Conrad's chauffeur drove us right up to Castle Trale and honestly, it was stunning. My mouth dropped when I saw the extraordinary decorations that covered the castle from the tallest tower to the lowest battlement. The castle was dripping in gold accoutrements and teal decorations that shone against the night sky. At first glance, it looked like the huge fountain in front of the castle had moving statues in it. But the fountain was actually full of different water type Pokemon, jumping, dancing, and working together in perfect unison to create a dazzling display. The water flashed and sparkled against the wet skin of the Buizel, Staryu, and Popplio as they launched Water Pulses and Ice Beams into the air. They always missed another Pokemon just by a hair before they slipped back into the aquatic display..
We pulled up to the roundabout in front of the castle with all of the other cars, while I tried to pull my face into something a little less dumbfounded. We exited the car and walked into a mass of action. Humans and Pokemon, all in elaborate outfits, were walking into the open gates of the castle. All the colors of the rainbow and every kind of jewel were represented in the influx of people. It was astounding to look out at the vast swath of massive dresses and sharp suits and wonder how all of these people came to be here. Some were here by birth. Some by their own merits. And some by luck. But they were all here to celebrate.
Conrad quickly dashed into the crowd, saying something about speaking with some duchess that we wouldn't know.
"Meet me behind the Pyroar statue!" Conrad called to us as he rushed into the crowd and quickly disappeared.
Alex and I looked at each other and shared a look that basically meant, "Oh well." We locked arms and waded into the chaos. We walked through the gates with the rest of the crowd and entered the main hall, which was even more beautiful than the outside.
The paintings on the walls of the castle glistened in the light of the chandeliers above us. They depicted the storied history of Rova. The Battle of Trale; Where the varied clans of Rova banded together and expelled the invading forces of the Orange Islands, the discovery of the Elder Forest; the Defense of Port Astoria; and many other defining moments of the Kingdom. Alex and I marveled at all of the extravagance around us. The sharply dressed servants and the sound of orchestral music directed the stream of people to the Grand Ballroom.
It seems the architect of the castle decided that each room must outdo the last. The ballroom was expansive and it was clear that centuries of wealth and work had gone into making this space. The walls were completely white marble with gold lines threaded throughout the surface in intricate patterns and details. Imposing chairs and a long marble table stood in the back above the rest of the room, where it seemed the Royal Family would sit. The crest of the Rovian royal family, an emerald shield with a white field on it where a Pyroar and a Delcatty intertwined themselves around a scarlet rose, was on the wall above the stage. The lights from the intricate chandelier, which were each golden and decorated with traces of emeralds and rubies along the handles, were dim enough to give a sense of intimacy to the evening. A lacquered dance floor took up the center of the space, where early guests had already begun to waltz. An intricate statue of a Delcatty in repose stood on the west side of the room, facing the dance floor while an even bigger statue of a Pyroar roaring in anger looked back at the cat Pokemon. Tables with teal and scarlet silk table clothes over them were scattered on the edges of the dance floor so people could sit down and eat between trips to the dance floor.
I was overwhelmed by the showing of wealth and power around me. All I could do was let out a rather underwhelming, "Wow."
"Yeah. Wow," Alex agreed.
Alex and I began to walk to the Pyroar statue.
"Well, I see why Conrad wanted us to meet by the Pyroar and not the Delcatty," I said.
"Why?" Alex asked.
"Because the bar is behind the Pyroar," I said dryly.
Alex threw her head back and laughed.
"Oh of course, let's hope he can keep his hands to himself tonight. I doubt King Redmond would appreciate his antics tonight," Alex said.
We settled ourselves next to the Pyroar statue on the side opposite of the bar. It was a relatively empty area because everyone was either going to the bar or the dance floor, so we had a perfect view of the happenings around us. In front of the Delcatty statue, an ethereal black woman in a shimmering purple gown seemed to be emphatically congratulating a handsome young Asian man in a charcoal suit and a deep brown tie. At a table near the stage, a series of older people who were obviously leader of their states seemed to be in relatively subdued conversations, especially compared to the joy of the other partygoers. A tanned man in a blue and orange cape stood by himself near the entrance. No one approached him and he seemed to have a bubble of space around him, as if people were avoiding him.
This is more intimidating than I thought it was going to be.
"Do you see Conrad?" I asked to Alex.
"He's probably busy getting gossip from some easily charmed count. You know how much he loves that stuff," Alex said.
"Yeah, you're probably right. Do you want anything to drink?" I asked Alex, hoping she would say yes so I wouldn't be the only one drinking.
"Of course," Alex said.
The two of us got some drinks from the bar and settled in next to the Pyroar statue. For the next hour we mostly just talked to each other and kept to ourselves. I kept craning my head and looking around out of nervousness. I just didn't quite feel like I fit in here. I couldn't dance because I didn't know the elegant dances that the people in the center of the room were performing. I didn't know anyone here so the only person I felt comfortable talking to was Alex. And I could tell she was starting to get a bit restless.
"Do you want another drink?" I asked.
Alex's POV
I was getting bored just standing around with Finn. Don't get me wrong, I love the guy. And usually I would joke with him all day. But this was a once in a lifetime event and I didn't want to spend the whole time just hanging out with him! I wanted to mingle damnit!
"Actually I'm going to get a snack from wherever the food is. You get drinks and I'll meet you back over here," I said.
I hurried away into the crowd and through the edges of the dance floor towards the long table with a buffet on it next to the stage. A sign said hors d'oeuvres but I'm pretty sure that meant snacks. Hopefully, without his lifeline around Finn will be forced to talk to someone other than me. And I could probably get some good food. A win-win!
When I got to the snack table I was surprised by how empty it was. Maybe most other people had eaten beforehand. I don't know. But the spread was top notch. Steamed seafood looking things, little cheesy balls, beef tip thingies and a bunch of other stuff I hadn't seen before. I grabbed a plate and happily started filling it up.
Suddenly a voice behind me amusedly said, "you know most people wait for the waiters to pass out the hors d'oeuvres before eating them."
I quickly turned around to see one of the most stunning women I've ever seen. Her skin was pristine, beautifully tanned and clear. Her auburn hair was made up into loose, elegant curls that fell down her back. She wore a sleek ball gown covered in shining seafoam green stones, with a skirt that expanded out from her waist. The dress came up around her torso and embraced her body in an appropriate but enticing way. It showed her figure, but not too much of it. She accented the seafoam dress with rubies on her wrist and around her neck. And even though she had a smirk on her face, she had a smile in her eyes.
"Yeah I thought about waiting but then I was like, 'What if I helped them get rid of some of it before it goes out.' You know help them do their jobs," I said a touch sarcastically.
She laughed and stepped up next to me. She grabbed a plate as well and chose some of the cheese ball things.
"Good plan," she said.
I laughed and started digging into what I had already grabbed.
Finn's POV
I got back to the our area next to the statue but Alex hadn't come back yet. So I craned my neck and tried to look around for her. I couldn't find her, so I ended up standing awkwardly with two drinks in my hand. For quite a bit. Like too long.
I needed to reach into my pocket to grab my phone, but that obviously wouldn't work out. I couldn't put any of the drinks down in these surfaces! I can't afford the water stain damage on an 1000 year old statue! So two hands, two drinks, one pocket and one floor I did not want to spill on. You do the math.
I awkwardly tried to hold one of the cups between my arms and torso, until I suddenly heard a deep voice to the side of me say, "Do you need any help?"
"Ye- Yes please. Thank you," I said.
The stutter was because I turned around and saw that this man was attractive. He was tall, definitely several inches taller than my 5'10, and he very clearly worked out consistently. He seemed like someone who was dangerous. Not in a threatening way. But in a way that you knew he could and would handle himself well in a fight. The man's face was sharp and angular, leading to full red lips. His dark hair was coiffed in a sophisticated and modern way that really suited his face. The suit he wore was dark gray and his tie was a beautiful dark red that popped against his suit and skin color. Overall, he looked like a very well put together and organized person.
And I was having trouble figuring out this whole two drink one phone thing on my own.
I handed him one of the drinks and said, "Thank you," once again.
He smiled in a rather subtle way and said, "No problem."
He stuck his hand out to shake my hand and said, "Calum."
I shook his hand and said, "Finn. Nice to meet you." He had a very firm handshake. Respectful but assertive. Luckily, I think only a trace of my anxiety shone through. Not the whole boatload I was trying to keep at bay.
"So you seem to really not like waiting in line," he said a bit jokingly and gestured at the drinks.
I laughed a tad nervously and said, "No actually. I got this one for my friend, but she went to get some food while I got the drinks."
"You know that they pass out the hors d'oeuvres right?" Calum said as he pointed to a nearby waiter passing out some scallop creation.
"Apparently not," I said.
"Do you need help finding her?" he said.
"Actually I was just about to text her to see where she went."
I pulled out my phone and quickly sent off a message.
Alex's POV
I pulled out my phone and quickly read Finn's message.
"Oh, huh," I said out loud.
"What? First off, you have functional pockets in that jumpsuit? That's amazing! Also what happened? If you don't mind me asking," my new friend asked me as she took a bite out of one of the shrimp and bread things.
"Oh, the friend that I came here with just said that he's talking to a cute guy so I should stay the hell away for a little bit," I said with a chuckle.
"Oh really? Good for him," she said while laughing.
"I know right!" What if he's talking to like the son of a royal or something like that? Wouldn't that be so cool!" I exclaimed.
"Yeah that would be very cool," my new friend agreed. She seemed a bit bemused but I wasn't sure why. Actually, she was probably the daughter of some minor royal or famous entrepreneur or something. Probably should have thought about that. We'd been hanging out for like 30 minutes now and I think that I liked her as much as a person could like someone they just met. She was funny in an interesting way that engaged me and she seemed to actually be interested in what I had to say.
"I left him alone for a bit in the hopes he would find something interesting to do at this party. I mean when else would we be able to come to something like this!" I said, gesturing emphatically at the surroundings.
"It's definitely an amazing event. I'm glad you're enjoying yourself," she said.
I started to say thank you, when all of a sudden one of the servers appeared next to my friend and said, "Excuse me, my lady. But you're needed at the moment."
I was a bit taken aback but she just said, "Oh of course. I'll be right there." The servant scurried behind the stage and she turned to me and said, "Can you wait right here? I've got to go do something really quickly."
I nodded my head and she hurried behind the stage as well. Hmm. That seemed a bit strange. Obviously she must be a bigger deal than I thought because he called her my lady. But she seemed rather normal, if a bit proper. I'll be sure to ask when she gets back.
Suddenly a series of trumpets noise played a loud, official sounding fanfare throughout the hall. All of the dancing and talking stopped as everyone turned to face the stage. I moved a little bit to see what was happening and I got a perfect view of what turned out to be the most important event of the night.
The white curtains on the back of the stage opened up and revealed a dark tunnel. Walking through the tunnel towards the main podium were a series of major lords and ladies in some of the most extravagant costumes I've ever seen. They strutted through the entrance and began to line up on the back of the stage. Finally, King Harold Redmond II walked through the door in his traditional garb of teal and red with a black cape and a gold crown encrusted with rubies and emeralds, his Espeon and Umbreon beside him and a male Pyroar prowling confidently behind them. The Good King Redmond has lead and continues to lead the Kingdom of Rova into its current Golden Age of technological advancement and cultural wealth. He was the main reason me and Finn had Rovian tournaments to compete in. Behind him came his second in command Count Drake Herzog in his traditional military garb. He is one of the most well respected soldiers in all of Rova as well as one of the most powerful royals. Known all over the kingdom for his strength and wisdom, he is a powerhouse in Rovian politics. The Queen Lydia Redmond followed behind, also in the stunning colors of Rova and an ornate crown. She was incredibly well respected as one of the finest military minds in the country. It is said that Queen Redmond's presence has single handedly turned the tide of many conflicts.
It was stunning to see these legends in person. But nothing could have prepared me for what I saw next.
Because behind the Queen was her and her husband's daughter, Seraphina Redmond. One of the most beloved people in the country. I hadn't seen much of her on TV because she is not often in the public eye. It doesn't mean the citizens loved her less. If anything she was even more adored and precious to the people of Rova.
To many, she was a mystery. But she actually wasn't to me. Because she looked very familiar. In fact, except for a sparkling ruby tiara in her auburn hair, She was extremely familiar to me.
Because I had been having friendly conversation with her for the past 30 minutes.
Crap.
Probably should have recognized her.
Although apparently the Princess likes shrimp and bread thingies.