∞ ∞ ∞
Everyone in the room turned as the music that had been softly playing changed. The doors to the ballroom, that had been closed when the last Assemblyman had arrived, now opened to reveal not only King Jotham but also Prince Barek, both looking amazingly handsome.
Barek wore his official Coalition uniform, pants of deep violet with a black stripe running down the outside of each leg and a pristine white jacket, displaying his rank and medals for all to see.
Jotham was not wearing his full ‘royal’ attire, which consisted of his crown and robe. Jacinda knew he wore this during the opening of the Assembly. But he still wore a subtler and more comfortable version of it. His jacket was solid, House of Protection violet, the royal crest of an arrow emblazoned across his chest in black that matched his pants. The combination gave him an aura of power and strength that he seemed to carry easily.
Jacinda hadn’t been sure how she would feel at seeing Jotham again after their last meeting. She was still angry about what he had asked her to do, but in hindsight it had been what prompted her to offer to get the visuals for Barek. Seeing him now, she found herself struggling to maintain that anger.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Jotham moved through the crowd stopping to say a word to an Assemblyman and his wife here and there on his way to the steps that would lead him to the seats slightly raised where the King and Queen always sat. He accepted the fluted goblet of wine from a servant before he ascended to where he would address his Assemblymen.
“Greetings and welcome to the Assembly Ball,” Jotham began.
“Greetings,” the room responded to him.
“Tonight I am honored to welcome back those of you who have served me and our people so well and faithfully in the past.” He raised his glass slightly. “And to welcome those new to our Assembly, who I am sure will do the same. Assemblyman Dobos and Madame Dobos,” Jotham found the new Assemblyman in the room and raised his glass to him. “Welcome.”
“Welcome,” the room repeated.
“Assemblyman Gully and Madame Gully,” Jotham acknowledged the second new Assemblyman. “Welcome.”
“Welcome,” the room again repeated.
“Assemblyman Danton Michelakakis,” Jotham stressed the first name slightly and paused for a moment when he realized who was standing next to Danton. “Welcome.” This time when Jotham raised his glass he drank.
“Welcome!” The room seemed to be more enthusiastic this time and it warmed Jacinda’s heart as she too drank to the new Assemblymen.
Typically, Jotham would now be required to officially start the Ball by choosing a woman to dance with. Instead, and to the shock of many, he turned and walked up the steps to take his seat.
Barek, handing his glass to a passing waiter, smiled and nodded to those he passed, but did not stop moving until he reached Danton and Jacinda Michelakakis.
“Danton,” Barek extended his hand.
Danton shook Barek’s hand, his face revealing none of his surprise or confusion at being singled out. “It has, Prince Barek.”
“With your permission, I would like to steal your mother away for the opening dance.” Barek extended his hand to Jacinda.
“I would be honored, Prince Barek.” Jacinda placed her hand in his and as Barek led her to the center of the dance floor, the music started.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Jotham leaned back in his chair, his eyes focused on Jacinda as his son confidently maneuvered her around the dance floor. She looked beautiful, easily the most beautiful woman in the room despite her age, or maybe because of it. She smiled and laughed as she danced, comfortable and confident with who she was and her place in the world. So many women when they danced with either himself or Barek would giggle and flirt and it wasn’t only the young ones. Some of the older, more experienced women would try to use the time to advance their husband’s agenda. Jotham knew
Everyone in the room turned as the music that had been softly playing changed. The doors to the ballroom, that had been closed when the last Assemblyman had arrived, now opened to reveal not only King Jotham but also Prince Barek, both looking amazingly handsome.
Barek wore his official Coalition uniform, pants of deep violet with a black stripe running down the outside of each leg and a pristine white jacket, displaying his rank and medals for all to see.
Jotham was not wearing his full ‘royal’ attire, which consisted of his crown and robe. Jacinda knew he wore this during the opening of the Assembly. But he still wore a subtler and more comfortable version of it. His jacket was solid, House of Protection violet, the royal crest of an arrow emblazoned across his chest in black that matched his pants. The combination gave him an aura of power and strength that he seemed to carry easily.
Jacinda hadn’t been sure how she would feel at seeing Jotham again after their last meeting. She was still angry about what he had asked her to do, but in hindsight it had been what prompted her to offer to get the visuals for Barek. Seeing him now, she found herself struggling to maintain that anger.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Jotham moved through the crowd stopping to say a word to an Assemblyman and his wife here and there on his way to the steps that would lead him to the seats slightly raised where the King and Queen always sat. He accepted the fluted goblet of wine from a servant before he ascended to where he would address his Assemblymen.
“Greetings and welcome to the Assembly Ball,” Jotham began.
“Greetings,” the room responded to him.
“Tonight I am honored to welcome back those of you who have served me and our people so well and faithfully in the past.” He raised his glass slightly. “And to welcome those new to our Assembly, who I am sure will do the same. Assemblyman Dobos and Madame Dobos,” Jotham found the new Assemblyman in the room and raised his glass to him. “Welcome.”
“Welcome,” the room repeated.
“Assemblyman Gully and Madame Gully,” Jotham acknowledged the second new Assemblyman. “Welcome.”
“Welcome,” the room again repeated.
“Assemblyman Danton Michelakakis,” Jotham stressed the first name slightly and paused for a moment when he realized who was standing next to Danton. “Welcome.” This time when Jotham raised his glass he drank.
“Welcome!” The room seemed to be more enthusiastic this time and it warmed Jacinda’s heart as she too drank to the new Assemblymen.
Typically, Jotham would now be required to officially start the Ball by choosing a woman to dance with. Instead, and to the shock of many, he turned and walked up the steps to take his seat.
Barek, handing his glass to a passing waiter, smiled and nodded to those he passed, but did not stop moving until he reached Danton and Jacinda Michelakakis.
“Danton,” Barek extended his hand.
Danton shook Barek’s hand, his face revealing none of his surprise or confusion at being singled out. “It has, Prince Barek.”
“With your permission, I would like to steal your mother away for the opening dance.” Barek extended his hand to Jacinda.
“I would be honored, Prince Barek.” Jacinda placed her hand in his and as Barek led her to the center of the dance floor, the music started.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Jotham leaned back in his chair, his eyes focused on Jacinda as his son confidently maneuvered her around the dance floor. She looked beautiful, easily the most beautiful woman in the room despite her age, or maybe because of it. She smiled and laughed as she danced, comfortable and confident with who she was and her place in the world. So many women when they danced with either himself or Barek would giggle and flirt and it wasn’t only the young ones. Some of the older, more experienced women would try to use the time to advance their husband’s agenda. Jotham knew
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