For Mary

Chapter Four

Chapter Four:The Masterpiece in Effect

The evening came and with it, his heart thudding like a drum. Decebal returned to the castle to wash and dress for the big evening. The servants swarmed him like moths to a lantern the moment he entered his chambers. He was scrubbed from head to toe with rose water. He was dressed in the finest of his silk attire, black and white from his shoes to his bowtie. Decebal stood so very still as this all occurred, as if they simply moved like a theatre prop, rolling around him.

Horns sounded and the Prince knew it was time for the festivities to begin. He headed for the large ballroom, palms soaked with anticipation. The ballroom was lined with tables of decadent finger foods. The white and gold tinsel and paper decorations filling the room matched the marble floors and pristine walls perfectly. The quartet sat in a corner, preparing their instruments. Wilbur must have been ecstatic, thought Decebal. This was perfectly planned in every detail.

The quartet soon began to play. It was a paced piece, starting the laughter and smiles. Decebal searched for his mother and father. He found them, on their thrones, just as a hand grasped his shoulder. The Prince turned, surprised to find a woman. Her grip had been awfully strong for a woman with such a powdered face. She curtsied and Decebal forced a smile. “Prince Decebal, it is my pleasure. I am Carrion, Princess of Lusitania.” Decebal bowed. “It is nice to meet you…Princess.” She was beautiful, but something about her made the hair on the back of his neck stand up.

The Princess Carrion held Decebal through conversations over the customs of Lokta, the wellness of the King and Queen, and even his favorite horse breeds, but it all seemed rehearsed and every few words or so his eyes drifted around the room. She would come, she must.

“Prince.” Decebal snapped back to reality and found the Princess trying to acquire his gaze. “Yes?” What had she been saying? “Would you honor me with a dance Prince Decebal?” After another sweep of the room he reluctantly agreed and took the offered hand and waist, awaiting the next song to begin.

The quartet struck up a fast song, but for some reason there was no cheer in the trill of the flute. There was no rolling passion as the bow of the violin slid over each string. Decebel kept his footing for only a few steps before Princess Carrion took the lead. The Prince was not one to obsess over formalities or gender, but he did not like how she forced him as she led through the dance. He looked up from her feet to her face. She was a pretty woman, hair of gold and eyes like the sky, but behind them he saw a storm brewing.

A gasp was heard from across the room. It was Wilbur’s. Decebal had heard it a million times. Despite knowing how dramatic the Kings right hand could be, the Prince ceased the forced dance, jerking the reins on a rogue horse. Searching for Wilbur he found him and quite a few others staring in bewilderment. Decebal followed their eyes to the golden doors of the ballroom. The guards had opened them and there she stood.

Breathless suddenly, Decebal had entirely released Princess Scythian. It suddenly occurred to the Prince that he did not know this angels name. Being unable to speak it was not her fault, but when you discover something new and unheard of, you name it. He needed a name for this wonder.

Decebal moved through the awe-struck people like a stream. He reached the woman swiftly and with a deep breathe he took her hands. “You came…” His lips could rip from such smiles. He pulled her through the crowd to the dance floor and waved his hands at the quartet to strike up something lively. Decebal took her waist in one hand and her hand in the other and took the lead on a lively, but simple step. The woman allowed him to lead. She moved gracefully though she didn’t know the dance. They spun and twirled and moved in a beautiful cycle; unaware to so many staring eyes.

The raven haired girl was wearing a knee length dress of sky blue hemp and cotton. Her back was open and bound in ties of white lace. The lace ended and rested in a bow on her lower back. It was unheard of for the back of a dress to display so much skin, to reveal the shoulder blades, but the truth was she only had enough fabric for this design. The stunning part was not her shoulders though, but the intricate golden patterns starting at the waist and trailing to her feet.

The song finally came to an end and both stopped, hearts pounding and smiles to their eyes. The quartet started a slower song. The onlookers dispersed to give the Prince his space as they took a chance at their own partners. As they moved slowly he found time and the breath to speak.

“I am so glad you came.” A sheepish grin covered his face as he looked away for a moment. “I worried you wouldn’t.” Decebal looked back, down at those stunning green eyes. She couldn’t speak, but words couldn’t express anything more than what he saw in her eyes. Her smile was the only agreement he needed.

The night flowed on much like this. They danced. They ate on the balcony. The entire ball was spent in her presence, but the Prince was unaware of a dark cloud clinging to the corners of the room watching them with hateful eyes.

Decebal told her everything he could think to utter and her eyes only begged for more. She never seemed bored. She never seemed lost. So many times though he stopped and demanded that she understand that he wished so very much to hear the same things from her. That he wished to know everything there was to her existence.

“You are the most beautiful creature I have ever laid my eyes upon, but it stabs my heart that I have no name to call you.” Those tree top eyes blinked in startlement. He did not know her name! She pointed out across the night sky from the balcony. Her finger was aimed at the clock tower. There was a light shining in it. The bell keeps tower. “Clock..?” he asked, knowing how foolish he sounded.

The girl laughed, or at least that was the action. No sound moved past her lips as she shook her head. She pointed again and by the grace of someone, I couldn’t image who, the bells in that clock tower rang. They rang eleven times.

Decebal laughed and pointed at the tower. “Bell..bells..is your name Belles?” He was shocked , but giddy with the idea that he finally understood her! The maiden nodded. She was grinning brightly. What a wondrous feeling, to be understood in your forced silence.

The bells forced Decebal to realize how late into the evening it had become. Many of the guests had gone home. In his elated state he dragged the woman to the King and Queen sitting still on their thrones. In a frantic haste she bowed before them. “Mother, Father, this is Belles.” It took her a long moment before she finally raised her head. The King and Queen then got a good look at her face; her innocent smile and eyes like a great pine.

The King simply stared, not sure of his feelings. The Queen however spoke up. “It is wonderful to meet you. “ She offered a smile. “It is very late Decebal. I’m sure she sleeps like us all.” The Prince narrowed his eyes at his mother, but nodded, dropping his head in defeat.

After a final bow from Belles, Decebal led her reluctantly to the entrance door, through the castle and to the front stairs. He waved over one of the front guards and asked him to call a coach. As he left to fill the request, Decebal took Belles hands in his own. For a moment he simply stared down at her glow, grinning.

The clopping of hooves stomped at the Princes heart and then Belles let go. She offered him one last smile before climbing into the wooden carriage. Decebal closed the door behind her and knocked on the wood. The carriage began to roll and she was gone, but he would see her again.