Her scent was intoxicating, the sweet aroma of lavender wafting into his nostrils, distorting any coherent thought he could manage to put together. Augustus felt dizzy, unable to think, unable to see anything past her. It was just her. And her warmth, radiating off her body as if she were a heater, burning his skin where it made contact. Her proximity was like a drug, her every curve much too close, and so dangerously so. Even her eyes, brilliant, bright, intelligent, stared deeply into his ice blue ones. It was all he could do to tear his gaze from her.<br/><br/>This dance was dragging on much too long.<br/><br/>Augustus felt clumsy, as if each step, each turn, stumbled, as if unsure how to dance. Which was quite the contrary, in fact. Whereas, with any other woman, Augustus was sure in step, certain, in perfect time with tempo. So what made it literally impossible to present himself with such sureness? It was that his current state of mind was not allowing him to present his usual grace. Even more so when he felt Claire push her body even closer. So dangerously close, he could feel every curvature of her front, leaving no room for comfort.<br/><br/>Curse her. Curse her for feeling as if this was okay. Was she not aware what she is doing? Was this purposefully done? What exactly was she thinking?<br/><br/>And that dress. Surely it wasn't the dress that the king had asked his servants to fetch for him. It was much too tight. Much too form fitting. In no way is this appropriate for a birthday. Oh, but she was still wearing it. It left her shoulder's bare, and it was a wonder how the slippery silk hasn't slipped off her upper torso yet. Augustus felt his heart skip a beat at such a thought. Her skin was as smooth as the silk she wore, soft as the softest velvet, and as creamy as sweet milk. And it was all he could do to resist the sudden urge to allow his eyes to trace the delicate curve of her shoulder, to her collar bone, to the forbidden area at the center of her chest where the collar of her dress dipped ever so slightly in a shallow V.<br/><br/>Such thoughts are unacceptable... Completely, and utterly so. For gods' sakes, she was his sister. Unrelated by blood, but his sister nonetheless. This was in no way, shape or form acceptable...<br/><br/>Even so...<br/><br/>Claire is a beautiful woman. The fact even more so intensified in her proximity. Whereas she preferred to observe such beauty from afar, it was almost breath taking up close, every delicate, beautifully perfect feature in such sharp clarity. From the beautiful, silk smooth hair, that sharply contrasted her cream pale skin, to her beautiful jewels for eyes. And her lips. As red as rose petals and. he was willing to bet, as soft as they were too. And her eyes, still trained on him, seemed so inviting. As if she would allow him to commit such an action. How sweet would they taste?<br/><br/>The breath he wasn't aware he was holding released as Claire suddenly let go of him, her soft hands sliding out of his own larger ones. And he had come to realize, with a start as well as evident relief, that the song had come to an end. Augustus was even more startled upon realizing what his uncontrollable thoughts had nearly lead him to do.<br/><br/>Kissing<span style="font-style: italic">Claire?</span>?<br/><br/>His eyes, hardened to stone after coming to realize the mistake he'd almost made, followed her form, well developed hips swaying with every step, as she chose her next victim out of the ogling crowd that seemed to manifest out of air. Augustus growled, teeth grinding.<br/><br/>"Your Highness." Her voice was sultry, muttered into his ear, her hot breath, which smelled too much of the overly sweet pastries the servants were serving. He felt her breasts, soft through the fabric of her green dress, pressing against his arm. It was the green eyed breasty woman. Nicolle? Nicolla? Nicollita?<br/><br/>Augustus turned, his ice blue eyes alight with frustration, which the woman, no doubt, mistakenly figured it was burning desire. Desire for her.<br/><br/>Fuck sword practice tonight. He's had enough of Claire for one night. He'll indulge in a not-as-impressive-as-Claire exotic delicacy tonight.<br/><br/>~~~<br/><br/>Kaylin gave the dishes piled in her hands to another servant, and turned back to clean the tables, wiping down the mess the nobles' glutinous feast left behind, one eye trained on Claire as she went on to dance with other men. She watched the other men, with their hungry gazes on her princess's beautiful form. She resisted the strong urge to hover over her, to cast a dark glare upon all the disgusting shameless men surrounding her.<br/><br/>Kayling stifled a yelp as she turned, nearly bumping into the king, whose large bellied body blocked her way to the other table. For a short moment, her silvery eyes searched his face questioningly. The king only turned, as if pretending to watch the merriment of the party and those who danced. Kaylin too, turned, suddenly conscious of wandering eyes, her eyes drifting about, as to make sure that they were not being watched, especially by the queen.<br/><br/>"My King?" Her voice was just a volume above a whisper, proceeding to wipe the table she had already cleaned.<br/><br/>"It's Eliza." As she thought. Kaylin waited for the king to continue. "She doesn't want to take over the kingdom..."<br/><br/>Kaylin's brows furrowed only in the slightest bit, eyes drifting toward the queen, who sat, watching the festivities with mild interest. She detested the woman, even as she sat there, it seemed she was plotting the deaths of every noble before her. Which was likely the case, seeing as that was the kind of snake she was. The cunning, poisonous monster she was. How could it be that she<span style="font-style: italic">wasn't</span>trying to take over the kingdom?<br/><br/>"She has different motives." The king smiled at a waving royal, as Kaylin recalled, this one was one of Gatineau's closest partners in trade. From the southern isles. But as for what the king was telling, it seemed to sound like good news. However, was not the case. She could detect traces of stress and worry, lacing the undertone of his voice. If the queen was not trying to put Augustus on the throne to rule through him, what else is there to worry about? Isn't that fact a good thing?<br/><br/>"She's been sending letters out, my messengers have been disappearing one by one." To who? But she didn't need to ask. "I don't know who she's sending them to. But my sources report significant movement up north. There's... An army amassing." Kaylin's eyes widened, her circular wiping coming to an abrupt stop. "Gatineau will fall. You and Mark will take Claire to the Western Plains to escape, then... If possible... To the isles."<br/><br/>Kaylin soon found herself packing the princess's belongings. Just the bare necessities, light clothing, even trousers and boots for easy escape, should it be needed. She packed the princess's folding bows, a gift from Augustus, as well as a few daggers that her step brother had also brought for her. She could not stop herself from shaking, her hands trembled so much so that the metals of the bow as well as the quiver as well as the daggers clattered in her hands.<br/><br/>Eliza was cruel indeed. Such a cruel woman. But an invasion? Even Kaylin didn't expect such a serpentine act. No doubt Augustus was in on it, too. The king hasn't mentioned his name in the group. She'd been given a short list of names, guards loyal only to the king, about four royal guards. She doubt such a small number was enough. What if Eliza sends a search party? No doubt it would be twice as many as a group of seven... One search party.<br/><br/>Eliza would send more.<br/><br/>The queen surely isn't aware of the king sending the princess away...<br/><br/>She nearly screamed when the doors to the princess's chambers. Her heart, which had tripled in speed, slowed upon seeing the princess step into the room and closing the door. She forced a smile on her pallid lips as she returned to packing. Much slower and much more relaxed.<br/><br/>"Princess, I've packed most of the necessities. I will help with your armor in a minute."