Lady In Red

3

I clutched my thin shawl and walked to the library. As I waited in that familiar room yet again my tears just seemed to run free. But I wipe them off soon enough. It felt like I was in that room for hours, as I walked around tracing my fingers against the several thick books on the shelves I made my way to the large window behind the desk and watched the clear sky.

The loud thump and opening of the door made me jump and turn around to see the King and my father.

"Ruby Williams."

As the King called my name I picked up my dress and hurried from behind the desk. And before I could question him I saw someone walk in through the doors.

It was him. Of course, I could just tell.

Dark hair, a thick beard, sharp eyes, and a defined jawline. His frame was larger than the knights who fought in the war. His muscular frame was covered with his black and grey attire. I noticed how his one hand rested on the sword held over his hip. If eyes could kill quietly, I would be dead. And when they did not literally kill someone, one felt the overwhelming urge to kill themselves. I felt as if I was in danger just being in that one space with him.

He was part human, like us. But humans could never carry such a dangerous aura as he did. He carried himself with pride. But to us, it looked as if a dangerous animal stalking its prey.

My body suddenly filled with heat as if I was on fire, I was confused, and feeling weak. Perhaps it was the wine.

But my quick reaction to his entrance was to bend my knees and bow to the Lycan King as if I were bound to it. One has to show respect to rulers but they never feel such pressure from inside. To the King and Queen, I did it out of respect, but to King Xerxes, I felt pressure, like I had my head under a sword if I chose not to.

Snapping away from my thoughts and how I felt, I kept my eyes on the ground and stayed in my position unaware of what I had to do.

I for some reason felt as If our King himself feared something. Not King Xerxes, he wasn't as cowardly but perhaps he feared what King Xerxes might do. Never mind what the King felt! I was shaking with fear myself.

I peeked at the man but my eyes never traveled past his chest as my father lent me his hand to help me up. But I never accepted it. I rose from my position and never uttered a word. Nor did he.

"We hope our agreement produces good benefits for both our kingdoms." My father spoke softly and with a low shakey voice.

It seemed like the air inside this library just vanished. As I struggled to breathe my hand pressed below my breasts and I looked around for some escape.

"You need some air." He spoke for the first time. His voice wasn't as rough or harsh as I thought it would be. Instead, it was something like husky, soft but stern. And I did not understand how he noticed me half suffocating.

"Shall we dine?" The King filled the sudden silence between us four and my father nodded before walking to the doors. As the doors opened, I felt much better. The strong lights of the halls filled the space as much as they could and the air suddenly lifted.

The guards bowed as the King walked past them and Fred stood waiting to escort me. As I made my way across King Xerxes my body weakened, I felt like I would faint like a weak lady. As I reached my hand to place it over Fred's forearm a sudden warm wind brushed from behind me and my hand rested upon another arm.

A series of sudden shivers run down my body.

King Xerxes had put himself between me and Fred and before we both could register I was being escorted out to the ballroom by the Lycan King himself.

It was such a pressuring moment, as all turned to us and bowed to the Two Kings. My breathing became shallow. We made our way to the balcony, I noticed my father sitting beside me and King Xerxes on the other side of me. I never hated my father as much. I felt like running away, not from the ball but away from my father.

King Xerxes stayed quiet, his companion whispering some things to him once in a while and earning his nod. I took a sip of the wine in front of me and pressed my hand over my chest as my breathing suddenly became faster.

"Excuse me, I need to use the powder room," I stated before attempting to stand up but the big chair refused to move. I felt my chair being pushed back and I got to see Fred. For some reason, Fred's presence helped me calm down. I hardly knew this man yet, his quiet aura made me feel better than my own father's.

I moved from the balcony to the back rooms and the maids followed me I creased my eyebrows.

"No, I want to be left alone," I stated with a stern voice.

As I freshened myself and walked out, Fred stood beside the doors waiting for me. I just stare at the doors which lead back to the table and sigh. My lips frown as I look around and press my hands on my stomach. Whether it was my tight dress, my utterly upset stomach, or my poor ability to eat much at all, it was making me feel weak. I felt cold but hot at the same time.

"Are you not well Madam?"

I looked up at Fred and shook my head.

"Your shawl." He extended his hand and I grabbed my shawl wrapping it around my shoulders.

"Is there anywhere I can just sit, I need to get away and rest."

He frowned, his eyes turned to the doors to the balcony, contemplating what to do before he sighed and nodded down at me.

"This way-" He steps aside pointing his hand towards the left of the hall.

"The painting gallery is just ahead, I will let the Queen's lady-in-waiting know are resting here."

I smiled as I walked to the gallery and opened the large doors. The dim light hall of painting was like a never-ending cave.

"Thank you, Fred. I won't take long."

I entered the hall and slowly walked inside as he left the doors open and walked away to let the Queen know. I look around and keep my shawl on the console table next to the door.

I felt scared, alone in such a grand hall with nobody to talk with. I walked along the dimly lit chandeliers while observing the paintings and feeling better slowly. I take a deep breath but the bodice of this gown was laced much more tightly. Having no desire to call for help I bite my lip inch my hands closer to the ribbon on the lower back of my waist and untie it.

I could just ask the maid to redo it when I go back out. I undid the laces bit by bit just enough to loosen the bust but not fall and sighed in happiness as the bodice got just a bit loser. Just enough for me to breathe. I huff walking a bit further down the path and stare at one particular painting of a woman holding pearls. My eyes fixed on her name, "Amelia-" I whispered.

She was the King's mother. He resembled her greatly.

Through my eye's peripheral vision, I see a shadow stand between the two large doors. The light from the back cast a shadow over their face. I stayed unfazed as I knew it would be Fred. But something in me told me not to look. I suddenly felt cornered, alone but with someone with a strong presence. I chose to ignore it as It was surely the wine on my empty stomach. I keep my hand under my bust and rub my thumb over my corset.

I see him entering the Hall and sigh turning around. I thought of Fred as a brother, There was no need for me to cover my back with undid laces and furthermore, my maid was always my second escort. There was no need for me to question his actions as I had learned to trust him through this first week.

"Is everyone jolly out there? Of course, they would, why would they care about some Duke's lonely daughter." I let my thoughts get the better of me and spoke out of turn.

But I received no answer back. Fred wasn't a talker, to begin with.

I sighed looking up at the painting.

"I am dying to go back and sleep," I whispered.

The feeling of a finger brushing lightly over my laces caught me off guard. It wasn't something a touch could do. I felt chills run up my spine and my heartbeat quickened its pace in seconds. I jumped and turned around stepping back only to find King Xerxes towering over my little frame.