♡┆BTLPF || tlc fanfic

07| Chapter 7

Standing beside the door to the throne room, Aiden stared at a wall. He couldn't help but give a silent sigh. Doctor Maverick hadn't been checking up on him for almost a week. The new doctor, who's voice is too loud for his sensitive ears, has told him that Doctor Maverick would be taking some time off because of an event that occurred. Aiden assumed it was related to the antidote. If the doctor hadn't been so stupid, he wouldn't have been in the condition he is in now. The boy couldn't help but feel bad. If it wasn't for him, Doctor Maverick wouldn't have tried to make an antidote, and he wouldn't have been exposed, then he wouldn't have gotten into trouble.

Aiden's thoughts were interrupted when a silky voice called out his name.

Twitching, Aiden gathered himself and pushed the thoughts into the back of his head.

The voice demanded for him again. This time, in a harsher tone.

Aiden opened the door and pushed it to find Levana on her throne, legs crossed as usual.

The curtains were closed today, giving the room a slightly gray, shadowy feeling. This usually indicated that the Queen was in more of a mood and refused to let the sunlight brighten it. The sparkling bits on the bluish-gray curtains were the only reflecting surface Levana allowed in the palace, for they were way too small to reveal any secrets.

"Your majesty." He stared at her forehead, not daring to look into her eyes.

"Aiden, the ball is going to happen at the end of the month. I would like for you to guard the entrance." The Queen said curtly, short and to the point.

"My Queen, you want me to stand in front of the gates?" Aiden bit his tongue. Him? A hairy beast greeting all the guests? How absurd!

But of course, that was exactly what the Queen wanted, wasn't it? For a grotesque piece of art to be placed right where the most people would pass - a showoff, the talk of the town, something interesting.

"That's what I said." Levana stood up, walking closer to him. "Can you do that for me?"

"Of course, my Queen." He bowed and clasped his fist to his chest.

"Pleasant." She gave him a smile and waved her hand.

Aiden took it as a sign to leave. Just as he was about to leave the room, a young maid stumbled in, bumping into him.

"Your Majesty-" She yelped upon stumbling, her huge brown eyes widening even more. Aiden shot out his arms and caught her by the shoulders.

Frightened by the hairy beast, she looked away and mumbled "thank you".

Aiden gave her a silent nod and headed out.

"What is it?" Levana snapped at her. Aiden stopped mid-step and froze.

"T-there doesn't seem to be a seamstress... available to make your gown, My Queen."

"What?! All the seamstresses in Artemisia, and none are willing to serve their Queen? Impossible!" Levana huffed. The maid curtsied in horror.

"Y-your Majesty, because of the ball, all the seamstresses have their hands full with orders from the families, and you have always required hand-sewing... I'm afraid none are willing to do such time-consuming work..." The maid rushed, her voice growing smaller and smaller.

"Are you saying that they need, what, a sewing machine?" The Queen demanded.

"Y-yes, Your Majesty."

"Well, then, why didn't you say so? Go find one, of course." Levana waved her hand to dismiss the maid. She turned and sat, then was surprised to see the maid still standing there.

"What do you want?" Levana rubbed her forehead tiredly.

"There are no sewing machines, My Queen. None left in Artemisia." The maid squeaked.

"What? Not even in my own palace? Nonsense!" The Queen turned her nose high.

"Your Majesty, all of the royal clothing is made by hand. We never had sewing machines." The maid peeped. The Queen sighed.

"Isn't Doctor Maverick an inventor as well? Go to his daughter's shop and see if they can make a machine."

"Yes, Your Majesty." The maid curtsied quickly and rushed out, not turning her head back to give a second glance at the infuriated Queen.

Levana noticed Aiden standing near the doorway, staring blankly ahead.

"Sir Clay, I thought I dismissed you." She folded her legs and stared at him.

Aiden's eyes darted around, his throat burning. He turned around to face her. "Well, your Majesty, I... I have a request."

"Oh?" The Queen picked up a cup of tea from a tray just brought to her. Her expression was calm, but Aiden could see her nostrils flaring from annoyance.

"I would like to join the ball." Patches of pink appeared on Aiden's cheeks as he lowered his head.

"I thought I already asked you to stand outside the ballroom. Dismissed." She sipped her tea and flicked her hand at him.

"I-I would like to dance." Aiden peeped. The Queen snickered loudly, her laughter echoing in the otherwise empty room.

"Why not?" Levana laughed. "You can join us after all the guests are inside and the doors are closed."

Aiden nodded his head excitedly, his eyes gleaming bright.