Chapter 2: Oh Hell

If It wasn't for Father asking this of me, I would not be here in the middle of a crowded ball dressed up as a pompous spoiled brat. Wearing the family symbol and name was not enough for events such as this. People had to be dressed in their Tribes traditional yet elegant clothing full of the finest jewels that their Tribe has to offer. Plus be on the best behavior, if not, a person out of accordance can be severely punished or kicked out of their Tribe. The rules, the high society, and tradition had been something I kept a distance from.

I did not like playing this game of false pretense and kindness. Most the people in here wanted a reason to strike and or find weakness. Events such as these showcased the faults and cracks within a Kingdom.

I normally would have been in one of the far corners taking in the audience or doing a perimeter check around the palace. But Father had not so kindly demanded I be here for my own ceremony of joyous celebrations. So in order to cope with such disposition, I drink a nice glass of Wine. Hoping that this will all fade quickly and I can go back to sleeping.

But where's the fun in that?

———

Being surrounded by such a large amount of people dressed in expensive fabrics and horrendous scents of perfumes from all over the world, would drive anyone insane. I stayed rooted to my seat, uncomfortable and stiff waiting to be called on.

The dress I wore was too suffocating and all the trinkets in my hair was becoming knotted. I was being roasted alive with all this clothing on and I felt restricted. Worse of all, I couldn't eat a damn thing in this dress. Two words: Fucking Hell.

On my third drink and my second spoonful of soup, I felt nauseous. My Dearest Mother proudly and elegantly strode off and around the room with my Father not to far behind, as if on a leash following his master. I never want to be like that, or behave in such a deplorable manner. If a day comes and I allow myself to be dragged on in such a manner, then I must be on my death bed or high on aphrodisiac. For I'd never stoop that low, no matter the person or cause. This will only lead to chaos.

I don't know how my Father could take being dragged in every direction and yet fake smile as if he was happy. I stayed in my spot looking at nothing particularly waiting for the perfect moment to escape.

My eldest brother, Quinton, known for being the strongest and quietest out of all my brothers looked at me with lapis lazuli eyes. His long violet almost black hair was tied smartly into a braid with delicate silver chains intertwined in between the many thick and full locks. His strong and angular square face was dusted with freckles such as my own. A sharp nose and full lips completed his face with thick eyebrows. He was always described as a handsome man with a sharp face, but when he smiled you could see his boyish charms as his dimples would be seen. He was dressed in a dark suit with velvet purple trimming with designs of the family name and symbol inside the coat, that he left hanging on the chair. His tight gray dress shirt clung onto his body, showing his large muscle flex every time he moved slightly.

"Little Rose, this has to be one the most boring things Father and Mother has had to make us all suffer through." Quinton spoke quietly, so just the two of us would hear. I nodded my head slightly, looking at the direction our parents went with a face of disproval. "We're going to be the laughing stock out of the nations at this rate." I grumbled just as quietly, observing whose walking around us and the stranglers whose near us. Quinton, made a sound at the back of his throat before continuing with our conversation. "Father knows the risk, putting your weakness on display like that. Only causes trouble and problems for the tribe." Once again I nodded in agreement, "The last five years has already brought us down our peg in the food chain, but after this display, we surely are going to be targeted more so than ever. Just look at the Kings-Men from the Western Tribe." I discreetly pointed to, "They're already watching Mother Dearest like a hawk, trying to find her weak point." Eldest Brother looked in there direction and nodded his head in acknowledgment, standing up, showing his full height of above 6'5, he brought his large hands out to help me get up from my seat. " I think it's high time to greet our neighbors with such familiar-ness, as they eye our Mother." He growled out with a smirk, my small hands clasp onto his large ones. "Lead the way." I spoke softly with a smirk of my own.

We walk both hand in hand greeting people along the way, as we go towards our Western Brothers. Greeting them properly with the highest of courtesy and rank.

The King of the Western Tribe, Zane, kept his yellow eyes of star dust on me and me alone. Eyeing my body up and down and almost ignoring Quinton completely, till Quinton placed me behind him, with a scowl placed on his face, Quinton looked him dead in the eyes. "I would like to say it's a pleasure, but seeing as you won't even bat an eye at me, I'd say otherwise." A smile spread across Zane's face, showing his sharp teeth.

With a flick of Zane's wrist, everyone from the Western Tribe departed. " My sweet dear Quinny, are you jealous?" Zane too then stood up at a tall height, yet nowhere near the same height as my brother. Zane's short orange hair kept getting in his eye's, and unexpectantly Quinton brushed the orange strands from Zane's eyes to behind his ear. "You've been a naughty fox, forgetting who has who on a tight leash." Quinton spoke haughtily to Zane. Softly breathing on Zane's ear, before moving back a step. Widen eyes and a gapped mouth, Zane lost his composure for a moment.

Moving out of Quinton's reach, Zane quickly regained his act of relaxation and scowled harshly at my brother. "I owe you nothing, nothing you hear? You've lost that chance to have the luxury of me." Zane harshly spoke, as if rocks were in his mouth, he swiftly and quickly left, going straight towards the bar and disappear into the crowd.

I looked up at my brother to see him smirking in the direction that Zane went. "Who would've thought that the fox would run away." Quinton snorted, then clasping his hand on my shoulder, he took me back to our table smiling brightly at the turn of events. "What an interesting start."

I shook my head and continued onward with my eldest brother, ignoring the whispers and stares. Being the last raining princess in all the tribes, not married, and unclaimed I'm accustomed to the stares, but the whispers were not of me. But instead of the flaming red haired jackass strutting his way towards me with a group of women clutching onto him.

————

"Truly, a turn of events." I mumble softly as Phoenix so "kindly" comes to my family's table with his mistresses clinging onto him like snakes. I look at him indifferently, as I firmly grip the wine glass. Taking slow and even sips, I calmly look at him and the ladies gripping onto his forearm and hands.

Phoenix's skin was kissed bronze from the weather, blessing him in a golden shine. The tone of his tanned skin nicely compliments his soft and luscious red curls. His high cheek bones worked well with his diamond shaped face, highlighting his eyes of greenish lime. His large eyes stare deep into my soul as his smirk continues on growing. Trying to read my mind, his tall and lean stature only came closer to where I was sitting, almost looming over me. The smell of his cologne wafted over me, smelling like woods and the finest wines of the Kingdom. A familiar and friendly cozy feeling wafted over me, the smell of home. How cruel fate must be, to pair me with a man who eyes me like a piece of candy. Once eaten, forgotten to the person.

I was not going to be conquered so easily, no matter how dashingly handsome he was. The form fitting suit he wore of light gray velvets and a black undershirt was tight in all the right places. Proudly wearing the pendant of his family symbol on top of his suit, and neatly written in cursive the family name on the right corner of his shirt. The two buttons left undone on his shirt, exposing his masculine chest to all the greedy eyes staring. Show casing his buff physic, proudly with dignity, even though he lacks any. The pants he wore, fitted to every curve of his strong legs and fell directly to his ankle, his glossy midnight shoes also branded with his family name and symbol. Elegance and confidence was what he was oozing.

"If it's the not the ever most gorgeous lady in all the Tribes, Lily the Princess of the South Tribe." Phoenix spoke ever so smartly. "A common flower?" I spoke, looking him directly in the eyes, "For being my fiancé, you'd at least think you'd know my name?" I hummed softly, as I stood up, gathering my purse and coat. I looked directly in Phoenix's eye's as I approached him, placing my hand where his heart would be, glancing to where the ladies were once at, smirking as I see their eyes glow with hate. "As lovely as it is to see you all here-" I spoke evenly, looking from one of the ladies to the next. "-I have far more important things to do." I said as I smiled coyly, leaving the table and the asshat behind. Not to far behind I could hear Phoenix calling out to me, but was silenced by Quinton. "You dare call after her, when surrounded by common whores?" He hissed out between his teeth, fisting his hands, turning them white. "If I didn't know any better, I'd stay you're plainly as dumb as a knob. Asking for a fight." Quinton growled out as his hand was firmly placed on Phoenix's shoulder, "You're damn lucky we have witnesses here."

As unforgiving as my eldest brother was, I felt no sorrow or sympathy for Phoenix. His lime green eyes wide like saucers, as he tried to calmly and nonchalantly move away from my ferocious brother. I softly giggled at the sight, a true pleasantry to finally grace this hell hole.

I continue on with my mellow pace, my heeled boots make soft sounds as I leave behind the ball room. The fantastic food and aromas left as my body moves with the wind outside, uncaring to what would happen next. The consequences will be grave, but the freedom of not hearing the live orchestra or the crowd was magnificent. The symphony of love birds singing softly into the night calmed my aching nerves. My breaths no longer shallow but instead full.

I was finally happy, full of soft churning waves, and everlasting lightness. Removing my shoes and tights, my legs laid bare to the setting sun as my toes felt cradled by the green grass by the pond. Moving closer I sat on the dock, brushing my feet over the loving water. Once fully seated, my bodice was untied, and laid beside my shoes and coat. Closing my eyes, I forget about everything negative. My name smudged by the bastard, no longer floats about bothering me. No longer does my mind repeat of how he dared to bring "guest" to our own wedding announcement. All of that fades away as I just hum to the song that my heart plays from within.

From here where do I go? After today's actions, the Tribes and the citizens will believe I rejected the proposal of marriage. My hands patted and traced the hand stitched design I had done to my boots.

"Love, where have I failed you? Could it have been when I was kissed by a cherub?" I murmured as I started removing the trinkets and bows from my hair.

A night of symphony's and uncertainty.