Through the Eyes of a Fae
Chapter 25

3 months had passed since the incident with the Men of the Grey. The castle’s preparations for the first social season were well under way, and the first snow had fallen. Kora had stuck to herself, feeling shamed at having admitted her failure. She chose that day to go out to ride, deciding that Oginallii had been cooped up in the stables too long. The winter air was crisp and refreshing. Kora loved all seasons despite her affinity for growing things. She was entranced when she felt the earth as it moved through its phases, and the snow was so beautiful to her. She galloped through a field outside the city and reveled in the feel of the horse’s powerful legs thudding the ground, snow flying up in his wake. Her hair down, it whipped across her face as the wind picked up, and she closed her eyes, turning her face towards the sun. She sensed Ben before she heard him. He approached on Aglisgv, ever graceful in the saddle. “Ask me to show you poetry in motion, and I will show you a horse.” The quote came to mind as she watched Ben approach, and she knew she could not stay mad at him forever. He slowed as he drew nearer, and she waved hesitantly.

" Everyone is looking for you. The steward called for the dressmakers. Ludis and Stella are being fitted, and they need you to come in for measurements.” With the social season now upon them, it was bound to happen. The first event was next week, and she needed the dresses. She sighed. Normally, this was a fun thing for her, she genuinely enjoyed being feminine. But her mood had still been so down lately. Ben saw this and he grinned slyly.

" I have a present for you, come on.” Her curiosity peaked, and they decided to race back to the city gate. Upon entering the castle, Ben took their reins and handed the horses over to the hostler. He took her hand in his and led her up the castle steps. After winding around, they ended up in Stella’s room and Ben winked at her as he closed the door. Where was her present? Feeling foolish, she turned and began to fuss over fabrics with Ludis and Stella. A glass of wine later, and she was starting to enjoy herself. She picked several fabrics and began to sketch unique designs for the seamstress named Ethel, who was entranced with her ideas. Stella and Ludis too immediately quipped that they wanted similar styles and began to change their fabric choices. As Ethel was leaving, Ben knocked on the door, his hands behind his back.

“Come in you …” Stella called to him. She was a little buzzed, the wine being a good vintage. Ludis giggled at her, then hiccupped. She was a little tipsy as well. Kora laughed at them as Ben approached, a grin on his face. Were his arms… Wiggling? From behind his back, Ben pulled out a fluffy puppy, black as night with one eye blue ice and one green as the forest floor. The women gasped as Kora scooped him up. He had pointed ears and a long snout. His feet were huge.

" Where did you replace this handsome boy?” Kora cooed, cuddling the puppy to her chest.

" The merchant guild’s leader’s dog. She got hooked up with a wolf on the road, and this was the last one. He was glad to be rid of him, he is a terror. The puppy licked Kora’s face, and she laughed, cuddling him closer, the girls began to do the same, coming over to pet him.

“He is for me? Are you certain?” Kora had not looked this happy in months, and Ben’s heart swelled at the pure joy on her face.

“Of course, he’s all yours.” The girls all cooed and squealed, then Kora jumped up.

" Let’s go commission Devin for a tag and collar for you, Shadow.”

" You cannot name him so; he is too cute!” Stella admonished following behind her. Ludis patted Ben on the arm for a job well done and followed.

" A dog, as black as he is, will warrant the name at some point.” Ludis commented as she followed the women out, leaving Ben standing alone in Stella’s room, shaking his head.

The dog was an excellent choice, Kora’s mood improved immensely, and the dog was taken with Kora. He followed her everywhere and obeyed every word. Oginalii was not a fan, but after a few days of her bringing him to the stables the horse grew used to him wandering under their feet and Atsila seemed to be in love with him, nudging him around the corral.

The castle was quickly filling with Nobility, and Ben’s great aunt Beatrice arrived. She fussed over Ben, complaining that his clothes were too plain and his hair too long, and upon seeing the looks he gave Kora, she immediately set herself to replace out all there was to know about her. Turns out there was not much, she was nobility, but no one knew from what house. She had no rank or title. And no backstory to speak of. She just … Came home with the King after the war. Not liking this, as all the promises she made to other noble families of a chance to marry the second most eligible bachelor in Deirdre began to crumble. There was no mistaking the feelings Ben held for Kora, and he made no effort to hide them either. Beatrice would not let this little tart ruin her plans.

Kora sat down to dinner with her friends, which had become a ritual. Royce had finally returned, way later than planned. The friends could feel the air was frigid between Stella and Royce. He was the same cheery guy he always was. Except for addressing Stella as little as possible and calling her Estella. Cade and Joseph had joined them too, they gave Stella looks of sympathy and shrugged. Determined not to let this dinner go to waste, she stood.

" Kora, Malik and I have been thinking about your position here at the castle. With this being the first social season we have had since our father’s last court, the questions about you have been piling in. We need to come to a solution to give you a consistent place here without telling everyone your true Identity.” Malik nodded and said,

" Nothing is worse than gossip, and an unknown and unnamed nobility is the optimum of a secret. Rumors are already flying that you are the bastard child of my father and his lover. So, cheers sister, we will start the season by giving you the honorary title of princess.” He raised his glass and grinned as Kora spit her ale all over the table. Choking, Ben began to beat her on the back. He, too, was grinning. The others congratulated her.

“This is impossible, I can’t become a princess, you honor me too much.” She saw Stella’s smile falter, Malik waited.

“Kora, you have become very dear to us. Malik and I decided this together. Our family … well, it was not perfect. But we want to open ours to you. I believe we might be related any way; Ludis did some digging, and we are like cousins of some sort though many times removed. It would honor us if you would accept. Become our sister.” Kora was stunned, moved to tears.

" I knew you would try to rope me into this madness.” She choked, tears thick in her throat. There was a round of applause, and Malik raised his glass.

“To our new sister, and Princess of Deirdre, welcome to the madhouse!”

“Cheers!” They all raised their glasses and drank.

“Ben’s crotchety aunt will be furious.” Cade was laughing now.

The conversation moved on, and soon everyone was yawning, and off to bed. The first ball of the season was about to begin, and the Vipers had settled into the capital. As Royce yelled, while walking down the hallway -” Bring on the nobility!” Indeed. Ben hung back and walked Kora to her chambers.

" So, madam princess, you need an escort to the ball. Will you do me the honor?” Kora laughed, as Shadow ran around their feet. Scooping him up, Kora looked at him side long and murmured

“But your aunt has so many wonderful selections for you. Rows and rows of brainless beauty with big boobs -waiting to do as you bid.” Ben laughed aloud at that.

“Besides, with the official title of bastard, I’m sure seeing you walk into the grand entrance with a certified bastard would give her heart failure.” Ben looked up, hopeful.

" Do you really think so? Let’s go tell her now.” Kora wheezed with laughter and smacked his arm. They had reached her door, and she turned, cuddling her puppy. Looking at Ben, she realized just how much she owed to him. He had done so much for her. He asked for nothing in return.

" Thank you, Ben, for this second chance in life. I really owe everything to you.” Ben leaned down, aiming to kiss her, but the moment was broken when the dog kissed him instead. Sputtering, Kora howled with laughter and opened her door, letting Shadow inside.

“Goodnight, Ben.” Kora closed the door gently.