Time: Early Evening
Location: The Ballroom at the Caesonia Castle
Charlotte had set her empty glass aside before she folded her hands in front of herself, leaning slightly against the table behind her. She supposed mingling with someone new would be a good use of her time now. Though Lorenzo seemed to want her to chat with men, she was more interested in telling a certain best friend about the song she wrote for her novel. She glanced around the room until she found who she was looking for. Craning her neck, she was able to spot Crystal was just over yonder, but she was conversating with her sister presently. It would be rude to interrupt, unfortunately, so she’d have to wait for an opening.
Auguste had taken enough of a break. He was up, conversing and mingling with the nobles that did approach him. This flattery, of course, was simply a play for establishing a relationship. Many just sought his connections or power as royalty, something he duly noted. It did get tiring, at times. To speak with people hiding behind masks and with their own agendas was truly a vexing exercise. Still, he fulfilled his duty as a prince, politely conversing with them until they were satisfied.
Soon, getting away from them, Auguste spotted Charlotte sitting by herself. The events that transpired this night likely weighed on her and her father heavily. At the very least he would greet her and see if the night has been going well for her. Although his father most certainly would not approve of mingling with the Vikenas, he made it a habit to greet all the Caesonian nobles.
Auguste sauntered to Charlotte slowly, greeting her with a polite half-bow.
“Lady Vikena.” He meets her eyes,
“... I hope the rest of the night will treat you well. While I was not around for the incident, I do apologize that the Danroses were unable to back up our own nobility.”Charlotte was startled by the voice of Prince Auguste, jumping out of her skin just a little as he approached. She glanced in his direction and gave him a smile. She hoped the Danroses did not despise her and Lorenzo much more than they probably already had. Gathering the fabric of her dress, she gave him a curtsy.
“Good evening, Prince Auguste!”She greeted perhaps in a more friendly manner than she had initially intended.
“ I-Um… Yes, indubitably it has been a night to never forget. I am grateful that Your Highness King Edin has hosted such an extravagant occasion.” She then quickly waved her hands as if to wave off his apology once his words had registered,
“Oh no, no. Please don’t worry. I’m so sorry that everything transpired the way it did. As I had publicly stated, I take responsibility for all that... Certainly not your job to clean up my mess.”Although Auguste still wore a smile, there was a tinge of sadness in his eyes.
“I see.” He said,
“The events were retold to me with scant details.”“While not under the best of circumstances, it is good to see Duke Vikena in one of our gatherings again.” He continued.
“It seems that you have inherited your father’s tenacity and strength of will.” In hindsight, his words were odd. The two were not blood-related, Auguste knew that. But there was a certain trait strength to the two that he couldn’t quite pinpoint.
There was a brief look of puzzlement that crossed her face. She nodded nonetheless.
”...Thank you. I am glad you think so as I think there is a lot to him that is overlooked. He is a very well-meaning man.” She replied with a warm smile. Charlotte then asked,
” But what about you? Are you enjoying the ball?”Many men would have balked and surrendered in Lorenzo’s position, to be able to get up and try again is something noteworthy. Auguste kept these thoughts to himself, as talking any further may be out of place.
“As much as a prince should.” Auguste replied with a soft chuckle,
“It is a nice change in pace from the usual political meanderings, but the Alidasht have at least made this ball… interesting to say the least.” He was unusually blunt in his words, his guard down due to the nature of the gathering.
“... Although the animals,” Auguste glanced over to some birds,
“May have been a bit much, I’d say.” He let out another chuckle.
“It seems that rumours of their penchant for flare are true.” ”Oh dear… Political meanderings… You poor thing.” Charlotte said in a sympathetic yet light-hearted tone. She followed his gaze over to the birds.
” They’re beautiful, but perhaps bringing them inside a ballroom is a little much. I would have love to travel to see such fascinating animals in their natural environment.” She tilted her head thoughtfully and then told him with a soft giggle,
“To think I volunteered to be their maid…”“Ah, it seems like I was complaining but I was not.” Auguste smiled,
“Truly, it’s a pleasure. Anything for the betterment of Caesonia and her people.”“They are fascinating animals indeed.” Auguste continued. There were even a few that he did not recognize from books. Perhaps they were animals native to Alidasht. He was taken out of his rumination by Charlotte’s next few words.
”Really? Sounds like Caesonia is fortunate to have such a caring prince like you.” Charlotte had said, returning the smile.
“I am flattered.” Auguste replied.
Auguste’s countenance grew a tad grim at her volunteering to be a maid. He was initially going to ask to accompany her for the dinner with the Alidasht royalty, but it may just be trampling on her pride at this point. He was unsure what they had planned, it likely would not be too dangerous but it was better safe than sorry.
“Lady Vikena, if need be I-” he stopped himself, remembering her earlier words of personal accountability. He cleared his throat,
“Never mind… I would advise exercising due caution at this dinner, my lady.”When his expression changed slightly, Charlotte frowned with concern, despite the joking tone that lingered at the end of her next words.
”Oh? Are you sure? Now you leave me curious.” She then let out a shaky laugh, continuing,
” Oh yes… Believe me, I will. I fear that one of them has made some more dinner plans between me and her snake… So if I ever go missing and you see a snake with a Charlotte-shaped belly, you know what happened.” She had meant to sound teasing, but she had never been good at lying nor hiding things. It didn’t help that it had been a long time since she had let herself get this inebriated…Charlotte had nearly forgotten that terrifying woman. Knowing she was going to have to spend more time with her was not the most pleasant thought.
Auguste let out a sigh, hesitating on whether he should finish his words.
“... I was going to offer to accompany you to the dinner. It might be safer that way, the Alidasht royalty may not try anything with a Caesonian prince present.”He let out a chuckle at her joke, but it was clear by her tone that she was a little frightened.
“... Although I dare not trample on your resolve to shoulder the burden yourself.”Charlotte rubbed her own forearm. She felt guilty for agreeing to his offer, but she knew it was one she could not pass up. The past year had indeed been a burden as though Lorenzo was kind, their bond lacked the constant guidance her mother had bestowed on her all her life. With his sometimes silly mishaps, she felt as if she were the one responsible for keeping everything from crumbling. She wasn’t so sure she could protect him from the Alidasht all on her own.
”Oh. That’s very kind of you…”She drew off, then reluctantly said,
”If you really wouldn’t mind, I’d appreciate that as it might help them to refrain from being unpleasant to my stepfather.”There is no shame in accepting help. Auguste believed that for society to thrive, cooperation is a must. It is also why he is a strict adherent of peace, seeing war as the last card any sane nation should employ.
“Of course.” He replied,
“It ought to be a royals duty to serve their people.” At the very least, it was a vision he hoped to bring to fruition in the future.
“I can feel Count Calbert staring daggers into my skull.” Auguste said, a hint of pride and jest in his tone. His voice turned serious at his next few words,
“Be careful of Count Calbert, Lady Vikena.” He bowed once more,
“I will have to take my leave here. I hope you have a pleasant night.”Charlotte glanced over his shoulder to meet the deadly eyes of Count Calbert across the room. He seemed to have paused his conversation with his wife just to give the two of them that lovely look. He narrowed his gaze at her once eye contact was made.
Why must he always glare at everyone? She thought to herself.
”So he is.”She agreed almost dryly.
”..I hope you have a pleasant night as well, Prince Auguste. Thank you again for checking on me.”Auguste turned around, giving her a nod. He faced Calbert, a neutral smile on his face. He waved at the count jovially before he began greeting other nobility who wanted to converse with him.
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