“Beatrice,” a deep voice scolded, and from behind Beatrice appeared her older brother.

“Hello Cousin Xavier,” Rocío greeted.

Xavier offered his cousin a deep bow, his dark green suit wrinkling, and his brown hair slightly becoming unruly. “It’s lovely to see you, I apologize for my sister’s tactless remark.”

Rocío waved her hand. “No need to fret over it. I know Cousin Beatrice didn’t mean anything wrong by it, right?” She turned to her, offering a forced smile.

Beatrice smiled innocently as she shook her head, her eyes drifted in what looked like remorse. “Yes, I’m very sorry, it didn’t come out the way I intended.”

Xavier’s black eyes flickered towards his sister. “Beatrice barely thinks about what she says, excuse her,” he said, “sometimes I fear she needed more time to debut.”

“Again, Cousin Xavier, no need to worry,” Rocío assured. “Instead, let me introduce you both to my dearest friends.” Rocío stepped aside. “I’d like you to meet Lady Sara of Nieveazul and Lady Ines of Floresvalles, Ladies, these are my cousins, Xavier and Beatrice of Roble Mayor.”

Xavier took Ines’ hand and planted a ghostly kiss on her gloved knuckles before doing the same to Sara. “Enchanted to meet you both.”

Sara’s brown eyes sparkled. “Indeed,” her wide smile stretched her lips. She turned to Rocío and nudged her. “I wasn’t aware you had such beautiful cousins.”

Rocío tilted her head. “Well, Xavier had been away in the war when I debuted, and I’m only realizing now that I’d never introduced you to Beatrice…” Her voice faded.

Ines gently patted Rocío’s back. “No need to worry. It’s lovely to meet them at such a beautiful event.”

Xavier nodded, then he turned to Ines. “I’ve been told that Floresvalles is rather warm, is it true?”

“Yes,” Ines replied, “It’s much warmer than Estella and the Libelula region. Summer days can get quite hot.”

“It must be quite a charming place,” Xavier smiled. Rocío noticed his eyes didn’t so much as flicker away from her friend. It was interesting to see him so smitten, as he barely ever paid any heed to court ladies.

“Yes!” Sara agreed, catching Xavier’s attention. “The sunsets there are so lovely since the land is quite flat, and the trees grow so tall it’s a most intriguing sight, and the fields are decorated with flowers of every colour.” Her eyes wandered into the distance as if trying to imagine herself there, recalling all the sights she’d been privileged to see.

Xavier fully turned to Sara, raising a thick dark eyebrow as he questioned, “You’ve been fortunate to see Floresvalles?”

Sara nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, my family and I tend to visit during the harsh winters of Nieveazul,” she smiled. “Have you been privileged enough to visit?”

Xavier shook his head and offered a helpless smile. “Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to do so, however, one of my calvary members would always mention the rows of lilies… Needless to say, I would like to visit one day.”

“Well,” Ines began, “Whenever you find yourself in Floresvalles, it would be an honour to have you visit our estate, I’m sure my parents would love to have you for dinner.”

Xavier’s eyes lingered on Ines after she spoke. “Thank you for the kind invitation, now I must really visit,” he finally answered before he took a sip of his sparkling white wine. 

Ines’s gentle smile grew into something Rocío had only ever seen when she was so amused by something, and it wasn’t quite often Ines was amused by someone. Rocío’s eyes bounced between the two as if they were communicating between their smiles and stares. 

“How is my dear cousin Agustin?” Rocío finally found the opportunity to ask. “Is he doing well?”

“Yes, Father’s been doing good,” Beatrice smiled as she clapped her hands, drawing everyone’s attention to her once more. “Unfortunately,” she frowned, “he couldn’t make it today, he’s been suffering from a cold… I hope you understand.” 

Rocío’s smile didn’t fade as she nodded gently. “Of course, please send him my well wishes for his speedy recovery.” Rocío held a hand to her chest. 

The round sound of trumpets interrupted them all and caught their attention and that of everyone in the ballroom. Rocío’s eyes were trained on the doors at the top of the staircase where she knew her sister would enter. 

“Introducing Lady Elena of Estella,” The herald announced and the birch doors opened, Elena entered the room dressed in a lavender dress that was adorned with crystals, making her shine under the glimmering lights of the chandeliers. She looked gorgeous with her peachy pink cheeks and the diamonds hanging from her small ears. Everyone in the room stared at her in shock, as if she were the most beautiful gem they ever laid their eyes upon. 

The entire room was in silence as she stepped down the stairs, sparkling with every step. Her brown hair was curled beautifully and up in an intricate style, she was adorned with a simple wildflower crown, the center of it holding a clear emerald the size of a pocket watch, and her neck was decorated with a single line of diamonds. Rocío’s lips stretched into a soft smile as she gazed upon her beautiful little sister. She’d grown up so fast, and although Rocío wished to protect her and keep her far from anyone and anything that could hurt her, she was so proud that Elena was finally out in society.

“Is that a Candelaria emerald?” Rocío heard a lady next to her whisper.

“Not just any emerald, it’s El Corazón that they took from House Emer. They must really spoil her, not even the princess wore an emerald of that calibre for her debut,” another commented.

“It seems they care little of the sorrows of the war…”

Ines cleared her throat. “She looks divine,” she whispered over to Rocío.

As soon as Elena reached the middle of the ballroom, the quartet began to play a most romantic song. Rocío’s honey eyes caught sight of her father, the Duke, as he emerged from the crowd. His ice blue eyes were more like arctic hot springs when his eyes were fixed on Elena. He looked like the doting and loving father he’d always been to her. She watched in silence, suppressing the growing dread in her stomach as the Duke met his youngest daughter, taking her hand and leading her in her first dance in society. 

Rocío couldn’t dare watch how loving he was to Elena, knowing how his eyes were like dark blizzards when he looked at her. She couldn’t look at the joy and tenderness on his face, not that day. Under the mask of music, people began to whisper to one another. Rocío did her best to tune out the gossip she was hearing and she opted to slide through the crowd and refill her champagne glass, feeling half sick at the sight. She heard Ines call out to her, however, she felt as if she were suffocating to the point that she couldn’t hear what she had said.

She was happy for Elena, but she couldn’t help but think of her own debut and what she missed, what her father had deprived her of. Her stomach twisted. She didn’t think that seeing her sister dance with their father would bring up such strong emotions. She scoffed at the turmoil in her head as she spotted a server with champagne. Upon getting herself another glass, she stumbled onto the balcony, hoping to get some silence and air.

She leaned on the stone railing, gripping it with one hand as she downed the champagne in one go. She didn’t care that she didn’t wear an emerald on her debut, she didn’t care that there were no diamonds on her neck, or that the decorations had been modest, or that the guest list was kept to relatives and close friends. What bothered her was the loving gaze her father bestowed upon her sister, how he gently led her through the dance, how his hold on her never wavered. 

Rocío’s nose stung and she tried her best to blink away the blurring in her eyes. The sleep deprivation must’ve been making her emotional. She’d never been this bothered by them. She sniffled as she chuckled at herself bitterly. Did she have to be so…pathetic on the day of her sister’s debut? 

She groaned, “I’m going insane.” She threw her head back, as if this would stop the tears from threatening to form. Although the moon was crescent, and slightly obscured by clouds, the light was enough to glimmer off her glass. 

“Are you alright, my lady?” A voice behind her startled her.

Rocío flinched, quickly dabbing her eyes and clearing her throat. She didn’t dare turn to face the man that called to her, she knew that if she did, he would see the tears in her eyes and how red they were. “Yes, I just wished for fresh air…” she tried to keep her voice steady and not sniffle. 

“May I be so bold as to ask you if you would like company?” The man spoke again.

“I wish to be alone.” She still didn’t look back, her eyes didn’t dare move from the tree in the distance. “Please.” She might’ve been curious to know who it was that caught her sneaking out of the ball, but not enough to ruin her reputation of composure.

There was a silence before he replied, “As you wish, my lady.” She could barely hear his footsteps as he retreated back into the ballroom. Once she was sure he had left, she turned to look at the spot she’d heard his voice from, satisfied to find herself alone.