'Closer, My Darling'
Authors Note: Thank you for all your reviews. I try to take all of your input into consideration, and I cannot even explain just how much I appreciate the support on this story. I was actually planning on writing this chapter last night, but I overdid it at the gym and had a slight fever to boot. I couldn't bring myself to half-ass this chapter. I've actually been looking forward to it, seeing as we're getting close to the ball scene. I hope it lives up to my expectations. Delilah may or may not become a larger part of the story as sort of a companion, depending on her reception. Nothing too serious, but an interaction or two every few chapters perhaps. Sometimes I dislike when authors focus too much on an OC character, and I assure you that isn't what this is meant to be. Delilah is more of a beacon of temporary hope, reminding the Queen that there is still good in the world. All of this before she spirals, however. She can stay or she can go, it's up to you.
Please excuse any grammatical errors. It's very early in the morning, and I began writing this on and off well over 8 hours ago. The words are all blending with each other at this point..
'Likes to watch me in the glass room bathroom, Chateau Marmont
Slippin' on my red dress, puttin' on my makeup
Glass film, perfume, cognac, lilac
Fumes, says it feels like heaven to him'
It was approximately 5 o'clock on Friday evening, and Seraphina could feel the tumultuous knot binding in her stomach. She kneaded her hands together nervously, knowing full well that her servant would promptly come to prepare her for Reaver's 'soiree'. Despite the lack of information in the letter given to her, word had spread rampantly across the kingdom about his little 'get together', and she had no doubt that it was indeed done on purpose. She hadn't even needed to alert Hobson about the arrangement for him to awaken her in the morning, reminding her of her previous engagement in an infuriating, matter-of-fact type of way. Not that she even needed reminding.
Blood freezing apprehension didn't even begin to describe how she felt today. She had awoken with a chasm of panic brewing in her stomach and a pounding headache axing its way into her temples. She was quite certain that she wouldn't have slept at all if it hadn't been for the incessant prodding of her overstepping butler.
"The bags underneath your eyes are already quite noticeable naturally, a blessing of your heredity no doubt. You need be heading off to bed. Cannot have you looking like a weary-dreary mess tomorrow, your Majesty. The state of the kingdom seems to depend on it." He persisted, heavy with ulterior motive. She was quite resistant at first, but finally realized the truth in his words. As much as she abhorred obeying her deplorable butler, she couldn't help but finger at the deep lavender circles that had made their home underneath her optics. A slight crease in her skin was graciously given from her mother, a reminder of the constant stress that was persistent of being a Hero, but the shaded bluish hue seemed unnecessary.
Deep sleep had been fleeting, and she remembered awakening several times finding herself staring at the clock placed above her windows, dreading the sunlight that would soon be streaming through her windows. She had only been wrong on one account. The sunlight was far from bright and luminous when it made its way through her closed darkened drapes. This seemed a premonition of a cloudy and drizzly day.
She had been correct. The day was indeed overcast and jaded. Rain gently poured onto her window once more, making a light tapping sound as it hit the glass. The weather seemed to mirror her mood exactly. Attending this ball was something that she must do. It was a royal obligation, and by all means, not the most strenuous thing that could be asked to benefit her kingdom. However, her emotions were completely askew.
She had never feared Reaver before, or even thought much of him besides the seeming fact that he was a completely immoral serpent of a man. She couldn't entirely say that she feared him now, but there was an emotion there that she couldn't quite place with all certainty. Her heart raced in his presence. Her hands would tremble when he approached her. He sent her mind swimming with various ways to commit homicide without ever being implicated. She had developed such a deep and profound hatred that it was quite difficult to place a word on. It sent a shiver down her spine, her gut radiating with malice.
Yet, Seraphina found herself awaiting a servant to lace her corset to attend his ball. A party he was throwing in her honor, no less. She hadn't even been able to bring herself to remove the gown that sat anxiously awaiting in the ebony box upon her desk. Seeing the contents, she immediately closed the box and left it sitting without so much as a second glance. She didn't want any reminders of the promise she made until it was absolutely necessary.
She turned her head to meet the package that rested upon the oak surface. It was only a matter of time before it was opened once again, this time by her servants ready to place the silken gown upon her shoulders and lace it tight to her being. Her lip twitched in disgust thinking of being so tightly enclosed inside something that had been designed by Reaver. She pondered what would happen to the kingdom if she ran away, taking comfort in the dramatic thoughts of her mind, knowing full well she would never bring it to fruition.
She awaited the knock that would inevitably grace her door, and indeed it came. It was only a quarter past five when a light rap on her door shook her from her thoughts. She opened the entryway with a resigned sense of duty to find a small, freckled servant girl waiting just outside, her hands clamped together nervously. She was a pretty young thing with light auburn hair and deep brown eyes the color of Earth. Noticeable freckles blotted her skin like stars in a night sky. She offered the Queen a small smile as she was allowed into the room.
"I'm here to ready you for the ball, your Majesty." The servant girl's voice was shaky and hesitant but pleasant as she curtsied a low, practiced bow before Seraphina. The Queen shook her head shortly.
"No need to be so formal. What is your name?" She gazed at the girl, envying her slightly. She certainly didn't have to attend a ball tonight.
"Delilah, madam. The name is Delilah." Her accent was slightly cockney, and her voice barely into adulthood. She sent a radiant smile towards the queen.
"Like the flower? It's a lovely flower, and a lovely name. I'm happy to have you here with me to ready me for the evening." The Queen offered her a smile, subconsciously reaching out for companionship. The life of a monarch was lonely and stressful. Once she had taken the throne, most of her old companions had disappeared to one place or another. Ben Finn had become an admirable soldier in Albion's Army, traveling from fort to fort to ensure the safety of her continent. Page only showed her face when she wanted a proposal pushed through, leaving the Queen with a distinct feeling of dismay. It was likewise with every other ally she had made during the rebellion. She silently longed for the days of being a rebellion leader. She had never felt quite so alone as she did now.
She got a small sense of comfort from Delilah's optimistic smile. Her bronze eyes shined so bright, even against the gray, clouded sky that plagued Albion. For a moment, Seraphina wasn't sure whether she wanted her, or wanted to be her. Delilah kept her gracious smile as she made her way over toward the jet crate that sat atop of the desk. The maroon ribbon still lay discarded beside it, untouched for several days.
"Is this your attire, your Majesty?" She held the box up delicately in her hands. The Queen nodded, reserved and apprehensive. Delilah removed the lid and gracefully placed her hands inside, pulling out the dress and holding it for the light.
"Your Majesty, it's absolutely beautiful! This dress is gorgeous! I've never seen anything like it!" Delilah exclaimed, holding it excitedly in her hands, feeling the exquisite material. Despite the sense of curiosity that filled her, Seraphina refused to look at it, looking away and blurring her peripheral vision. The dressing attendant folded it up lightly in her hands, looking up toward the Queen.
"Are you ready? This dress will be absolutely stunning!" Delilah was certainly more excited about it than Seraphina was. She wondered if she should offer her the chance to go in her place. Shaking off the thought, Seraphina nodded slightly. Delilah gently placed the dress onto one elbow and gave the Queen her hand, offering her a beaming smile. Seraphina couldn't help but giggle slightly, staring at the girl's bright grin. It was such a relief to have the company of someone so happy. She took her hand, squeezing it lightly. Delilah lead her to the large dressing room.
She began stripping off her garments one by one, hearing the soft thud as they hit the tiled floor. Seraphina felt no shame when it came to her body, remembering the intense training and battles that had shaped it. She was toned but not to the point of bulkiness. Her stomach showed light muscle, leaving her with lines on the offsides of her torso. Her arms were nicely muscled due to days of swinging her mallet relentlessly at all manner of villains and her legs slimmed from days of running up and down Albion's endless terrain with all of her gear.
Delilah watched the Queen undress tentatively. Once she was stripped, Delilah promptly picked the clothes off the floor, placing them to the side and picking up the gown from the counter.
"Are you ready for the undergarments?" Delilah's voice was low and steady as looked up toward the Queen's eyes. Seraphina grimaced her lips, nodding tightly. She reached her hands out, and in a matter of seconds a pair of stockings and a garter belt in her hands. She opened her eyes and squinted at the garments, her eyes flickering toward Delilah. The girl seemed equally as puzzled as the Queen however.
"It was folded inside the dress, your Majesty. I can only assume it was meant to go under it." She shrugged quizzically, her eyebrows raised slightly. Seraphina exhaled sharply and rolled her eyes, remembering the origin of the dress.
"Of course..." The Queen's voice was harsh. Delilah chucked lightly, staring back up at her.
"You didn't commission this dress yourself, did you?" She giggled, her laugh tinkering up the walls like a soft bell. The Queen found herself smiling as well as she shook her head, slipping the underwear on, fumbling to hook the stockings to the clips on the rear end.
"Let me help." Delilah spoke informally as she took the straps from the Queens' hands, easily beginning clipping them. Her hands were soft as they scraped lightly across the back of Seraphina's thighs as her breath graced lightly across her skin as she kneeled behind her. It sent a shiver up her spine, commanding goosebumps down her legs. As quick as she had gone down, she was standing again inspecting the clips.
"The neckline is easier to slip it up. I believe it will be easier to slip into." Delilah picked up the dress and slipped her hands onto the neckline, ruffling the rest of the dress up into her hands. She bent down onto her knees and held the dress out for the Queen to step into. Seraphina noticed the dress was a deep ebony as she picked up her legs and stepped into it. Delilah pulled it up over her breasts, and the Queen took hold of the fact that it was a strapless gown, barely holding underneath her collar bones. She also realized how soft the material was against her skin, but also questioned a distinct lacking of fabric in the back. She could feel the cool air of the castle send waves against her exposed back. Still, she refused to look into the mirror, but thought that it was a rather peculiar design for a dress.
"I think the corset it meant to go over it..." Delilah turned the corset over in her hands a few times, trying to decide which way was up. She finally wrapped it around the Queen's bust and waist and began gracefully threading the silk thread through the eyelets. Through her peripheral vision, she could tell that the corset was a matching black, hardly visible over the dress itself. She felt the air leave her lungs as Delilah pulled harshly at the strings behind her back, constricting her ribs and pushing her breasts up into her throat. Finally, she felt the girl delicately tie the large amount of remaining string into a large bow just above her extremity.
"I... I don't think it's meant to tie all the way. It's pulled as tight as it will physically go, but... There's a large amount of rearward skin showing..." Delilah placed her hand to her chin, furrowing her eyebrows. The Queen felt her cheeks redden as she turned quickly from the mirror and glanced behind her. There was indeed a lot of skin where fabric should have been. The corset was tied, but left a good four inches showing wide ways from her upper back to the dimples above her rear. The dress itself dropped elegantly, coincidentally meeting ends just as the corset did. Aside from the corset stitching, a very large amount of back was showing. She lowered her head in displeasure.
'Reaver. He would do his utmost to make me as uncomfortable as physically possible.' She thought venomously. She bit her lip, chewing off excess amounts of skin. Delilah widened her eyes in worry and instinctively put her hands to the Queens just below her mouth.
"You shouldn't do that, your Majesty. You don't want to redden it by picking." Her concern was apparent in her voice. The Queen looked up at her, her cheeks reddening as she blushed once again. She flicked her azure eyes from Delilahs copper ones, nodding silently. Delilah took a few steps back, looking up and down, smiling pleasantly.
"It's absolutely lovely, your Majesty. It's simple, yet elegant. I couldn't think of a finer dress myself, not that I'm an expert." She offered the Queen a kind smile. Seraphina turned, ready to face her reflection. The dress was indeed lovely, albeit a tad bit too revealing in the back for her distinct tastes.
It was a soft and luminous ebony silk that clung to her form in front with a small bit of excess of fabric that barely overlapped each other creating the illusion of a sash in the middle of her legs. It had excessive amounts of fabric in the back for a dramatic train. 'Wouldn't quite be Reaver if it wasn't dramatic.' She resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Small but noticeable silver stitching laced its way down the side of the ribs of the corset. It was indeed quite simple, but she couldn't deny that it was also quite beautiful. She would have been quite flattered if it weren't for the person who gifted it to her.
However, one aspect stuck out like a sore thumb. Her earth-colored bra stuck out fiercely from the tops of the dress, and noticeably through the lacing of the corset. Delilah stared at it for a slight moment before smiling again.
"That covering doesn't quite go with the dress. Let me check in your wardrobe and see what you have that could fit better." She skipped out of the room, leaving Seraphina's view and allowing her to inspect the dress once more. She smoothed it out over her knees, and picked invisible specks of dirt from it. She turned her head from side to side, bringing her body with her, looking for any flaws in the design.
"Your Majesty?..." Delilahs voice called from the other room, and she sounded surprised.
"Yes?" The Queen turned her head out of the door and saw Delilah carrying the box that the dress had come in with her. She felt her stomach drop once more, anticipating whatever hidden surprises came with the package.
"There's something else in here... A lot else... I don't know how I missed it." Delilah stared down into the box, furrowing her hand around. Seraphina could hear the scraping of the contents. She set the box down and pulled out several small silver cases, opening each one slowly. Inside seemed to be numerous amounts of unbelievably expensive looking jewelery that rivaled the Aurorian diamond itself. Seraphina's eyes widened in disbelief as she picked up a weaved diamond choker with an overly large clasp trail and eyed a large pair of exquisite matching earrings. Delilah's eyes turned to saucers as she held up the jewelry to the light, the light beams from the gems reflecting off her large pupils.
"Unbelievable..." Seraphina picked up a diamond tiara embedded in silver, turning it in her hands.
"It absolutely is! Look at this! Oh my Avo! Who sent these to you?" She was practically jumping for joy. The Queen however, was not. She only felt anxiety rise in her throat once more. This jewelry was worth more than enough to sustain the treasury for several years, and feed almost all of her subjects. Instead, it had been frivolously spent on evening wear that would only be worn once. It couldn't even be sold for the gold, as the only person who could afford this sort of grandeur investment was Reaver himself. This brought a strange mix of frustration and anger.
"This shouldn't be happening..." Seraphina clenched her eyes shut tightly, rubbing her teeth against one another holding back an emotional outburst and the overwhelming urge to have Reaver publicly executed.. Delilah looked at her sympathetically, placing the jewelry down delicately. She placed her hand inside the Queens and grabbed it lightly.
"Your Majesty... I know it's uncomfortable, but please do try to enjoy yourself... The staff worries for you, and no one blames you for wanting to get away once in a while. I know this ball isn't the exact idea you had for a good time, but..." She paused, looking downward. "Who ever sent you these gifts bought them at great expense. I know it isn't much consolation, but I know they'll look absolutely lovely on you." She offered her a wide smile, doing her best to carry positivity for both of them.
The Queen couldn't help but laugh despite herself, tears from frustration brimming slowly in her eyes. She grabbed Delilah by the arm and pulled her close into a hug, only releasing her after several seconds. Delilah hugged back with equal intensity, doing her best to console her Queen.
"Let's get these on you." Delilah beamed and picked up the diamond choker and wasted no time placing it onto Seraphina's upper neck, gently pulling the long weaved clasping train until it reached her lower back. The Queen picked up the delicately hanging earrings and placed them into her ears, feeling lazy letting her handmaiden do all the work. The jewelry was absolutely beautiful, she thought. It glimmered softly in the light, the immaculate stones shining brightly into her reflection. Delilah took a pair of upper-elbow length silken onyx gloves and carefully slid them up the Queen's hands, placing a large moonstone ring onto her fingers afterward.
Delilah picked up a peculiar piece of jewelery and examined it, trying to decide what it was. It was a pair of intricately carved serpents entwined with each other with a blood red garnet for each eye. Too large for a bracelet but too small for any manner of necklace. Seraphina noticed the lack of movement and looked over, taken aback slightly when she noticed the beautiful ornament.
"I'm not entirely sure what this is, your Majesty..." She flipped it in her hands several times, as if looking for a nonexistent hint.
"It's an upper arm bangle..." She took the trinket from Delilah's hands and grasped it in her palms.
"A what?" Delilah looked at her in confusion.
"An upper arm bangle. It goes on your upper arm." She opened the entwining snakes and placed it around her arm, clasping it shut once again. It rested easily on her skin. "I've wanted one since I was a child. It was always my favorite type of jewelry ever since I saw one on a foreign noblewoman at court when I was younger. I never was able to find one in Albion..." She stared at it, the ruby red eyes of the twin basilisks staring back at her. "A serpent is my favorite animal."
"What's wrong, your Majesty? Shouldn't you be.. happy? I mean, you've wanted one since you were a child, and it's of your favorite animal. It's like it was hand crafted for you." Delilah seemed conflicted.
"Yes... Yes, it is like it was handcrafted..." Her voice trailed off. It was several moments before she regained her voice. "I've never told anyone that before. Not a single soul." Seraphina's voice was low and contemplative as she traced her fingers around the band. How could he have known?
Delilah tried not to think on it too heavily as she returned to the box, looking for anything she might have missed, suspicious now of the seemingly 'magical' box. She narrowed her eyes on a piece of paper placed on the very bottom of the box, placed intentionally.
"Your Highness, there's a note in here, and another thick black bag, but that looks to be it." She picked up the parchment and handbag from the newly empty container, flipping it from side to side, making sure there was nothing that could hide from her this time. Seraphina broke her thoughts and glanced over at the letter, completely ignoring the ebony leather casing in her opposite hand. Taking it from Delilah's hands, she ripped it open with a sense of urgency. As she tore away the envelope, she noticed the infamous seal that tainted the letter and sealed her sense of anxiety.
'My dearest monarch,
I had it figured that you wouldn't open this gift and rifle through its contents until the absolute last moments. I had you pegged for one who enjoyed climax. Therefore, I simply couldn't resist leaving a piece of the puzzle undiscovered until the last moments as well. Such delicious suspense. That last letter between us was indeed rather mysterious, was it not?I decided to hold some of the more intimate details myself until the timing was left to perfection.
In this box you have no doubt found all of the trinkets and prizes befitting a Queen, including the attire. I designed the dress myself, and watched over all the blood, sweat and tears that went into painstakingly making it. It is, after all, a large part of being royal that entails you to look your absolute best. It was all rather costly, as you have no doubt guessed. Do not worry, mon ami. I assure you that I spared no expense. I myself find the entire ensemble to be rather ravishing, and how could it not be? As I stated previously, I designed it myself.
If I am correct, you should be arriving at my little get together in a matter of mere hours, and I assure you that I anxiously await your presence. I have a little surprise planned for this evening, and I do hope that you shall enjoy it.
Do not fret, my Queen. I assure you that every aspect of tonight was planned with you distinctly in mind, and none of it includes any sort of lycanthrope activities, although it can certainly be arranged if you find yourself longing for a taste of the underworld. Although I can imagine several other ways there are to enjoy a little bit of debauchery without risking your little neck.
Awaiting your arrival,
-Lord Reaver'
She stared at the letter in disbelief, partially disturbed and yet as much as she hated to admit it, partially impressed by his cleverness. The man could plan and strategize her every move before even she knew that she would do it. Much to her dismay, there was no explanation for the bangle nor any clues to how he could have possibly known. This left her with an endless pit of curiosity, feeling slightly violated that he knew such personal details about her.
It was several seconds before she set the letter back down on the cabinet, still in a daze. Delilah eyed it curiously, but decided to leave well enough alone. She turned back toward the mysterious black leather bag that was held shut by a string pulled through the top. She pulled the chord, loosening the opening and reached inside.
"Your Majesty, there's one last thing." Delilah's slender hand rested inside the bag.
"How much was in that damned box?" The Queen frowned, uncomfortable with this 'generosity', knowing full well it wasn't anything of the sort. At this point, her anxiety was so rampant that she almost felt absolutely nothing at all, turning completely numb to emotion. Delilah's face was unreadable as she kept her eyes downward towards the contents of the bag.
"What's inside?" Seraphina felt curiosity gnawing slightly in her throat.
Delilah just slowly pulled out what appeared to be a porcelain matte black masquerade mask with a satin ribbon, embroidered with what appeared to be trails of crushed diamonds. Apparently, this was to be a masquerade ball.