Korak Fallyn detested seeing Princess Amnicity dancing with Suzerain Zakarus. His ineptitude in picking a suitable partner perturbed her. The Suzerain's continued rebuffing of her advances would be the detriment of Jude.

Fallyn did find some solace upon perceiving the brooding of High General Lessure. His gaze transitioned from glaring at the opposite wall to the dancing form of the Princess every few seconds.

Korak Fallyn let the contentment slowly flow into her veins. High General Lessure seemed a strong warrior, well far more potent than the pompous, paunchy, head of the Preenian guard with whom she currently danced.

The High General's pattern stopped, and he met Fallyn's gaze. She held it with a new excitement brewing in her belly. There were many things the two could do together. Yes, he would do nicely for her plans if Suzerain Zakarus did not work. Fallyn's moment with Lessure ended when Suzerain Zakarus and Princess Amnicity danced between them as the last strums of the song ended. Fallyn's partner took her hand to leave her on the edge of the floor.

She held back a snort at the comfortable nature of their interaction. Fallyn felt a nefarious glee flow their her veins, watching them remain coupled. These rumors will be their undoing.

Amnicity, for her part, remained cautious of how others perceived them. She did not wish others to see how much she enjoyed the Suzerain's company. He remained one of the best dancers of her acquaintance. It would not matter if her traitorous heart did not find him handsome and charming. The Princess of Vetus should not enjoy a Judian's company. She should not be attracted to him. In real life, such romantic stories ended in tragedy. Amnicity knew better than to think she would be as lucky as her parents.

"How are your toes?" Zakarus questioned through unmoving lips.

Amnicity glanced at him. "They are intact."

"And your slippers?" His hand adjusted in a way that made her stomach do funny things.

"The same," she whispered.

"Good."

Amnicity glanced at him. "Is it?"

"Yes," he whispered. "I made a promise to keep you safe. So, it makes me happy to see you so."

She snorted. "Your protection seems easily met."

"One must start somewhere when building your trust."

Amnicity withheld her snort, following Zakarus through the ending of the dance. She would have left easily after thanking him, but Zakarus held her hand for a moment longer than necessary when meeting her eyes after the customary bow.

"Please remember that we keep our promises," Zakarus whispered, kissing the back of her hand. "And, do keep your dress safe. You look beautiful in it."

Amnicity willed herself not to blush. "Thank you, Suzerain."

Amnicity matched Zakarus's smile when they exited the floor. Luckily, she had little time to process the exchange. High General Lessure quickly took her hand for the next dance.

"You just hurt your chances of gaining Konrik Loren's attention," James hissed behind a smile. "Dancing with the Suzerain for two dances will increase the rumors of your attachment."

Amnicity did her best not to wince when he stepped slightly on her slipper before leading her into the turn. She decided to ignore his ongoing lecture while concentrating on avoiding his feet. Amnicity almost cried in gratitude when the last chord of the song played.

"Shall we dance another turn?" James asked, rising from his bow.

Amnicity shook her head. "I need to rest."

James nodded, leading Amnicity towards her waiting ladies.

"Excuse me, Princess Amnicity and High General Lessure," a young Venutian guard almost panted.

The two stopped on the edge of the dance floor, observing the young guard. He seemed nervous, with sweat beading at his temple.

"I must speak with you, High General," hissed loudly in James's ear.

James turned to Amnicity.

"You are excused." She nodded, thankful for the break.

James walked away with the guard as Amnicity moved towards where Lady Elry and Lady Toria stood. Their faces perfectly portrayed superficial diversion. The Princess knew both would happily leave if she requested it.

"I hope it is possible to have a dance that is not awkward this evening," Amnicity whispered to her ladies once safely in their presence.

"Did he lecture the Princess upon how we should be insulted that they believe we fear dragons?" Lady Elry quipped behind a smile, taking a sip of her champagne.

"No," Amnicity smiled. "Is that the lecture you received during your dance with him?"

Lady Elry's eyes narrowed as she nodded. "The audacity to question my knowledge on history and cultures simply because he is a man. I only danced with him because the way he looked at your while you danced with Suzerain Zakarus made me uncomfortable."

"Mind your words," Lady Toria whispered. "We are in a ballroom."

"We should go find the Konrik. We have not had a moment to speak this evening," Amnicity stated with more merriment than she felt.

"We last saw him accompanying Suzera Irina to view the sculpture, Princess."

Amnicity took a sip of her champagne, nodding her head towards Lady Elry. "Then we should hurry."

"Not too quickly," Lady Toria hissed. "The food and red wine will be hazardous for our dresses. So, please be careful when moving in this crowd."

Unfortunately, Amnicity could not reach the Konrik. A gentleman of rank always managed to stop her from gaining his attention. She could not refuse their offers to dance. Thus, she took three more turns around the dancefloor before spotting Konrik Loren and Suzera Irina standing together to the side. Amnicity avoided the gentlemen trying to gain her attention while reaching the pair.

"Konrik Loren, Suzera Irina." Amnicity smiled with a slight bow of her head.

"Princess Amnicity," they returned in unison, making Amnicity's eyebrow quirk slightly.

Irina glanced over the Princess, smiling. "You look lovely."

"Thank you Suzera Irina. You do as well. How have your evenings been?"

"There is hardly a better evening the heavens and earth could grant that would be better. Our essences dance above us in a way that speaks of the joys to come." Loren smiled, raising his glass to the ladies.

Amnicity and Irina returned the gesture before each taking a long sip of their champagnes. Their eyes made a point not to meet within the silence.

"How has your evening been, Princess?" Loren ventured.

"It has been delightful. The celebration is diverting and beautiful," Amnicity beamed.

"Hardly being without a partner to dance with must add to the Princess's diversion," Zakarus interrupted from beside her.

Amnicity glanced at him in shock. How the hell—

Irina took another sip of champagne as Konrik Loren took a moment to gaze between the Suzerain and the Princess. A look of realization crossed Loren's face before he took a sip of his champagne. Delightful. He thought.

"Do you not agree, Princess?" Zakarus continued.

"Dancing is one of my greatest enjoyments," Amnicity forced as much amiability as possible into her tone.

"What did you think of her dancing, cousin?" Zakarus asked.

Zakarus ignored the sarcastic tilt of Irina's head while observing Princess Amnicity's blushing form.

"Her footwork is admirable. However, at times she lacks precision in her movements," Irina returned.

"The Princess's aura does have some irresoluteness at times," Loren sighed.

"Well, at least her footwork has saved her from staining her dress. I hear many ladies complaining about it," Zakarus stated. He felt a foreign sense of guilt at exposing Amnicity to such scrutiny.

Amnicity turned to look towards the fountains, the dancers, and finally to her ladies talking with James. She did not know what to say at this moment. Her brain needed to stop buzzing.

"Princess, are you okay?" Loren asked with concern that made Amnicity almost like him.

"Excuse me," James interrupted the conversation. "But, I must speak with Princess Amnicity."

Amnicity nodded, moving a step away from the party. She mentally thanked him for the interruption.

"Yes, High General Lessure," she stated with more authority than she felt in the moment.

James leaned forward to whisper in her ear. "There is a matter of urgency we must attend to in Vetus. We must leave immediately."

Amnicity met James's gaze and knew she could not argue with him. She turned back to the waiting party. On her first step forward, she hit the arm of a lady passing by. Red wine spilled down the front of Amnicity's dress. She gasped as the cool liquid soaked through to her skin.

"Princess," James gasped.

Amnicity's words dried in her throat while observing the Suzerain's guard whispering in his ear. He looks distressed.

Zakarus looked at Amnicity's dress with concern before turning to address the group. "We are sorry to confess, the Suzera and I must depart. Thank you for your hospitality, Konrik Loren. Please extend our gratitude to the rest of your family and countrymen."

Irina shared a questioning glance with her cousin before thanking Konrik Loren for his wisdom.

"Princess," James pressed.

"Th-thank you, Konrik Loren. I am sorry we could not spend more time conversing, but my party must depart as well." Amnicity wished her voice did not shake so much when she spoke.

Loren nodded. "You are welcome. However, we cannot always expect the air to linger long enough for true depth, can we?"

Any response Amnicity wished to make was deterred by James's persistence. Instead, the Princess inclined her head to make her departure.

Amnicity glanced around them before turning to Lessure. "Where are Lady Elry and Lady Toria? They were just here."

James glanced down at her while guiding her through the ballroom. "They are waiting for departure in the carriage. They know how to listen to orders."

"How—and, my dress," Amnicity almost complained. Her thoughts rushed from the present moment to Zakarus's promise to keep her dress safe.

James provided a handkerchief that Amnicity held in disappointment. She mentally berated herself for wishing the cloth to be Zakarus's.

"When you get in the carriage, remain laying down next to Lady Toria. Lady Elry will ride in Her Highness's position. We will only stop if it is an emergency. Are you going to use the handkerchief?" James paused, staring at her with a gaze that ventured from concerned to panicked.

Amnicity dabbed her dress while trying to keep pace with James. She stopped suddenly in the hall. "What about our things?"

"I had them packed before I got you," James replied, grabbing her arm.

Amnicity lurched forward at the force he used, dropping James's handkerchief to the floor as they moved at a quicker pace.

"Well—your hold is too tight!" Amnicity tried to wiggle her arm free of James's grasp as he almost dragged her along the stairs leading from the palace to the waiting carriage. "I demand to know what is—"

"Get in the carriage," James ordered, opening the door.

Amnicity stared at James for a moment before resigning her resistance with a sigh. On entering, the nerves she withstood, primarily due to her confusion, heightened at the sight of her ladies.

Lady Elry appeared resolute, though her hands worried the fabrics of her dress, while Lady Toria shifted her skirt before holding up a blanket.

"It is to cover you, Princess," she whispered. "Oh no, your dress!"

"Hurry," Lady Elry hissed.

Amnicity laid down, placing her head on Lady Toria's lap, as the blanket became secured over her.

"Remember, we only stop for emergencies," James hissed before slamming the door.

James shared a moment of apprehension in the glances with his men. He took a few resolute steps to mount his horse beside the carriage.

"Move out." He yelled.

They moved in silence through the city. James's eyes remained focused upon their surroundings with mild apprehension. He knew better than to expect an assault, but guises must be maintained. James's main concern revolved around one lady in the carriage. Would this drive her further away from me?

Once outside the city walls, the wailing cry, followed by soothing voices, provided James the knowledge he needed to move forward; Princess Amnicity knew Queen Christaline was dead.

***

Well, this wasn't the happiest ending to a chapter. What do y'all think about Zakarus and James now?