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༼ BEASTS AND THRONES ༽
by
Ahna Basilisk
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ᙍ 𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 1 ᙊ
The Ball
Princes, dukes, kings, and other royals from far and wide were arriving at the Castle of Count Drăcula for the ball. Every carriage was different for every kingdom and realm from which they hailed. Prince James from King George's realm was attending; as well as King Arthur of Camelot, the self proclaimed Pirate King, Killian Jones, and many many more. There were even guests who simply wanted a glimpse of the fabled princess of the great impaler. Men and women coming from far and wide who wanted to settle rumours and heresay.They entered the main hall of Drăcula's abode. The castle itself was dark and forboding, but the interior shone like hot, glowing gold fresh from the smelter. There were crystal chandeliers hanging in every room with brightly lit candles glittering within that casted warm light in every direction. Vampire attendants looked after every need of every guest as they were guided into the main hall, a vast chamber whose ceiling rose higher than a two story house above their heads. There were decorations of gold across the walls, along the stairs that led up to the throne, and on the rows tables that stood at the edges of the room, holding plentiful food and drink.
In his throne sat Count Drăcula himself, his back straight and tall pressed to the back of his chair. His noble face held a rather bored, passive look as he watched the people below. Their collective voices all speaking at the same time hummed annoyingly, insesantly in his ears as it clashed with the music provided. Drăcula had always preferred being alone in isolation, but his daughter was his pride and joy, and this ball held every ten years was for her. He prided much in his family history that was said in legend to have the blood of dragons flowing in his veins. Even his name itself meant "son of the dragon", and to him, this was the proof he needed! A member of his bloodline- he himself!- actually producing a true dragon as his child! It was unheard of in all his known family history! To him it was a miracle, she was his treasure, and he wanted the world to know it! He was even almost afraid to let her go, but he knew well of what would happen if a dragon was kept.
One of his attendants approached Drăcula while he was deep in thought to ignore the sounds, but he was pulled away when he said, "The princess is ready, Sire." Drăcula said nothing in response but gestured an elegant hand to usher him on and let her in. With a bow, he hurried away to do so. The announcer then called for the guests' attention. "Entering the ball, her royal highness! Princess Ahnantisheshka Ravenheart Dracula! Daughter of Count Vlad Dracula!"
Dracula stood from his throne and watched for his daughter's entry. Every head below had turned up to watch for the anticipated arrival of the princess, and upon her reveal, all rumours and heresay were forgotten. It was like yin and yang. Drăcula had pale gray skin, black hair, a dark presence with a powerful stature, and cold red eyes. His daughter was the exact opposite. Her hair was the purest white, gleaming opalescent. Her skin was light with color, and her cheeks and nose were rouged with soft freckles. Her eyes were large with life and bright pale lavender, bearing cat-like pupils. Her frame was slender and graceful, and she wore a flowing, white dress that draped softly and loosely around her body. She held the air of delicate nature and gentleness. Few could believe that she was a dragon and not an enchanted lady from some far off land.
Many held their breath at the sight of her, watching as she joined her father's side, the man towering over her as she was merely half his height! Taking her delicate hand, Drăcula turned up his alkaline nose with pride and said with a powerful voice, "You may come and greet the princess family by family. And then there will be a dance. Understand that my daughter is free to accept or refuse whomever she wishes, and the one she accepts will have the freedom to remain as a personal guest in my castle for a time." He gestured out his free hand and added, "You may resume." He made to sit in his throne and gestured his hand to conjure a smaller throne out of shadows for his daughter. He held onto her hand as she sat, and they watched as the first of the guests began to approach up the stairs.
The young man introduced himself as the Prince of Hearts from Wonderland. He bowed to them and offered his hand to take hers and kiss. Obliging out of respect, the Princess smiled softly and replied, "It is a pleasure to meet you, your highness."
"The pleasure is all mine, I assure you, Princess," he said, giving her an attempt of a rougish smirk, but alas it did not charm the princess as he had hoped. She simply smiled politely and said no more. The prince departed with uncertainty if he had gotten her attention or not.
Next was a rather boistrous looking man that wore a long leather over coat, earrings in his ears, darkness around his eyes, and a hook for his left hand. His beard and moustache was as dark as his hair, and he approuched with a swagger of confidence. He offered a low bow, holding out his hook to the side. "Killian Jones, your majesties, Captain of the famed Jolly Roger, Pirate King of the seven seas. I am sure you have heard of my many adventures and exploits across the world. I comman a fleet of ships, and I strike fear at the very sound of my name as Captain Hook."
In all honesty, the princess wasn't exactly impressed, but she smiled politely and responded, "Your accomplishments are grand indeed, Captain. Hard work and ambition pays well when earned. I hope you will enjoy the ball tonight." He smiled at the sound of her voice and gave a nod, "Aye, your highness, and I intend to fix my name in the stones of history! As well as the name of the maiden who stands at my side." He smirked with over confidence.
It was Drăcula's ever so slight scoff that cut the brief silence between the two, and it seemed that the Pirate King registered it as a mere cough. He bowed to them once more before taking his leave to return to the ball. People who appeared to be his crewmembers waited eagerly at the bottom of the stair for his take on meeting the princess, but were soon disappointed for their leader.
One by one the men came and went. A few introduced his parents, others claimed they were widowers as their wives glared after them from below. But it was the same thing as the last ball. The men were staples of the same kind over and over. Prideful, handsome by normal standards, boastful, and young. The princess wasn't allured by the norm. Every one of them were like the last in some way. If she had seen one, she had seen them all. She was well aware that some were genuine and kind, but it was not enough for her. Not for the daughter of Count Drăcula. She was raised in an unusual house hold, so only the unusual interested her. Exploits and beauty were usual for princes, dukes, and others of high standard breeding, but being raised by Drăcula left little room for the usual or the norm. So the Princess sat patiently, greeting prince after duke after noble, losing hope that someone would break the norm of royals.
Outside the castle, another carriage with no driver pulled up to the steps to the castle entrance, and the door opened on its own before the footman could reach it. He stood at attention in greeting for the late arrival and gave a low bow. "Greetings, Sir. May I have your name so your arrival can be announced?" Out of the carriage stepped a man wearing a royal red cloak, nothing very extravagant, but rich furs draped over his shoulders. He stood before the attendant with a sly smirk under his low-hanging hood. "You may announce me as the Dark King." The attendant nodded and replied, "Very good sir. Please, follow me." He began to guide the wizard into the hall where he wordless dismissed everything the other servants offered for his comfort, not even to take his cloak off. He had only one goal in mind for his visit.
The footman stood at the entrance of the main hall and uttered with a loud voice that echoed through the whole of the chamber, "Announcing the arrival of the Dark King!"
In an instant, every single person fell silent as they looked up to see the man in the fur lined cloak, and from under his hood he lifted a pleased smile at the affect his presence commanded. Then slowly, he walked down the steps and onto the floor of the ball. People parted away from him, fully aware of his prowess with his dagger, of which was tight to his hip with a hand clasping it protectively. While several of the onlookers displayed fear, a few did display distain.
Drăcula frowned as he watched the new guest with a sharp gaze. He did not like lateness, but he too knew well of the Dark King. An equal in dark magic and an ally of war. The Princess however was taken by surprise from his entrance. She too was aware of the Dark King's reputation, but she knew very little of his accomplishments. She watched, almost nervously as the cloaked man began to walk up the steps that led to the thrones. Drăcula remained silent in his seat. The man stood before them and gave a dramatic bow. "Greetings your majesties. I have come far from the Dark Forest for the chance to see the fabled Princess of Count Drăcula himself." Straightening up to meet her gaze, he began to step up to her. The better view of him showed her that he wore mostly leather, from the tall boots that clad his slender legs up to his knees to the vest that looked to have been made of crocodile skins. He was a very unusual man indeed, and he intrigued the princess. Politely, he took her hand and kissed it, giving her a wide, knowing smile."And I must admit, I know the words that were spread of your beauty were unmatched by your true beauty as I see you now before me."
The Princess saw his face under his hood and saw that his skin was sort of dark green and sort of scaly, glittering gold on his thin cheeks and nose. His dark eyes were striking and sharp. It felt like they were boring into her soul as she gazed into them in return. He wasn't very tall, but sitting in her throne, he loomed like a shadow. She could sense his power, could sense his strength, and it intimidated her. "Thank you, Sir," she managed to say despite feeling rather nervous, yet rather excited.
He released her hand and held himself in an elegant posture, holding the tips of his fingers on the center of his chest. "Please, you may call me Rumplestiltskin. I hope you would forgive me, please. I wasn't here when they announced your name."
She lifted a smile and gave a nod. "All is forgiven, Rumplestiltskin. My name is Ahnantisheshka Ravenheart Drăcula. But please, call me Ahna."
His stare into her eyes intensified as he grinned and uttered an unusual hum. "Very well, Princess Ahna. If I may be so bold, I would like to have a dance with you." He bowed dramatically and held out his hand. "May I?"
Truly charmed, Ahna supressed a small giggle and said, "Of course!" She smiled genuinely to him and glanced at her father for a second, of whom gave a low nod, raising her hand to help her to her feet while she took Rumplestiltskin's hand. Holding onto the front her dress, she began to walk along side him down the steps. At the same time, Drăcula stood up from his throne and raised a hand for the guests' attention. "Clear the floor for the first dance!" He gestured his other hand toward the musicians to begin the music.
When they reached the center, Ahna turned to face Rumplestiltskin and felt his other hand hook around her waist while he held onto her hand with his other. She felt her heart beat faster and harder in those seconds they waited for the music to begin. It felt like entire minutes as she stared up into his eyes. And then, the music began.
Ahna let Rumplestiltskin take the lead, following smoothing with his graceful steps."You dance very wonderfully, Princess Ahna," he said to her with his wide, knowing smile.
"Why thank you! You dance wonderfully, too," she offered him a soft, delighted grin. Still smiling, he hooked his arm around her waist and hoisted her up with ease, spinning her around with him. She chuckled with delight with one arm hooked over his shoulder. They resumed the dance when her feet were on the floor once more, amd Ahna lost track of the passage of time, feeling one with him in this dance. Other people paired up on the dance floor, joining the two in the sweeping music in dance. But for the Princess, it was just her and the Dark King.
Ahna wanted it to last forever, bit alas, all things must end eventually. And their dance had to come to its end, with Rumplestiltskin gracefully holding Ahna in a low dip. Upright once more, she gazed up at him in awe. She was enchanted by him, and she wanted to get to know him better. The first chance she got, she informed her father that Rumplestiltskin was the one she wanted as the guest.
The rest of the night went well, and Drăcula was indeed pleased by the end of the ball. After three previous balls with poor results, his Princess had finally chosen a suitor. Of course, there were some very disappointed nobles and royals, but none would dare raise a word with Count Drăcula present nor the Dark King. The ball ended without a problem and the guests began to depart, save for Rumplestiltskin. He was the one chosen to remain as a personal guest in Drăcula's castle, much to Ahna's delight.
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