Tok, tok, tok.
”Oh shit...”
The princess’s voice was hushed as she spoke again, inaudible to her brother’s bodyguard as the sound of shuffling filled the air. After a moment, the door swung open and Anastasia in her
pink gown opened the door. She leaned against the doorway and forced a cough into her hand,
”Wystan, it is ever so kind of you to come to escort me but I’m afraid… I’m just so… “She coughed again, her body slumping against the wall as if she were weak,
”So sick… Oh woes is me.” She gave him her usual puppy dog eyes.
Wystan’s arms stayed crossed, but his grip on his biceps tightened as he received those eyes. The guard dog’s defenses were compromised at the sight of them, and it took some effort to resist feeling utterly… moved. Something was clearly going on– the princess knew this tactic to be one of his greatest weaknesses, and thus also knew to use it sparingly, for the most urgent matters. The only question being:
what was it tonight? Without much of a word, he bit the inside of his cheek to compose himself, looked her up and down, then leaned down to meet Princess Anastasia’s eyes unavoidably.
”My, that truly is a shame, Princess.” The watchdog raised a faux-curious brow.
”Though… may I ask why you have dressed this well, despite being sick?”Anastasia met his eyes as he spoke, the corners of her lips threatening to upturn,
”Well, I did attend, Wystan, for a moment,”” More coughing interceded.
”...but then chaos unfolded. The Alidasht dropped to the floor and the event of the ball became the event of the fall,” An almost inaudible snicker came from inside the room. She raised her voice with her another cough to try to cover it,
”I just felt simply too ill to continue on in such troublesome atmosphere.”.
“I… see.” Wystan grew concerned for two things: the state of the banquet while he was gone, and the princess’ odd behavior this evening. The watchdog could very well pick up on subtle cues, let alone strange intonations he had only ever seen Anastasia deploy when something was amiss. The only issue being he couldn’t quite tell what it was just yet.
”I may not be your ward, but I am still responsible for overseeing your wellbeing and safety. As such–” His eyes narrowed at the sight of playing cards and poker chips set up on her bed.
”...””Princess Anastasia, I ask that you cease your tricks and return with me to the banquet, as soon as possible. As a royal of Caesonia and King Edin’s only daughter, your presence is much needed.” Wystan told her sternly.
”...And before we depart, I would like to see your companions out.”Anastasia's expression changed and she pulled off from the wall. She gave him a small, defeated smile then sighed and knocked her fist on the wall.
”Sorry everyone! Jig is up!She called into her room. She watched with slight amusement as a gentleman and lady began crawling out from under her bed, hastily struggling. They rose to their feet awkwardly and hurried out of the room with their gazes averted to the floor. She wiggled her fingers at them with a smile. There was a pause after that.
”One more.”She informed Wystan and knocked again, this time louder. The doors of her wardrobe loudly burst open as a half-dressed man stumbled out, his clothing in hand. He began pulling his coat back on as he looked at the two of them. Anastasia giggled at his bewildered expression. Once he had himself sorted, he saw himself out as well.
”Toodaloo!”She called down the hall after him
She casually pulled the tie out from her hair, freeing her locks and running her fingers through it. Once she was satisfied, she said to the stern bodyguard,
”Okay Wystan. Ready to go!”Anastasia offered her arm out to him as if nothing had just happened.
At times like this, if his eyes could kill, the watchdog would have sent at least a couple of daggers into the back of the third man’s head– and purposely missed, to send a clear message. Even the Danrose’s own staff and personnel needed to be quadruple-checked by him on a regular basis. Needless to say, security was tight, and he needed to make it so. They could not be careless, lest they wanted to allow happen another event like the princess’ abduction in the past. The watchdog subconsciously tightened his crossed arms, glaring a hole into the trio as they exited the hallways. He made a mental note to scout around the estate three times once the day’s events were over to sniff out any remaining hideaways.
”Your Royal Highness…” Wystan sighed as he extended his left arm for her to use.
”Your safety is of utmost priority to us. In Danrose’s name, I cannot allow anything to happen to you, do you understand?”Anastasia looped her arm within his, a smile crossing her face at his words,
”Yes, sir. I am as safe as can be… But you’ll just have to spend more time with me to keep it that way! Next time you should come join our game.” She told him with a giggle.
The princess might have said: “Join our game”. However, what Wystan heard was: “Stand watch and be around for thorough supervision.” To which the ward immediately replied with:
”Alright. Only if you would inform me in advance.” As the two of them made their way down their stairs toward the ballroom, she glanced at him and questioned,
” You haven’t been to the ball yet tonight, have you? Do you know if my brothers are alright? Not yet mobbed to death by all the women, are they?” The guards were opening the ballroom doors for them to enter as they paused in the entrance hall.
”...”Wystan was silent as he contemplated Princess Anastasia’s train of questions; all of which led to what could possibly be one of the worst-case scenarios imaginable for this setting. The watchdog’s eyebrows furrowed helplessly, almost tempted to question what he would do himself. This only spurred him on to tell the princess:
”You must not leave my sight. This means you may not exit the premise of the ball without letting myself or the princes know. If you are in need of assistance, do call for us. There are an inestimable number of guests tonight, and if anything were to happen–” A pause as the ward reels his worries back in.
”Please excuse me, Princess. I cannot afford anything happening to you this evening.”Anastasia stared at him for a moment. She seemed a little caught off guard by his words. Guilt and sadness briefly crossed her expression. She cast her gaze away to hide her face a moment, her arm dropping. It always felt like waking up out of a dream when she suddenly felt something.
It was easy sometimes to forget how even though she tended to get away with her mischief, there were others who might still face consequences for the choices she made. Wystan was one of the last people she ever wanted to cause grief for but he sometimes ended up in the crossfire of her impulses. Auguste and him were always there for her, and though it had been out of obligation, she liked to pretend that perhaps she meant more than that to them. Anastasia knew especially Wystan was worried about getting reprimanded by her father surely, but there was a part of her that wished it was for a different reason.
Finally, she looked at him and gently reached up to touch his cheek.
” … Thank you Wystan. Really. You’re a good friend.“ She gave him a smile and told him softly,
”I know it’s your job to protect us and you’re afraid of getting in trouble because of me. I’m sorry. I’ll try not to drive you crazy tonight. Try to have some fun instead of worrying; it’s okay to take a break, you know?””That can be allowed once I’m able to ensure your safety by the end of tonight.” Anastasia’s touch was warm. Wystan subconsciously raised a hand to hers, before catching himself just as contact was to be made. That insolent, unworthy, scarred hand of his remembered its place and promptly returned to his side– discipline thoroughly exercised. The watchdog sighed. With caution, he issued a brief scan of their surroundings. After deeming it safe, he leaned down a respectful distance from the princess’ ear.
”Do forgive my impudence, Princess, but I am well-equipped to handle trouble, be it by the hands of the King or those who seek to harm you. It is not that which I worry about.” A pause as he carefully gave thought to his next sentence. Completely and utterly unsure of how to express himself, his tone softened as he simply opted to lay his facts bare as well as he possibly could– an unusual innocence interwoven with his statement.
”...I would be doing this even if it weren't tasked for it. I would still be here if Prince Auguste didn’t ask me to fetch you.” You are important, was what he wanted to say. However, who was the
watchdog to tell Her Royal Highness, Princess Anastasia of Caesonia, the only daughter of the Sovereign to their kingdom, countless leagues higher than he, exactly who was important? Even if it was spoken in the words of a friend, would that not be degrading Her Reverence? Their friendship ran deep, but his strict obligation to the rules was rigorously enforced, firmly believing the princess should not deign to listen to the words of a commoner. Not now, not ever.
With that, Wystan returned to his straightened posture, piercing eyes uncharacteristically darting away from the princess’. Wystan’s hand had touched hers, only briefly, but it was enough for her to feel as if she had butterflies in her stomach. She listened to him as if she were in a trance, her cheeks flushing red. There was something about what he said that was different from what she usually heard. It wasn’t as if he had been flirting with her, as many did and she would always reply with ease. She would always feel nothing about it. But what Wystan had to say filled her with a warmth that was unfamiliar to her. For someone to want to protect her even if it had not been their job, there was no way for her to downplay in her mind; she held value to him.
”Y-You really mean.. it?” Anastasia stumbled over her words. She was thoughtfully quiet before she brushed hair behind her ear and smiled at him,
”Well. Aren’t I lucky?” The watchdog merely remained silent, offering up his arm once again.
After a moment, the princess moved into the ballroom with Wystan. People were crowding servants with bowls in hand, all grabbing eagerly at the slips of paper. Her expression fell with dismay. She was so hoping they had missed this part. A servant with a big smile soon approached,
”Please take one-“”No.”She blurted out immediately. Last time, the fellow she had been paired with kept sneezing right in her face. She shuddered thinking of it. Her gaze lowered to the bowl nonetheless. There was only one left. If she took it, then Wystan wouldn’t get to have any fun. After his sweet words, there was no way she’d deprive of him having his break as she had offered him.
Anastasia thus picked the slip out of the bowl and placed it into Wystan’s palm.
”Go. Have fun.”She grinned at him. The servant opened her mouth to protest but then quickly shut it for whatever reason and walked away.
”...” The watchdog was interrupted in his search for Prince Auguste, but obediently opened the slip of paper and took note of his given number. As the announcement had already begun to ring out the designated partners, he took the opportunity to share a stern look with Princess Anastasia, as if to tacitly agree that she would watch over herself while her brothers and he were busy with this section of the event. After all, there was no doubt that the princes would be given a chance to bond with a potential candidate for marriage in this dance, given King Edin’s often ambitious yet underhanded plans. Based on his speculations on all those present tonight and the information he collected to divulge with Prince Auguste, he was sure that Princess Beatrice would stand a good chance at earning a spot next to the second prince.
"Please excuse me, Your Royal Highness.” The watchdog executed a deep bow toward Princess Anastasia before he thanked her for her generosity and the opportunity. However, he was not too interested in whoever his dance would be with tonight, because it did not matter. For Prince Wulfric and Prince Callum, however, arrangements were highly more important, though still up in the air considering the vast number of participants this evening brought. Along with this, it was a shame that the Princess herself would not be able to partake in the dance– perhaps after this was over–
Suddenly, the guard froze in place with an unreadable expression as he locked eyes with his dance partner. The two shared an inexplicable look, and internally, he could not help but simply ask:
"Why?” He shot a glance back at Anastasia. Anastasia looked just as shocked and mouthed the word “sorry,” then covered her mouth as if trying to keep something in.
…Because tonight, he would be led by Prince Wulfric, the Crown Prince of Caesonia– one destined to rule over the kingdom as dictated by countless generations of tradition. He blinked once at the royal heir, his face neutral while he gave the prince a deep, well-practiced bow. There was no mistake in the respect the watchdog held for the first prince, but why had King Edin not rigged his slip? Not only was this a missed opportunity– it was also rather embarrassing, more for the first prince than for him. Despite it all, he obediently resigned himself to attempting his best and elected to follow in the prince’s lead, diligently reviewing all his learned dance etiquette so as to not further embarrass the highly-esteemed crown prince.
"Good evening, Your Royal Highness, Prince Wulfric. It is truly an honor to accompany you for tonight’s dance.”—and somewhere off in the distance, Princess Anastasia's faint, uncontrollable laughter could be heard.
Member
Tpartywithzombi
SilverPaw
op2024
PapaOso
Mole
Lildear18
Experiment 249
shylarah
Silent Showers
Howilng Zinogre
