Lady In Red

19

"He is the youngest of my father's siblings. Clark Vincent. You may go" The king stated with a neutral tone.

He smiled bowing and his eyes looked at me once before he turned to leave.

I gulp looking away, feeling like he hated me Or something.

~*~

I loved dancing. But I suppose the King wasn't fond of it. As I lean back in my chair and slowly drink from the glass. My eyes stare out at the view of men and women. Their beautiful gown flowed as they danced and their jewels shone through the floor.

Unconsciously touching my chain,I see Fredrick step into the room and I smile looking at him as he bows before us.

He was holding a heavy-looking file.

His eyes seemed to stare down at me so I looked up at him in confusion but the King's hand extended to grab mine, as I realized my fuzzy head was slowing down, I fussed to keep the wine glass down and grab his hand.

As I stood up, my vision moved. I blink seeing everything blurry and my gut drops.

Did I drink too much?

I didn't remember how many times my glass was filled.

My nerves were at the edge while he escorted me down the stairs. My hand pulled up the dress and Maya was behind me helping me.

We stood at the doors of the ballroom where everyone was gathered and my heartbeat quickened.

We were going to dance?

Why didn't anyone tell me?

I felt heavy-headed. I was drunk to be exact.

My eyes shut closed with a visible frown because of my worry.

"Ruby."

My eyes snapped up to the King as he watched me raise my eyebrows a bit to question his call. His hand left mine and wrapped around my waist.

Oh my god ! oh my god. I was to dance before his people, half drunk. What if I tripped? what if. My thoughts were interrupted as he glanced at me once. The hall on the other side went silent, I could already feel the eyes of people on us and whispers around.

I could suddenly feel the heat creeping into my veins, my legs pushed together feeling tingling in my stomach. His touch was overwhelming. It worsened the effect of alcohol in me.

His other hand took mine and the doors opened.

I felt cold. But my body was hot. As they all looked at me I felt a sense of dread rush to me. Their eyes carried a lot of anger.

How could the Queen of our Clan be a human?

I was sure that's what they were thinking.

They all bow, the women curtsey before us. But for their King. Not to me. They would never bow to a human. After all, it was us who came on our knees for their kind.

My mind was in a haze as he moved to the centre of the room. Under the beautiful huge chandelier filled with jewels.

My hands trembled with the nervous state and got sweaty. I didn't get the chance to wipe them as he pulled me into his chest and took my hand. Holding my waist tight.

The music started slowly as we slowly danced among the people, gossip from ladies and men filled the room and then I felt the room get dim for me.

My heartbeat quickened its pace as he spun me. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach every time his hand wrapped around my waist. When his cheek intentionally brushed against mine, his thumb would rub up and down my torso. His eyes, frozen on me putting me in a tight spotlight.

I danced as well as my body would let me. I had done that since I was a kid. I was easy when my mind wasn't filled with worry. But today it was, and I did my best to ignore it.

As I looked around while our legs moved along the floor, His face flashed across my eyes. The day when The Prince took my hand and guided me across the floor. Declaring his wish to marry me. We dance between our people, seeing smiles on their faces. I realized how my mind has diverted to a memory that should no longer be important. I chuck it away immediately.

A memory which was dear to me, but would be inappropriate to think of as married women.

"Your eyes seem much more interested in others than me."

I jerk my head up to him, scared of his taunt.

"I would prefer if you looked into my eyes than others. Or do I need to command you to do so?"

It was a command which simply could not be rejected. When I dared to lift my gaze up , I was greeted with sullen face.

Did he not like my behaviour? But I was quiet. The whole night I did nothing to anger him.

"Are you unwell? " He asked as I shook my head.

"No... No."

"Then? "

I gasped as he lifted me, spun before setting me down, my bust touched his mouth slightly as he lowered me down, something I couldn't forget, and but he continued with the dance effortlessly while I was left feeling multiple different emotions. Some gasps around the room echo. It seemed that they had never seen their King take the floor before.

"I asked you a question Ruby."

The fear hovering over me worsened.

"Lot of p- people. " I whisper.

Silence. After his question was what he hated. And I had done it many times.

I saw the content in his eyes as I answered him. I had a lot on my mind, but I chose to keep my remarks strictly towards the people surrounding us.

"There are a lot of people in attendance today." I continued.

"Do you not like dancing? "

My eyes widen and I immediately rush to answer, "No! No I-I I love dancing. You are a great dancer as well Your Majesty"

I hide my stutter and nervous state with a compliment to his graceful steps.

"Good to hear," He said.

It seemed that the music was slow on purpose. I could feel his hands on me. I could feel him push me closer every minute and soon I felt his lips lightly brush against my cheek causing my vision to blur.

Had I always been this sensitive to a man's touch? I never felt this way when the Prince took my hand. Was I because was comfortable with him? But I didn't hate the King's touch.

This thought had been running in my mind all day.

My hands felt sweaty inside my glows now, they felt hot, I didn't like that. I sigh as we ended our dance and my head lowered with a curtsey to His Majesty. But he didn't let of my hand. Had I not kept my head running I might just be fainting by now.

A tiny smile I gave to the Royal family who stood across us and I curtsey before looking up to them. All staring and clapping with expressions I could not name.

"To the King! and our Queen! "

Said the Ambassador of the kingdom. I heard the clinking of glasses before the chatter began, Charlie Williams the ambassador smiled at us grabbing another glass of the tray. I looked at him while he walked towards us with two glasses and offered one to me.

I nervously chuckled taking the glass in my hand, The king glanced at me in a curious gaze once before raising his glass and drinking.

I am fucked... Utterly.

I couldn't stop smiling. Because I was truly drunk. I had forgotten some wines can get you drunk after a while. And I had happily emptied 4 or 5 of them. And now here I was. Sipping on champagne. I wonder if I would puke.

I hope not.

I hold back my laugh. I was laughing at myself. Enjoying my happy time before It crashes down. From to tomorrow. I was going to see the reality of my life.

My thoughts were yet again interrupted by him, That man's hand had some magic. How could he just make my body freeze? Including my brain.

As felt a squeeze on my other hand and I realized my hand was still in his.

No wonder it was sweaty and hot, and possibly burning inside.

"Ruby... "

"Y-" I had to clear my throat first,"Yes Your Majesty? "

He stared at me for quite a while before looking behind me. I frown glancing behind us as he wraps his hand. Again! Again! Around my waist.

Can't you see this was a torture to my nerves? His hand was too much for my poor body.

He suddenly took the glass from my hand and stared at it with wide eyes noticing it to be almost empty. Just a few sips felt.

When did I drink that?

"Come," he said, pushing me towards the doors of ball room.

We walked through the parted crowd towards the stairs leading up to the balcony.

The fresh cold air hits my face I take an audible deep breath. Warm visible air comes out of my mouth as I exhale.

He wrapped his hand around my shoulder, it was very hot, the hand. And him... How could he be so warm? Ah yes, we just danced.

I glanced at him once and saw anger again. Plastered over his face as always.

Does he ever let his face relax?

I bite my lip as he dragged me toward the back area where I could see no one. The guards stood at the entrance making me blink and question why were we here until he cupped my cheeks catching me off guard and pushed me to lean against the baluster.

My stomach felt like it erupted in fireworks. There was nothing I could find to describe my feelings when he had me cornered like so. It was overwhelming.

I suck in cold air and he had trapped me between the railings and his chest. His body is dangerously close to mine. I could feel his warmth on me as he pressed his torso on my chest.

Scratch that. He was glued to me.

I could feel my nether reign heat up and pool.

"You are flushed red. Burning."