Calla

After a few more fussing and tugging from a livid Lizabeth, I was ready for the banquet. Dinner was in the main dining room so I thought it best to venture there. Maybe I could slip through the crowds before Leo noticed my absence.

"Empress"

"Empress" the people smiled, bowing their head to signal my arrival. I smiled fairly to each person, nodding my head to greet them back. As I made my way down the room, I see the soldiers of war entering the room. They came in bruised and bloody from their battle in Lison. I suppose this banquet was nothing more than Leo's lame attempt to make them feel better.

What a careless war Leo had started. Innocent men and children were dying, and for what? To fuel Leo's ego?

I looked at each man offering my gaze of appreciation. They were just trying to stand with pride and strength but I could see that their eyes were weak; tired of the pointless war Leo had summoned.

I would avenge them soon, restoring balance to Genovia once more.
I would make sure of it.

____

The dancing began but of course, Leo was nowhere to be seen. He was probably pounding into Vanessa in a nearby hallway. I walk to the back of the adjacent room: the ballroom, making sure to take in the scenery of people laughing and dancing before spying from beyond the curtain. I didn't want to be seen looking lonely. The women danced with their companions, each couple lost in their little world of bliss.

How lovely it must have felt to be held by the one you love.

"Surely the Empress cannot stand idle while everyone dances?" I hear the rich base of Donatello's voice and light up with excitement. I turn and see Donatello at the side of the stairs, slowly approaching where I stood. "It looks bad on the people if you stand here in the shadows."

"And how do you know what is good for my people Donatello?" I match his banter. He nodded and shrugged, taking note of my valid defense. We stood there in silence, letting the sound of violins and pianos take over as we watch the crowd dancing below us.

"Well, I do know what is good for you" Donatello speaks again.

"And what is that?" I ask him curiously.

"To have fun. You do not know how to have it Calla" he shrugged.

"Once upon a time I did. But now..." my words trail off. He came closer to where I stood and extended his arm, allowing a small smile to paint his lips.

I heated as I remembered our kiss from the other day and our close encounter today. Slowly and hesitantly, I take his arm with my gloved hand and meet his gaze.

We walk to the center of the floor, his hand finding its way around my waist as the music started. And we danced as if no one was watching.

As if we were the only two in the world.

His grip around me was so fastened yet so earnest, as if he would catch my body the minute I decided to fall.
Was it selfish that I clutched onto his shoulders with caution? That my heart jumped at the scent of his sweet lavender scented jacket.

I pushed my cheek to rest against his heart, desperate to feel its beats for as long as I could before Leo awakened my painful reality.
His warmth was so safe... so familiar; it reminded me of everything I loved.
The breezy hills where I journaled.
The gentle sounds of the crashing of the seas.
The warm fire in my cottage back in Cedonia.

Donatello's hand drifted lower and lower until it was against the base of my spine. He pulled me closer into his frame, making sure to remind me that he was there.
That he had me.
That I was safe in his arms.

I forced myself to look up and face him. Closer and closer we came, our lips almost touching, eager to crash against each other. But just before we had our chance, the last note of the flute sounded and the music ended, ushering in the sound of applause. I cursed fate for allowing the music to stop, signaling the end of the dance.

My brief episode of bliss was over.

"Empress Calla" Donatello whispers against my lips, thanking me for the dance before releasing my hand. How desperately I wanted to grab him and force him to stay. How eagerly I wanted him to hold me forever, but I was empress of Genovia. I had to let him go.

I see Leo in the distance adjusting his shirt, walking out from the darkness with Vanessa close behind.

Disgusting.

Leo took a swig of wine from a stranger before standing at the head of the table to make an announcement. "To the brave men of war and to Genovia!"

"To Genovia" the crowds repeated.

"HUZZAH!!" Leo shouted one final time before throwing his wine glass to the floor. He plopped onto the floor and continued to eat, pushing a stale piece of bread to his lips while observing the people.

"Calla" he sighed, signaling me over to come to him. Begrudgingly, I came and sat by his side, making sure to create a sizable distance between us. He pulled me into his reach and pushed a hand to my stomach curiously. "Are you with child yet or are you just fat?" he cursed.

"Neither of the two Leo" I snapped, pushing his hand off the area of my flat belly.

"Shit!" he cursed, looking into the distance as he bit his jaw. "And why are you not with child. You were brought here for my heir and I've been fucking you raw every morning!" he curses again, this time with more vulgarity.

"Well,, I am not pregnant Leo. Maybe I will be implanted like the blessed virgin Mary?" I said sarcastically. He forced himself to smile, taking note of my witty disposition.

"Watch your tongue Calla. Do not make me show you what happens to those that disrespect me," he warns through a rigid tone, taking another careless swig of his wine.

"Just like you did to the other women? I'm wife number 30 right?"

He was silent and soon I make contact with his whore what was staring daggers into my eyes. He grabbed my neck and pulled it towards him, pushing his lips against its surface. "I swear I would take you right now if it wasn't for---"

"For what?" I snapped, pulling my neck away, "your whore Vanessa? It seems as if she hates me?" I bragged, smiling with annoyance as I met her eyes once more.

"Is that so?" he smirked looking over to where she sat. I knew he saw an opportunity in the situation. He pulled my chair right next to his and pulled my waist around his arm. Great... I knew Leo and the intentions of his heart. Whatever he would do next was to anger her.

"Leo please" I warn him, begging him to think before he did. I did not care about what happened to me and only looked at Donatello as he conversed with a few men. He looked so handsome in his afternoon coat. His eyes peeled away from the conversation and turned onto me. His lips parted into a lazy smile as he met my eyes.

Leo noticed all the eye contact between us and bit down on his jaw again. "You won't learn Calla... will you?" he cursed before lifting my dress from beneath the table. He pushed his palms against my thigh before pushing my petticoats to the side.

I looked again at Donatello as he watched me curiously. I prayed he couldn't see Leo's movements from beneath the table and even if he did, I didn't want him thinking that I enjoyed what was going on.

"Leo please...not in front..of the people"

"Don't speak," he demanded, whispering his command against my neck. "Make noise and it will only be your humiliation." and right after he said his last words he plunged his fingers into my hidden mound, exploring each crevice as the people continued on in with their festivities.

I looked over to Vanessa as she fumed, watching Leo as he worked. Any normal person would have though nothing of my proximity but she looked on knowing the movement of his hands. I dare to look over where Donatello conversed but by the time I had a chance, he was already gone.

Oh, thank the virgin Mary he wouldn't see my humiliating display. I tried so hard not to gasp with delight as Leo worked and made it my mission to remain silent, only pushing my head into his shoulder pretending to cry about something.

Although I hated his very existence whatever he was doing to me felt magical. Two people came up to him, conversing about something trivial. I could not focus on the topic and continued to close my eyes, praying this would be over soon.

"What is your opinion Empress?" one lady asked me. The heat in my body was unbearable, causing Leo to smile. He teased me further as he played deeper within my folds, pulling my waist closer to him.

"It seems like Empress Calla is lulled on wine? Isn't that right wife?" he asked, lifting my chin with his free hand. I nod my head silently, refusing to face the two people who stood near. Leo continued teasing me, curling a finger before I grabbed his wrist, pleading with him to stop. "Leo!" I screamed but felt my wetness by the time he decided to end it.

He smirked, still staring at the people as if nothing happened before he pulled out his hand. He looked to the whore in the distance, making sure to cement his gaze onto her before licking his fingers hungrily, intently tasting my fluids while gloating at my weakness.

Leo pressed his lips against my forehead, gloating at my silence. "Not one sound. Good wife" he gloated. I pushed him off violently, adjusting my dress before taking a swig of wine. I needed it after that ordeal. I was more angered that he had made me feel so helpless and stood to return to my room. He smirked at me, pulling my wrist so I could sit in his lap.

"No thank you husband?" he gloated, gently running a hand against my cheek before pulling me against his lips.

"You give thanks to those you like. I hate you" I grumbled, making sure my breath hit his lips. My words had no impact of course and he only nodded to a passerby.

"Goodnight wife." he smiled before letting me go.

Immedetliy, I ran out of the room, gathering my dress to escape. I couldn't help the tears streaming down my face as I think of my once wonderful day that was so quickly ruined by that monster. I continue running down the path of the palace, thinking of all my delusions of a fairytale dream. This place was nothing but a fallacy, a site where dreams died. I did not know what to do anymore to remain sane? I couldn't run away or find comfort in the letters my family wrote? My only option was to kill Leo but I couldn't even do that!

I stopped as I neared the end of the hallways and see Donatello in the distance. We both freeze at the sight of each other and although I tried to smile, my tears take over. He continues staring at my face before letting his eyes fall to my wrinkled dress.

He bit the apple he had in his hand and turned away, having no patience to face me after our time in the party.

So he did see everything....that's why he left.

Author Note

Lol sorry about the abrupt ending. What do you think about Donatello?
Still like him