This chapter was not edited, folks. Enjoy. 

~

Sophie had counted 12 forms of escape from the ballroom. Two end with her falling to her death, which she honestly would prefer over her current predicament.

Sophie always hated galas. She liked a good party, but a gala? All the brown-nosing and fake smiles grate on one's nerves. But she would prefer it over this... snubbing her? She was a queen, and Senator Atlas told her she needed to act like one. They didn't even tell her what type of party she was attending, just that it was held by the Dunmer family and open to all.

She showed up with her tiny Senate-assigned court because she was above bringing her own, apparently. And from the minute she stepped foot into the ballroom, she was barely acknowledged. She laid upon a blue velvet lounge with a few low-end nobles trying to figure her out. She hadn't seen Ruy, Mansi, or Alvar the whole night and was confused if she was even at the right party. But she recognized the Dunmer royals flitting around the crowd, talking about gifts for some upcoming wedding. All except Ruy and Kalem. She did spy Kalem in the windowed-off rooms above the ballroom, however. He seemed to be arguing with someone for the few moments she could glimpse him.

It was a quiet, boring party where Sophie may have well been a fly on the wall. The Senate phrased this party as her big public debut since being crowned, but she just felt like a fool. Like they were embarrassing her on purpose.

"So, you are queen?" One nobly asked obtusely.

Sophie answered through gritted teeth, "Yes."

"But I thought the Senate-"

"We all work together," Sophie answered swiftly, wanting to cut off any thought of the Senate before her brain exploded. The nobles clearly wanted to ask more, but they all froze and fell into a deep bow as a dark figure walked through them. Sophie looked up from the fringe she was pulling at on the pillow and resisted the urge to run in the other direction.

"King Dorian. It's an honor," Sophie smiled, hoping her voice wasn't quivering.

King Dorian looked absolutely exquisite, healthier than ever before. A regal, more stern version of Ruy. But he had a brittleness that made Sophie step slightly more carefully.

King Dorian cocked a brow, "You're alive."

Sophie gestured down her lounging body, "Alive and well."

If you constitute crying in the carriage over here and shoving your face with chocolate in the bathroom as alive and well.

The King glanced about the room, looking for someone, before turning back to her with an extended gloved hand, "May I have this dance?"

The nobles in the whole ballroom were murmuring at this point. When Sophie said she wanted a tad more attention, this wasn't exactly what she had in mind.

She took his hand and all but glided towards the center of the dance floor, hoping she looked like the elegant queen she was told to be.

The music was merry and whimsical, easy to float about to. Dorian's steps were clean and graceful, mimicking Sophie's moves as well. But despite his gracefulness, the King was tense.

"You need to say something." Sophie stated, "Spit it out already, your highness."

"You have a lot of nerve showing up here." The King hissed.

The response took Sophie aback, "W-what?"

Dorian met her eyes intently, unlike when they were dancing before. Something steeled in his irises, "My son was damn near catatonic for two months. He didn't leave that spit of land Kephalonia until Sarai had to coerce him off it. And then you waltz in here, while I'm trying to get him to move on with- Gods, why are you here now? Of all times!" He ranted, trying to keep himself calm on the dance floor. Despite his anger, he had not missed a single step.

Sophie swallowed her apprehension, her eyes closing as she muttered, "I never meant to hurt him. Where I was going, I know he couldn't help-"

"I don't care to listen to your pitiful explanation. I am here to tell you, Amalia, that I know there is a reason you have revealed yourself." King Dorian sighed, twirling her out and then back in to continue their waltz.

"Which is?" She breathed.

"The Mirthless are more relentless than ever. The Neverseen are scouring for these artifacts, even going into the human cities-"

"How do you know about Denver?" Sophie gasped.

Dorian smiled knowingly, "So you know about that too, then. Were you there or just had your spies keeping tabs on the Denver college?"

Shit. She just fell for the oldest trick in the book.

"It doesn't matter. We have the goblet locked away. We cannot hesitate anymore, dear Amalia. I have my grievances with you, but I want the Neverseen gone. I hate them much more than I hate you."

"What do you think I have been doing for the past four-"

"You have been hiding. Cowering. Make no mistake, I would be disheartened after that fire. A large part of me sympathizes with you. I know how important that Guildhall was to you. But it is time to end this pitter-pattering. You are queen now and back in the spotlight."

"We both know I'm just a figurehead. Something to quell the rebellions." Sophie spat. The music came to a brilliant flourish. Dorian spun her out, and the pair slowed as the music simmered the beautiful ending. The bowed, one hand in the others. Sophie didn't even realize, but they had probably outdanced all the other nobles on the floor.

"We are running out of time, Amalia. You will never be just a figure head. I will be in touch to discuss further actions." He rose, meeting her eyes. He tapped his temple, eyes flared. Sophie took the hint, opening up a small mental link. Her now rarely used telepathy link.

"One last thing, Amalia. You have a lot of eyes on you tonight. Even if you may not think so. And not all of them are friendly." The King paused as if wondering if he should say anything more.

"Stay away from my son, Amalia. Especially tonight. There is something rotten in the kingdom of the Dunmer."

And with that, the King was gone. Sophie couldn't breathe. What was the King so worried about? And she knew he was protective, but why couldn't she be seen with Ruy? What was so rotten in his kingdom, everything looked amazing- And for the love of the gods, where was Ruy-

Her head spun about her. She felt someone's eyes on her and followed the sensation to the alcove above her. And there was the answer to her last question. Ruy Ignis stared at her from above in utter astonishment. Like he didn't believe she was real. Sophie broke into a brilliant smile. In a single moment, everything was forgotten. The responsibilities, the mindless chatting, the mistakes, even the gods themselves.

Despite the strained alliance, she had just made with the King, she felt it appropriate to break a teensy little rule. 

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_Sibylline_