The ballroom glowed. Light from the chandeliers spilled across the golden marble floor, and a string quartet played softly at the far end of the room while conversation drifted beneath it. The ladies wore gowns of outstanding detail, the men neat, tailored suits.
"You look absolutely beautiful, Your Highness." Aria sank into a perfect curtsy before the red-haired princess. "You really have been out in the sunshine today, haven't you?"
"My, my. Lady Arianna Silverstone." Iris smirked as Aria straightened. "When you failed to send a reply, I had rather assumed you wouldn't be joining us."
"How could I possibly miss it?" Aria tilted her head, her smile lingering. "Not when the most distinguished lady in high society has finally returned."
"How flattering. And who has accompanied you this evening?"
"My brother, of course."
"How unfortunate." Iris's smile widened. "I had expected to see your fiancé by your side. For you both to attend the same ball and yet arrive separately... it seems you're having a disagreement."
Aria paused.
She knew exactly what Iris was doing. In the past, it would have worried her. Not anymore.
"I cannot hide anything from you, Your Highness," she said, perfectly relaxed. "I fear it's rather more serious than a disagreement. Your cousin and I aren't on speaking terms."
For a split second, Iris frowned.
Her jaw tightened, and her fingers curled around the stem of her glass. It was not the response she had anticipated.
Then her fingers relaxed.
"I'm sorry to hear that." She rested her lips against the rim. "It would be a shame to ruin such a good engagement."
"How thoughtful of you to worry." Aria's smile remained untouched. "But I'm sure you'll be among the first to hear if there's anything worth announcing."
Somewhere behind them, the music shifted into a livelier melody. A few couples drifted towards the centre of the floor.
Iris chuckled. "You've changed a lot, Lady Arianna. You're much harder to get a reaction out of these days."
"I suppose I just know what is worth reacting to now."
Iris searched her face, and found nothing.
"Enjoy your evening, Your Highness." Aria curtsied once more and walked away, her skirts flowing across the marble.
Iris watched her disappear into the crowd. Her smile slowly faded.
"How irritating," she muttered.
"Someone giving you trouble?"
Iris turned. A familiar figure had appeared beside her, a glass in hand.
"Not particularly." She straightened, her eyes returning to the crowd. "Just an old acquaintance."
"Though Lady Silverstone has become rather difficult to read."
Iris said nothing.
"Enjoying yourself, are you?"
Aria turned to find her brother approaching, amusement written across his face.
"Immensely."
His gaze flicked over her shoulder to the red-haired princess. "That looked pleasant."
"Oh, delightful. Her Highness was kind enough to take an interest in my evening."
Asher chuckled and offered his arm. "Come along. His Majesty has been looking for you. Several times, actually."
"And you only thought to tell me now?"
"I was rather occupied."
"You're a terrible brother, Asher."
"And yet here I am, escorting you."
As they passed beneath the chandeliers, Aria's smile slowly disappeared. Asher noticed.
"Something wrong?"
"Nothing at all."
A hearty laugh rang out as they approached the king.
"Your Majesty." Asher and Aria bowed together.
"Lady Arianna! Young Lord Asher! What a blessing!" Aria noted how much brighter, even younger, the King looked.
"It is an honour, Your Majesty. I must apologise for my prolonged absence."
"Better than well, now that I've finally caught you." He glanced at the nearby guests. "I was hoping for a word."
Asher understood at once. With a slight bow, he excused himself and vanished into the crowd.
"Your decision to encourage me to name Nikolai crown prince was an exquisite one, Lady Arianna."
Aria's expression softened. "Was it, Your Majesty?"
"I had placed considerable faith in Leander. The nobles held him in high regard, and there was the matter of seniority. But Nikolai has brought several of Leander's strongest supporters to his side, men who would scarcely have entertained serving under him. I had expected resentment. Instead, the boy has shown a diplomacy I never anticipated."
"I always believed he had the necessary qualities. He simply needed an opportunity."
"And I suspect you knew precisely what you were doing when you brought his name to me."
"I merely offered an opinion, Your Majesty. The decision was yours."
"You have a curious way of making people see what has been in front of them all along." He laughed. "Careful, child. Flattery will get you nowhere."
"Then I shall have to find another way to remain in your good graces."
"Quite right. Speaking of which, how are things between you and my nephew?"
Aria's smile faltered, just slightly.
"If you're asking whether things have improved, I have very little good news. If they were going anywhere, I suspect it would be downhill."
The King stared at her, then let out a surprised laugh. "Good heavens! Have things truly become that dreadful?"
"I wouldn't call them dreadful. That would imply there was something left to ruin."
"I was under the impression the two of you had begun making progress."
"Then someone has been rather generous with their reports."
He opened his mouth to reply, but a hush was already settling over the room. The orchestra faded. At the far end, the grand doors swung open, and the royal herald struck the floor with his staff.
"His Imperial Majesty, Emperor of the Dracorian Empire, and Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress!"
The ballroom erupted into motion. Ladies adjusted their gowns, gentlemen straightened their coats, and every conversation was abandoned.
Aria turned towards the doors, her expression settling into polite curiosity. Beside her, the King drew himself up.
Aria smiled knowingly. It seems it is time for a little action.