Shattered (2)

Theon held his sister at arm’s length, and a calm silence fell between them. “Well?”

Gabriel shrugged nonchalantly. “Nothing much, cousin. Just a lot of catching up between us.”

Theon looked unconvinced, but he chose not to say anything. He pressed his lips in a thin line before nodding his head to let the subject go. “Then it is what it is.”

Meanwhile, the two great golden doors at the head of the room were eased open by two footmen, who stood at attention on either side. And then, a hush swept in the room.

“Well—” Theon guided her hand to cling onto his left arm “—as much as I want the three of us to have a nice chat, the important guests have finally arrived. We have to greet them with mom and dad.”

“Later, then. I’ll be joining Father by their seats,” Gabriel said, and off he walked in grace toward where Uncle Asher and his wife sat.

“Come on, Clara. Aren’t you excited to see him again?” Theon asked as they walked over to the center of the ballroom with the king and queen, anticipating the arrival of their important guests.

The orchestra’s strings began playing the opening chords of a musical piece, and the whole room shifted its attention. Clara remained her gaze on the entrance where three important figures emerged. The pit in her stomach arose. They were standing, not doing anything, but enough to make anyone cower and bow down.

King Vaughn Demetrius Lancaster had dressed in his well-embellished tunic with goldwork thread, a surcoat, and a red and white royal cape. His ring-adorned fingers closed around an ornate scepter. But he didn’t forget to bring with him his unyielding expression—a reminder that his words had always been firm and irreversible.

His wife, Queen Alicia, stood proud beside him. She was a tall and striking woman with a long sharp face. Her hair was burgundy and arranged with a pin at the nape of her neck. She wore a deep red dress decorated with the same goldwork thread that sparkled against the chandelier lights. But there was something in her eyes, deeper and darker like a raging dark sea, drowning Clara into a chasm of no escape.

Clara strayed her glance away from the queen until she was met with the prince’s wavy amber locks and chocolate-painted eyes. They crinkled when he smiled at her. And when she saw him dressed in an all-black royal suit, Clara’s face crumpled with disappointment. He had promised her they would be wearing matching colors.

She had known Prince Alistair since she was five, and their friendship had a bond forged from the princess’ loneliness and their kingdoms’ fruitful relationship.

Their families joined, and they walked to line up at the long table, facing everyone. Alistair covertly chuckled at Clara’s grumpiness. The princess, in turn, stuck a tongue out and followed closely behind Theon.

The orchestra came to the end of the song, and everyone was paying attention to King Astrid.

“People of Terralis, a warm word of welcome to everyone tonight as we celebrate the birthday of my daughter, Princess Clarabelle Zolene Lockhart,” his thick voice bellowed. “Tonight is an exceptional evening, indeed. We are so glad that many have been joining us this evening. Later, there will be a special and important announcement. But for now, let us all have a toast for the princess.”

They all raised their champagne flutes and drank the liquid. A hand emerged from the tightly cuffed sleeves of a dark dress shirt. “Join me for a dance, Princess Clarabelle?”

Clara was about to ignore him for his teasing, but then she felt every pair of eyes on their table, watching her every move.

“I-I’d love to.”

Prince Alistair took her hand and whisked her out onto the dance floor of the grand ballroom. Alistair encircled an arm around her waist while the other clasped her hand securely in his.

As the orchestra played, he led her in a waltz around the room, her gown swirling as they glided through the steps. Though she didn’t mind the closeness of their bodies, there was no denying the fact that she was numb to the prince’s feelings. She grew up with him, not feeling any romance but pure love for a friend and a sibling.

His eyes sparkled with joy as he stared at her face, but Clara took it the wrong way. 

“Now you’re laughing at my face,” she said, her lips puckering. “You ditched our dress code.”

“I just exercised my free will, Your Highness. At the last minute, I thought of going all black,” he said, grinning from ear to ear.

She scoffed and directed their conversation so they wouldn’t look like an arguing couple in public. “To think a few months ago I didn’t even know the first steps to a waltz.”

“Oh, thank goodness. I deeply express my relief. You do not have any more reason to step on my toes,” he said.

“Why would you say that? I wasn’t that bad before… sort of. But at least my dancing was pretty decent.” She nudged Alistair’s shoulder teasingly.

“Decent is an understatement, my princess.” He guided her into one last twirl before they stopped. As the song winded down, Alistair’s hands lingered on her waist, his eyes searching Clara’s.

“Clara, I need to talk to you. It’s about something I—”he paused for a bit, biting his lips, obviously searching for the right words to say.

“Is something wrong?” Clara's eyes drew closer together in worry.

“It's been impossible to get even a moment alone with you these last few days. But I need to know—” Alistair couldn’t seem to finish what he wanted to say. He was about to add something when his stare fell behind Clara.

Her eyes widened like a saucer when he kissed her forehead in front of everyone. Her ears caught the sound of giggles as she was pulled over the long table, feeling light and dizzy on her feet.

Everyone was in full attention as King Astrid and King Vaughn stood in their glory. While the space was enormous, having the two of them together at the same place only made them feel suffocated. A truly dominating presence, indeed.

“Everyone, it is time for our big announcement.” It was Clara’s father who spoke. Clara felt a soft caress at the small of her back, reeling her head to the left to see Prince Theon wearing a sullen smile.

‘Are you okay?’ she mouthed to him. Theon shook his head, diverting his attention back to their father.

“But before that, I would like everyone to know that this decision was certainly made and agreed upon by both parties. And we have nothing else in mind but only the sake of our children.” He beckoned Clara and Alistair to stand beside him. “Clarabelle. Alistair.”

“Dad?” Clara asked, looking at him cluelessly. When the king smiled, it was rare. On those rare occasions, they were genuine. He held his daughter closer to him; his one arm draped over her shoulder.

“Sierra and Vermont have always had unbreakable bonds for hundreds of years. And this bond shall live on and will never perish even in the coming years, decades or even centuries,” King Vaughn stated.

“Tonight, with all of you as witnesses, we officially announce the engagement of Princess Clarabelle Zolene Lockhart of the Sierra Kingdom and Prince Pierce Alistair Lancaster of the Vermont Kingdom.”

And a buzz rang in Clara’s ears. Her dream of freedom had shattered entirely.