The Darkling put me down. Making me stand on my own two feet. I grabbed the book that fell on the floor. Smoothening out its cover.

"Alina."

He said my name. Getting my attention.

"What?"

"Tonight is the Grand Ball, within the hour your getting your measurements done by Genya and Riya." He said, surprising me.

Genya.

I haven't seen her since she betrayed me when she was spying for the Darkling. Wait, what's this about a ball?

"What ball?"

"Dignitaries from around the world will come to the Grand Palace to see the Sun Summoner. The ball is an excuse for me to pursue matters of state with other generals and build alliances. Tonight you have to be on your best behaviour. We are representing Ravka."

The Darkling finished.
He said We.

If he expects me to be the silent, obedient little Sun Summoner-he's got another thing coming.

"How long will the ball last?" I asked, curiously. I need to give more time to Sturmhond so he can give me the all clear about Mal's escape.

"Only for a couple hours, you'll retire back to my Chambers an hour before me."

***
I started to read the book I got before and soon an hour went past. Leaving me only at chapter eight of the book.

The Darkling was right, Riya and an army of maids came in to measure me for the ball tonight and help pick out a dress. We were all in the dressing rooms, which were near my room and far from the Darkling's. A relief, he doesn't need to see me change.

Genya soon walked in, looking almost as nervous as me. She still looked beautiful in her fiery red hair. She hesitantly came up to me.

"Hey." She greeted. I gave a small smile to her. It's hard to look at her innocently as it hurt when I found out she spied for the Darkling. But I cannot hold a grudge against her, she didn't deserve it and the Darkling is a monster. He obviously played her.

As he did me.

"Hi Genya. It's been a while. How are you?"

I saw Genya smile brightly. "I'm good, a little tired but not to tired to help fit you into a beautiful dress."

"Riya come on." she looked behind her to where Riya stood.

Riya stood a silent type. Now that I've got Genya back-I hope she doesn't think I don't need her.

They both helped me change in a white under dress that only reached my thighs. The short dress curved around my breasts and hips. There was a great lack of clothing but it was only me, Genya, Riya and some maids.

"Ow."

"Stop flinching Alina!" Genya stated frustrated. More needles pricked into me to pin some fabrics into the dress.

Riya had a measuring tape and she measured my waist, arms, breasts. She said the inches to a maid- so she could note down in a book.

A couple hours later the torture had stopped and the ball was an hour away.

Genya and Riya had my dress designed and tailored. It was a beautiful gold colour.

Off the shoulders and the gold travelled down in rows of wheat. A couple layers of crème white underneath, that contrasted perfectly with the gold on top. It looked like the perfect outfit the Sun Summoner would wear.

"Go on, change." Riya said excitement rejoiced in her voice.

I went behind some red curtains and changed into the golden gown. Once I was done, I opened up the curtains and saw Riya and Genya with their jaws dropped.

"What?"

"Alina, you look gorgeous." Genya complemented.

I looked into the mirror, I barely recognised myself in the mirror. The reflection I saw was of a stranger's.

Riya came behind me and zipped up the back of my dress. I could feel the dress tighten around my breasts.

"All we have to do now is your hair and makeup. Come." Riya said, making me sit down at the dressing table.

As they both worked on my appearance, i was conflicted. This is just the Darkling's game. He's distracting me with beautiful dresses and jewellery-trying to win over my trust and loyalty.

It won't work. He will never win. Everything that I'm doing now, dressing up as his little Sun Summoner-its all a façade.

***

I entered the ball room-with Riya and Genya behind me in their own beautiful dresses. They chose not to wear their Kefta's.

Everyone's eyes were on me and there in the midst-I see the Darkling's eyes on me. His mouth slightly open, he was in awe. His breath was taken away, even more then back at the Winter Fete.

Where I wore a black and gold kefta, and now he sees me in a white and gold dress. The true Sun Summoner image.

He came up to me as other people parted for him, clearing a perfect path, for him to me. "You look beautiful Alina."

I said nothing. He held out his hand. I looked around for a second seeing everyone's eyes on me and the Darkling. I slipped my hand into his, he took it possessively and led me to the middle of the ball room. I looked around, seeing black banners with the Darkling's insignia on it.

He took over the palace didn't he. He took over it within that one month. So he only returned to sustain his rule. He was King wasn't he, or at least felt that way.

Did nobody question his legitimacy? Did nobody dare to revolt against him? Am I left to rebel against the one person who holds the boy I love captive?

I was snapped out of my thoughts to the harsh reality before me. The Darkling had an arm around my waist and continued to have his hand in mine. He started to dance with me. My other hand hesitantly rested on his shoulder. Gripping it, ever so harshly. He leaned into my ear.

"Behave Alina. Wouldn't want Mal to suffer now do we?" He said smugly.

No.

I have to buy some more time for Sturmhond. If the Darkling senses something is off, he will kill them both to punish me for my defiance and rebellion.

I have to play his game.

I eased my grip on the Darkling's shoulder and loosened the stiffness in my shoulders. I met his eyes and smiled gently. All I could imagine was clawing at the Darkling's eyes. It made me smile.

He smiled, fake like mine he leaned in again and whispered, "good girl."

I will end him.

He spun me around, like a dancing flower. He pulled me in close and dipped me, feeling the exposed skin on my back. I held onto his shoulders as he made me stand and leaned into my face, leaving no space between our lips.

In an unfortunate kiss.

***

Start- 8:25am 26/11/21

Finish: 09:43 am 26/11/21

Published: 11:19am 26/11/21