บท 32: Arrival

The ball was beautiful and the first person that she saw was Yennafer. Her cotton candy tresses standing out in the crowd, "Mielle! You look amazing!" Florets budded from her tongue as she spoke, "And great to see you as well Sir. Leo!" Yennafer had always been that type of girl, speaking to maids and guards with the same saccharine tongue. She never looked down on anyone because of her status. Taking her hand, she helped guide the Princess to where Vera and Elise were sitting.

Was her father here? She looked to see that the throne was empty. Then again, he wouldn't show up until the dance had actually started. There was no reason to worry. She shouldn't get worked up over the fact that Eldrige was not here. She still had a chance. Her father liked her this time-line, enough to call her by her name and have conversations with her. Lumielle should look at the facts albeit through rose-tinted oculars.

Leo followed silently behind, "Mielle!" Vera exclaimed as Yennafer sat down one of the couches, "You look like a lily in the valley!" What a perfect compliment. She knew that she could rely on Vera to say exactly what she had planned. Cosette had been called that in her past life but now, she would be the one taking it from her. Chipping at the castle that the woman had built, Lumielle would bring it crumbling down.

"You flatter me, Vera," she tutted back as her green eyes glittered. Wearing a black dress that hugged her curves, Vera looked absolutely stunning. Men couldn't keep their eyes off of her and the pearls draped seductively around her neck and dipping against her ample bosom made her absolutely beautiful. No wonder Cosette had competition.

"I heard that Sir Asterias is going to be late," Elise spoke, calm and controlled, she was often the moderator between the two women.

Vera pouted, "I can't believe you accepted his proposal."

Lumielle couldn't admit that she had been swindled; he hadn't told her about it, "I was afraid no one else would ask me. I didn't want to show up without an escort," she said laughing while lying through her teeth. Even though, she had somehow shown up to the debutante ball without a man.

"Anyone would have been honored to go with you," Yennafer said smiling as she stood up, "I'm going to grab some refreshments! Do you want anything?" As the other women asked for some, Lumielle shook her head and ordered Leo to follow Yennafer into the crowd; there was no use having a man overlook conversations with women.

She had let Evangeline socialize with other nobles for tonight; she was the maid of the Crown Princess, she should also make connections in high society. It would do her well to marry a good man and also raise her prestige. "Are you upset?" Vera asked. Lumielle didn't even give it much thought, she had been consumed about Cosette.

"He had a good reason," Lumielle said giving her a smile, "So don't be too harsh on him."

Vera scowled, "You should have gone with my younger brother, Andre. Mielle, can't you just marry into our family so you can be my little sister?"

Lumielle laughed, "Is your brother here tonight?"

Vera nodded, "He's here escorting the daughter of Count Bellasure. You should dance with him when you get the chance."

"Ah, Mielle, didn't you also get asked by the son of Grand Duke Salvatore?" Elise asked; she was glad that rumor was being spread around. That was what she had needed. Good, the more people talked about her, the better. The rumors that she had spread were all carefully done by her. There hadn't been any negative rumors about Lumielle yet, she would have to keep it that way. It had been difficulty currying the favor of the maids that worked around her but somehow, she had done so. They were loyal to her after she bought their kindness with dresses and perfumes and small trinkets that they could keep.

The purple-haired princess gave a meek smile, "He asked me after Sir. Asterias so I couldn't accept."

"That's a shame," Vera responded, "I've heard that he's quite popular with girls your age."

"So is Asterias," chirped Yennafer as she handed back glasses and even though Lumielle had stated that she didn't need one, a small glass was given to her. "He's really good with conversation and he's personable. Though, Allard is also charming," she hummed back. The skirts of her pale blue dress fluffing up as she sat back down. Leo passing her a glass of champagne.

Vera sighed, "The two sons of the Grand Dukes vying for your attention, it must be fun."

"It's as if you're also not being fought over," Elise said with the same straight-laced humor that always followed her.

"Not all of us are lucky enough to find a lover like you," Vera responded drinking the glass with ease.

Elise tutted slightly, a slight smile curving on her lips. That was right. Elise was currently in a relationship with a man who had come to Endora when he was a young child. A smart man, he was currently in the East starting his own trading company. They had fallen in love when they were young and it was regarded as one of the classic love stories. He was originally from the East and a poor peasant boy but due to his intelligence, he had risen through the ranks with sponsorships from aristocrats.

"Are you going to be saving your first dance for Sir Asterias?" Yennafer inquired her eyes sparkling.

Lumielle gave a nod, "I suppose so. He promised not to let me wait too long."

"How romantic," the pink-haired girl squealed.

"I wish I was debuting again," Vera mumbled as she looked around at the young girls. They all looked somewhat terrified. Lumielle had been one of them. Now, she had somehow nestled inside of an impenetrable social circle.

Elise took the glass from Lumielle's fingers, "Instead of socializing with us old ladies, why don't you go with your peers?"

Vera's eyes widened, "Are you calling me old?"

"I'm calling us all old," Elise said calmly, "After all, she should get to know some girls her age." Lumielle was not opposed to what the garnet-haired woman was saying. Standing up, she bowed to the three flowers of high society before turning her heel towards the crowd. Then again, she did want to meet someone.

She had been thinking about her father and Cosette. A distraction related to the former would be a nice change of pace. She had hoped the Emperor would have already arrived and been sitting on the throne waiting for her. Yet, she had been wronged. That was fine. There was still a chance.

Julianna Parvis, the daughter of a Count, had been one of Cosette's best friends. It would be nice to meet her. Eyes scanned the crowd until they landed on her. Soft caramel-colored locks and warm honey-colored eyes. Stepping confidently, she pulled at the hem of her skirts, "Ladies, it's a pleasure." Her voice was commanding as the small group of girls turned to face her.

"Princess!" Keira spoke bowing her head, "It's an honor to greet the Star of Endora."

Julianna also curtsied, "It's an honor to be in the presence of the Star of Endora."

Lumielle smiled warmly, "Be at ease."

Their conversation went naturally and after a few minutes, the girls looked to be more at ease, "Can I ask about the necklace that you're wearing?" Julianna inquired. She gave her a smile as Lumielle almost laughed; so this was the reason Cosette befriended this young girl wasn't it? She had a sharp tongue but veiled everything as saccharine.

"The Emperor, Sun of Endora gifted it to me for my birthday. Isn't it beautiful?" She responded placing her hand against the stone with a smile, "It's made from the Bellal Rubies mined in the North."

"It's so pretty!" Gushed Lilian. At least she knew how to take social cues and respond kindly.

Vera surprised her by grabbing her hand as she turned around to see the girl smiling, "I apologize but I'll be taking Mielle for a bit, ladies." Lumielle smiled back; Vera was impossibly good at making social situations bend to her favor. Showing that Vera and Lumielle had an established relationship in front of these young impressionable ladies would heighten Lumielle's position in high society. Not only would it increase Lumielle's character but also help Vera who could always culminate new favor.

Walking back to the two other girls Elise greeted them with a smile, "I'm sorry. She wanted to bring you back," she said as Yennafer waved to both Leo and Lumielle.

"I prefer conversing with you ladies more," Lumielle said, being honest.

"See, I saved her," Vera responded puffing out her chest, "And, the Lady Parvis gets under my nerves." That was right. Julianna had an older sister that was around the same age as Vera. Both were undeniably pretty, she didn't know much about her but it seemed that Vera disliked the female. That would be useful information.

The sound of trumpets filled the air as Lumielle's spine straightened. Her heart pounded, expectantly. He was here.

"ANNOUNCING THE SUN OF ENDORA'S ENTRANCE, ELDRIGE VANCE CASTILLO!"