The Kings Mistress Chapter 124

[ … words ]

Putting the clues from their conversation together, Sierra realized just how much was at risk for her father to be here. Their home kingdom was in the midst of a crisis, yet he still took time to attend the ball.

As more and more people headed to the dance floor, the father and daughter watched silently. Most of the princesses, whose fathers were present, were dancing with them. A father-daughter dance was a tradition in many kingdoms, this was no different.

Sierra glanced over to the general for just a moment. She bit her lip as she quickly looked elsewhere.

“Princess Sierra, would you like to dance?” Leon asked as he reached out his hand with a smile.

He had read her mind from the moment she looked over at him.

“That would be nice.”

Together, the father and daughter walked onto the dance floor. As the music began to play in the background, they danced to it with smiles on their faces. Not knowing what came next was scary for all of them. However, at the very least, they had this moment to share with one another.

Ida, who watched from the sidelines, could not help but shed a tear for them. Them dancing together earned them some interesting looks and comments, but Sierra paid them no mind.

“We don’t have to keep dancing if it’s making you uncomfortable, Sierra,” Leon whispered to her as he glanced around the hall.

Sierra chuckled as she shook her head, “There’s no need to stop. Let them see and say what they want. They won’t stop even if I ask them to.”

Leon was surprised by her reply.

“My princess has truly all grown up,” Leon commended with a wide grin.

Sierra could not help but blush, “Stop it. You’re going to make me cry.”

As the song soon came to an end and faded into the background, everyone returned to their conversation. It was now time for the King to choose his dance partner. Sierra was hopeful and eager. She glanced all around the hall looking for Alistair.

However, she realized he was nowhere near her. In fact, she also noticed that Princess Cassandra did not seem to be in the ballroom either. A gut feeling made her turn towards the balcony.

The smile disappeared from her face as she saw Alistair speaking to Cassandra.

“Isn’t that Princess Cassandra with his Majesty?”

“I think you’re right, that is them! Don’t they look so wonderful together?”

“Indeed! I couldn’t agree more!”

“Did you hear?”

“Hear what?”

“They said she’s one of the top candidates for the concubine choosing. Especially since her kingdom has been a long-time ally of Drakin.”

Sierra looked down, she bit her lip as she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Leon could see she was clearly upset at the comments others were making. Before, he didn’t realize just how deep his daughter’s love for the King had grown.

Now, he understood.

“Sierra, do you love him?” He asked quietly.

She looked up at him, surprised by his question.

“I…” she knew she didn’t need to lie to him, “I do.”

Ida gasped as she covered her mouth and apologized for making such a big deal out of it. Sierra could not help but chuckle a little.

“It’s obvious, isn’t it. I’m letting my emotions go to my head,” she sighed.

It was clouding her judgment.

“Sometimes, letting your emotions run free is a good thing. But always remember what’s most important,” Leon advised.

He had loved once, and only once.

“Love can be fleeting, Sierra. It doesn’t mean it’s not worth chasing or has to be filled with regret. As long as the both of you know what each other wants and agree upon it, nothing else really matters.”

He gently placed his hand over her heart as he continued, “Your heart is not your weakness, it is your greatest strength.”

Moments later, Alistair re-entered the ballroom. This time, he was holding Cassandra’s hand. All eyes were on them, as they made their way to the center of the ballroom for a dance.

Everyone was talking about it. Sierra looked on with a tinge of sadness in her eyes. To say that it did not hurt would be a lie. She desperately wanted to get out of the ballroom and never return, but her feet were rooted to the ground.

From a distance, Roxine was watching Sierra closely.

“She’ll be alright,” Lady Diane assured her as she took another sip out of her wine glass, “She would have to come to terms with it eventually.”

Roxine sighed. She felt terrible on Sierra’s behalf. She knew what it was like to see someone you love dancing with another or in the arms of another. It does not just leave a horrible taste in the mouth. It also leaves a hole in one’s heart.

But Diane was right. In order for Alistair and her to survive for long, she would have to learn to live with it. The concubine choosing, ultimately, was a political move. Political marriages to tie kingdoms together, to strengthen each others’ forces.

“Why does love have to be so complicated?” Roxine sighed.

While Sierra spoke to her friends and her father for the rest of the evening, she kept a close eye on Alistair. She waited patiently for him to come over to ask her for a dance. But it never happened.

The increasing disappointment was written all over her face for everyone to see. No matter how hard she tried to hide it, it was useless. Each time she looked over to Alistair, she felt as if he was averting his gaze away from her.

He couldn’t even look at her.

Though the night was still young, General Leon decided it was time for him to leave.

“You’re not staying?” Sierra asked, disappointed.

“I’m afraid I can’t stay any longer, princess,” General Leon replied, apologetically.

He wanted to hug his daughter before he left. But social conventions forbade them from doing so.

“Have a safe journey home, General Leon,” Sierra said to him with a smile.