I knew that I spent quite a bit of time waiting on Princess Alina to get ready for the evening, but I had not anticipated that it would take the entire day.
"Hold on a moment!" Alina stopped our bustling crowd headed toward her mother's chambers.
Turning down an open corridor, my babysitting throng took in the sight of the masses making their way to the ball from a balcony in the royal wing.
Winter somehow crept into season without me noticing it. The setting sun cast a comforting glow over the castle walls making the early evening chill less formidable. The fresh air felt like home.
I scanned the courtiers and countrymen approaching the door for any signs of threat. When I found nothing noteworthy, I scanned the guards stationed on the walls. At least this surveillance did not trap me in a room of perfumes and fawning ladies.
As I recall one of the last times I was in a crowded celebration with this group, the ladies attempted to match make for me.
My stomach churned with what sustenance the queen provided for me. Although I objected to the idea of being a pawn for teenage amusement, I still attributed the queasiness to the uncertainty of the evening in more than just that aspect.
At least I correctly paired up Lady Calista to watch Lord Jacobson's back at the ball. I rubbed my temple, still embarrassed at my own lack of comprehension of such a couple.
"Is that incorrect, Lord Holden?" My name brought me around to the current moment.
"Forgive me. What did you say, Your Highness?" I said after I figured out who mentioned my name.
Alina looked amused. "I asked if with all these guests arriving, would it be safer if we proceeded to join my mother? However, I think your almost hypnotic focus on scanning the crowd gives away the answer."
I suppose as a princess, Alina grew accustomed to being moved indoors occasionally for her own safety. I preferred being outdoors for everyone else's safety.
"Quite right, Your Highness." I drew life into my lungs as I knew that this fresh air might be my last connection to life outside the palace for the rest of the evening.
The young noble people accustomed to large parties at the palace proceeded into the castle. As I reached to close the door behind me, I wondered if this balcony was the location of the tale I heard of Lady Calista setting off fireworks. I can only look forward to what trouble she might cause tonight.
The flurry of excitement inside the queen's chambers could be felt from down the hall. It seemed that almost every member of the palace staff came to wish her well. Some even came up with nonsensical tasks just to have a reason to be in the royal wing.
A manservant pretended to dust the sconce in the hall. A task I am sure had been completed hours before. Seeing a maid bring a single empty tea cup on a silver platter only to take it back to the kitchen, punctuated the point.
I heard Queen Valerie receive each one with grace and patience, as her voice echoed down the corridor.
My babysitting assignment turned the corner to almost run into the end of a receiving line. It was not, however, for the queen. Sir John stood at the front of the line and shook every hand before the servants would enter the queen's rooms to congratulate her as well.
I served under King Caderyn, as my father had before me. I could not imagine two more opposite forms of leadership. I refuse to speak ill of the dead, but I could not recall a single memory where our late king met his people on their own terms.
King Caderyn, rest his soul, lead more with distance between himself and his people. He let Queen Valerie handle the countrymen personally and let his job consist of military instructions.
Here, my sovereign's future husband walked from one servant to the next, meeting them personally. The line did not simply come to him, he walked to them. My heart swelled before bursting into a million pieces.
The pride I felt at knowing such a man would lead, or at least advise our queen on how to lead, shattered upon one realization. I longed to lead in a similar way. I did lead in a similar way when I was home.
Sir John's service to his country will allow him the freedom to lead in whatever way he chooses. My service trapped me here.
Embittered, I joined the line behind my babysitting charges. I am sure that four people in finery outside of the palace livery caught the attention of the man trained to be a Swordsman. Even so, he did not draw his attention away from the people right in front of him.
"Do you think he even noticed us?" Princess Alina mused aloud.
As she did, I saw Sir John move toward the next person in line. Before shaking the maid's hand, he called toward my group.
"I do see you, Your Highness. Queen Valerie will be ready soon." Sir John answered her question, before shaking the young maid's hand.
Every maid, manservant and anyone in between that happened to find themselves in the royal wing met the fiancé of the queen personally. Sir John won the hearts of the people in a way that few could.
When Princess Alina reached the front of the line, Sir John bowed. "Thank you, Your Highness."
"What do you mean, Sir John?" the princess's nervous excitement came out in an effervescent melody.
"Thank you for sharing your mother with me. You are her greatest joy." Sir John bowed once more, unable to fully convey something I feel he had rehearsed.
"Thank you, Sir John," Alina curtsied in response before crossing the threshold into her mother's rooms.
Calista gave a quick tuck of her heel, before following her friend. Sir John's wide smile knew better than to engage Calista in pleasantries.
Lord Jacobson and his uncle clasped arms before pulling each other into a hug. As the final members of the line, I followed the two men into the queen's chambers. It was almost time to party.