Through the Eyes of a Fae
Chapter 28

The opening ball was a success. Stella looked around the glowing room and smiled. Her people were coming together again. The smiles were genuine, people who had not seen each other in years embraced. Even the political big wigs were enjoying themselves, with Master Baltus already a little pink in the cheeks, his arm slung around Ludis’s shoulder as he debated magical theory with her and two other masters. Turning, Royce was walking toward her with two glasses of watered-down wine.

“It seems the gratitude of being together again has swayed even the biggest gossips for the moment.” Royce scanned the room and handed Stella her glass. She took a sip and nodded her agreement. There would be plenty to talk about this winter, so why start now? Seeing the small group of older nobility, Ben’s aunt included Stella sighed. They had spoken too soon. The siblings had always run the kingdom in a not so traditional fashion. It never occurred to them to bend to what was expected if it was not true to them or in the best interest of their people. When Stella had chosen to become a mage, she thought the stack would blow off the nobility’s elite for sure, but as ever-Malik was persuasive. Convincing them that a mage in the royal family would give enemies pause. Having her escorted to the first opening ball in 7 years by a southern tribe member had given the old ladies plenty to talk about, as they glared in their direction. Most of their attention was saved for Kora and Ben, however. Never in royal history had a bastard been welcomed into the family or given the name. Let alone an actual position such as a princess. A duchy, perhaps - if the parents were slick. But to announce it so openly caused a stir. It was part of the plan, though, hiding Kora in plain sight. With all eyes on her, it would be impossible for an enemy to pull anything sly that would not be missed by the many eyes who now watched her. It also allowed Kora a safe space to call home, and the respect she was due. She was at one point a leader of this nation. Her heart was dedicated to the people. Her work in every village proved it. A few weeks ago, Stella noticed her windowsill in her study covered with various pebbles and shells, sticks and stones given to her from the village children on their travels. She belonged here. Malik and Stella mutually agreed. Royce was giving her a look, and Stella shrugged, grinning.

" Sorry, lost in thought.” She held her hand out to him, and he kissed it.

" You look a little warm my heart, would you like to go for a walk in the gardens? There’s a nice little spot that is perfect for cooling off.” Royce was smiling slyly. Stella was confused.

“But it’s cold out there.”

" I can think of a few things that will keep you warm.” Understanding Royce’s intent now, Stella blushed and readily agreed. She found she loved the attention and kisses Royce gave her, and the feeling of power as woman after woman tried to gain his attention, and he looked through them like glass.

“I must continue my most important mission.” Royce grazed her knuckles with his lips and led her off the Dias.

“And that would be?” Stella knew, but she loved to hear it.

“Persuading you to into matrimony, my heart.” She laughed, and they walked, arm in arm, to the garden entrance.

Malik watched his sister and Royce go, and his heart was happy for her. He knew that Royce would love and protect his sister as she deserved, and a sense of relief settled over him. Now he only had one other sister to worry about, but as he watched Ben trying to coerce Kora into eating a piece of frozen fruit, he decided he had no worries there either. Ben was his best friend, and he knew him inside out. Kora would be worshiped, just as Stella was. Turning his thoughts to Ludis, he saw her making her way to him through the crowd. Smiling, she looked so beautiful. The dress highlighted her soft curves, and she glowed. Now he only had one other woman to worry about. As she approached him, he kissed her hand and bowed low to her. She curtsied back, and he invited her to sit with him.

" You have caused quite a ruckus with the nobility, your grace.” Ludis’s laughing eyes moved over the crowd, and Malik grinned in turn. Adopting a bastard to the throne officially had never been done. And now that the drink had set in, many people were gossiping.

“Let them talk. This was not about causing a stir. It was about doing the right thing for Kora. Estella and I mutually agreed. She deserved it. From her past to everything she has done since her revival. Her heart is with our people.” Ludis nodded, agreeing. Malik looked at her sidelong and grabbed her hand. She looked him in the eyes, violet swirling.

“I mean to do right by every woman in my life, Ludis, including you. I realize now how I have wronged you. Even if you never accept me as a husband, I want you to know that I hold true love for you in my heart, always. Highest noble or lowest peasant, what you are to me is so much more. You are a beautiful soul, inside and out. A true mage, who cares about this kingdom’s future. I would be lucky if you ever considered accepting me. Honored. Do not answer me now, I know what I am asking of you. I just wish you to know, that regardless of where life takes us, I will always be there for you.” Ludis looked stunned, and Malik kissed her fingers. His heart ached, wanting her to just say yes, but he knew Ludis. He had taken the time to watch her and listen. She was careful and precise with everything she did, and never rushed into anything she had not thought over first. He wanted her to choose them, over everyone. But he would not force her. It would only drive her away. Standing, he pulled Ludis to her feet as well.

" Dance with me, please?” Malik asked her. Waiting for her response. She smiled sweetly and pulled him down the Dias to the dance floor. The nobility, who had seen him stand, immediately sat back down when they saw he was being led to the dance floor by Ludis, sour looks on their faces. They were intimidated by a head mage who was a woman- and had yet to approach the king while she was in his presence. It was clear that he held a special place for her - and that their intrusion would not be welcome. This was going to be a long and interesting winter.

Beatrice watched her nephew from deep within the throng of older nobilities as they continued to whisper about the scandal. One after another. It is as if the court were being led by a pack of monkeys. Adopted by royalty or not, there was no way her nephew was going to marry a bastard child. The women gave her sidelong glances as she fumed, watching the undivided attention that little pretender was getting from her nephew. He was the second most powerful nobility in the kingdom! How dare he sully their house with such antics? She had a full mind to set him straight, first thing in the morning. Turning, she began the tedious work of sowing rumors and secrets, casually mentioning one falsehood after another. She was determined she would ruin Kora if it were the last thing she would do. If anyone should have been “adopted” into the royal house, it should have been Ben! He had been at the old king’s knee from birth. He was a second son to them. Koraline would go back to whatever hole she had been hiding in, mark her words.

Kora could feel the stares and knew that this was going to be harder than it looked. Pretending to be a bastard would be hard. She was proud, and her blood was traced back to the gods. Obviously, she was unable to say that, but still. This was for the best. The nobility of her age was venomous, and as they approached Ben at every opportunity hinting for a dance and fluttering their lashes All the while looking down their noses at her. One woman, who was Ben’s aunt’s choice for him, was a white blonde who was statuesque, a stunning ice queen. She approached them, a smile plastered on her frozen face.

“Benjamín, how good to see you. Home safe at last!” She kissed each of his cheeks, and he smiled frostily back.

“Ella, how nice to see you too. May I introduce our new princess?” He indicated Kora, and Ella curtsied. Kora inclined her head stiffly.

“Of course, how wonderful. The Kings and Princess’s generosity knows no bounds! To think, how awful it must have been to beg for the kings’ indulgence. I cannot imagine the life you must have lived until now. How fortunate that they saw fit to take you in.” Kora’s back when rim rod straight, her eyes furious. Ben’s eyes glittered dangerously. Ella, tactful as ever, immediately looked just the right shade of ashamed.

“Oh my, please forgive me. I meant no offense; I see now I chose my words poorly.”

“Kora never asked for any of this. She worked and showed the King and Princess Estella her love for Deirdre. She is quite an accomplished plant mage and has been helping with the villages. Because of her, none of our people will starve, including yours, Ella.” Ben was stiff, his mouth tight with anger.

“Oh no doubt, word of her work has spread far and wide! She is undoubtably an asset to the kingdom, why else would she be here? And now a princess at that, I hope you enjoy the new comforts of your station.” Kora glared at Ella, who was sneering.

" I wish that were the case, but I am afraid I would never have made a decent, noble woman. I am just … too headstrong to follow the masses. I would never make a pleasant, air-headed nobility who spends her days gossiping and idling over whose dress looks better. That is just the commoner in me, I do not see value in spending hours a day on my appearance to impress others for just an hour, but when you have nothing upstairs-: Kora pointed at her skull- “I guess it’s lucky most noblewomen are so pretty. Intelligent women make for poor sheep, I’m afraid.” Ella’s face bloomed red, and Ben grinned openly. Now it was Kora’s turn.

“Oh my, please don’t take offense. I meant nothing by it, just the musings of the common born. It is as you said, I am still learning the meaning of being noble. But I do learn.” She looked down on Ella now.

“I apologize, I must excuse myself, I still have my own rounds to make.” Ella stood. She gave one last look to Ben, who returned her look coldly. Curtsying low, Ella retreated. Kora nodded, releasing her. Kora then stood, looking down at Ben. She would show this nobility she would not stand for her garbage behavior. She held a handout to Ben.

“A dance, Sir Benjamin?” Kora winked and Ben took her hand, smiling warmly as he led her to the center of the room. If looks could kill, Kora would have been dead on the dance floor a hundred times over, and she just could not care. She stared each noble down, daring them to say anything. Ben only had eyes for her, and despite the hostility from the nobility, Kora began to relax and enjoy herself. After a few dances, Kora begged to go outside for some air. Obliging - Ben led the way down the garden path to a beautiful fountain. Kora knew this fountain. She had designed it with her father. It depicted a pack of wolves, with small pups at the feet of their parents. The water came from different branches of the tree they stood in front of, and the top of the tree was a curtain of water instead of leaves. Sitting, they both breathed in the crisp air, catching their breath. The music drifted into the garden softly, and it really made the scene. Ben leaned into Kora, and softly kissed her lips.

" You are spectacular, do you know that? You handled everything so well. You continue to surprise me.” He whispered against her lips, and she kissed him back. It was soft and slow, with no rush. He cupped her face, angling her chin to deepen the kiss. Hearing a rustle, they broke apart and saw the King and Ludis walking into the small clearing, and they all grinned, guiltily.

“It appears great minds think alike.” Malik said, looking mischievous. He took Ludis’s hand and approached the fountain, sitting on the other side of Kora and pulling Ludis onto his lap. They heard giggling, and turning, saw Stella and Royce enter the area as well. When they all looked at each other, they busted out laughing. Royce joined them, pulling Stella onto his lap on the other side of Ben.

“Well, all things considered, I think things went well.” Royce commented. He leaned back a little and looked at the sky. The stars were bright and the muted light in the garden allowed them to see the sky clearly. Reaching over Ben, Stella squeezed Kora’s hand briefly.

" I am so happy we did this, welcome to our family Kora, you can never escape us now.” She winked and they all laughed.

" As much fun as the ball was, I am ready to turn in.” Ludis stood and gave a meaningful look to Malik. He coughed and stood as well.

“Yes, I have several meetings tomorrow now that the season has opened, and I really need to … go. Because of the meetings. May I escort you, Ludis?” his grin could not have been sillier. She nodded and they both started to walk away.

“They are going to bone, aren’t they?” Ben, unusually crude, said. The remaining friends busted out laughing, which could be heard by the retreating pair. The king made a very rude gesture in their direction, which had them doubling over. Royce and Stella were next.

“Suppose we should turn in too, I uhm… have some praying to do.” He looked Stella over hungrily, and she turned red.

“Ah, yes - I’m tired, goodnight!” Stella stood quickly, and almost tripped on her dress. Kora giggled at her enthusiasm. Ben groaned.

“Not you guys too!” Royce looked innocently up at the sky and then whistled as he took Stella’s hand and led her away. Ben looked at Kora and shrugged.

“Want to come to my rooms for a nightcap?” Ben asked, feigning casualness. Kora smiled and took his hand, Ben leading the way.