A Ball {Part 3}

Anastasia solemnly nodded as she handed her goblet to Bryn and stood. She took Duke Algear's hand and allowed herself to be lead back to the dance floor. A slower song began to play and Duke Algear took Anastasia's right hand in his own and placed his right hand near her midriff. He held her lose as they stepped in time with the music.

Duke Algear was the first to speak, "It has been a long time your highness. How has my niece been?"

"I have been well enough uncle. However some very troubling news has reached the capital and I cannot in good consciousness dismiss it," Her voice was cool and controlled.

"Oh, and what troubles you so."

"Apparently the Eastern border has been breached in your territory by Dretarian soldiers. Did you perhaps know anything about this?" It was said coyly and with a sweet innocence she did not process in truth.

"I knew his highness would be bringing some of his men to protect him while in Karthia seeking your hand." He admitted his truths as if talking about the weather.

"But, you claim no knowledge of the two thousand other troops that are currently camped out a few hundred miles west of your castle."

Duke Algear was silent as he twirled Anastasia around and then brought her back towards him, a bit closer this time.

"Anastasia I had no other choice." It was a moment of raw honesty from her uncle and she nearly stopped dancing at his confession, but she kept up appearances.

"What do you mean."

"Prince Taren came to me several months ago stating that he needed someone to work as his sponsor during the Karthia Spring Season. He expressed an interest in meeting your acquaintance, and since you two had not been properly introduced he found it incorrect to simply visit or write. I became his sponsor, but it quickly became apparent there were other motives behind his desire to become my elective."

"So he wants Karthia."

"I don't honestly know. He never stated what he wanted be it land, money or riches. He simply stated he needed to get close to you and this would be the best way to do so. If I had not followed his direction he would have taken my home and lands. I had no other choice your highness."

"I believe you, at least for now. I expect a detailed account of everything that has happened thus far. Anything you may be aware of."

"I already have a statement written."

"Good. Send it to me this evening and then meet with me and my advisors tomorrow. My aid will tell you at what time."

"Of course your highness."

"Your Highness," the Duke hesitantly ventured.

"Yes Duke Algear."

"Be careful of Prince Taren. There is still much unknown about him, but what I do know is that he has set his eyes on you. For what purpose I do not know. I am sorry for whatever part I have played in all of this."

"Your apology is accepted and your advice will be taken into heavy consideration."

The song ended and the Duke bowed and led Anastasia off the dance floor. She told the Harold she was uninterested in dancing at the moment and would motion to him when she changed her mind. She then made her way towards two wide open balcony doors. She needed to get some fresh air or she might do something unsightly. She slowly slipped out to the balcony, being carful not to make to much of a fuss about her disappearance. It was a challenge, but she succeeded.

She made her way to the edge of the balcony and looked out at the garden's below and the moon above. In the coolness of the night air she could breath and think. If her Uncle had been right, then Prince Taren had already succeeded in infiltrating a significant part of Karthia. Furthermore, if no one knew his motives then no one knew how to stop him.

Anastasia took the stairs down into the gardens. She needed space from the music and people. guards were scattered about everywhere so she knew she was safe. She passed several couples on her walk through the garden's and only when she was in a truly hidden part of the garden did she let her guard down. Her smile fell, her shoulders slumped and a tear or two threatened to fall. Nothing was every simple.

What she wore, who she danced with, what food she ate, it was all under tight supervision and reticule. She was just powerful enough to not have to face the worst of the opposition to her face, but just weak enough that people cared not how words might affect her.

She was exhausted. Tired of people taking advantage of her. Tired of being forced to marry someone she didn't know. Tired of having to save face for her kingdom, while it crumpled around her.

She sat at the edge of the fountain, trying to let its flowing water comfort her. She hoped it would drown out the sound of her tears should anyone come near enough to hear. With her face in her hands she her stubbornness to give way for a moment. and it did so in the form of hot tears. She sat like that for several moments until she heard a voice speak up not to terribly far from where she was.

"I had hoped I might be given the chance to dance with you, but I've heard that a crying princess is in no mood for dancing." Anastasia looked up in shock and horror as Prince Taren came out from where he sat on one of the four benches surrounding the fountain and came to stand before the queen. He bowed and she quickly stood.

"I did not realize anyone else was around here."

"No one else is, save for me." His tone was soothing, and almost like a balm on her hurt. However, the rest of him was a knife slowly slashing away at her flesh.

"I am sorry to have interrupted." She took a step to the side and began to move away when he spoke again.

"I'm not sorry that you did. I was fearing I might not get to see you tonight."

"I did not see you in the ballroom as to invite you to accompany me."

"I didn't want my presence to be overbearing. I would much prefer you come to me of your own volition."

A likely story, Anastasia thought. His very presence was over bearing. As was that of his troops and aids and everything else that he brought with him. Trying to change subjects, she asked a question, perhaps this way she could get answers from him. "Are you not enjoying the ball?"

"I must confess I did not come to Karthia to dance." She could tick dancing off of the reasons for his presence in Karthia.

"Then what did you come for?" Anastasia tried to speak as unassumingly as possible, but it was difficult.

"I am afraid you would not like my answer."

He was being honest, she could tell. However, she feared why she might not like his answer. "Why don't I decide if I do or not."

He let out a soft chuckle. "I can tell you the truth, but I want something in return."

Of course. There was always an angle in situations like these. However, this situation left her feeling vulnerable and scared. Her mind raced at the thought of the great many things that he could ask for and not a single one seemed to be in her favor. "What would you like from me your highness?"

"Right now, I would like a dance."

"Just a dance? A dance for the truth does not seem like a fair trade."

"Perhaps not. However, it is what I want."

"So be it. I will dance with you."

Anastasia began to make her way back to the castle, but he stopped her for a moment. He handed her a handkerchief. "It would do us no good if people assume I have made you cry. Here."

"Thank you." she mumbled as she gently wiped at the stains on her face. she soaked the very tip of the cloth into the water fountain and hoped it would help calm the red splotches that were bound to be on her face. When she was finished, she handed him the handkerchief, but he refused it. "Keep it."

She wanted to ask what price she would pay for doing so, but thought better than to do that. Instead she stuffed the cloth into the pocket buried in the layers of skirt. He offered her his hand, and she took it. Together they walked through the garden and entered the ballroom. She followed, with reluctance to where he stood on the ballroom floor.

He bowed lowly, and she curtsied. Then the music began, it was only then she realized that this was a slow dance. Everything and everyone seemed to quiet as the sounds of piano filled the room, and then a violin solemnly joined in and a cascading harp was added. Then a viola was also found playing and it blended in harmony and floated in the air. It was enchanting, and she was terrified.

He held up her hand for her to take, and she did. He then placed a hand on her waist and she inhaled quickly. Although she put her hand on his shoulder, as she was supposed to, it was done so with great hesitancy.

She was stiff in his arms and showed little of the agility she had displayed earlier in the night, but he smiled at her.

They began to dance. He now led, as was customary of this specific dance, but she wanted to fight it. She always wanted to fight for leadership, but as a female there were times she was powerless. So she silently followed with reluctance. He could tell that she was fighting her natural tendencies, and there was a part of him that was amused, but another part that wished she would stop it.

"Why don't you lead." He stepped forward and she stepped back.

"And why would you let me lead?"

"You obviously want to."

She tempted to take the lead, and to her surprise, he followed her. With ease, they began to glide across the floor, and she started to relax. He didn't fight her at all, and simply waltzed beside her. Furthermore, he somehow picked up on her ques. All it took was the slight squeeze of their joined hands for him to know she wanted him to spin her around.

And he did it. In that moment, she somehow felt as light as air. Be that because of him, or her heart beating out of her chest she did not know. He was dangerous. Duke Alegar had said so, but perhaps she wanted, and even liked dancing with danger.