The sound of laughter and multiple different conversations filled the grand ballroom. People dressed in beautifully extravagant clothing filling it to the brim. A party, for the rich and powerful, all gathered in one room. A grand event was underway, and yet, no one knew the occasion. Some thought it could be for the announcement of a war, others, just an excuse to make merry and let loose.
Over to the right side of the room, a group of young ladies stood. A exited aura around them as they seemed to gossip. Bright smiles displayed on their lips as they'd take a break from talking to each other before they'd turn to look for another person to gossip about. Giggles erupting multiple times in the group from different individuals. Many different forms of gossip radiating from the group.
Young Aelia was one of the girls in the group. Not by choice, but in the high society, if you didn't mold to the status quo. Then you best be ready to have vicious rumors spread about you constantly and that was something that the young lady really didn't need right now. Her father was just starting to gain respect from the other nobles.
Being born of low status, Aelia's father was a very hard working man. It's what got him to his position he held now. He sacrificed all that he had to make a name for himself.
Glancing away from the group, a tall figure caught Aelia's attention and a large grin appeared on her lips. "Vance." She said quietly, so as not to call upon the group's attention. Aelia knew better than to call someone of the royal family by name in public. She may be noble, but he was still of higher status and in public needed to be addressed as such.
Slowly, Aelia made her way from the group of girls and headed over towards the tall male. A few excuse me's and pardon's later, Aelia managed to make her way over towards where the young Prince was standing. " Good evening, your highness," Aelia said and curtsied as soon as her friend would look her way. Had this not been a formal party, Aelia would be a lot more open to talking to the tall male, but. This was, in fact, a formal thing and she needed to play the part, as well as the Prince.
A classic broad sword reflected the light that flowed through one of the corridor windows as Vincenzo effortlessly tipped it over. "Lysander, are you listening to me?" Vincenzo's personal aid questioned furrowing his brows at the sudden ray of sunshine hitting his eyes. Vincenzo's hand immediately sheathed the sword to one of the walled scabbards. "Have a drink," He uttered bluntly shifting his gaze from the sword to the man in front of him. Most royals knew about each event happening within their own castle grounds; however, this time it was a bit different. "I'm sure my father means well by this occasion," Vincenzo commented indifferent to his assistant's high-strung attitude.
A few weeks ago, the emperor ordered an elaborate celebration fit for any lady and knight. The unique catch was that no one really knew what the whole event was about. It was improper for a prince to stubbornly prod the king's associates for that kind of classified information. Even with Vincenzo's smooth methods, he came to the conclusion that his father's acquaintances were truly unaware of what was going on that day.
Within a few moments, Vincenzo's nervous assistant voiced, "Sir, it is imperative that you ready yourself for whatever may come your way." The sound of a shutting door caused the two men to immediately glance at the direction of a server walking with a tray at hand. Vincenzo's light brown eyes slowly returned to the concerned guy just as he stopped the server with a slightly raised hand. "Sebastian, I need you to do something," He picked up one of the small pitchers along the side of the tray before grasping one of the goblets next to it in his other hand. "Xander, I will not drink!" The stressed man blurted out knowing that whatever the emperor was planning for that day would greatly affect him too.
Since the celebration was showy, it had to mean that the news was something greatly related to one of the royal family members. Sebastian watched as Vincenzo calmly poured a glass of wine. Since the prince was the only heir to the throne, most if not all sorts of exclusive news had to deal with him. This also meant that the assistant had to undergo as much changes as the prince did. The lone heir placed the pitcher down and sent the server off with a grateful nod. "For the last time Xander I will not-," Sebastian momentarily paused studying the young man's movements.
Vincenzo smirked placing the goblet to his own lips. The man knew that his assistant would shut up at the unexpected turn. A few moments of silence passed before another word was spoken. "-It is about time we enter the ballroom, your highness. Remember, proper behavior," Sebastian reminded taking the goblet away from the prince's hands and wiping the rim with his sleeve. On that note, Vincenzo opened the double doors on his own before walking into the crowded room. The assistant followed shortly after knocking the goblet back so that some wine could trickle into his mouth. Sebastian was aware that Vincenzo had fully meant for the drink to be for Sebastian rather than himself.
The prince walked around a bit greeting the people near him as well as making small talk with some of the ones he just met. His family's reign has expanded its reach not only by means of land, but people as well. It did not take long for Vincenzo to hear a familiar voice call his attention. The young man smiled a bit knowing that it was his close friend before looking in her direction. Aelia's curtsy made him smile even more since the gesture rarely happened unless they were in public. "Good evening, Aelia," Vincenzo formally nodded in return. He was inwardly satisfied that his best friend was there to be surprised as well by the hidden secrets that the event held.
The right side of Aelia's lips lifted slightly into a small smirk. It would be a lie if Aelia didn't find it amusing to watch her friend trying to act Proper. Given, she was playing the part as well, but just knowing how odd the Prince is. Allowed for Aelia to imagine her friend doing quite a few different things than being here. Stuck in a stuffy room with people with to much time on their hands.
"I'm glad to see you finally arrived." Her bright green eyes took in the appearance of the royal boy before looking back towards his bright eyes. "Did you come of your own accord, or did Sebastion have to drag you out of hiding?" A slight tease, one that Aelia couldn't help but let out. She was glad that not many had noticed the Prince yet, or she was sure she'd be arrested for insulting royalty and hung for her crime.
Aelia blinked her finely done eyelashes innocently at Vince as a way to get out of any annoyance he could have had because of her tease. Of course, she knew social things weren't his cup of tea, but that didn't mean she couldn't have any fun with him. Especially since she knew all of the right buttons to push because of years of experience.
Suddenly, the room seemed to quiet down. Bright green eyes curiously looked around the large room for a moment before they landed on the throne at the front of the room. There, the King had appeared. Dark black hair, with a few strips of white causing the powerful man to have a striking appearance. His right hand, held onto the dark wood cane he used to walk. His hand gripping the beautifully crafted purple gem that was crafted to be the handle.
His eyes looked sunken in. Even from the spot away from him where Aelia was standing, she could clearly see that he was ill. Gravely ill.
Still, though, the old King held a booming voice that commanded attention when he spoke. Not a hint of his underlying disease detected in his voice. "Thank you all for coming here today. I hope you all are enjoying the banquet so far." He offered a small smile as he looked around at his subjects. Then, he laid his tired eyes on his son and the woman beside him. A small smile appearing on his lips, then slowly changing into a mischevious look on his face. Replacing his relaxed features. He may be an old man, but he sure loved to keep things a secret until the right time and right now was one of those times.
"I am sure that you all are curious about what we could be celebrating." The King paused as he watched his son with adoring eyes. His boy, he developed into an amazing man who would one day rule his kingdom like a true King should. "It's taken nineteen years, but I feel like now is finally the time."
The King looked towards his right and reached his hand out towards a servant who held a tray of goblet's filled with wine. Once close enough, the King took hold of one of the goblets and turned once more towards the crowd as the servant went away.
"A toast is in order." He raised his goblet and grinned like an old fool. "To the engagement of my son Prince Vincenzo Lysander Jin Remington and Lady Aelia Burnett. May your life together be filled with nothing but happiness and joy." The King raised his drink in a manner of good luck and then took a sip of the cold liquid.
As Aelia watched the spectacle that was going on upon the front of the room, she nervously folded her hands together in front of her. Then proceeded to unclench them, repeating the motion a few times over as what the King was saying sank into her mind. She was frozen, how was she supposed to react? She had no say in the matter, was she really going to be forced to marry her best friend?
The applause that filled the room echoed through the grand room and into the halls. Echo's of congratulations also filled the room, but none of that seemed to meet Aelia's ears as she felt out of it.
Slowly, Aelia started to reach without thinking. She curtsied towards the King who seemed to still be watching her and his son, then she turned and gracefully walked away from her friend and now fiance'. Aelia glided through the throng of people, not really registering anything as she muttered her excuse me's once more.
Her hands reached out as she pushed the doors to the side of the hall open and stepped out of the hall. The cool night's breeze that met her skin sent a welcoming chill over her warm skin. Her heels clicked as she made her way over to the railing that looked out over the garden of the Palace.
Aelia's hands reached out and grabbed onto the carved stone as she leaned against it. The cold stone causing her skin to freeze once more, her eyes closing as she leaned against the stone. What was she going to do? Aelia hated attention and now she was being thrown into it, front and center. How was she going to tell her dad? Much less, how was she going to react around Vince now?
At the sight of Aelia's smirk, Vincenzo braced himself for what was to come. He knew that face anywhere and what followed was an unsurprising tease. "I attend my events on my own accord, Lady Aelia," Enzo replied rather indifferently to the light blow she sent his way. For starters, the prince was no hermit to the public eye. It was natural for him to be out and about at parties, meet and greets, or whatever else event needed his presence. However, he preferred to be out of the critiquing eyes of the many. It was much more satisfying for him to act in his relaxed natural state.
The young man slightly parted his lips just before the people within the ballroom began to settle down. At that, Vincenzo shut his mouth and shifted his gaze to his father slowly making his way to the throne. It was no news to Enzo that his father was bit ill since the past winter. Despite the sickness, the king managed to walk with strong posture and great confidence. The cane was merely an accessory unless an onlooker observed the man's hardened grip really closely. Within a few moments, Vincenzo's father started his speech with his usual crowd swaying voice. All the prince wanted to know at that moment was what the whole event was about.
Enzo slightly furrowed his brows after the king eyed him and made some sort of twisted facial expression. Something was up, and this young man knew it. The words continued to flow out of his father's mouth causing some tension to build up inside him with every single breath. It was as if the king was intentionally stretching out an announcement knowing that Enzo felt curious to just blurt out the question. In fact, it was extra mind-racking for the prince since his father was obviously talking about him.
Aside from all these emotions, Vincenzo kept his calm exterior acting as if he knew what was about to happen next. His light brown eyes gradually followed his father's every movement from grabbing a goblet to raising it for a toast. On that signal, Enzo received a goblet from one of the servers and raised it up as well. What followed shortly after though, nearly threw the prince off.
Vincenzo paused with his eyes slightly widened. The whole world seemed to stop turning at the engagement announcement alone. "Congratulations, prince!" Sebastian yelled giving the young man a few pats on the back. A smile was plastered on the royal assistant's face since he was very pleased at the joyful toast. It was a blessing that it wasn't about engaging in some random war. Vincenzo snapped back to reality and smiled a bit at his close attendant, "Thank you, Sebastian." Even if his mind was still on a blank slate, Enzo's behavior exhibited otherwise. The well-trained prince continued to shake hands and crack a small smile every other congratulatory greeting.
Soon enough, Aelia left Vincenzo's side and rather calmly walked out the ballroom. The prince glanced at his partner's sudden exit before deciding to follow shortly after her as well.
Within a few moments, Enzo was out of the public reach pushing the corridor's double doors open. None of the information about the engagement had any affect on him yet. Most likely his own mind would register its effects the next day. All that seemed to matter at that moment though was how his best friend was taking the news. Vincenzo's eyes laid on the . . princess before him momentarily studying her back against the breeze. "Are you okay?" The young man released the double doors walking over to Aelia's side.
The situation was without a doubt shocking to the both of them. Fortunately, Vincenzo knew that people reacted to such a factor in their own ways. His hand slightly rubbed the back of his neck just as he glanced at Aelia's face.
Maybe she had overreacted a little. It's not like the announcement was announcing that things were going to be happening right away or anything. Right? Aelia had time to absorb everything, adjust to the news and try to wrap her head around the idea of marrying her best friend. The guy who she had grown up with for the past nineteen years.
Thinking about it, It is kind of odd. Lia, a mere girl whose father was raised from nothing to a nobleman. Sure, he could be considered a hero since he fought in the war to expand the territory, but. They still really held no power at all.
Except when it came to the vineyard that her father took pride in. Their family was basically unknown. They held no real power, just a name that was a ghost on the lips of the people. No one would support this announcement. They may seem happy now, but, come morning there will be a backlash.
Probably.
Aelia didn't need to turn around to know who had just walked out of the doors of the palace. She's known the sound of the footsteps since she was young.
Enzo, always the kind and caring guy. His tone told Aelia that he really didn't see the bigger picture that was in front of him. He was so calm, that it caused Aelia to want to roll her eyes and call him an outright idiot and inform him that he really needs to look at the thing as a whole, but. She couldn't.
Aelia couldn't be the strong person here. Her eyes were fighting her true feeling this whole time and she really needed to get it off of her chest. "No." Her voice was quiet as she looked up towards the taller Prince next to her.
Bright emerald eyes wavering slightly as she looked into his dark eyes. The little bit of light from the outdoor lanterns causing his strong features to glow, reminding her that this man held so much power in his hands at such a young age that it could be considered terrifying to some.
"How..." Aelia paused her words as she stood up straight and turned to that she was facing the man who came to check on her. "How are you not freaking out about this?" Lia felt her stomach start to twist at the thought. "How can The King announce something like this without asking us first?" Aelia turned away from Enzo once more as she crossed her arms over her chest for a moment before letting them fall back to her sides as she closed her eyes and tried to wrap her head around the confusing emotions she was feeling.
"Sorry, I'm just." Aelia paused to find the words she was looking for. "Frazzled. I don't know what to think, or do, or even say at the moment." She confessed as she looked out towards the night sky.
"I'm not someone who can help you rule. I hold no real power, I don't have money, and I certainly don't come from a long line of powerful people. So, what's the point of you marrying me when you won't be gaining anything?" Aelia let out a tired sigh as she tucked some hair behind her right ear. "Plus, don't you think it's odd to marry someone you've known since you were in diapers?"
Aelia looked over her shoulder towards the taller male. Waiting quietly for what he was to respond with.