Her Empire

Let The Festivities Begin

Princess Courtney sat herself by her vanity. She exhaled, it had been a frustrating day. Having to deal with the bothersome nobles and the agitated commoners. She picked up her powder puff and dabbed her cheeks. No matter how tired she was she had to attend today's Ball. When Emperor Carlos would announce the admitting of Duchess Heather Howard into the royal society. Personally she could care less, she didn't wish to be stuffed into some room with stubborn and obnoxious royals and nobles. 

Especially Marquess Justin, the noble her father had picked for her to marry. He was arrogant, self-absorbed and to put in plainly stupid. Just your typical privileged noble. But strangely he had all the women fawning over him like some God. She had even overheard her Head Maid, Beatrice(Beth) gushing that he had "enlightened her world and shown her to the light". Courtney could only snicker and hide her amusement. In truth the Marquess had simply asked Beatrice for a glass of wine. 

She brushed her hair, letting it fall back. She was pretty, well educated and of royal blood. The sure catch for any young lord. The only problem is Courtney had no interest in any of them. They all expected her to be some Duchess to hold onto their arm and allow herself to be paraded like some new toy. So she had declined every last one, but of course these arrogant nobles didn't take no for an answer. They promised her father crops, lands, houses even jewels! As if she was some simple sack of potatoes to be bought and traded!

She sighed and clasped her hair back. Better get this over with..

Courtney watched the scene play out before her. Nobles and royals boasting about their land, estates and riches. She sighed and took another sip of wine, she had been here for half an hour and was bored out of her mind. Thankfully, Marquess Justin was occupied by his adoring fans and wasn't bothering her.

Her eyes scanned the room looking for something to entertain her. Suddenly they fell on a cloaked stranger. How strange...

Judging from the materials and professional stitches he had be quite wealthy. Maybe an earl..a viscount?  He didn't join in with the other haughty nobles, instead staying to the side. Courtney couldn't make herself look away for some reason. Then he looked at her.

He looked at her..

Shit!
She looked away, feeling her cheeks heat up. Why the heck was she blushing! She took another sip of wine, aware of how red she was. Hopefully one would blame it on intoxication. She could feel the stranger's eyes trained on her. At this rate, she would be redder than her wine. She dared to sneak a glance, instantly the stranger smirked quite pleased in getting her attention. 

He had the prettiest teal eyes ever..

No Courtney! That's just the stupid wine talking! She shook the thought. Courtney forced herself to look away. Her eyes fell upon Beatrice doing a clumsy curtsey in front of Marquess Justin. Courtney felt herself grinning into her glass, the poor girl. 

"Enjoying the festivities, M'lady?" a low voice tickled her neck. Her head shot up to see the mysterious stranger. Their noses barely brushing each other. Courtney could feel the blush returning.

"Do not call me that Sir," she took another sip and looked away as if signalling she had no interest in him. The stranger only chuckled making her take him in. Up close he was very handsome. 

Without noticing it, she brushed some of his hair out of his eyes. He laughed at the interaction and leaned in to her touch. She liked his laugh. It was nice.

"Their Majesties, Emperor Carlos and Empress Heather has arrived!"

Trumpets blared causing everyone's head to swivel in the direction of the grand staircase. Duchess Heather descended first, her dress flowing behind her. She was absolutely stunning. Courtney herself had never known Heather, the girl had always been studying. They had that one thing in common, spending most of their childhoods knee-length in books.

Heather stood on the length, awaiting the Emperor's descent. Instead he beckoned to someone on the upper left of the stairs. Soon a head popped out, followed by a body.

A timid girl entered and began to descend the stairs, holding onto the Emperor's arm. She had deep copper hair that reached to her shoulders but shorter than Courtney's. She had olive eyes, the dress she wore was very similar to Heather's but a lime colour. The Emperor and his mysterious woman descended the stairs arm in arm, passing Duchess Heather.

An uncomfortable atmosphere fell upon crowd of nobles. Even the servants and staff were mumbling to each other.

"A mistress!?"

"The Emperor and Empress aren't even married yet.."

"This looks bad for the Howard family.."

"Knew that girl was worthless!"

The last statement come from Duchess Heather's father, Duke Arthur himself. The nobles voiced their displeasure highly. The current Emperor looked disgusted while his wife ready to faint. 

Duchess Heather looked pale, her eyes scanned the room frantically as if looking for an escape. Courtney only lowered her face, the poor girl looked like a deer caught in headlights.

"Poor girl.."

"That bastard!" 

"She is quite pretty though.."

The Grand Hall was full of nobles voicing their opinions on the subject. Too busy caught up in this new gossip presented to them to notice a fleeing Duchess Heather.

"Isn't that unfortunate, Princess?" Courtney suddenly remembered the mysterious stranger, in fact he had gotten closer. So much that Courtney could feel his breathes on her neck. She sucked in some air, feeling slightly dizzy. It's just the wine Courtney, she scolded herself. 

"Duncan, come on! Stop flirting with the royals!" A new voice hissed, Courtney whirled around only to get a glimpse of a new cloaked figure dragging 'Duncan' away. This figure had a smaller torso, almost one of a woman. As she ran, strands of teal and black hair flew from her hood. 

What a peculiar night...