sadness.
"Ah. You're the maiden my brother is so taken with; the tabula rasa." The foreign words flowed elegantly from his lips.
"Blank Slate?" The words fell from her lips without thought.
"Precisely. You know your Latin. I'm impressed."
She laughed bitterly. "Apparently I can remember Latin but not my own name."
"And what is that name? I don't believe we've properly introduced."
"Lady Serenity," she faltered.
"My brother is quite pleased with your progress, Lady Serenity."
"So I'm told," she exhaled.
He raised an eyebrow in concern. "Are you not? You were near death from my understanding."
"I'm sorry, I am grateful for all the help but it's incredibly frustrating to have made no progress as far as my personal memories are concerned." Genuine tears dotted the corner of her eyes.
"I see." He gestured to Serenity to walk with him. They slowly made their way deeper into the garden. "I'm a firm believer in not dwelling on the past. Focus on what you can control and walk firmly toward your future. It's all any of us can do... even a king." He stopped walking and looked Serenity squarely in the eye observing her intently.
Serenity shivered from the cool air. Deep within the garden they were removed from the heat of the torches. Demande unhooked his velvet cape from the platinum epilates that adorned his shoulders and wrapped it gently around Serenity, clasping it across her shoulders.
"Thank you, your majesty."
"Serenity?"
"Yes?," she leaned closer to the prince, inhaling his scent of citrus and sandalwood.
"Why are you barefoot?" He stared at her feet peeking out from beneath her gown.
"Oh my Gods! I forgot about my shoes. I took them off on a bench back in the beginning of the garden." She cried burying her face in her hands. "How embarrassing."
The prince laughed heartily. "Hardly, my dear. No wonder you are cold. Let us retrieve them." He offered his arm to Serenity with a grin.
The couple made their way back through the maze-like garden. Near the entrance, an odd noise alerted the pair that they were not alone. Demande motioned with his index finger to be quiet and stepped in front of Serenity to investigate. They soon found their answer; a couple in a compromising position pressed against the hedges. Serenity gaped and Demande rolled his eyes.
"Ogen get out of that shrub!" He groaned, exasperated. "This isn't even the first time I've found him like this!," he whispered to Serenity, who herself was at a loss for words.
"Oh hello, Demande, great party," the man said nonchalantly, removing his hand from his partner's breast and straightening his dinner jacket. Turning his attention to Serenity, he waved as he pulled a leaf from his beard. "Demande where have you been hiding this delightful creature? I thought I had met all the vaunted courtiers in the Capital."
Serenity flushed even further as Ogen pecked her hand.
"If you're not careful, I will take her for my harem." He laughed heartily, bowing to Demande and Serenity. "Excuse me, I see some hors d'oeuvres that are calling my name." The Emir strode away confidently with the woman trailing behind, fixing her dress.
"Harem?" she asked when the Emir was out of earshot.
"Just ignore him." Demande said, glaring in the dignitary's direction.
*How awkward*, she thought to herself, shaking her head.
"Oh there they are," said Serenity, thankful for the distraction, spotting her flats on the granite bench.
"Allow me, my Lady." With a flourish Demande kneeled and placed the silver slipper delicately on Serenity's foot. Rising slowly, he took Serenity's hand pulling her close. It was then that she truly lost herself in his eyes. They were a shade of deep violet that put the Nemesian dawn to shame.
"Your eyes are striking." Tentatively she reached her hand towards his face and brushed away the blunt bags from his eyes. The electricity between the couple was palpable.
He chuckled darkly. "I could say the same about yours, Serenity." She blushed and looked away. Demande gently pulled her face back to his, looking longingly into her deep eyes.
"Thank you, your majesty."
Demande leaned in grasping her waist and Serenity closed her eyes anticipating his next move.
Steady footsteps approaching alerted the pair that yet another intrusion approached. "Brother, where are you? The Emperor of Kinmoku is demanding an audience." Called Sapphire scanning the gardens.
Demande groaned his arm dropping from Serenity's waist, "Tell him I'm otherwise occupied," he called. "We can meet after brunch tomorrow to discuss anything he desires."
"My apologies, my dear." He turned his attention back to Serenity. "Constant interruptions, the life of a king."
She shook off the disappointment over their interrupted moment. Was the king really going to kiss her or did she just imagine it?
"May I have this dance?" Asked Demande bringing her back in to the moment.
"Please." She nodded in agreement. His arm swept around her waist pulling her close. Her heart began to thud violently in her chest. Could Demande hear it?
Demande took her right hand and the couple slowly waltzed, enjoying the melody of the orchestra that spilled out in to the garden. Serenity leaned against his chest relaxed by the rhythmic beating of his steady heart. The pair danced intertwined until the dawn greeted them, breaking the spell of the enchanted evening.
With the rising sun, the White King escorted Serenity to her suite in the South Corridor. "My, Serenity." He bowed and kissed her hand, his lips lingering on her skin. The warmth of his mouth juxtaposed the cool touch of his hands.
"Your majesty," she curtsied deeply. "It's been an evening I won't soon forget."
"Please, call me Demande. Your Majesty is so formal," he winked.
"Good night Demande," she beamed. "Or rather, good morning."
The door clicked closed and Serenity made her way to the bed collapsing on the soft mattress. "Please," she prayed to whatever Deity was listening. "Let me remember this perfect night."