A Beast's Tale

Chapter 31

I returned to the ballroom, announced by the guards as if this was my first appearance of the evening, as if their words were necessary to draw the eyes of all in attendance to me as I strode purposefully into the room. I ignored the guards and the usual stares, scanning the crowd for those of true importance. It wouldn’t be long before the crowd would begin to thin as the late evening hours bled into the early hours of morning. All my brothers were still present, as were the foreign princes. Jin, Clavis, and Nokto had the good sense not to make eye contact with me. Gilbert was already approaching, a glass of champagne in hand and a deceptively charming smile on his face.

“Ah, Chevalier, you’re back,” he greeted me. “You left in such a hurry. Is everything okay?”

“Yes,” I said coolly.

It didn’t surprise me that he’d seen my impromptu exit. He’d undoubtedly seen Ivetta fleeing the ballroom ahead of me as well. That whole event would only add fuel to any ideas he may have regarding her. But it would also emphasize how far I would go to keep her safe. If he had a modicum of sense, he would tread lightly.

“Have you tired of dancing?” I asked. He’d seemed to be enjoying himself on the dance floor earlier, although his partners had all seemed less than enthusiastic or downright terrified.

“For now. Dancing is just part of the fun at a ball. I’ve noticed you haven’t ventured onto the floor with a young lady.”

“Chevalier doesn’t dance,” Leon said, joining us. “You should be honored, actually. He usually takes off as soon as the music starts. He’s only staying to humor our special guests.”

“Is that so? Then you’ve never known the pleasure of holding a woman in your arms as you dance,” Gilbert said, his blood red eye gleaming.

Less than fifteen minutes ago, I’d known the pleasure of holding Ivetta in my arms. That was more than sufficient for me. Although I wouldn’t mind dancing with her.

“I leave such pointless endeavors to those who enjoy them,” I said dismissively.

Leon laughed. “Like Nokto. Look at him go. He’s probably danced with every attractive woman by now.”

“With one small break,” Gilbert noted.

I didn’t respond to that, and he didn’t bring it up again until the next time we were alone.

“How is our little dove?” he asked. “I haven’t seen her around since that trouble with your brothers.”

Our little dove. He knew her nickname, and he had the gall to not only use it in front of me, but claim a measure of possession as well. And this was his most direct statement about her yet.

“I gave her alternate orders. The festive atmosphere seems to have gone to my brothers’ heads.”

“Oh, good. I’d hate to think something had upset her. She’s such a delicate little thing,” Gilbert replied.

“The way you talk, I’d think you’d never seen a maid before tonight,” I commented. “But then, I suppose you don’t have to pay slaves.”

He chuckled. “True, but there is something deliciously appealing about a woman who waits on you hand and foot by choice. Don’t you agree?”

“I wouldn’t know.”

“Really? That’s unfortunate. And here I thought Ivetta liked working for you.”

Her name didn’t sound right on his lips, but I chuckled derisively. “Whatever gave you that impression?”

“I hear things,” he said casually.

“You should check your sources.”

“I always do. Approaching the subject directly generally gives the best results.”

The ballroom had gradually begun to empty by this point. He hadn’t even spoken to Yves once, to my knowledge, focusing all his efforts on Ivetta, and this particular comment was no less disturbing than many previous. He finished his glass of champagne and handed it to a waiter.

“And, on that note, I think it’s time for me to turn in for the night.”

“One more thing, Gilbert,” I said coolly, stopping him before he left.

“Yes?” he asked, wearing a confident smile.

“Things are different here in Rhodolite. Our servants are under the protection of their masters. Since you are in our country, you will abide by our rules.”

“Of course. But I am an honored guest, and servants would be expected to fulfill any reasonable requests from me, wouldn't they?”

“So long as they’re reasonable.”

We stared each other down for a moment, and then he shrugged me off. “If you’ll excuse me, it’s been a long day of travel. I look forward to talking with you again tomorrow.”

“Likewise.”

I watched him go, using every ounce of control not to chase after him - or hunt down Ivetta. He had been warned, she would be reporting to me before she left, and Yves had already left the ballroom. If Yves let her out of his sight, he would be in as much trouble as Jin, Clavis, and Nokto. If Gilbert laid a hand on her, it would be his head.

But it would be quite some time until she was finished with her work. Cleanup was only just beginning. I went out to the gardens, wandering around the dark, empty paths, lit only by the stars above and the palace windows behind. It was a new moon. The cool evening breeze was refreshing after a night of verbal jousting with Gilbert. Tomorrow would be a full day of the same. Leon and I would try to split our time evenly, so one of us was with Gilbert and the other was with or near Ivetta. The few secretive shared looks I’d managed with Leon had confirmed that he was as disturbed by Gilbert’s interest in Ivetta as I was.

I’d been walking for about an hour when I heard footsteps approaching at speed down the cobblestone path behind me. My hand went to my sword hilt as I turned, but the unmistakable form running toward me was Ivetta. I froze, unable to read her expression in the dim lighting, unsure what to expect.

“What are you doing out here?” I asked, just before she threw herself at me, wrapping her arms around my neck and burying her face in my chest. I sucked in my breath, shock causing a momentary hesitation, and then I scooped her up and started walking. My heart was beating wildly, but I knew better than to think this was a romantic interlude. Something - or someone - had frightened her again. And I knew exactly who the offender had to be. She wasn’t crying, though, and she didn’t say anything as my feet automatically led me away from the palace to the pond, far from prying eyes. I sat down on the bench, wrapping my arms around her as she nuzzled into my neck.

“What happened?” I murmured, trying to remind myself that I needed to be angry right now. Her hair was loose, the simple smell of soap blending with the thick scent of the roses surrounding us.

“You were right about Prince Gilbert,” she said quietly.

“What happened?” I repeated, my voice dropping menacingly.

“He thought I was Belle, but I think I’ve convinced him otherwise. But he knows a lot - my nickname, that incident a couple of weeks ago…” I felt her swallow, and then she continued, “He wants to use me against you, but I think he believed me when I told him I know nothing about your work.”

“And?”

“Isn’t that enough?” she asked, squirming nervously but making no effort to pull away from me.

I ran a hand through her hair, savoring the silky strands shimmering in the starlight, cascading down her back and across my chest. He’d undone her hair; he’d kissed her hand. What other liberties had he taken with her?

“That isn't all.”

“No, it’s not,” she confessed reluctantly. She hesitated, trying to find the words that wouldn’t make me angry. “He was a bit too interested in me for my liking, so I slapped him.”

I chuckled. “You are a foolish little dove,” I said, amused and pleased.

She giggled, pulling back a bit to rest her head on my shoulder. “Obviously. Look at me now.”

A dangerous request. She was bathed in starlight, a soft glimmer in her green eyes, a light blush on her cheeks, a shy smile on her full, pink lips. Her long black hair framed her heart-shaped face and cascaded down her shoulder and across her arm as she leaned back slightly to look up at me, the strands disappearing in the black fabric of her dress, reappearing to dance across her white apron. The pale skin of her arms seemed to glow, still wrapped around my neck but not so tightly as before, and the hem of her skirt was pulled up a bit from the way she was positioned on my lap, her knees angled toward me, her right hip resting comfortably on my thigh.

“I am looking,” I said softly.

Her green eyes widened as her cheeks flushed bright red, and she quickly pulled free and stood up, facing away from me and toward the pond. My arms felt cold and empty without her, but the picture she painted even now was one that left me with no complaints. She was framed neatly by the stars reflecting off of the water, and the cool night breeze picked up slightly to tease her hair and her skirt. I stared at her in silence, afraid to break the spell.

“Prince Gilbert will be dining with the Rhodolite princes in the morning. Shall I wake you early?” she asked, as if there was nothing abnormal about any of this.

There wasn’t going to be a better time than now.

I stood and walked up behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist and pulling her back against me. This was perfect. She was perfect. And she didn’t resist, though I felt her tremble slightly at my touch. I leaned in to whisper in her ear: “There’s something I need to tell you.”

She gasped and pushed my arms away, taking several steps forward, keeping her back to me.

“N-not now,” she stammered. “I…I need to get back to work.”

I sighed, disappointed and frustrated. “No. You’re going home.”

“Prince Chevalier-”

“This is not up for discussion.”

She didn’t say anything, didn’t move. I stared at her a moment longer, the enchanting siren who drew me in and then pushed me away, her innocence and naïvety enticing and cruel. I wanted to pull her over to that tree and push her up against the trunk, telling her everything with kiss after kiss, but she wasn’t ready. At least she hadn’t said no, just not now. I’d waited two weeks to touch her. I could wait a little longer to tell her.

“Come,” I said, forcing myself to turn and walk away.

She followed without a word, keeping beside and slightly behind. An occasional sidelong glance revealed that she kept her eyes downcast, too shy to look up from the cobblestone path. I didn’t say anything again until we reached the palace and I held the door open for her.

“When?” I asked.

The palace interior was still well-lit by candles, which wouldn’t be doused until cleanup was complete and the servants were back in bed. Even with her steadfast avoidance of my gaze, I could clearly see the exhaustion written all over her features.

“I…I don’t know. Maybe…”

“After the gala, then,” I said firmly. I led her through the halls to the front gate, where the carriage I’d arranged for her was waiting.

She finally turned and looked up at me. “Goodnight, Prince Chevalier,” she said quietly, the flickering light from lanterns and torches danced across her flushed cheeks and her tired green eyes. “Please go to bed. You need your rest for all the political discussions you’ll be having tomorrow.”

“And you need yours to keep your wits about you,” I reminded her, offering her a hand up. “Goodnight.”

I bit her name back before it slipped free from my tongue and closed the door behind her. She was overwhelmed already, and I was fairly certain the first time I addressed her by her name would lead to a significant loss of control on my part, although I’d apparently been managing any external evidence of my affection toward her better than I thought, for her to be so surprised tonight. I found myself smiling as I headed back to my room, barely aware of my surroundings. As much as I’d dreaded this year’s goodwill gala, it was turning out to be significantly better than any previous. And I couldn’t even be as mad at Gilbert or my brothers as I probably should be. Not when they’d driven her straight into my arms. Just a few more days, a little more time for me to handle political matters while she prepared herself for my confession.

Maybe I should take a cold bath before I went to bed. I needed a clear head for tomorrow, and I needed as much sleep as possible tonight to make that happen. And I’d have neither if I didn’t stop thinking about her. But…I didn’t want to stop thinking about her, and I didn’t want to wash away the tingling sensation where we’d touched,, the memory of her soft curves pressed up against me, her breath on my neck.

With any luck, she’d be in my dreams tonight, bathed in starlight as she sat on my lap, looking up at me with that shy smile.