𝐀 𝐒𝐖𝐀𝐍'𝐒 𝐋𝐔𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐁𝐘 - Cinderella AU

XXXVI - i knew this was our time

xxxvi.

Mid September 1789,

THE ORCHESTRA PLAYED A MELODIOUS CACOPHONY—a glittering piece that spaced out and picked up with violin strings and heavy cellos, infiltrating the perfumed and gleaming ballroom air with a vigor that was both passionate and moving in equal measure. The massive crystal chandeliers hanging from the ballroom ceiling pulsed with sparkle, and lit up the entire space beneath with an encasing of golden yellow light that the footmen dimmed subtly by putting out a few sources of firelight, letting only the chandeliers show their glory upon the waltzing figures below.

It was a mesmerizing autumn night, for Angria had embraced the season with much zest and delight than any other kingdom in the lands, for its sprawling landscape was covering in muted oranges and burnt browns, leaves crunching under heels in morning walks underneath the cool daylight, and those very leaves gently accompanying the winds underneath the blinking nights.

Having unofficially taken up the mantel of throwing worthy and extravagant balls, now that her son was married, The former Queen of Angria, The Dowager Queen, or The Queen mother—as her many official titles still entailed, was now presently hosting her first royal ball of the season. It was the strangest feeling, to host such an extravagant ball for just the mere pleasure and satisfaction of it, instead of for the aim of finding a potential bride for her son and King. The Dowager Queen Ariana had already been relinquished of that duty, and had someone told of her the gratitude and pleasure she would have with the aftermath of the arrival of her daughter-in-law, and grandchild too, Queen Ariana would've made only a vague gesture and managed a smile.

She couldn't ever have predicted this bliss—this complete and blinding happiness she felt for herself for having such a daughter-in-law as she had gotten, for having such a grandchild as she had gotten, for having a son who had been more than capable of finding love just as Queen Ariana herself had been once upon a time. Lately, watching her son's immense happiness had made her miss her late husband, Rudolph.

Her man had been a King and man like no other, and as The Dowager Queen's eyes-fixated on the dancing couples, dressed in embellishments and glittering suits and gowns, on the ballroom center—fell upon the present King of Angria and his wife, she couldn't help but see herself there, being spun around by Rudolph in a yellow frilly gown—an embarrassment like no other-she had chosen for herself the first time they had ever danced together, for that had been her first formal ball as the daughter of an Angrian Duke and Duchess, when she had turned twenty. That occasion too had been the first time she had met the King.

The orchestra picked up speed, as The Queen mother reminisced. Her yes then travelled to the figure of her daughter-in-law's younger sister, Lucinda Tremaine, the girl's short and rather plump form wrapped in a startling pink color frock, with white lace and frills enveloping her hems and bodice as the girl's yellow curls bounced around her head as she enthusiastically exchanged a conversation with Queen Ariana's grandchild and the Crown Prince of Angria—Archie—as the boy held onto the girl's hand with a strange fondness in his eyes. This new acquaintance was something the Queen mother had only just started noticing recently, and though she didn't much approve of the frivolous girl, The Dowager Queen couldn't suppress an odd sensation of pleasure she felt at the girl's newfound attentions towards Archie.

For Queen Ariana couldn't deny the fact that she had once been just like the girl, once in her youth. Try as she might to believe herself to have been as elegant and beautiful and composed as Isadora was, the truth remained that Queen Ariana had been a Lucinda Tremaine in her youth. Obsessed with frills and bright colors, angry and upset when things didn't go her way, stubborn and quick to judge, and overall.. a very much of an annoyance to those around her for her meaningless indulgences and selfish demeanor. But she had grown out of it, the only slight embarrassment was the knowledge that she hadn't quite grown out of it until after a few years of meeting and falling in love with Rudolph.