Carefree

Varya had been in the bathroom for at least two hours. She started with a long bath where she softened her skin and gave her hair a good scrub. Upon getting out of the bath, she applied oil to her skin while her hair dried. She smelled like vanilla and it made her crave ice cream. Her long, silver hair was curled into waves and she wore it down her back with one side tucked behind her ear.

She wished she had her jewelry collection from Earth. At one point there were designers trying to get her to wear their jewels for good publicity. She looked down at her hand at the platinum ring with the aquamarine center stone and smiled faintly. This ring would have to be enough.

Varya was as ready as she could get and exited the bathroom after putting on her shoes. There were a few things lacking, but she felt she did the best she could with what was available. The dress was held up by thin straps that went over her shoulders. In the front was a deep v and there was enough support that her breasts were pushed together to hide the cut from yesterday in her generous cleavage. Further down, the dress ruched at her right side, accentuating her small waist, and a little ways below that was a slit that went to the floor. Overall, she felt beautiful for the first time in a long time.

As she left the bathroom, she saw the prince actually looking like a prince. He wore a navy blue double-breasted suit coat with gold buttons that was adorned with various medals on the right side, giving hints to his military experience. Gold was seen throughout the epaulets on his shoulders, collar, and chain that went from his shoulder to his chest pocket. His voluminous black hair was mostly contained and brushed to the side. He had navy pants that matched the jacket and black formal shoes on his feet.

She couldn't help the comment that slipped out of her mouth, "That's what I expected when you said you were a prince."

His eyebrows raised at her. At times she made comments about his royal status that didn't make sense. Maybe royalty from her planet looked different. All royalty meant to him was the blood running through his veins and a title that made it impossible for him to go unrecognized.

When the prince really looked at her, he didn't hide the fact that his eyes swept from her hair all the way down to her shoes, causing faint pink color to take over her cheeks in response. He was going to have to be on high alert tonight and he hoped they wouldn't have any interactions with Lord Kruos. He knew already she was going to have eyes all over her the second she walked through the doors.

Basileus was adjusting his black tie in the mirror hung up inside one of his closets. He put a golden pin through the top of his tie with the Basilian royal crest on it.

"Shall we?" He asked her when he was finished.

When she confirmed that they could leave, he held out his hand. Upon her acceptance, he put her hand on his arm.

"Aren't you a gentleman," she observed with a teasing tone.

"I can pretend in public," he responded with a smirk.

Yet, she didn't take her arm away and they walked like that the entire way down.

Once they made it to the first floor of the castle, Lord Kruos's party was in full swing in what appeared to be a ballroom. This part of the castle gave more hints to what the castle must have looked like before the inside was modernized. A giant golden chandelier hung from the ceiling. Most of the colors in the place were gold, cream, and a deep wine. Tables were set up around the perimeter and a dancing area was in the middle. Elevated above everyone else was Emperor Kruos and another man who looked nearly identical to him but even taller. It was his brother.

Varya looked around the room in curiosity, but she didn't dare leave the prince's side. It felt surprisingly comfortable to have her hand on Basileus's arm as he guided them through the room. Seeing the disinterested look on Prince Basileus's face, she tried to imitate it. It wasn't hard for her to remain neutral with people's eyes on her. She had experienced situations like this on Earth.

A servant led them to a table where Prince Basileus's name was written in the universal language on a cream card in gold lettering. Fortunately, the other guests assigned to this table weren't there and the two of them sat down, two servants pulling out their chairs as they did.

A worker walked by with a tray of drinks and Varya raised her eyebrows in curiosity. Seeing this, Basileus grabbed two tall flutes of what seemed to be champagne.

"Do you want a drink?" he asked.

"I would love one," she responded with a small smile.

On Earth, she loved to drink every now and then. Though her parents didn't like her to drink because they thought she was going to get a reputation, it didn't stop her from having her own fun.

Basileus followed her lead. When she had alcohol in her hand, she shamelessly threw her head back, swallowing down the sparkling liquid in only a couple of gulps. He did the same.

"I didn't know you were such a drinker," he commented and dabbed the corner of his mouth with the cloth napkin on the table.

"You don't know a lot about me," she responded, her eyes sparkling in amusement.

It was only the truth. As much as he could observe her every day and as much as she could do the same to him, they were no better than two strangers occupying the same space. There were few words shared between them, especially when the prince spent long hours training or left the room for his off-planet duties upon Kruos's request.

It hadn't occurred to her before that she was going to be able to drink. It might make being in the same room as Emperor Kruos and his equally as intimidating brother more pleasant.

The prince didn't have too much experience with alcohol. At times he drank wine at social events because it was what was expected of him, but he never tested his boundaries, finding it made him feel hot and that was about it.

As more food and drinks were circulating in the ballroom, the more the both of them partook.

They weren't the only ones who were enjoying themselves. It wasn't often Emperor Kruos threw such an extravagant party. Only those holding higher rank were in attendance and it was clear the cold purple eyes of Kruos's brother was the reason why. Everyone was adorned in their best clothing - many of them showing off their experience and rank through medals. Despite the menacing eyes observing the party, every being in attendance seemed to be having a wonderful time.

A live band in the corner played music on instruments Varya had never seen before. There were slow dances and fast ones. Some of the music seemed romantic while other songs seemed more fun and celebratory.

As the food slowed down and less servants were walking around, more people were dancing. The more Varya drank, the more she had a desire to dance, but she wasn't going to push the prince. She sat back and enjoyed the environment - the alcohol in her system giving her a lighthearted feeling for the first time in a while.

Basileus noticed Varya becoming more talkative and a faint redness appeared permanently on her cheeks the more she drank. Being competitive in nature, he kept up with her drinking. He felt warm from his feet all the way up to his head.

To Basileus's displeasure, a light green hand tapped Varya's shoulder and her blue eyes looked up, surprised that anyone dared to approach her while she sat with the prince.