ia stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling mirror in her room, staring at herself.
Her hair was done as a low, textured updo with a few strands framing the face. A dainty silver pendant rested on her prominent collarbone as silver earrings hung from her ears.
Her gown was breathtaking, as if it had been spun from moonlight and midnight skies. Its bodice clung delicately to Tia's figure, a soft sweetheart shape veiled in sheer fabric embroidered with silver, lending it an ethereal glow. Long, flowing sleeves fell like liquid silk, their sheer whiteness adorned with intricate celestial patterns.
The skirt was a masterpiece of layers: a base of white chiffon, dotted with sparkling embroidery like constellations, and over it, deep navy panels cascaded in dramatic folds, their gold-threaded designs glinting like stardust. The dress moved with a quiet majesty, regal yet otherworldly.
"It's as if it had been crafted for a princess of the stars." Thedosia mumbled, watching her daughter fondly. She herself was wearing a gown in a majestic dark plum color that complimented her hair wonderfully.
"So? Is our Artemesia any less?" Jonathan laughed. He was suited up in midnight blue, a few shades darker than his sister. The color fit like it was made for him, as the tailcoat perfectly accentuated his broad shoulders.
Artemesia chuckled, "It's as if I am the star of the show, not you."
John grinned, "My happiness is my family's, and vice versa."
Thedosia shook her head, her smile never leaving her face, "Now, John, won't you escort your sister to the ballroom?"
He laughed, and held out a gloved hand, "I would be honored to, Lady Artemesia."
Tia took his hand, chuckling, and the Montclair family made their way downstairs, to the magnificent ballroom.
This was the last banquet, and the grandest, of the week-long celebrations held for the new Duke of Montclair, Jonathan Montclair.
The first two days were spent at the Temple, for religious ceremonies led by the Archbishop. The next two days were ceremonial processions, and the rest were reserved solely for banquets and feasts.
It was one of the most memorable Ducal Coronations in Halycran History, only because the pragmatic Thedosia Montclair and the prudent Artemesia Montclair were in charge of managing it.
They heard the Herald strike his staff upon the floor, as the grand doors to the Hall swung open and they stepped inside.
"Entering: His Grace, Duke Jonathan of Montclair, Dowager Duchess Thedosia and Lady Artemesia of Montclair!"
. . .
Gorgeous.
The only word that rang in Leander's mind as he stared at her from across the ballroom.
So damn gorgeous.
"Leander?" Damian nudged him.
He jumped, "Huh, what?"
"Could you stop… gawking?"
Leander flushed, and looked around. Sure enough, some young ladies, and some old ones, had seen that expression on Leander's face. And their own expressions did not look very apologetic.
He dropped his head, cursing.
The ballroom seemed to get busier than before, as the family themselves had now joined the celebrations.
Everyone had cornered the Montclairs to pay their respects, and congratulations, so they didn't come to the Imperial Family right away.
But they would soon. And Leander did not think him meeting them was such a good idea.
He turned to his Father, who was standing nearby, "Your Majesty?"
Gregor raised a brow, "Yes?"
"I will be taking my leave."
He raised a brow, "Pardon? Are you well?"
"I have wasted much time here," he fixed his father with a look, "I will be returning… home."
The Emperor hesitated, "Do greet Jonathan before you go-"
"I believe I have made my reason quite clear, Your Majesty. Please, grant me permission." He lowered his head.
Gregor stared for a moment, before sighing, "Alright. You may go."
Leander rose, nodding, and walked away, followed by a few guards.
He looked across the ballroom one last time, and the weird feeling in his chest suddenly tightened.
She was laughing…
Many nobles noticed how the Prince was making his way to the exit, but hesitated to approach him when they saw how his pace quickened.
Celestia quickly noticed Leander wasn't beside them anymore, and turned to ask her husband. But as she opened her mouth, she caught sight of him fleeing the ballroom.
She furrowed her brows, "What? Why is he…" but she was soon silenced as Gregor squeezed her hand slightly.
They stared at the back of their son's head, knowing that would be the last they see of him in a long while.
He wasn't going home.
. . .
"Pardon?" Jonathan was confused.
"He left? So early?" Thedosia questioned, disbelief flashing across her features.
Gregor nodded slowly, while Celestia laughed nervously, "You know how impulsive he gets, and now he's at the age where we can't stop him from everything."
Thedosia nodded, disappointed, while Artemesia stared at her hands.
She knew all too well why he left. But deep down, she was grateful he did, and she hated herself for it.
"Sister Tia looks very pretty today," Adrian said shyly.
Artemesia beamed, "Thank you, Your Highness."
Thedosia, however, dramatically put a hand on her chest, "Oh my, Your Highness, I'm wounded! Am I not as pretty as my daughter?"
"No," Adrian said confidently, "She's pretty, but Your Grace is stunning."
Everyone burst out laughing. Celestia pinched her son's cheek, "That was smooth."
He winked, and his siblings shook their heads, smiling.
"Your Highnesses look equally radiant today," Thedosia chuckled, "especially Princess Thalia."
Thalia, who'd been quiet this whole time, blushed a bit, "You flatter me, Your Grace."
She laughed, "Believe me, it is not empty flattery. I personally think red suits you very well."
"I could say the same for you, Thea," Gregor smiled, "Plum is definitely your color."
They continued to chat for a while, small talk and other light topics, when Artemesia was looking around and accidentally met Thalia's eye.
She looked away immediately, blushing. And Tia knew that expression all too well.
She wants to apologize, but doesn't know how to.
Artemesia didn't mind it at all. She found the sentiment endearing.
Thalia quickly excused herself. Tia did the same, following her at an appropriate distance.
. . .
"Haah… why did I agree to come here again?" Thalia pushed back a strand of hair from her face, talking to nobody in particular.
She leaned forward on the balcony, breathing in the crisp night air.
"You could have left," a soft voice reasoned, "like your brother."
Thalia flinched. She did not move, she did not turn.
She knew that voice too well.
Artemesia joined her on the balcony, leaning against the railing, a comfortable distance away from the Princess.
"But you didn't." she completed.
"I wonder why," Thalia whispered.
A peaceful silence settled in the balcony, filled with the whistling of the wind and the rustle of leaves.
"It's gotten chillier. How are you doing, Lia?"
For a while, there was no response.
But then, she responded quietly, "Why do you remember?"
"Remember what, exactly?"
"...Everything."
The brunette sighed, "How could I forget someone who spent her entire childhood with me?"
Thalia froze. Even the birds stopped chirping.
"I…"
Tia looked sideways, and straightened immediately.
Thalia fought against the tears in her eyes, "... I'm sorry."
The woman grabbed her shoulders and turned the girl to face her, "Princess?"
She choked down a sob, "I didn't… I didn't mean to insult you."
. . .
When she finally calmed down, she went quiet for a while, sniffing occasionally.
Tia held out her hand, and cleared her throat, "Your Highness."
Thalia glanced her way, not meeting her eyes, and saw that she was offering a handkerchief.
She hesitated, but then took it, muttering an inaudible 'thank you' as she wiped at her face.
A few moments passed in silence as Thalia tried to think of the words.
Finally, she spoke, "I-I apologize… for the unseemly display."
Tia smiled softly, "A display of emotion is not unseemly."
"And… I'm sorry for… lashing out at you. I had no right."
Artemesia sighed, and turned around, her back against the railing as stared at the stars.
"I told you back then, that I understood where you were coming from," she paused. Then, "Because I, too, have a brother, and would do my best to protect him from a broken heart."
"Additionally, I would also like to apologize. I was insensitive to His Highness' feelings, and acted in an improper way." She went quiet for a minute.
"Since… I no longer have the courage left to face him… I shall feel indebted to you, should you pass on my message this once." she finished, fiddling with her hands.
Thalia stared, "Not at all, consider it a compensation."
Artemesia froze, but then smiled. "I'm honored."
A moment or two passed like that, standing in the peaceful air of the balcony, before the brunette finally broke the silence.
"Well, I believe we've been out for far too long," she held out a hand, "Shall we, Princess?"
Thalia blinked, but her lips curled upwards as she took her hand.
"Lead the way, my Lady."