Hi my loveliessss apologies for the day late response, been a taaad busy trying to order a couch for my apartment. But damn the price of furniture is insane, like you're telling me it's $3000 for a COUCH?! crazy. Anyways I haven't picked on yet bc I'm indecisive and I'm not sure if a 3000 dollar couch is even within my paygrade but I'll figure it out.
On another note, ball time :)))
As for the dress, there was an inspo pic but ffn hates links...
Tonight was the night of the 3rd annual banquet, a day celebrated over the last 4 years to signify the day Drakar ascended into power under the reign of the high lord Andreas Silver. Today, 4 years ago, the great king of Solaria fell, along with it, the sun kingdom and their newly coronated queen, leaving behind a day of blood, murder and pain for those who remained loyal to the old king.
High Commander Brandon Silver stared at himself in the mirror, adjusting the collar of his black shirt that cinched around his biceps and waist. The night was yet to begin but he could feel the headache already brewing from the shit show this may turn out to be if things didn't go according to plan.
He reached for his sword, disabling it before shoving it into the sheath strapped to his back. His leather shoes echoed against the hardwood floor as he walked to his bed where the black tailored blazer sat.
Despite the celebrations, tonight Brandon was going to be on extra guard. If all went well, he would be able to come home without a problem. But ever since the princess had come back into his life, nothing went according to plan.
Pulling on the blazer, he cast his own reflection one last hardened look before walking out. He could see down the hall from where his bedroom was that Timmy had already ignited the ship's engines as it hovered over the landing strip with its walkway down.
Aside from the guest of honour and Brandon himself, who was to act as her keeper, none of the other platoon members were formally required to attend the banquet. It was a party for the high lord's most trusted council and members of the Drakari allegiance.
Tecna stood at the foot of the drawbridge, a look in her eyes that showed both concern and reproach. "Ready?"
He scoffed, irritation gleaming in his tone, "Let's get this over with."
Tecna half smiled, "Let's hope they don't take the bait." Brandon sighed, shaking his head. With any luck, Sky was able to convince the rebellion from attacking the banquet; if they showed, this would turn ugly very fast.
Just before he could respond, his words were cut off by the sound of heels crunching the gravel landing strip, turning both their attention.
A frown donned her dark crimson lips as the former princess of Solaria sauntered into the moonlight. The light illuminated her porcelain skin, coating the black dress that was sent specifically for her. A flowing ensemble with sheer and billowing fabric that created a ghostly, dramatic effect as it trailed behind her.
The fabric hugged every curve of her body as the matching black heels could be seen through the sheer tulle, teasing her long legs with every step she took towards him.
Her waist was almost bare, covered only by the golden embellishment that wrapped a snake-like design around her hips. Its head and tail held the skirt and corset piece together.
Brandon's expression didn't move, but his eyes betrayed him as they traced her figure against his will. He was, at the very least, a man.
"What?" Her sharp voice broke his train of thought as he met her darkened hazel eyes before a smirk played at her blood-red lips. "See something you like?"
Tecna let out a snorted laugh from beside him before she quickly covered it up with a clear of her throat as the weight of Brandon's glare turned her direction. His jaw clenched at her words, but he didn't respond to it before stepping aside.
"Let's go," He told her in a blank tone. Stella narrowed her eyes at him but complied before she stepped onto the walkway. She didn't wait for him or look back as her heels clicked against the steel up onto the ship.
The moment she was out of earshot, Brandon turned his annoyed glare towards Tecna, who gave him a knowing smirk. Upon registering the pissed expression on his face, she quickly shook her head, diverting the topic, "I've set the ship up with a teleportation device attached to your bracelet," She explained, pointing to the metal cuff wrapped around his wrist, "Should there be any trouble, give Timmy the signal through the comms and he'll activate it back to the ship,"
He gave her a curt nod, his mind elsewhere before turning to make his ascend into the ship.
"Good luck, you're going to need it, commander," Tecna murmured under her breath as Brandon let out an exasperated sigh. Tonight just might be the end of him if she continues to play this game of hers.
It didn't long for him to follow her in pursuit as she boarded the ship. Under the bright lights of the ship's bridge, the outfit she had put on had become painfully clear. She stood just under his chin in the height of the black heels strapped up to her calves.
The damn dress that was picked out for her by the high lord's council. He hadn't even glanced at it before commanding the pixie to deliver it to her. But now that he was getting a good look at it – he knew why the council picked this, particularly why the men of the council agreed on this one.
Her golden hair was brushed back, pulled into a ponytail that made her usually doe-like features appear sharp. She looked like she was made just for the high lord's court, a stark comparison from the bright colours she usually wears, with her long hair cascading behind her back.
She really played into her character tonight – just more reason why he should be more on guard. Considering all the factors that could go wrong tonight, a defiant princess was the last thing he needed to make matters worse.
Brandon shook his head, tearing his gaze back to Timmy, who sat at the controls, a smirk on his face. "Let's go," He snapped in a cool tone, and his lieutenant let out a soft chuckle, just like his wife.
The moment Timmy pushed the thrusters, Brandon found himself walking towards her. Only to disable the barrier, but to his surprise, she was already staring at him.
She didn't object, just a cold glare on her expression as she took his hand into her warm ones. The moment the ship broke Solaria's protective barrier, she dropped his hand before turning away from him sharply and taking a seat by the window.
He could already tell this night was going to worsen his headache without a doubt.
Stella didn't speak to either of them during the flight as the ship folded through the galaxy towards the planet the high lord had conquered just for the banquet. He seemed to choose a new venue every year, a play to ensure the rebels wouldn't be able to infiltrate it.
When she was the lieutenant, finding the venue where Andreas held these was a top priority. Most if not all the Drakari and their allies gather here – it would be a sure-shot win if they were to attack a place like this. They'd be able to take out most of the men that have the realm under their control.
But, alas, she was never able to find it.
The moment the ship broke the planet's atmosphere, all she could see was barren land and darkness. She furrowed her eyebrows, wondering if Timmy had landed on the wrong planet, but it wasn't until Brandon's deep voice cut through the silence that she realised they were exactly where they needed to be.
He lifted his wrist, a communication device wrapped around it as he spoke, "High commander Brandon Silver."
"Welcome, sir," replied a robotic voice before the view of barren land before her began to warp. Suddenly, light broke through the darkness as a portal materialised in front of the ship. Stella's lips parted in surprise as Timmy flew the ship through, and it closed up behind them.
Now, she could see lights gleaming from the venue where the banquet was taking place – the real venue, hidden behind a cloaking spell. A grand ballroom, with ships parked outside, allowing in some of the most dangerous men in the realm who were now Andreas' most loyal lapdogs.
No wonder they were never able to find it.
The moment Timmy landed the ship, Brandon's ominous figure appeared in front of her before she could even get up. There was something different about the look in his eyes from the man she was clashing with just moments ago. In fact the moment the ship crossed the portal, Brandon Silver's entire demeanour changed.
His aura felt darker – more sinister in a way.
He extended his hand to her, and in turn, she took it, ready to play whatever game he was going to have tonight. He pulled her up, heels bringing her just under his chin as he leaned his head down slightly to address her.
"Listen to me very carefully, princess," He told her, voice dropping to a low husky whisper. She could see his jaw clench, his eyes darting to the venue that dazzled from out the window.
"Stay where I can see you at all times," he murmured harshly into her ear, and Stella felt his cold, gloved hand squeeze hers. Normally, this kind of physical touch from him would make her heart race, but in their current standing, she felt herself recoil in distaste. "Don't speak to anyone here unless the high lord permits it, is that clear?"
She glared at him, refusing to answer his question.
"Is that clear?" He gritted out, and she rolled her eyes defiantly.
"The high lord doesn't permit me to answer, so I'm afraid I can't answer."
He glared back at her, gritting his teeth, which made his jaw twitch with irritation. "Princess, you don't want to play games with me today."
He looked on edge. More on edge than usual. But what could possibly be putting High Commander Brandon Silver on edge while in the snake pit he prefers to call home? He should feel relaxed and comfortable being around other murderous Drakari of his own heartless kind.
Before the bridge of the ship descended, he turned towards her sharply, giving her a look she couldn't decipher before she felt something cold around her wrists. Stella gasped, her eyes flickering down to the cuffs he had put over her wrists without her even realising.
"What the hell?" She hissed, twisting her wrists in the thin energy cuffs that tightened over her skin. They were different from traditional cuffs in the way that they were thinner, resembling bracelets with a chain attaching the two.
"Relax, Princess." He told her firmly, "This is for your safety." How in the hell was this for her safety?!
Her eyes narrowed at him but she continued to wear the cuffs, despite every fibre of her being screaming to attempt to break it. She didn't know what his deal tonight was, but from the way he kept gazing back at her - there was something unsettling about it.
She moved with him down the walkway as he walked stiffly beside her. The distance from the ship to the grand doorway of the ballroom felt like a blur as Stella took in the bedazzling sight of the event. She hadn't seen an event this illustrious since the red coronation – it seemed beautiful and lively; things like these were reserved for the Drakari.
For years, Stella watched the people on the other side of this war suffer, trying to celebrate birthdays and weddings with what little they had in abandoned churches and within their camp beds.
While those who brought about the suffering relished.
The moment they crossed the threshold of the grand ballroom doors, the light from inside gleamed over her gaze, almost blinding her as the sound of chatter and sultry music filled the room. There were guests of all stature scattered on the dance floor, wearing black to fit the theme.
Stella gazed down at her own dress, an outfit that paired well with the darkness that surrounded this place. It was clear Brandon wasn't the one who picked out the dress from the way people gazed at her, a look she was all too familiar with.
As if on cue, she felt the overwhelming presence of the man she was itching to finish off. Andreas Silver sat on his makeshift throne at the other end of his ballroom, dressed in a black suit with a royal cape attached to his shoulders. Upon her arrival, he hefted himself from his seat, the onlookers in the room turning their attention as he walked with commanding steps towards her.
He had been waiting for her.
The closer he walked, the harder her heart pounded in her chest, and the disgust was beginning to overwhelm her. Sure, she hated Brandon Silver, but she despised Andreas Silver.
The moment he was a foot clear of her, he lowered his head like he used to do back when he was high commander, a way to pay respects to the royalty. How he used to show respect to the king of Solaria. Whom he had slain by his own son.
A mockery.
"Your Highness, how wonderful of you to make it to our humble event." He said, his sharp eyes boring into her gaze as she refused to give him the satisfaction of her submission, "Without you, none of this would be possible, am I right?"
She watched him glance at Brandon, a look in them that only further rose her suspicious but Brandon's gaze remained cold and steadfast as ever. His guard was up – it had been since they landed.
Something was not quite right with him but before Stella could dwell on it, Andreas stepped closer to her.
He reached around, pressing his icy cold hand against her back to guide her forward, "If not for your coronation this day, 4 years ago, Drakar would not be," She felt her blood boil at the way he spoke of the most traumatic day of her life like it was an achievement.
But she held her tongue. The last time she was this close to him, he drove a blade right through her shoulder while the whole room watched in jeers. And now, in front of all these people, with her hands bound and the sun sceptre dormant, she was helpless.
"Everyone, please, a round of applause for our guest of honour," Andreas announced to the room as all eyes trained on her, "Former princess Stella of Solaria," Among the clapping, she could hear the whispers and chatter of confusion from those who had only heard rumours the princess was still alive.
Andreas turned to her, a smirk on his face as he guided her down the middle of the ballroom for all to look at her like a caged circus animal. She could feel Brandon's presence behind her, a few steps away but at a distance that made her feel strangely safe.
Amongst this pit of snakes, he was the only man whose presence brought about some comfort, and she hated herself for it.
"We have a special seat reserved just for you, Your Highness," Andreas murmured, gesturing to the cold black throne that was stationed beside his own. "Looks just like the one you never got to sit in."
The room chuckled at their high lord's witty joke as if he was a fucking comedian while Stella stood frozen at the bottom of the steps that led to the platform with the thrones. She felt her stomach lurch at the way he spoke about her failed regency – mocking it, a punchline in his humour.
Oh, how she wanted to cut off his tongue.
She could feel the anger rise, simmering beneath the façade, her stomach was twisting with the urge to lunge then and there-
"Don't," Brandon's deep voice whispered in her ear as he stood just an inch behind her, out of earshot from his father. He knew her well enough to know the look on her face spelled her bloodlust; he could read her like an open book.
Forcing down her emotions to appear cold, she ascended the steps behind the high lord. Brandon remained at the foot of the stairs, watching her take a seat begrudgingly as the music resumed back into its sultry melody.
This is all his father required the princess for, to be a centrepiece, a trophy as she sat shackled on the throne like a piece of meat amongst a room full of those responsible for her suffering.
A sick and twisted piece of art.
He stayed rooted to his spot as the high lord walked down, a crude smile on his face as he neared his son, "No doubt the arrangements are underway?" He asked with an air of excitement.
"Yes, sir," Brandon replied in a blank tone. His eyes flickered up involuntarily, locking with the princess's as she sat stiffly on the throne. A frown etched on her face as she studied his expression from afar.
"Good," His father nodded approvingly. "If all goes well, the sceptre should be mine soon enough."
Brandon responded in a curt nod, not tearing his eyes away from the princess as the High Lord reached over to place a hand on his shoulder. Content with the exchange, Andreas continued ahead, joining the ballroom to mingle with his guests, oblivious to the shared look between the former princess and the high commander.
As much as she hated it, Brandon Silver was the only man in the room she knew, the only man among these demons that she was familiar with. The only man she could trust not to kill her, though she would like to argue otherwise.
His life was tethered to hers; if anything were to befall her, it would be like going for the commander's life. That fact alone gave her some comfort among the Drakari she so hated.
He gave her a look, an expression that told her to behave as she glared back at him. She could not take on an entire room full of Drakari officials, some of whom took the liberty of coming armed and guarded. The sceptre didn't work on command, and she didn't have the magic or the weapons needed for this fight.
She was helpless.
Once he was satisfied with her defeated expression, Brandon stepped away and attended to his other much-dreaded duties of being a host. This was the part of any function he hated – the socialising. He knew his way around a sword, but a conversation was not something he relished in.
Making his way through the crowd, he settled on an empty point by the pillars at the other end of the room as he grabbed a tall glass of champagne from the tray of a waiter who strolled by. He needed more than a single drink if he was going to make it through the night. His eyes trained back involuntarily to the princess on the platform, drawn to her like a moth to a flame.
To his surprise, she was already staring back at him, an intensity in her gaze to show how uncomfortable and unsettled she felt – as if he could do anything about it. His job was to bring her here; she was his charge, but an attempt on her life would mean he goes down, too.
His gaze stayed locked on her from across the room, but from his peripherals, he could see people eyeing her from every corner of the ballroom. He was well aware of the conversations that were brewing in the room.
The high commander's steely gaze flickered at the men who stood closest to her, no doubt wanting to make her acquaintance. The chance to talk to her probably made them quell in excitement. Brandon pressed the thin, tall glass of champagne to his lips, conscious of everyone and everything that surrounded her.
The Solarian Princess, a thorn-covered rose, coveted and desired almost every man who ever laid eyes on her. The rumours about the dainty 16-year-old princess to those who had never met her spread like wildfire in the realm. She had a reputation for being the most radiant in every room, no doubt making her the centrepiece in this one.
"High Commander Silver, a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
Brandon nodded curtly, ignoring the man who approached him. He didn't give a shit about formalities. He hated small talk, he hated dancing, and he sure as hell hated being here listening to this damn music.
"Refined, isn't she?" Crowell spoke to the man beside him, just within earshot of The High Commander as his attention unwillingly caught to the man's incessant voice, "The High Lord has plans for her, it seems. Otherwise, I would've loved to have her in my collection."
The nauseating reality of it was that every desperate fucker in this room thought they had a chance with her. Brandon knew if the sceptre didn't work, Andreas would undeniably consider selling her off to the wealthiest Drakari ally to maintain a fortified alliance.
Not that it was any of his business.
"When the Sun Solstice is over, he is willing to hand her over at a good price," Crowell scoffed, his thick accent coated with lust. "No doubt many men in this room have considered the same thing, but I will outbid them."
He didn't care what happened to her after his job of extracting the sceptre was done. The dark mark is only active for as long as the princess has the sceptre, once it's gone, the link between them would be no more and anything that happened to her was beyond his concern.
It was temporary, and for now, he had to put up with the duty of it all.
Her life was his life. He told himself firmly, but the foreign emotion that surged through him felt less like self-preservation.
I'll leave whatever emotion actually went through him up to your imagination hehe, ahhh I love being ambiguous!
I already wrote the next bit bc it was originally part of this chapter but I was kind of unhappy with it. I still wanted to give you guys something so I split it in two. I'll try update part 2 asap!
Lots of love,
Star