Chapter Text
“I can’t believe everyone is getting all worked up over this Royal ball!” Macy said, watching Lance study different tuxes. “My father hasn’t even announced it yet and already I’ve been asked who I’m going with so many times.”
“Well the King may not have announced it yet,” Lance said. “but when he does, since we’re the guests of honor we’re going to need to already know who we’re going with. Everyone else is just being prepared. Plus, I like all the extra attention.”
“I’m just glad Aaron agreed to go with me, I’m not very fond of the others who have asked me.”
At this, Lance looked at Macy.
“Going as friends, or going as a couple?” He asked.
Macy rolled her eyes. “Honestly, I don’t care whether or not people think we’re a couple, as long as no one else asks me. So if your little reporter bot friend asks, tell her you don’t know.”
Lance lost interest, sensing there was no further details that could be gotten. But moments later, Clay walked in and Lance turned his attention to him.
“So Clay, have you thought about who you’re taking to the ball?” Lance asked.
“Are you trying to get gossip for the Knight News Network again?” Clay asked, his eyes narrowing.
“No, of course not.” Lance ran his fingers through his hair and chuckled.
“Either way, I’m not telling. It’s going to be a… surprise,” Clay said.
“You have no idea who to take do you?” Asked Lance.
“None of your business!” Macy interjected. “Go scout for gossip somewhere else.”
Lance stood and left the room, muttering under his breath.
“Thanks Macy,” Clay sighed. “I’m glad at least you don’t care who I’m going with.”
“I feel ya, dances, and ballrooms, and couple gossip, not my thing.” Macy gestured to the door Lance had gone through. “In fact, I think he’s the only knight who really cares.”
“Well the rest of Knighton is crazy about it,” Clay said. “I’ve been swamped with reporters and admirers recently.”
“Me too,” Macy said. “I mean, don’t they have anything else to worry about?”
…
“Here’s the latest from the Knight News Network! Everyone is just crazy about the upcoming Royal Ball, and the biggest topic on everyone’s minds is the dates of the guests of honor, the Nexo Knights!”
“That’s right Herb! Tomorrow the Nexo Knights will be asking a guest of their choice to the ball! But no one can wait to find out who our savior’s have chosen to accompany them!”
“We may not have exact answers, but we have some insider info that’s sure to give you a better idea.”
“The three Knights who we know you’re most curious about, Lance Richmond, Princess Macy, and Clay Moorington! We have info from dreamy Lance himself that he’s going to be asking a ‘special fan’ to the ball. One of you Lance fans may get a chance to live out your dreams soon! We also have info that Princess Macy is in fact going to take one of her fellow Knights! We know it’s not Lance so Clay, Aaron, and Axl are all possibilities!”
“Last but not least, Clay Moorington, a new favorite among some of Knighton’s ladies. All we know is that Clay is being very secretive about his date, and says ‘it’s a surprise.’”
“Could this mean that he’s the knight that Princess Macy has chosen to go with or something even more interesting?”
Jestro finally turned his head from the holovision screen. The rest of the report started fading into the background of his hearing.
”I wonder why Clay is making such a big deal about keeping his date secret.” Jestro said to Roberto, who sat beside him. “I mean what’s the harm if we know?”
“I did not know you were so interested in that kind of gossip.”
“I’m not. I’m just interested for… personal reasons,” Jestro replied.
This comment caused Roberto to look at Jestro strangely. Quickly, Jestro changed the subject.
“Man, all this hype kind of makes me wish I could go to that ball. I never used to go to those cause’ I never actually had a date but right now I think I’d be fine if I could go at all.”
“Why can’t you go now?” Asked Roberto. “I thought everyone in the kingdom was invited.”
“I’m pretty sure ‘everyone in the kingdom’ does not include people who tried to destroy the kingdom,” Jestro said. He paused before adding; “twice.”
Jestro glanced at the holovision screen again and sighed.
“Guess I might as well go to see who the Knights invite since they can’t stop me from getting in there,” He said.
“Are you sure you can’t go?” Roberto asked again.
“Wow security sure is tight for the ball!” Alice Squires continued from the holovision screen. “Along with regular security being beefed up, some of the seniors from Knights Academy have even volunteered to help protect the guests. One things for sure, no evil-doers or suspicious characters are getting into this royal event!”
“I may be wrong,” Jestro continued. “but I think I’ve earned a permanent spot on their ‘suspicious characters’ list. I’d love to go, especially if I actually had a date for once, but honestly I just don’t think that’s going to happen.”
…
It was the day of the announcement. The joustdome was packed full of cheering people except for a single small area of empty seats. All of them were waiting for the entertainments to end so that the announcements could finally get underway.
“Citizens of Knighton,” The King’s voice rang through the stadium. “I am proud to announce that in tomorrow we will be having our annual Royal Ball!”
Cheers burst from the crowd. The king made a gesture for silence.
“And, as thanks for saving our kingdom, the Nexo Knights will be attending as the guests of honor!” He pointed at an entryway, from which emerged the Knights. “And as the guests of honor they will be publicly asking their dates to the ball!”
This time the king let the crowd cheer for longer, waiting until the cries eventually subsided. Then he beckoned Macy forward.
“First off, my very own daughter, Macy!” King Halbert said, pride swelling in his voice.
Macy stepped forward, rolling her eyes. She walked over to where Aaron stood a few paces away from her.
“Aaron Fox, may I have the honor of accompanying you too the Royal Ball?” She asked.
“It would be my pleasure Princess Macy.” Aaron replied.
The crowd positively roared in approval as Macy made her way back to her position next to the other Knights.
Jestro sat on the top row of the joustdome, watching the procedures. Previously, the area he sat in had been packed with people, but as soon as he sat down some people got up and moved, and the rest just scooted closer to their neighbors to be farther from him. He supposed he’d need to get used to this kind of treatment. Who’d want to sit next to the guy who had attacked their village?
As he watched, he couldn’t help but feel a smidge I’d envy for the members of the crowd who got chosen to accompany the Nexo Knights to the ball.
“Funny how I’m still not used to those Knights getting all the praise while I only get scorn and disgust.” He muttered. Not like you’re not getting what you deserve, a voice in his head told him.
Soon enough, the name Jestro had been waiting for was called.
“Clay Moorington!”
As Clay moved from his position, Jestro looked at the crowd around him. They all seemed to be anticipating Clay’s choice. But Jestro found himself dreading it.
Why am I even here? Jestro asked himself. But he knew the answer before he even asked. Because I wish I could go with one of them.
Now Clay was below Jestro, moving up past rows and rows of people. A glance at Clay’s face showed Jestro that he was not looking at anyone in particular. He seemed to be purposely looking at the ground.
Finally Clay had passed the last row of people. He was right in front of Jestro. Jestro’s heart started beating faster. Every eye was on them.
When Clay spoke it was in a firm, attention-commanding tone.
“Jestro, may I have the honor of accompanying you to the Royal Ball?” Clay asked.
Jestro felt like he was dreaming. He couldn’t believe it. Was Clay asking him to the Ball?
“M-me?” Jestro stammered.
“Is there any other Jestro here?” Clay asked, raising an eyebrow.
Jestro could feel the eyes of the crowd on them. He swallowed.
“Yes, of course!” He said. Then he remembered that it was supposed to be formal. “I-I mean, it would be my pleasure Clay Moorington.”
“Great,” Clay said, giving Jestro a reassuring smile.
As Clay went back down to his position, there was no cheering like earlier. There was only muttering, whispering, and a couple gasps. When Jestro looked at the faces around him, he saw confusion, disappointment, and disgust.
Looking at the rest of the Nexo Knights, he saw shock and uncertainty. Even King Halbert was gaping at him, and continued to do so until the Queen put a hand on his shoulder and whispered something in his ear.
“What? Oh, yes,” the King said, looking dazed. “well that concludes-“
Jestro didn’t stick around to hear the rest of what he said. He bolted to the nearest exit, the crowd moving as to not get in his way. Right before he left, he shot one last glance at Clay, who he saw was looking right at him. Then he left.