Chapter Four:
A Wallflower in the Garden of Eden
Dmitri
Tonight, was the night. Excitement rippled through the castle over the course of the entire day, as everyone could barely contain themselves. Gwen and I had chosen dark green for our colors, so I was pressed into a beautiful silk suit that was tailored perfectly to my body. Gwen was getting ready with the girls, while I was in my room with my uncle and brother. Riley wore a prince suit with his gold sword gleaming in his belt as he placed my strands of my hair carefully in place. “Your hair truly is unruly,” he scoffed.
“I know, right?”
“Let me see the gel…?” Andrew held the container out so Riley could take my bangs and lightly tuck them up, setting them in place with a smile. “There we go; now you can see!” He handed me my sword, which I slid it into my belt with a cautious side smirk.
“Are you nervous for tonight?” Andrew asked.
“Not necessarily, but do I really have to be announced as Prince Dmitri?” I whined.
“Welcome back to being a royal figure,” Riley laughed. Andrew smiled, patting my back as he opened the bedroom door. Zachary was explaining how tonight would go to The Cavalry, while the older soldiers talked amongst themselves.
Cerelia was beside him, gushing over her Cavalry like the proud mama bird she had become. She wore a formal queen’s ballgown, green as well, and held an emerald box. Mom was beside her and adorned a beautiful violet gown that Cerelia had kept from some special event the two had taken part in many years ago. It still fit Morgan perfectly, and her blue eyes were bright with excitement. Riley opened our door a moment later, and all talking ceased as everyone turned to me. “Oh, my goodness!” Martha squeaked, everyone gasping in awe as I blushed and walked down the steps. “You look so handsome!”
“Thank you; you all look so amazing…” I sang as I hugged each Cavalry warmly.
“Why do you always have to one up everyone?” She teased as Michael came up to me with a blushing Gwenevere on his arm.
“Your beautiful princess, your highness!”
“Would you stop that!” She snapped, which made him chuckle as I stood her before me, my eyes twinkling. She had her dark black hair curled and pulled up into a gorgeous bun, with a crystal piece holding in in place. Her earrings were long dropping diamond, with a matching necklace that hung down her neck. The dress was phenomenal. An emerald and beige gown with long sleeves and a vintage lace chest piece. It complemented her frame spectacularly and made her look truly royal.
“You look spectacular,” I whispered breathlessly, and my tone made her cheeks turn so red that she swayed a little under my hands.
“Alright everyone, you know the drill; get in line!” Zachary barked as he nudged us into place. My aunt and uncle stood before the line, with Zachary and Ramah behind them. Mom and Riley were next, followed by The Cavalries. We all shared some excited chatter as the anticipation grew too astronomical to control.
Everyone shushed one another as the trumpets rang loud, and the ballroom doors opened. “His and her majesty; King Andrew William Mortimer, and Queen Cerelia Marie Mortimer.” Atticus powerfully called. His signal made the entire ballroom stand in one fluid motion. The two stepped into the ballroom with majestic smiles, waving like true royalty as the crowd cheered and bowed to them respectfully.
“I’m so nervous!” Gwen squeaked.
“Don’t be, you’ll do great,” I reassured, kissing her temple sweetly as Riley and my mother were called. The guests, for the most part, were very welcoming, since most knew of the situation between our family and Andrew’s. Watching them enter together sent a shiver of pride through me, and I was happy to see that their transition had been as easy as possible thus far. Michael and Martha were called next, then Stefan and Aveline, and finally, Gwen and I took our turn before the main entrance.
“His majesty; Prince of The West, Dmitri Michael Mortimer, Cavalry Number four, and Calvary Number Five, Gwenevere Lee.”
“Mortimer,” I added to make Gwen giggle. “It’s got a nice ring, doesn’t it?”
“Gwenevere Lee Mortimer... It kind of does?” She teased.
I winked as we walked out into the ballroom, I mainly leading us to try and share some of my fake confidence with Gwen. Gasps erupted around us, as well as cheers as we stepped into the middle beside Stefan and Aveline. It was an odd feeling, being so highly regarded in a royal court again. It had been years since I was recognized as a higher power in any castle, and admittedly, I was not used to it the way I was as a child. As a kid, the glowing cheers made me soar, as I was naïve and excited by the attention, but as an adult they were more than overwhelming. At least I knew how to hold myself together in front of the massive crowd.
Once everyone had met in the middle, we took position for the custom first dance. Gwen slid her hand into mine as I placed mine on her waist, just as we had in the same ballroom when we first met. The lights from the chandelier gleamed above us as we slowly spun back and forth, holding one another tight. I pressed my cheek to her hair while she held my waist, her eyes closed in pure happiness. We didn’t share any words, just enjoyed blissfully gliding with our closest friends across the marble floor.
Andrew raced the steps of the stage once the clapping finished from our dance, smiling brightly as he took the microphone. “Welcome, one and all, to our Cavalry Initiation Ceremony. I am more than pleased that you all are here. We are here tonight to commemorate our Cavalry, Martha, Stefan, Michael, Dmitri, and Gwenevere, for their accomplishments as soldiers for The North Army!” the room erupted in immense cheering, which made us all flush a wicked pink. We each held hands tightly as we gazed up at Andrew, who was floating on cloud nine before us and his beloved kingdom. “Over the past six months, we have welcomed a new set of Cavalries to our family. I call us a family, because that is what we are, and this was proven so during their intense period of preliminary training. Fresh out of school, our young Cavalries took our side without a blink of an eye and performed absolutely flawlessly in a surprise battle with Alexei’s men themselves…” the crowd whispered in awe at that. “They not only lead our men to victory, but sent a clear message to The West that they were taking over this kingdom, and not letting it fall at Alexei’s hand.
I am very proud of them, for more reasons than I can count. Through the course of these last few months, the seven of us have become very, very close, closer than I have been with anyone in a very long time. The five never cease to surprise me; each day I find something new that takes my breath away. It’s quite a big deal when you’re the King, and you’re still learning new tricks from a couple of rookies!” we laughed at his joke with the enormous crowd. “Each of you…” he started, directing his attention to us, “hold skills I have yet to ever see in my years as a king, and it is time you were recognized for them.
Stefan: you are a brilliant intellectual, and an even greater technician. You have a magnetizing aura that illuminates this kingdom as a person, and as a soldier, your dedication to your craft is unmatched. I’ve personally watched you tear a bomb apart within twenty seconds, and craft one ten times stronger with the same materials. Your mastery of systems and sensors have given us a huge gain over our enemies, and had it not been for your flawless tenacity, we would have never won the battle against The West in July.” Stefan blushed heavily at Andrew’s astonishing comments, that sent excited murmurs through the room.
“Michael: I have yet to meet anyone who can throw five knives at a time and hit each target in the same spot, at the same time so precisely. I don’t know how you do it, but I need answers, kid.” Michael laughed with a humble shrug. “You are a perfect machine of war physically, but the biggest teddy bear I have met at the same time. You are completely dedicated to not only your country, but your friends, and your willingness to stand between us and the world is so admirable.” Michael let a single tear of pride run down his cheek, and I was glad to see he was comfortable doing so, now. Stefan and I rubbed his back cheerfully, and he gripped our hands tighter when we linked together again.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
Andrew kept going down the row, his eyes glowing as he praised each and every one of us individually. “Martha; your accuracy with a bow is so sharp its mind blowing. You are not only a spectacular archer, but you are a phenomenal pilot. It’s like you were born to fly planes. Not many females are pilots nowadays, my dear, let alone ones who hold such a commanding presence. You and Stefan have proved you are a match made in heaven for us, and hell for our enemies. You work in perfect sync in the air, and on the battlefield, you conform flawlessly with your other teammates. I am in awe of your versatility, and never once have doubted your skills, especially when you took the helm and helped Stefan in July.”
“Best friends forever…?” Stefan started their adorable slogan.
“Blow The West up together!” Martha echoed as the two high-fived.
Andrew rolled his eyes with the howling crowd at them, but that didn’t stop him from joining in on their laughs. “Dmitri: some call you a robot, others a showoff…” I burst into giggles to his delight, “but I call you a soldier. Your dedication to the art of sword fighting is breathtaking, and your talent is far superior to anyone I have ever met. You took control and commanded your comrades during July’s battle and helped bring us a glorious victory. Not only did you show fine sword fighting skills, but you showed how truly dedicated you are to your team. As you grow as a soldier, and a young man, I see nothing but endless potential blossom within you.” he said so lovingly that my heart skipped a beat.
“And finally: Gwenevere. Well, you’re the first person to be able to stand your ground against me for more than thirty seconds in hand-to-hand, which is spectacular,” the ballroom exploded in such loud cheers and laughs that I was sure the shops over the bridge could hear us. “That was pretty narcissistic huh?” he laughed out with the crowd. “In all seriousness, you are an extremely precise and highly skilled sailor. Your work on our ship’s weaponry has made for a lot of incredibly more efficient tactics and kept many of our soldiers alive. Had you not taken the time to map out every canal between us and The West, then Stefan’s plans in July would never have been as successful as they were, and thus proved how well you work together as a team.”
Cerelia gently took the microphone from him and nodded to us, “I, as queen, have never trusted a group of Cavalry as much as I trust you five. You are all the lights of our lives, and by the day, continue to shine so bright that we simply cannot keep up. I am ecstatic that you are part of our kingdom, as well as our family. We are as protective of you as you are us, and hope that you will spend many joyous, prosperous years at our side.” She blew us a loving kiss before gesturing to the right of the stage, “Everyone, please welcome our highest regarded members of the Mortimer Family… The Committee.”
Andrew and Cerelia stiffly bowed with their ballroom as The Committee walked across the stage. They wore matching black suits, but adorned badges from their previously ruled kingdoms, and their presence intimidated all who were witness to them, though Alden and crisp in wore friendly smiles. Cerelia handed him the box she had been carrying as Jeremiah took the microphone. He was a bit more cheerful compared to the excruciating meeting over Christmas break, and even smirked to me when I tried to smile at him. “Will The Five Cavalries please come to the stage?” he called. We all walked up the steps nervously as Andrew pulled five pure gold badges from the velvet, each which held a beautiful emerald to respect the North Kingdom.
We breathed simultaneous gasps as he took the microphone and turned to face Martha. “Martha Worthington, Cavalry Number One. Nomination in Aerodynamics. Please repeat the Cavalry pledge after me. I, your name, promise to defend my kingdom, my king and queen, and England’s honor at any cost. I am cavalry number, and your number.”
She slid her hand over her heart, breathing a shaky sigh. “I, Martha Worthington, Nomination in Aerodynamics, promise to defend my kingdom, my king and queen, and England’s honor at any cost. I am Cavalry Number One.” She said, her eyes full of tears as Andrew pinned the badge to her dress. He then moved to Stefan and Michael, who both said their pledges, before he moved before me.
His eyes were full of pure pride, and he even had tears collecting in them as I slid my hand over my heart. “I, Dmitri Mortimer, Nomination in Sword Fighting, promise to defend my kingdom, my king and queen, and England’s honor at any cost. I am Cavalry Number Four.” I managed to say without stuttering. He fastened the sparkling piece to my coat, sighing happily, before moving to Gwen. My mother and brother were weeping uncontrollably, which made this moment even more special, now that I could share it with them.
“I, Gwenevere Lee, Nomination in Naval Specialism, promise to defend my kingdom, my king, and England’s honor at any cost. I am Cavalry Number Five.” Gwen sang like a bell, tears falling down her cheeks as he placed the badge onto her chest. The two had left her magic nomination out as it would place a huge target upon her, but Andrew made sure her plaque had both nominations etched across it in his personal handwriting.
“I now present to you, The North Kingdom, and any guests who have joined us here tonight, The Five Cavalries!” Andrew powerfully called.
The crowd all screamed in pure joy to us, and cameras flashed wildly as we all held hands and bowed to them. Andrew and Cerelia both bowed to us as well, and honor we felt radiating through our bones as they flashed us beautiful smiles. “Welcome to the team, my darlings!” Cerelia bawled, pulling us all into a hug and kissing our cheeks lovingly with tears that she couldn’t control falling down her cheeks.
╬
Andrew succeeded in getting all of his kingdom slammed, so by the time the ball was over, we could barely think straight. For someone like Gwen and I, one drink and we were pretty hammered. We somehow managed to get upstairs after the excruciatingly long night, where I fumbled with my key before swinging the door open and tripping on the way inside. Gwen was singing loudly to herself as she fell onto my bed, groaning like a dying animal. “Dmitri, my darling?” she sang, which made me drunkenly giggle.
“Yes, Gwen?”
“Where are your roommates tonight?” She mumbled into the arm she had over her face.
“I think Stefan is in Ave’s room, and Michael in yours.”
“Oh, good. Can you take this dress off me?” I laughed and helped her shimmy out of it as she dragged herself up the bed and cuddled into the pillows. I fell into the sheets beside her, shaking my head to try and locate my last working brain cells. She scooched up next to me with a sly smile on her face, “Do me a favor; stop wearing shirts to bed…” she whispered in my ear.
I hiccupped with a blush; she giggled loudly as Ramah scratched on the door. “Are you guys slammed too?” He whined when I wrenched it open, barely able to stand straight.
I fell to my knees and marveled over his ginger stripes, “Monsieur pussy cat…?” I cooed as I poked his fluffy belly.
“What?” He asked with an adorable head tilt.
“Monsieur pussy cat….?”
“What, Dmitri?”
“Monsieur pussy cat...?”
“WHAT?”
“Monsieur pussy cat!” I hiccupped out and giggled hysterically.
“Get your drunk butt in bed,” he laughed as I squeezed him in a hug. He yelped at how aggressively I whisked him into my arms but allowed me to smoosh my face in his back.
“I just wanted to say goodnight!”
“Yeah, yeah, goodnight,” he said as he rubbed against my chin lovingly, “Let me know when you can count to two again!” he called as he hopped down the steps.
I slipped back into my room and tilted my head at the empty bed. “Gwen? You in here?” I went on a scavenger hunt for my missing girlfriend and found her giggling in the bathroom. She was wearing underwear and one of my shirts, with her legs hanging over the side of the tub as she stared at a shampoo bottle in awe. “Oh, how did you get in the bathtub?” I questioned as I fished her out.
“Do you know what this language is?” She asked in shock, holding the bottle out as I walked her back to the room. I laughed hysterically at the look on her face; she threw her arms around me to begin nibbling my cheeks with adorable little munching sounds.
“Stop nibbling me!” I whined, though my blush was betraying me.
“You taste good!”
“I taste good? You cannibal!”
“I can nibble you all I want now!” She purred seductively, pulling my tie up so she could bring our lips together. I let out a string of mousy giggles as I fell back into the bed, my arms flopping behind me like string beans. She slid over me and unbuttoned my shirt, hissing menacingly at my bare chest.
“Are you going to eat me?” I nervously croaked.
“I’m going to do much more than that my darling,” she cackled, which made me squeak in embarrassment as she tossed my belt over her shoulder.
“Time to celery!” I cried.
“Time to celery!? How drunk are you?” We laughed again; she rolled her eyes and flung the covers up around us with another maniacal cackle.