Reckless Hearts | Sebryan

Chapter XVII

"Sebastian?" Oliver called out, placing a comforting hand on his brother's shoulder, a bit of concern in his voice.

Sebastian snapped out of his train of thought and shook his head slightly. "Huh? I'm sorry, were you talking to me?" he asked.

Oliver furrowed his brow, his tone becoming serious. "Yes, I was. What's the matter?" he asked, his eyes narrowing with concern.

Sebastian stared at his brother, his eyes shifting between the floor and Oliver's face. He seemed to be weighing whether or not to share his worries. "I...I was..." he began, his voice trailing off. His fingers fidgeted with the edge of his jacket as he tried to find the right words.

Oliver raised an eyebrow, leaning in closer to his brother with a patient expression.

Sebastian looked out over to the crowd, his eyes scanning the guests and his mother, who was engaged in conversation with a guest at the ball. He turned back to Oliver, a heavy sigh escaping his lips.

"What if the king recognizes who I am?" he whispered, his voice trembling with worry.

"Sebastian, that'll be impossible," Oliver reassured him, trying to sound confident. "One, he's never seen you before and two, your face is completely hidden behind the mask. He'll never know it's you." He placed a reassuring hand on Sebastian's arm.

"Okay, but Oliver," Sebastian began, rolling his eyes and letting out a frustrated huff. "We were invited by the queen. What if the king and her want to talk with us?"

"Sebastian, LIE," Oliver suggested in an obvious-sounding tone. "Just lie about who you are. They'll never know—"

Suddenly, a loud horn was blown, its sharp, clear sound cutting through the murmurs of the crowd. All heads turned towards the grand staircase, where Theodore, the butler, stood with the horn in his hands.

"May I present the royal family of Aetherlyn," he announced in a clear, booming voice, stepping aside at the top of the stairs.

The people gathered around the base of the staircases, applauding enthusiastically but keeping a respectful distance, leaving plenty of space for the royal family to make their dramatic entrance.

"Princess Ava of Aetherlyn," Theodore announced.

Princess Ava gracefully descended the stairs. She held onto the polished railing with one hand, while the other gently lifted her gown to avoid stepping on it and stopped midway down the grand staircase.

Her gown was a soft blush pink with a bodice that sparkled with tiny pearl beads stitched into floral designs. The sleeves are short and puffed, while the skirt is light and flowing, made of layers of tulle and silk that move gracefully with every step. Delicate lace trims the hem and neckline. She wears a dainty silver chain around her waist. Her mask is charming, a half-face style in pastel pink, decorated with pearls, ribbons, and a few pink feathers.

"Princess Grace of Aetherlyn," Theodore announced next.

Princess Grace appeared at the top of the stairs. She descended with a graceful, flowing stride, as she held the rail and held her dress up slightly, ensuring that she wouldn't trip over it. She stopped behind Ava, standing two steps above her.

She wore a rich shade of royal purple on her gown. Her bodice is tightly fitted with silver lacing up the front, and the sleeves are long, with sheer purple fabric billowing from the elbows to the wrists, tied with small silver ribbons. The skirt is full, flowing down in layers of deep purple satin and lighter lavender chiffon, with silver-threaded embroidery spiraling along the hem. A silver belt sits at her waist, accentuating her figure. Her mask is a full-face design in purple with silver swirls and small amethysts embedded around the edges, adorned with tiny purple flowers and a few lavender feathers at the top.