Entry #541447, added on 01-30-08 @ 5:42 pm EST
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| Chapter Twenty Seven | Entry #541447 |
All Royal Balls were always truly splendid occasions, however no expense, effort or shear deeds of grandeur had been spared for this the Grand Ball in honour of the forthcoming wedding of Princess Viktoria of Prussia to Prince Adolf of Schaumburg-Lippe. The wedding was now two short weeks away and Viktoria was due to depart for Berlin for the grand occasion in just two days.
If the truth be known Viktoria was not of a mood over enthusiatic for the unity that was to take place. Her heart had been taken on a path of great turbulance in recent times after all. Her first love and favoured choice of husband that of Prince Alexander of Battenberg had proven to be a unity that could not be allowed by the wishes of her grandfather Emperor Wilhem I. He fervantly opposed the match due to fear of offending the Russians as it had turned out that Prince Alexander's actions in Bulgaria had proved to be quite irritating to them in recent times, so hence her treasured dream was to end. Prince Adolf however was indeed a very honourable suitor for Viktoria, a man of good character and one who knew how to honour and respect a woman. You could say he was a really nice man, that’s what Viktoria thought of him, a very nice, stable, honourable man, but she couldn’t help feel that he lacked that certain spark. Viktoria’s past experience however had led her to believe that love was not an option privvy to one of royal unions, it was a duty to do the right thing, for her family and country and though reluctant, graciously accepted this sacrifice, which was surprising in regard of her more controversial views of other issues.
Recently though, as the time of her union drew ever near and with her time spent away in England’s capitol these doubts began to cast a large shadow in her mind and this was now troubling her greatly. She had analysed her recent days intently with fond memories and at the centre of all these memories the same man haunted her thoughts. Her time in the company of Sir Maxton Silas it was fair to say had left quite an impact on her. Viktoria had enjoyed the way they had been able to drop their facades of society when encompassed in each others company, the frankness of their conflicting views and their readyness to compromise without never really doing so, their intellectual wargames that seemed to always end in a flustered anger broken quickly with shared laughter. Silas it seemed challenged her almost as much as she challenged him, but armed with her feminine charms she’d never let that be obviously shown. It seemed now this attraction could prove a distraction Viktoria could not emotionally afford but still the temptation of averting another overhyped social event where she was required to play the role of the perfect Princess was too strong a pull to resist. Silas’s presence would ensure that this Ball be one of a much more plesurable evening, she would simply have to deal with any feelings of doubt and confusion on the long trip back to German shores.
Silas fought his way through the usual dignitries vying to grab his attention, whether it be ideas men seeking funding, competiors seeking insight, or politians seeking public approval it seemed they never passed up an opportunity for a moment of his time. Silas was not a man who particularly enjoyed events such as this for that very reason, if it wasn’t for the invitation from the Princess he almost certainly would have avoided this occasion. Silas seldom a man to let such feelings take bearing on his actions wasn’t really sure what he was doing here, yes he was attracted to the Princess, but he also knew she was shortly to depart these shores to be married to another, and it wasn’t like he was falling in love with her or anything like that surely. He simply contented himself with the foolish notion that he was obliged to attend such an event due to his position in society, a case of keeping up appearrances so to speak. Still in all the short time he was there he had found himself scouring the room for a glimpse of the Princess.
“Sir Maxton Silas, I wasn’t sure you’d come.”
A surprised Silas turned around to find the glamourous figure of the Princess adorned in scarlet satin.
Silas bowed in respect “Your highness, you look most exquissette”.
“Why thank you Maxton, between you and me, my grandmother nearly threw a fit when she heard I’d be wearing red, not the colour for a princess she said, an undignifying colour more akin to a common lady of the night.”
Silas slightly caught off guard with her directness fashioned a perfect response “Well I wouldn’t know about that, but in my humble view I must say you look truly amazing, in fact I can with all honesty say that a more beautiful sight it has never been my pleasure to see”.
“Well thank you, a lovely compliment indeed”.
Silas continued “Besides our Queen may me many things, a magnificant lady indeed, but a fashion or design icon she surely is not.”
“Quite” responded the Princess with a gentle laugh. “In the absence of my Prince I trust you will be my shaperone for the evening if of course it would not be any trouble.”
“My dear Princess of course, it would be an honour.”
Silas accompanied Viktoria throughout the evening, engaging in many a dull conversation with various so called noble men and political figures. If it weren’t for the Princess, undoubtedly Silas would have spoken in his more usual abrupt nature in an attempt for a quick escape, but instead Silas found himself actively engageing in the conversations, injecting them with both wit and charm. If it wasn’t for the grand nature of his company, these individuals may have thought Silas to be flirting with his partner or simply become suspicious of Silas’ intentions, but all simply put it down to wanting to maintain good relations with the monarchy and eager to make a good impression, after all his competitors at least were all well aware of his good relations with Germany. The truth however was clear for the Princess to see, she could read Silas’ emotion with great clarity, maybe she should have spoken, addressed the situation, but in truth she was enjoying it, she had control after all.
Finally the Queen made her appearrance, with a grand address to the very carefully invited audience, who all bowed and coutseyed in reverence.
“It is a great honour and pleasure of mine to welcome you to the palace this evening in honour of the impending marriage of my grand daughter Princess Viktoria of Prussia and her husband to be Prince Adolph of Schaumburg-Lippe. I am sure all of you here on this day will share with me in wishing them both the most happy and prosperous of futures and that they enjoy a marriage of great happiness for many years to come. I thank you all.”
Queen Victoria, remained for a few short moments as the crowd applauded her words before dissappearing out of view once again. Traditional music began to play as couples took to the floor to enjoy a dance in the Princess’ honour. It was now that Silas realised Viktoria was intently staring at him. A look of horror slowly drifted over Silas’ face as he began to realise the purpose of Viktoria’s stare. “You can’t honestly wish to dance?”
“Why thank you I would love to”.Viktoria responded without given opportunity for a discussion take palce. Viktoria lifted her arm, waiting in anticipation, leaving no option but for Silas to take her arm and lead her to the dance floor. To compound Silas’ reservations the gathered crowd applauded as they began to realise the Princess was about to grace the ballroom floor.
Knowing it was far to late for Silas to make anykind of escape, Viktoria enjoyingly provoked a clearly nervous Silas, “What is it, are you telling me a gentleman such as yourself does not know how to dance.”
Silas chose to ignore the comment as he took position at the centre of the ballroom floor and led the Princess in a Viennese Waltz. Viktoria found herself very surprised at the adeptness of Silas’ technique. After the initial opening steps the intrigued onlookers, who’d focussed all their intentions on Silas and the Princess, slowly drifted one by one to join them in the dance.
After a short time the musicians came to the end of the tune and the music stopped playing. A short applause showed the appreciation of the attendees to the talented musicians before they quickly began to continue on with the next tune.
Silas always the gentleman led the Princess off the ballroom floor.
“I don’t understand?”
Silas confused, looked at the Princess.
“Why were you so reluctant to dance when you do it so well?”
“Ah, my reluctance was not one of ability, more one of conservatism, I’m not one who enjoys being the focus of attention, particularly at social occasions.”
“But you weren’t, they wanted to see the Princess not you.” Viktoria jokingly replied.
“Indeed.” Silas paused for a moment before continueing “The atmosphere in here is getting rather clostrophobic, would you like to join me for a walk?”
Viktoria agreed to join Silas as they skulked out from the crowd to enjoy the gardens of the palace.
“So are you looking forward to your return to Berlin?” Silas enquired
“It’s bound to prove quite hectic, being here has been an enjoyable distraction from all the preparations.”
“I can imagine, I may have to visit Germany myself in the coming weeks.”
“Have I gained myself an admirirer?” joked Viktoria.
“I believe I will have some business to attend to, I’m interested in locating a Marcus Hesser’ seems he may have a talent that would prove most useful to my organization.”
“Hesser, Marcus Hesser, well I think I may be able to save you a trip, if I’m not mistaken he’s working for my father, commisioned to do some work regarding medical research I believe, if it’s his talents you require I fear you will find them most unavailable.”
Silas tried desperately to conceal his surprise at such a revelation “Well in that case I guess I will have to locate the talents of another.
Silas and Viktoria continued their walk not discussing the topic any further unaware that they had been watched the whole time by the Queen from an upstairs window. Meanwhile all the time in the back of Silas’s mind he was mulling over the new information, everything was so clear now. Silas had always known that a major financer back in Germany had to be supporting Hesser and Jefferson’s work and knowing first hand of the kind of expence involved it left very few possibilities. Even so King Frederick had never even entered his mind as a possibility, but it clearly made so much sense, it seemed Silas now had a new, more critical reason to persue his friendship with the lovely Princess.
As the end of the evening dawned Silas and the Princess bid their farewells for the final time under the watchful eyes of HRH Queen Victoria. The Princess was due to depart the following evening and her Royal commitments left little time for any further meetings.
“I have really appreciated you taking the time to show me this city and your general company over this visit, you have helped ensure a most enjoyable visit. I hope to see you again in the future, maybe you can visit both my father and I in Berlin soon, I’m sure he’d be very pleased to make your aquantence again.”
“Thank you Princess, It has been an honour and a pleasure. I hope I may be able to take you up on that offer sometime in the near future, I wish you well in your marriage and great happiness.” Silas spoke these final words in a rather resigned fashion. Not wanting to extend the farewell any longer Silas bowed, before taking and kissing Viktoria’s hand. Nothing further was said as Silas quickly turned and climbed into his waiting carriage, as his driver closed the door behind him Silas and Viktoria shared one last longing look before the driver regained his position and drove off into the night.
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