He could see the fear in her eyes. The spluttered apology that was about to break forth from her lips as the wine trickled down his face.
Seldom did one of his subjects manage to draw his eye or surprise him. This elf had managed to do both at once. Albeit, this was not the most pleasant of surprises.
This fool of an Elleth had sullied his clothes and wasted his good wine. But most of all, she had forgotten her place. He was the king and she was nothing.
He narrowed his eyes, staring at her in silent fury. He began to wipe away the excess liquid with his handkerchief, without breaking eye contact.
She started to back away from him in fear.
He acted on instinct when his hand found itself buried deep within her damp brunette locks.
She gasped when he pulled her head back, forcing her to look into his eyes.
"You may not be a drunk, but you are a fool. I could imprison you right now and it would be well within my rights as your king." He tightened his grip on her hair as she started to apologise frantically. "Your actions tonight were dangerous, improper and you could have endangered your colleagues during your reckless escape attempt."
"I'm sorry my king." He heard her whispered apology.
"And all this because you dream of fleeing my kingdom and your tedious excuse of a husband-to-be? Just because he will not allow you to work?" He scoffed into her frightened eyes that were filled with tears.
He released her as she stumbled back away from him.
She began to stutter another apology when a stern look prompted her to stay silent.
"Forget your freedom and forget your future. It would be best if we did not speak of this encounter again lest you desire to spend eternity in a cell. Is that understood?"
She only nodded at his question. She backed away while trying to catch her breath.
Xxx
Just a moment later, a knock was heard at the door. She barely had a chance to regain her composure. The king however, looked as if nothing had transpired between them.
"Enter." The king called, turning away from her moving to take a seat at his desk.
Daron came in carrying a clean dress from her chamber. Her father had given him a key when they became engaged so they could 'get well acquainted before the wedding'.
"I apologise for the delay; I grabbed the first dress I could see." He said as he held out a white bundle.
"You may use the cloakroom to change." The king pointed to a door off to the right side of the large room.
She walked over without a word once she collected the garments from Daron.
As she was about to close the door, she heard the king address Daron.
"You are a lucky ellon, she has spirit." He laughed and Daron joined in too.
Once the door was closed, she released a breath that she had been holding ever since Daron walked in.
What if he had heard of their quarrel or the king's threat of eternity in a cell?
She told herself to remain calm. He didn't hear their conversation and the king more or less said that they would never speak of this encounter again.
With that thought in mind, she unravelled the garment that was brought to her, only to be dismayed upon realising that this was a nightgown.
That fool. Her face went red. How could she walk out in nothing but a white nightgown? Maybe she should just stay in her grubby dress. No, she couldn't. But she was going to be freezing in the thin garment. Perhaps she could borrow Daron's cloak for the walk to her chamber.
With that thought in mind, she disrobed and put on her nightgown. She looked in the mirror when she was clothed.
Her hair was still damp, and her skin was adorned with specks of earth, but she certainly felt better out of the wet clothes. She ran her hands through her hair to get the tangles out. Upon doing so, she remembered the feeling of the king's fingers grasping her scalp.
Her body gave an involuntary shiver. She didn't know why.
She took a deep breath before exiting the room, not knowing how the king would react to another outfit mishap.
She felt their eyes on her as she came out.
Daron spluttered out his drink at the sight of her, whereas the king didn't nothing more than raise an eyebrow at her.
"I must have grabbed the wrong dress." Daron said while looking up and down at her body looking embarrassed.
He was embarrassed?
She took a deep breath to calm herself.
"Nevertheless, it's not as if I could have made a better second impression on our king." Raelee said while trying to smile. "If you don't mind, would you walk me back to my chambers?" She had not looked directly at the king once since she came out, but she could feel his stare.
"Of course, Raelee." He placed down his glass and made to give her his arm.
"Could I borrow your cloak for the journey?" She asked when he didn't offer.
He looked as if he was about to refuse when the king interrupted.
"You may borrow mine." He proceeded to pick up a green cloak that laid upon a chair in the corner and hand it to her.
"My king, I cannot accept that." She stopped him before he reached her.
"Raelee, you can't refuse the king. That would be like a slap in the face for his act of generosity." She almost spluttered at Daron's comment.
The king, however, did laugh.
She reluctantly accepted the garment and placed it on her shoulders.
The couple gave their thanks with a bow and turned to leave.
Just as they were out the door, the king called out.
"Return it to these chambers tomorrow morning, Raelee."
Before she could respond, the doors closed.