Lady In Red

2

I was adorned with jewels, pinning some of my strands behind my hair, and was let down with a bow and pearls embedded on the back. I watched as the maids fussed around me while I stood there embarrassed, in my innerwear. I gulp letting one of the maids put my corset on, I suck in my breath as she pulled and laced me up, my hands staying on my stomach while the other is on the desk ahead. I stare at the jewels on my neck and my ears.

I was being bejeweled for what? I was already given up to the man who will be taking me back to his castle. There was no need for flattery. I blinked several times in frustration.

"Madam" Bowed one maid behind me and I turned to see the gown. My eyes stare at the dark red gown she placed delicately on the chair.

As I stared at that blood-red fabric the maids seemed suddenly to disappear around me. The room felt darker as I realized what the color signified. It was a disgusting thought, meaningful but disgusting. I had no hate for that man who will take me away today. But I will always despise my father for breaking my marriage and selling me off to someone else.

I blink several times to rid myself of my tears and looked around at the room surrounded by maids. I felt suffocated. My heartbeat was uneven and my hands started feeling sweaty. My legs hurt even before I stepped out the doors. My neck felt itchy and it hurt to have those jewels around me. It seemed to worsen the feeling of a chokehold on me.

My throat inside felt dry and it hurt. The feelings of holding your tears back and feeling a great amount of frustration build up in your gut and throat. As they fussed around me with my hair and touched my inner getting ready to put on that gown and suddenly blurt out, "Stop !" I paused taking a deep breath and looking at one of them.

"Get me a glass of wine please."

As stunning as a deer but calmly one of them nodded and left.

I remember my authority. However displeasing it was I spoke for the first time in those 5 hours of my grooming, "Take these off. I need to breathe not suffocate to death here." I said taking off one of the jewels and placing it over the vanity.

"But madam-"

I smile turning to her. "It is my ball, I will do as I please and dress as I please"

Do as I please for the last time that is ...

Taking off the jewels from my ears, neck, and my hands. I ask her to lace up the red gown. My neck felt much better with nothing on it. I closed my eyes as she tightened the laces while my wine glass arrive. I grab it and drown the glass down. That sour liquid was unpleasant to me. I hardly drank. I sigh keeping the glass down.

As I turned around, seeing myself in that beautiful red gown I frown. It was such a beautiful dress, The sleeves dropped down my shoulder flowing from my bust to the back of my shoulder. My cleavage was moderately visible, it sinched my waist. The skirt flowed gracefully while some of the fabric was tucked up on one side and the rest free. I felt like I was tied with ribbons, the silhouette looked perfect on me, unfortunately, I will always hate what it meant. My white hair complimented the dark shade of that dress. My complexion was fair and my cheeks were slightly tinted with rouge.

"Madam, It is time." I heard the Knight, Sir Fred.

He was introduced to me as by the governor yesterday as my personal guard under the King's orders. Fred or Fredrick as his real name was a gentleman with dark hair and a tall figure loomed over all. As we talked for the few minutes that I was introduced to him, I found him very introverted.

"Thank you for escorting me." He bowed again but all this time as his gaze stayed pinned to the ground he looked up at me for the first time and his eyes suddenly frowned in my sight. But they snapped back to the dead expression.

"What is it? Be frank with me." I asked.

"It is nothing Madam, shall we?" he asked giving me his arm to hold. But I did not move.

"Well? We are going to be companions, you might as well say it?"

He opened his mouth but closed it again and when I raised my eyebrows at him he seemed to give up the contemplation in his mind.

"I believe the maids forgot to put the given gold pearl jewels on you."

I stare at him in question.

"How do you know I was to wear them?" I ask with curiosity.

"Madam, I was the one who delivered them to your chamber under the Queen's commands." "Oh." I turn my eyes to those jewels which were now back in the boxes. "I chose to not wear them," I answer.

Sir Fred asked no more questions but nodded while encouraging me to keep my hand over his fist. I did so and we walked towards the hall door. And while I walked silently, I wondered how King Xerxes looked and acted. Would he be what they said? A cold-faced strange man who never held a conversation for more than thirty seconds. A King whose stare could kill and who with a single command would have a man's head cut off.

I felt my stomach twist and turn as the alcohol in the wine started to work in my body.As the doors opened, My eyes set on the largest golden chandelier filled with thousands of candles, and the ceiling was adorned with smaller crystal chandeliers. The walls as always grand but the golden curtains were replaced with red.

The thrones for The King and Queen were placed on the balcony right ahead. And as I lowered my eyes to the ground the ballroom was filled with people who I realized had stopped their chatter and turned to stare at me.

My heart was beating out loud as my body felt crushed under their eyes. My eyes couldn't stay on one person, they moved from side to side taking in all those who stood. I felt my hands tighten around the Knights fist.

As we slowly walked in, every step I took felt wrong.

"Before I leave you Madam, advice from your fellow lady in waiting. She advises you to avoid speaking with the men, especially the dukes and Prince Edward's family, they have been in anger since the announcement was given."

I look up at him and back at the ground. I nodded.

It was truly rude for them to hate me for what had become of this.

And through the crowd, as Sir Fred led me towards my family I saw him. Prince Edward. After a week of our last tea together when we discussed our wedding vows. I frowned and I felt sadness fill me as our eyes met. It hurt me more as we came closer to his frame and he bowed. I looked down to stop any further gossip. I was to act as if nothing have happen and it broke me from the inside.

"Ruby, My dear sweetpea."

I heard my mother's voice and I looked up. The knight bowed one last time before letting me be with my mother.

"Mumma," I whispered as she hugged me tightly.

"They wouldn't let me see you till today. They were afraid I would help you escape or feel more sorrow, I haven't spoken to your father ever since I heard about this, This is outrageous." She spoke as she took my hand and led me to the corner of the room towards the balcony. "I have nothing to say."

She frowned deeply at my reply. "You have to be strong. I have made sure Lidia goes with you as your primary lady-in-waiting." I looked at my mother with relief but shook my head.

"No she is my only friend, I cannot take her there. Mother, it's dangerous-"

My mother shook her head," She insisted and it is decided-"

Before we both could speak we heard the main doors open and The king and Queen were announced. We bowed to them as they walked through the crowd and walked toward the front. As the King spoke, I felt like I couldn't focus. I was staring at the ground for what felt like seconds when my mother tapped on my shoulder. She frowned at me, questioning with her brows if I was alright, but I shook my head.

I looked around to see all of the people had gone silent. It was as if I could hear the wind outside, I was trying to find a reason when the doors of the entrance opened. It was them. I couldn't see much because of our position, but one of the King's guards walked towards me and bowed I knew it was time.

"The King has asked for your presence in the library Madam."

I gulp. I turned to find the man who would be marrying me but I was too far away. As The King and Queen welcomed their guests I was taken to the back leaving my mother behind.