ㅤㅤNeo remained at Quilliene's side - not because he had to, but because he recognised the grip on his arm as a sign of anxiety. The crowd of men and women were parted as a purple carpet was displayed for her to walk down. Whispers of curiosity and wonderment and awe as she stepped forward at once with him, and he could hear people whispering, wanting to know who he was.
ㅤㅤHe could care less, to be honest. He was more than happy to listen to the excited compliments of Quilliene instead, in awe of how gorgeous her majesty looked. That was what pleased him, and he was proud to be at her side. He found himself increasingly happy he was the one walking her down this carpet. Not Christopher. Not Kyrana. Him.
ㅤㅤThe music continued to play as they made their way to the thrones, the queen's the most decorated while the king's remained empty. He led her on up the steps, to the seat, and finally found that he had to slip from her grasp. They turned to each other, and he offered her a bow as graciously as he could before taking his bodyguard's position next to her throne.
ㅤㅤShe didn't want to let go of his arm, but she had to. It was almost like clockwork. Even though a part of her wanted to reach out and make him stand closer, just for her comfort, she felt those eyes below on her. So she simply sat in her throne. Maids rushed to the other side and stood there patiently as the people clapped, cheered, and practically swooned from her appearance. She didn't understand it - she had barely done much of anything except for taking a small walk and sitting down.
ㅤㅤChristopher, who was waiting below where a smaller chair for a prince was, had his white dreadlocks tied back in a ponytail with a matching pastel blue overcoat and heeled boots. He took a seat after she did, close to her feet. The public had a moment to watch the magnificence of the siblings, together again after so long long apart all these years.
ㅤㅤA demonic servant in a purple waistcoat stepped forward, raising his hands to silence the crowd. "Welcome one and all to our queen, her majesty's, Quilliene Ravenheart's nineteenth birthday. In the tradition of this house, we invite the people of this nation to feast, dance, and celebrate under our roof another year of being blessed by her and her family's servitude."
ㅤㅤQuilliene couldn't help but wince at the word blessed. If only they knew the truth about the loyally Anglican family, who were actually demon contractors. What a strange revelation it would be, indeed - and a mess of the world. Everything would be in ruins, and nobody would dare to keep a hells worshipper on the throne.
ㅤㅤNeo remained silent, his eyes forward. Chris-topher had run him through this a million times for weeks. All he had to do was stand there, stare ahead, and remain quiet. There was a specific position he had to take as a bodyguard, and the prince had recited it to him until he could no longer possibly think of anything else.
ㅤㅤBack straight like a wooden board, arms behind him with his hands lightly folded and clasped, feet forward and legs together. He felt eyes on him, curiosities piqued, but mostly people were looking at Quilliene and her brother. He wasn't sure if he found that relieving they weren't looking at him, or perhaps annoying that they got to look at her beauty while he didn't.
ㅤㅤ"Let us celebrate a new age for our queen," The servant droned on. "And rejoice in her rule!" That instilled another cheer from the crowd. "Now, enjoy the party in the name of her majesty, in hopes of better years to come for this nation. A toast to our queen!"
ㅤㅤAll the people below raised their champagne glasses, multiple clinks resounding through the hall as they toasted to their queen. it was absolutely nerve wracking for Quilliene, so the only way she could really react was with a smile and a sweet, short, and formal nod. What else was there to do anyway, besides sit there?
ㅤㅤThat's exactly what she did, too. For the next hour or so, her and her brother simply sat there. She watched as the guests partook in the food and danced the floor away. She would be offered finger food, small cakes, and delicious little treats, but she was unbelievably bored. She got to try dishes made by the people of the nation, tested for poisons but none coming up positive, and that was the only enjoyable part.
ㅤㅤNeo wasn't too excited about having to stand in one place, either. He wasn't even happy about the food part - it would just turn burnt in his mouth and he wouldn't even get to taste. Not like Quilliene could put her magickal protective shield over it in front of all these people. He remembered that piece of chocolate she did that on so long ago, it felt like forever... and he missed that taste.
ㅤㅤNeo glanced over to the band, who were starting up music again, playing in the elevated corner. People were dancing. It was like a medieval ball, with people doing the waltz across the floor and switching partners sometimes just to spice things up. He knew how to do that - Fleur had taught him a long time ago, and he was sure he could do it again.
ㅤㅤThen an idea popped into his head - something Daileth had suggested a while back. He glanced at Quilliene. Was she allowed to do that? Well, she was the queen, she could do whatever she wanted. Did she even know how, though? Of course she did, she was royalty. Looking ahead again, his heart fluttered as his mind wandered. Yet, people would watch - there was no doubt. Despite that, he found himself sidestepping closer and leaning down to whisper to her.
ㅤㅤ"Want to dance?"
ㅤㅤQuilliene nearly choked on her Turkish delight, glancing up. People were happy with the song selections, chosen by Christopher, and they were dancing. Doing what Neo just asked her if she wanted to do. She knew how to dance, yes, but she had never danced with someone as worthwhile as Neo. Last time she danced, she was only a little girl, surrounded by people so much bigger than her.
ㅤㅤSo, it came as a surprise when she was an adult, hearing those words. Like a thought in the back of her mind that wanted to be brought forth, but she wasn't sure if she was ready. Yet, she had it. That single desire. She turned to look at him, then quickly averted her attention back to the people below. She didn't know what to say. She wasn't sure she could say anything at all.
ㅤㅤFinally, though, she managed a nod. She held out her hand, and Neo couldn't hide the grin that grew on his face. He helped her out of her seat, and immediately, the eyes followed and the gazes shifted. The tone of the room changed as everyone absolutely needed to give their undivided attention to their queen for this one small act.
ㅤㅤNeo lowered his head in a show of respect to her, feeling her small fingers entwine with his as he led her down the steps, his palm facing the sky as her hand rested on top. Down in the middle of the room, the sea of people parted. Everyone was watching, he knew, but he was watching her - and only her. He glanced at Christopher, who was peering on in either interest or anger, but he didn't care which.
ㅤㅤHis mismatched eyes shifted back to fall on Quilliene, and he knew he had to seize this moment or else it would run from him. They stopped in the middle of the ballroom, where everyone had paused dancing just to watch. The band ceased their music, beginning again. He adjusted his grip on her hand, facing her then and wrapping his arm behind her, placing that hand on the small of her back.
ㅤㅤ"Ready?" He whispered.
ㅤㅤShe stared up at him, her voice almost breathless. "Ready."
ㅤㅤThe music swelled, and when they began to dance, she felt at rest. From the moment she stood up from that chair to when she got onto the dance floor, he guided and directed everything with ease. She spent the first few moments of their dance in a daze, allowing him to move their bodies in an imperfect yet perfect waltz - and she loved it. He could dance, and she loved that, too.
ㅤㅤSoon, she was no longer relinquishing the lead to him completely, but instead complimenting it. One step, two step, backwards, sway, twirl, twist underarm, and join again. She didn't quite know what it was that she was doing, but the fact she knew she was doing it with him? Well, it happened to be the best moment in her life.
ㅤㅤNeo felt more comfortable dancing with her than he did with anyone else he had ever dared to show his skills to. He was fluent, more fluent than he thought he would be, like a written melody that just flew off the page and jumped across the floor. The music kept going, singing into his bones as he enjoyed the moment.
ㅤㅤHe looked into her, and his steps fell into place. No - he was falling. Falling ever so deeply in love with every part of her. Those milky brown eyes, her red flush to her mocha cheeks, the way her braids framed her face. Yet, it was more than that. The slight curve of her smile, the way her laugh sounded when they were alone, and how she looked at him. Like she loved him, too.
ㅤㅤHe didn't care about anyone else or think about anyone else. Not even Fleur crossed his mind. He didn't need anyone to tell him that he was falling in love, because he was doing it over and over again with every little aspect of her. Just because he felt eyes didn't mean he cared about them. It didn't matter if Christopher was watching, or if he had put it together now.
ㅤㅤAs for Quilliene, she knew he was truly something else. A sarcastic man from nowhere was now dancing with her, the softest smile on his face that she had ever seen from him. For just a moment, all that noise and music and conversation around her just filtered out, completely vacating her mind for her to realise something. She was, for the first time in her life, in the arms of a man who loved her for who she was and not for her throne.
ㅤㅤBefore, she had thought she might drown in the sea of all the stares and gossiping, but he kept her afloat with those careless mismatched eyes. He convinced her to keep her gaze on just him without even a word. The way he held her, the way he looked at her, the way he simply smelled like roses. She loved it. She loved him, and she wanted to lean in so badly...
ㅤㅤNeo stared into her eyes. He saw her smile, then saw it fade longingly. She wanted something, and so did he. He felt her lean in, and his grip on her back tightened as he lowered his head. He didn't want to close his eyes, but he did as she had, right before he saw the spark of purple energy between them coating herself. Taking in a breath, he pressed lightly against her lips and did something he had done only once before.
ㅤㅤHe kissed someone. And it wasn't just anyone. It was Quilliene.
ㅤㅤNeo wasn't sure how to react when he realised she wasn't dying in his arms. No, she was kissing him back, deeply and passionately, pulling him in. He hadn't noticed they stopped dancing, holding each other so closely, and he loved it. So did she, finding her hand on his shoulder travelling up to rest on his cheek, tilting her head and embracing it. Neo felt their noses bump, and he couldn't help but smile.
ㅤㅤIt wasn't until he heard the collective gasps that he remembered they were surrounded, and someone - everyone - was watching.
ㅤㅤHe opened his eyes, pulling back with a sharp intake of breath. The music had ceased, the band apparently taking notice of the scene. They had stopped dancing and were standing silently in each other's arms, and Quilliene was looking at him in longing confusion. The purple magick faded as he proceeded to let go of her and step away.
ㅤㅤHis eyes lifted to see the people around him - the looks of disapproval all around. Neo gazed up at the thrones, turning his head to see Christopher now standing with a horrible glare plastered on his face. Neo took in breath after realising he wasn't breathing, as his eyes went back to his queen. He had kissed her. Gods be damned, why had he done that?
ㅤㅤQuilliene wasn't so afraid - instead, she was shocked. Smiling, her heart nearly pounding out of her chest, she stood upright. Her hand came up to touch her lips, pulling away to see them plump and coated in neat nude lipstick. No decay. No coughing. Nothing. She had kissed him - finally, the one thing she had been wanting to do all this time, but...
ㅤㅤShe began to glance around the room, just now realising there were other people around besides Neo and herself. She had been entranced and enveloped by Neo's dance and overall essence that she had forgotten where she was for the time being. Even with her getting her posture together and trying to resist the urge to look at him, she had no idea what she was supposed to do.
ㅤㅤThen she heard clapping. Turning, she saw one man in a white feathery masquerade mask applauding enthusiastically with a grin on his face. She took in a breath, realising how familiar that smile was. Malicious, yet proudly deceiving for those around her. At first it was just him, then five, then more. Soon, everyone there was hiding their disgust with gleeful smiles of approval and eager clapping.
ㅤㅤ"Bravo - bravo, your majesty!" Someone said, and another whistled.
ㅤㅤSo as to not seem so out of place, she gave them a feigned smile and nod, curtseying. Then something else happened, making her forget about that masked man completely. It seemed something rather small ran into the assortment of wine glasses, dousing guests surrounding it in champagne. Then a chocolate fountain exploded over a few couples, coating them finely.
ㅤㅤFor that moment, heads were turned away and riled up by the commotion. She didn't quite care about the mess that was made. She wanted to get out of there and something, or someone, gave her an opportunity to move. So she did, quickly rushing off and away from Neo, back to her throne. She passed her brother, who was still glaring at Neo. No, he didn't look to be having a fun time at all.
ㅤㅤNeo, on the other hand, stood there for a moment. Then he glanced at Christopher again, as the man slowly sat back down in his seat. Yet, Neo didn't move back to his bodyguard's position. Something told him to run. So he did, turning tail and pushing through the crowd desperately, trying to find the entrance.
ㅤㅤHe could hear them - despite the distractions, they were loud and clear. Whispers, murmurs, glances, glares. He felt and heard all of it behind him, and he was blindly panicking until he reached those doors and shot through out on the other side. He continued down the hall with a brisk walk, passing guards and servants who glanced at him passing as he covered his mouth with one gloved hand.
ㅤㅤHer lips were so soft.