For just a few seconds, everything continued just as it had all evening. But as the slam of the doors echoed through the hall, everything seemed to move in slow motion for a half second before the room erupted into chaos.
Captain Blakely spun Geneva so that his taller frame hid her from anyone who was near the door.
"Princess, in the next few minutes, I ask that you make good decisions. Consider your safety above all else. I do have a sword -" He patted his hip where the sword rested, "-But I hope we can resolve this peacefully."
"Captain, you really must increase security. This the second incident in a month."
"Attention, esteemed guests." A voice rung from the direction of the doors. Geneva and the captain were far from the doors, so Geneva raised onto her toes to see what was going on. Captain Blakely pressed onto her shoulder in an effort to keep her down so she wasn’t noticeable.
“I have the honor to be with you all tonight. This is a truly historic moment.” The voice became clearer, and Geneva finally succumbed to the pressure on her upper arm, sinking down to her heels. It was a woman, voice deep, but still holding the timbre of a voice similar to the queen’s.
“You all are very important officials, luckily for me. But I ask for only two of you to come forth. Do not lie to me and bring me any sort of doubles. Please step forward, King Thomas and Princess Geneva.”
The ballroom was silent for a minute, void of movement. Geneva took a slow step forward, but Captain Blakely pulled her back, hissing into her ear, “You cannot go, princess, that is dangerous. I know not why this woman requests your presence, but it will not be pure intentions.”
“I know, Captain. But if any of our guests were to become injured because of something I dared not do, it is far worse than anything that could happen to me. I have no plan, therefore I must ask you to formulate some sort of plan with Captain Atasan. Stay quiet, do not draw attention to yourselves.” Geneva responded, dipping her head and straightening back up again.
She took another step forward, hesitating slightly, but continuing along towards the front of the ballroom. A quiet gasp was heard as everyone turned to look towards the princess, the rustling of her skirts becoming louder than the silence that permeated the room.
Geneva kept her chin up, making her way through the sea of people that stepped aside. When she arrived by the doors, she finally saw the woman for the first time. Her face seemed distorted slightly, but she wore no mask, only an entirely black outfit to hide her in the night surrounding the castle.
She approached the woman, but kept her distance, staying about eight feet away.
“Oh good! We have the princess with us, now we just need the king, wherever he’s gotten off to. Don’t be afraid, my dear, you can come much closer.” The woman smiled broadly, beckoning Geneva to take a few steps forward.
Geneva stayed in the same place, refusing to move, however, the woman drew closer.
“I do hope your father does arrive soon, I wouldn’t wish to lay a hand on your pretty face.” The woman began to circle Geneva, slowly getting closer and closer.
“King Thomas, don’t take your time, I have patience, but not very much remaining. Your daughter was much more willing, thank goodness.” The woman hummed, standing so she was just behind and to the right of Geneva.
“What do you want from us?” Geneva asked quietly, turning her head just the slightest.
“Dear princess, so young and naïve. How I wish you would understand, but your sheltered life has led you to believe that everything is paradise, in all aspects of the nation. Yet despite your ‘best efforts’ there is still life that you think below you. Your family has done nothing to change the lives of those to the north.”
“There is no one who lives to the north, there is only mountains.”
“Again, my dear, so naïve. Did you ever think there was anyone beyond those mountains? Some nation, cast out, perhaps?”
“What? This is a lie. I have never known of such lands, and I doubt my father has heard of them, either. No one is cast out, everyone is to be given food and shelter at the very least by word of the king.”
“Not our people. Ferevor prospers while Helal barely survives. What kind of a king would cast out people into the mountains, full of rugged terrain with barely enough food to survive? It’s been too long, princess, we rightfully deserve recognition, a throne, and a homeland.”
“I…why have you decided to ask my father and I?”
“It was your throne that decided to cast us out from your land. Our rightful land is in the east, a large valley.”
“Why now?”
“To show all of the nations that Ferevor is not free from sin. Public humiliation seems to be the only way for any of you to understand the importance.”
“Well…perhaps some sort of arrangement can be made.” Geneva turned, but footsteps behind her made her stop dead in her tracks.
“Not without my approval. However, this is neither the time nor place for such a discussion. Leave us in peace, go back to the mountains.” The king made his appearance, causing waves through the people as skirts swished. On either side of him, Captains Atasan and Blakely stood, hands resting on their swords, ready to draw.
“I request another meeting with a few of my people and myself. Not now, perhaps, but tomorrow.” The woman said, keeping her distance the same, not threatened by the swords.
“Leave us, and there will be a meeting tomorrow at ten in the morning. Remain, and my head guards will escort you out.”
The woman nodded, leaving the room with the doors wide open. The two guards, who still remained outside the doors, left with her.