Alaina admired herself in the stained looking glass once her ladies finished getting her ready for the evening event. A Goddess dressed in white silk with gold embroidery along the hems and up the skirt as well as on her bodice. Her chocolate brown hair left loose, yet still pinned back to keep from falling into her beautiful face.
She smiled at the woman looking back at her and ran a long slender finger over the sapphires that hung around her neck. Truly radiant, she thought as she turned to examine how the gown framed her slender waistline. "I believe I have never looked better."
"Do not say such things, Majesty," Anne reappeared dressed in silver, much as the rest of Alaina's ladies were accustomed to do. "You always look so breathtaking."
"Thank you, Anne," she turned from the mirror to look at the German lady. "I shall keep that in mind."
"Your majesty, they await your arrival," Alaina turned to see a young man, his hair a deep shade of brown tied back with a blue ribbon. She nodded her head, acknowledging the man and then turned to her ladies.
"Come," she said to them, summoning them into a straight line, side by side so she could give them a quick look over before they went down to join the rest. "Chin up, Maria," she said as she forced the youngest lady to hold her head up high. "Remember, you are to be on your best behavior. You are my ladies and will see to it that you do not allow anyone to question how I rule my people, do you hear me?"
"Yes your majesty," they all said.
"With that said," she brought her hands together and smiled, "Do enjoy yourselves, and perhaps take the time to find yourself husbands. I know it would be painful to lose either one of you ladies, but it is supposed to be my duty, as your sovereign ruler, to find you all suitable husbands."
"Do not fear, my Queen, I do believe none of us will fall for any French man. They're too barbaric."
"Are they Maria?" Anne turned to look down her nose at the youngest. "I assumed French men were more to your liking. They are much like you after all."
"Are you trying to say Spaniards are barbaric? Have you forgotten that you Queen is of Spanish decent?"
Alaina inhaled deeply, doing her best to remain calm and not go off on either one of her ladies. She turned to her other two ladies and beckoned for them to follow her, leaving behind the angry Spaniard and German to quarrel until either one realized they had been left behind.
It would not take them long, Anne was quick to notice before Maria, but she would offer a few words of advice to the young girl before they hurried on after their queen.
"Her Majesty, Queen Alaina!"
Alaina, followed by Natalie and Jane, entered a large room filled with the entire French court and other noblemen and women that had hurried to court once word reached them of Alaina's arrival.
"Your majesty, it is an honor to have you here at court," a man dressed in his finest approached the Queen taking her hand in his to press his lips gently to it.
"Lord Narcisse," she pulled her hand back from his grip and peered at the old nobleman. "I've heard things, it is a great wonder that you have been allowed in my presence."
"Forgive me, your majesty, if I have offended you-"
Alaina sighed, "No," she then smiled at the elder man. "You have not, but you have your sovereign king. While I am here, I would most like to call upon you to discuss exactly what your King has done to deserve such disobedience from his subject." She bowed her head, dismissing him before turning to search for the King she had been speaking of.
It did not take long to spy the handsome young king dressed in sapphire blue, a gold crown upon his blond head. He was sitting in his throne, watching Narcisse carefully as he walked away from Alaina. As if sensing someone was watching him, Francis turned his attention toward Alaina. He sat up straighter in his throne and beckoned for her to approach him.
In doing so, the room fell silent as the people backed away, creating a path for her to cross through the room with such ease.
"Your Majesty," she said, stooping into a low curtsy for Francis, and only him. "I must thank you for your kind hospitality you have shown to me."
"Nonsense," said Francis as he stood up from his throne and extended a head out to Alaina. She peered up at him, a warm smile on her face as she placed her hand softly into his and rose up from the floor. "So formal, for one stationed above me."
"But I respect you, Francis," They now stood side by side, her arm linked with his. "You are my dearest friend and my biggest supporter. I would hold you above me even if we had no title to our names."
He smiled, his blue eyes reflecting his happiness in them. "You have such a way with words, Laney," he whispered as they circled about the room. "If I did not know you any better, I would suspect you were up to something."
"Oh, I am most certainly up to something," she peered over her shoulder to see that Natalie had positioned herself near a group of noblewomen, and Jane had found herself partnered with an old Duke on the dance floor. "But what, that is to remain my little secret."
"Whatever it is you are up to, I must warn you to steer clear of Narcisse. He can be more trouble than you think."
"I am aware of him, Francis. You needn't worry. It is because of his actions, I have taken it upon myself to speak with him. I am very much curious to know why your people behave like such imbeciles." She gave his arm a gentle, yet firm squeeze before her attention was called away. "Ah," she held out her free hand for the Duke to take. "Majesty, may I introduce you to my newest friend, the Prince of Denmark."
"Ah, yes," Francis offered a kind smile, though she could see there was a little something hidden beneath it. "The Prince who lost his crown to a woman."
"I'd much rather lose my crown, than my country, your Grace," said Henry with a smile. His blue eyes then landed on Alaina.
"Well, I do believe I have both my crown and my country."
"Now gentlemen, no need for this talk. You both have your countries and your crowns, one just has to prove he is fit to rule his country before it can be given to him."
"I am more than fit to rule my country," hissed Henry.
"And I am well aware you have the potential to do so your Grace, but it was not I who said you could not be king, it was your father, may he rest in peace."
She could tell the Duke's temper was rising as he clenched his jaw and said nothing. Alaina nodded her head, letting him know he was free to leave her if he wanted to. Without a word, Henry bowed and stalked off out of sight.
"Your Duke seems to be crossed with you, Laney," Francis whispered in her ear. Alaina smiled, turning her head so that she could look at Francis.
"We've come a long way, Henry and I have. Sometimes I go too far in reminding him of what he does not wish to remember. It's no matter, he will be fine in a few days time."
"Very well, may I have this dance then?"
"Well, since you will not leave my side to let another gentleman approach to ask this question, I suppose you may." Francis turned to face Alaina and she him. For a short amount of time, they stood like this, staring up at one another before finally joining hands and turning to join the others.
Hello, Ghost here.
How are you liking the story so far? Hopefully, I'm doing a pretty decent job with it. Since I am having some difficulties deciding on who Alaina should be romantic with, I am coming to you(the amazing reader) for your help!
Who do you think Alaina should end up with, Bash or Francis? Be sure to comment below your vote. And if you have some other Reign character in mind, feel free to comment that as well... though... I doubt it will likely happen. Depends on how well I like the character.
Don't forget to vote if you love the story <3
Thank you for your time and I hope you are loving this story.
- GhostlyWonder