Pride and Ashes - S01 E10

Story 2 years ago

Pride and Ashes - S01 E10

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 10

In Which I Slip Past

by worldjoy

Sometimes, I think of the Sun and Moon as lovers who rarely meet,

always chase, and almost always miss one another.

But once in a while,

they do catch up,

and they kiss, 3

and the world stares in awe of their eclipse.

I couldn't understand why this was happening to me.

No, more like HOW this was happening to me.

Did these people forget that I'm just an omega? 9

I had tried not to let my rank in the pack put me down before, tried to keep up my mantra in my head of being brave to Be the sun, but there was always this thread of doubt, this knowledge of the darkness that I knew that was inside me- that lead me to be what I am today- an omega. 10

Most people did not look down on us openly like in the old days. I heard stories of those times from the elder omega's- saw the scars on their backs from the lashings they had received or the twitches in their eyes that would never go away, caused by the unholy suffering they went through. 2

The King had changed that.

Or the omega's told me, Queen Isadora had changed that. 31

It's why I had admired her so much as a child and even more when I was demoted to an omega. 37

But I couldn't understand that single question that kept running through my head, 'Why Me?' 3

Why would Mr. Joseph choose me to be honored? Why would I feel just an easy attachment and love for the new Queen? Why was she trying so hard for me, to make the Ceremony a magical night?

I couldn't understand it. In my mind, I could be honored all I wanted to be, but I was still, just an omega. 3

The sigh that escaped my lips was loud as I walked down the hallways towards my destination- The Queens Hallway. 8

She had asked me to come by and pick up my blue tooth ear clip, along with the final words of, "I'll need to tell you what time and where to be so we can get you ready tomorrow."

A passing butler had pointed out the way to me as I walked to the royal side of the palace- the side where the King, Queen, and Prince resided and walked through.

Lizzy had squealed with delight when I came from my dream fitting.

"Tell me everything!" She shouted.

So while we peeled potatoes that an angry LeFair had assigned to me, I told her every detail of what had happened.

"I can't believe it!" She jumped up and down in her stool. "Of course Jane and I will help while you talk to us! Omy gosh Fayette this is a chance of a lifetime! You could see the Prince!" 19

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

I laughed at how single-minded Lizzy was. Always about the Prince. 5

"Thank you, Lizzy," I said, smiling to her, "I'll try to sneak you and Jane some of the desserts from the table," Lizzy smiled broadly at that and started to laugh excitedly. 3

"Omygosh Fayette! This will be a night you remember forever!" 62

I couldn't help but catch some of her excitement. It was infectious. Maybe I was a little excited to go to the Ceremony. Maybe it was okay that an omega like me would be there. 1

But away from Lizzy's warm laughter and smile, I quickly felt myself darken to my previous thoughts of why fate should play out this way.

My thoughts kept me company until I reached the Queens Hallway.

There the door that leads to her study was obvious to see- it was a thick redwood, majestic with gold leafs swirling around in an arch and golden handles to accompany it.

Pulling down on the fine material, I opened up to a room of bustling work and an air of no-nonsense. The Blue Moon Ceremony was tomorrow and the Queen was taking it very seriously.

I tried to move quickly with the people, so as to not get in the way of anyone as they sprinted by with huge stacks of paperwork.

I spotted the Queen in the back near the windows, looking down on a layout of the ballroom.

"I think we need more blue trimming in the balcony, and get those doves out! Who even thought of such a ridiculous thing?" The Queen said to a group of men. They quickly nodded and made notes then rolled up the paper and left. 1

I waited until the Queen was done signing something, but she had already noticed me.

"I'll have to be quick about this dear," she said, "I have important things I still need to do." The Queen sighed loudly and said, "like get a new suit fitted." 10

I frowned a little at the Queen in confusion, was she wearing a suit to the Ceremony? 30

She turned to me and handed me the Blue Tooth clips and other wires of sorts. 1

"Here is all you need dear, though I would suggest that you be the one to do the midnight light show and not one of your assistants." 14

I nodded to the Queen. I had already planned on doing that- the midnight show was too big for Lizzy and Jane to handle.

"The Ceremony starts at midday but only those.......," the Queen paused at this but held her head back up and said, "It's boring anyway and you'll be better off not going." 32

I nodded in agreement.

"The real fun begins at nine. Dinner has already been served and guests will start making their way to the ballroom. You, my dear," the Queen gave me a firm nod, "will go to the same room where we found your dress earlier today. Once there, my maids will help you get ready. I told them you would be present at seven."

"Two hours?" I gasped.

The Queen gave a small smile, "The price of beauty, but they will wash you first so that should take you around an hour at most."

I stood dumbstruck at the Queen. I had never taken two hours of my life to get ready for something.

"Don't worry dear," the Queen said, patting my cheek, "You are beautiful now, I can see it, but when they are done with you, I'm sure I'll have to pry you away from all the men in the room myself," She laughed at the joke she had made and started walking to the door. 132

I followed closely behind her.

"Sorry that we can't talk longer dear, but I'm expecting a fitting to come by at any moment."

I nodded and smiled at the Queen.

"Thank you Queen Rienna," I said, bowing slightly- glad that I had asked Lizzy her name before coming up. 60

She smiled with her teeth flashing at me. "Anytime dear," was all she said, before turning around and proceeding to yell at a man who had tripped and spilled papers everywhere. 1

I smiled. She was definitely not what I had expected, especially with such a cold greeting she first gave to Lizzy and me. 21

Walking out the door I closed the majestic redwood and studied the golden leaf archway for a second.

My head snapped up when I heard voices coming from further down the hall.

I quickly started to walk back down the hall.

A man's voice came floating to my ears, "Really August, it won't be that bad and I'm sure the Queen will be swift with it you just....."

Not wanting to be caught in the middle of the Queen's Hallway alone I raced around the corner before the men could see me- turning out of their sights before they rounded the corner.