The evening arrived. Trumpets sounded off with every new arrival through the square, causing a cacophony of unwarranted noise. The carriage pulled slowly along the queue. Katarina peered out the thick velvet curtain to take in the scene of the capital in full swing.
Lanterns were strung about the square as torch bearers slowly lit aflame to each oiled wick. Katarina’ eyes soften at young women dropping daffodils at the foot of the young men they fancied. In return, the young men would return the flower to their rightful owners.
Blushes of crimson painted the faces of sweet maidens who disappeared into the crowd. Children running with the carriages waving happily not expecting the nobles to wave back. A few children locking eyes with Katarina.
Little girls giggled in excitement as the boys scuttled along with no particular reaction before running back to the festivities. It was indeed noisy but warm.
Katarina watched the children for a while as they jumped and laughed with no care in the world. Her eyebrow twitched as she thought that she would most likely be a passing bystander to their day. As the children freely roamed the square.
Freely.
The carriage pulled to a stop as it was Marchioness De Costa who tapped Katarina out of her self-induced trance.
Elisé De Costa was considered to possess an exotic beauty when she stepped into Viconian society during her youth. A deep mahogany palette against the background of an unpigmented canvas.
Eyes of chocolate brown and a row of pristin teeth that would blind a person when she smiled. Catching the eyes of men and women alike.
But Elisé’ youth had long passed. Her hair pinned to the nape revealed cheeks that were slightly gaunt. Her complexion no longer held a warm brown hue but pale and ashen.
Time and sickness ailing the Marchioness. Despite the inevitability of time, Elisé De Costa’s noble mannerisms were meld into her bones. Elisé beamed at a rare sight of catching her daughter's absent stare. The soft scent of baked flour drifted off the Marchioness skin. As her dark brown eyes smothered the need to tease her daughter.
Tilting her head toward the door that was opened by the Marquis, whose hand was patiently out awaiting to assist. Katarina eyed the gloved hand as she silently wrestled with the idea of descending the steps herself.
With an expectant look on the Marquis' face, Katarina had no choice but to lean forward, securing her father’s grip as the carriage shifted under the weight of Katarina’s heel.
“It’s Young Lady De Costa!”
“She looks beautiful.”
“The Grand Duke is a lucky man.”
The low murmur that was persistent among the other carriages that pulled to a halt. The fidgeting in Katarina’s fingers was unrelenting as her back burned from the gazes of the noble mob who was indeed taking in her every detail.
Katarina’s shoulders narrowed as her heart pounding in her chest at the incessant chatter. The gossiping rang in her ear, flinching at the mention of her name until a silken glove came out of the carriage.
Silencing the noise. Shifting the mobs’ gaze was the sight of a deep maroon gown fluttering into everyone’s view. The Marchioness’ lithe figure descended down the carriage. Tilting her nose upward, not even giving Arsenio a single glance. Katarina watched a small smirk appear on her father, interposing his body between his wife and the public’ leering eyes.
Stone-faced guards lined the entrance holding aloft lanterns that swung back and forth. The sinking sun colored them in a tinge of auburn and scarlet.
The afternoon heat waned along with the crowd. The carefully curated cobble stone path leading up to the white marble steps, grandeur could be its only definition but for Katarina it held nothing but foreboding.
The halls were a pristine pearl iridescent hue that shone under floating fairy lights that swayed back and forth. Katarina eyed the metal tether that hung from the extensive ceiling. The flame painted black residue on the delicately manufactured metallic twine holding the candle aloft.
Magical and picturesque, a scene that could rival one in fables. Gasps of wonder and anticipation was heard from the crowd of young ladies. Katarina’s arms stiffen as she felt another arm snake with her own. Marchioness De Costa looked lovingly at her daughter. The weight of the Marchioness' adoration crushed Katarina immediately.
The Marchioness’s eyes locked on Katarina with no room for the maiden’s gaze to stray away. Katarina’s default smile allowed the Marchioness’s smile to reach her eyes putting aside her usual aloof nature when on outings.
Elisé’ finger grazed Katarina’s skin as she tucked a wandering tendril of hair behind her ear. The hair on the back of her ear stood on end but Katarina summoned a bashful smile. Looking toward her mother from under her eyelashes before Katarina’s other hand was caught by the Marquis as he strode forward toward the royal caller.
The old man dressed in dark red laurels was slumped at his post. His curved shoulders and stringy grey hair framing a wrinkled face straightened at the sight of the Marquis. Gesturing to the two guards manning the entrance.
The large marble doors were adorned with intricate lattice work guilded in a grey gold. In the centre was embossed with a blossomed gardenia. Katarina’s stomach churned, voluntarily casting her eyes away from the wretched thing.
Her body went rigid. Her father’s warm hands gripped her hand in reassurance as a sense of feeling trapped plagued her mind.
Closing her eyes, the tip of her index nail embedded itself into the face of her thumb. Making her movements inconspicuous not to draw eyes.
The monotonous pain calmed her tension easing into her father’s hand.
The creaking of the massive doors clicked a gentle expression onto Katarina’s face as the old man stepped forward clearing her throat.
“Now Greeting, Marquis and Marchioness De Costa and Young Lady Katarina Adaline De Costa.” For a frail looking body the royal caller’ voice projected and all movement in the ballroom paused in an instant.
The emphasis the old man put on her given name was enough to make Katarina want to tear his eyes off. She had enough attention as is, but the old man’s grand introduction bore gazes upon her body forcing her to straighten her shoulders even more.
Holding her head high meeting many people’s gaze, all the while, ignoring the wanting to flee. Waves of whispers descended the hall. Every step Katarina was scrutinized under the attention.
“ARSENIO!” A howling voice echoed across the hall. General Redrick’s large body stepped forward burling his way through the crowd to meet his longtime friend. Paying no mind to the people he squeezed through.
People secretly sneered at the old General, often rebuking his uncultured decorum. General Redrick’s greying hairline was contradicted by his impressively muscular body that was stuffed into a suit and out of place cravat that squeezed his tree-trunk like neck.
General Redrick loud smack on her father’s back ricochet off the walls. “I was going to force Junior to come with me–” His friendly tone was filled with childish mischief. Katarina’s ears picked up at the mention of her brother. Her eyes looking about the room expectantly. “But he refused.” The General shook his head comically. Katarina’s gaze dropped in disappointment.
“The little punk said that he has no interest in speaking in double intent words all night long.” The General snorted as his brash manner seeped into his words. “Unruly as ever.” He commented. General Redrick's eyes sparkled as he caught sight of the Marchioness. His head slightly bent as he reached out to greet her. Elisé smiled, placing her gloved hand in the General’s palm. Redrick lightly kissed it in respect. Not standing it, Arsenio snatched his wife’s hand away from the General’s hold.
“I can assuredly blame his unruly behaviour on his mentor.” Marquis De Costa spoke, giving a pointed look toward the General, wiping the Marchioness’ gloved hand obsessively.
The faint blush of elation on her mother’s face. It wasn’t unknown of the Marquis’ fanatic infatuation with his wife. Other Madam’s watched in envy as men shifted away from their old spouses.
“Relax.” General Redrick's eyes glanced down toward Katarina as a warm smile spread across his face. The General’s face lit up as if he found something new for him to focus on.
“Is this little Katarina?” His hand reached forward but was stopped by a drilled glare from the Marquis. General Redrick shook his head as he chuckled, opting to keep his life.
The General backed away before bowing properly toward her. Katarina compiled with a soft smile and a breath of relief as she bent her head to greet the General. The sense of superior and subordinate burned in the eyes of the onlookers.
“Older Brother isn’t here?” Katarina asked. The General gave a knowing smile and nodded. Katarina’s eyebrows pulled together. “When you get back. Tell him that I’m extremely disappointed.” Her face was passive but her clenched fists gave her away. General Redrick laughed at the commanding voice.
“You’ll break his heart.” General Redrick teased. The General’s ears were often blown to pieces of his apprentice's stories of his little sister. “He is preparing for the martial exams this coming spring. Please ease your anger, My Lady.” General Redrick bowed once more. Katarina found his subordinate act uncomfortable as she plastered a smile on her face before dropping the matter altogether.
“You don’t need to cover for your student General Redrick.” Katarina’s words became soft like liquid as her gaze tempered. “Just tell Azrael that I miss him. Which is why I am disappointed.” She requested.
General Redrick nodded in compliance. The atmosphere between her parents and the General became impenetrable, creating a five foot barrier between her and the encroaching crowd.
The whispers transform into a mundane murmur as the creaking of the gilded doors resounded through the hall as Madams watched with discerning eyes. Giggling young maidens travelled through the ballroom and simmered to a soft hum. Men straightened themselves for good measure.
“Now entering, Grand Duke Elias Devoncourt.” The royal caller puffed out his chest.
The atmosphere stiffened in an instant, as stillness descended. Katarina’s stomach flipped as she tried to maintain a mutual expression. But on the inside, Katarina wanted to run, but her feet bolted to the floor. Katarina’s pupils shook immensely.
The overt gazes of the gallery shifted from her to the entrance all at once. Gasps took the hall as the frail body of the old man from before stepped aside and a looming body stepped from the fairy lit hallway. Not an utterance was dared or even thought as the Grand Duke gazed upon the gathering.
Emeralds.
Deep green eyes locked onto Katarina as a chill rolled down her spine.
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