𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐒 | 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘻𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘯

➥ ravenna; host

"It's a wonderful Christmas party you've arranged here Lady L/N." One of the many lords compliments, pressing my gloved hand to his lips. I smile, trying to hide the discomfort and the suffocated feeling of the room from my face. "Though, I must admit, you never fail to impress."

"Why thank you Lord Ryand." I curtsy, not low enough to make him think he has any power over me, but enough to know I still respect him.

"Pleasures all mine." He smiles back as I extract my hand from his, "Though I never understand why you invite the Queen, as lovely as she is. The conversation becomes rather...cold don't you think?" I laugh at him, feigning amusement.

"Ah yes, well I have a deep respect for the woman." His eyebrows raise slightly, as if surprised by my answer. I show him no sign of regret or misjudgement, instead taking a sip of the bitter rosé wine. I confess it is not my favourite choice, preferring a sweeter beverage.

I scan the room, aware of the Lord talking to me but searching for better company, regardless of his manners and etiquette. My eyes lock with another, her figure is surrounded by others, guards of her own and people I invited, but clearly she's just as bored of her conversation as I am. "If you'll excuse me." I place my glass down and start the journey across the room.

I'm greeted by many who have not seen me tonight and have to stop to make conversation, decorum a principle drilled into me since birth. Unfortunately they never provided a lesson on topics of conversation for high aristocratic society. It's a shame really.

When I finally made it to where our eyes collided, the space was painfully absent. I look around in disappointment, hopeful that I'll see her again amidst the people who cannot keep my attention and whom I have to fake interest towards. A hand grabs my arm, stern and rough, cold metal gauntlet on my skin. "Her majesty has requested you in the east wing."

"Thank you." I smile, his grip loosening as he stares into the distance, well trained and undeterred.

I push through the crowd in a little under five minutes, the hall bustling with merry festivities, as I break free into the halls. Few people populate them as my gown billows around my figure, and they find no need to start a conversation, each nodding their heads in respect.

I merely smile and nod in reply. The gesture is sufficient enough to satisfy sly lords and ladies who whisper secrets and rumours to each other.

The castle's warmth surrounds me as I travel east, towards the astrology tower in hopes of finding the queen. When I arrive, I'm aware of the change of temperature, as cold as ice in contrast to the warmth of my home - and the silence: stark and deafening.

I walk over to the telescope, altering it to get a clear image. Still aware that Ravenna is lurking somewhere in the room, I don't search for her and wait for her to make her presence known. She does so by wrapping her arms around my waist as I peer at what I think may be Saturn.

"Hello Your Highness." I grin, leaning into her embrace and looking at her overmy shoulder. She smiles, planting a kiss on my jaw. She spins me to face her.

"Hello dear, you're not being a very good host are you?" Her eyes flicker from my lips to my eyes, trying to grasp at her self control. I wrap my arms around her neck, pulling my body closer to hers but keeping my lips far from hers.

"Hm, I do believe a certain royal wanted my attention?" I smirk and she tries not to smile back, "She seemed very jealous of a certain lord." She tried to catch my lips in another kiss, groaning frustratedly as I move away.

"I'll have you executed if you don't kiss me Y/N." I grin, allowing her mouth to collide with mine. The kiss is initially slow and longing, her lips soft as she almost tries to integrate the feel of my lips into her own. Eventually though it becomes hungry and fast, as if she can't memorise enough of me in the small moments we share.

I manage to pull away and rest our foreheads against eachother. Her eyes shut and she brings me closer by the firm grip on my waist. "They all must think I'm a terrible host." I mutter.

"Awful." She hums amused, sighing and loosening her grip, "Go on, before they get too suspicious." I smile.

"One day we don't have to hide right?"

"Soon, by the next time you host a party like such, it will be by my side in the castle we will share." She presses one final, longing kiss to my lips, before leaving the room completely.

...

A/N : this is shit. I'm sorry for the lack of updates, school and little motivation have been killing me. That and I want both of my books done by the end of the year (it won't happen im too lazy 💀)