Athos

One

Maids bustled about Venus, tucking her into a dress made out of a cream coloured silk. Embroidered into the fabric were many small, white flowers, giving the pale girl an ethereal look. A maid gently pulled the top half of her hair into a ponytail, wrapping it with a silk ribbon and carefully pulling two pieces out at the front to frame the young noble's face. Venus dropped her hands dramatically as the maids stopped pinning her into her dress, "Please tell me you're nearly done, I can't stand here any longer!"

A maid froze up, "Well m'lady, first, we must put on your makeup—"

"You're not putting makeup on me," Venus stated, putting on her slippers before moving past the woman.

The maids tried to stop Venus from escaping down the hall but were aware that no amount of coaxing would keep her from leaving. Venus was already down the hall, beelining for the room where her family meetings were held. The door was heavy and adorned with intricate metalwork in the shape of vines and flowers that pressed marks into Venus' hands as she opened it. Her father sat on a large red chair, his dark eyes skimming over the repost in his hands. Shadows flickered on his face from the light of the fireplace, lighting the windowless room at the heart of the castle. From the corner Venus' mother spoke in an even tone, though the disappointment in her voice could be heard, "Venus, you have to let the maids finish getting you ready, you aren't a child anymore you know."

Venus let the door fall shut behind her, gathering layers of the skirt in her hands so she could sit across from her father. Between them lay a map of their kingdom and a number of surrounding ones, each kingdom having marks adorning them. Pinned next to each was a list of each royal family, and whether or not they were allies. Venus' father put down the stack of papers that had been holding his attention and looked across the table, "Venus, it's time we had a conversation. We are trying to form an alliance with Valeed, they have a son of similar age to you."

"So dear, this week there will be a ball where you will meet him. It is our intention to have you marry him," her mother said, taking up the king's mantle with a certain harshness.

Venus furrowed her brow, glaring down her parents. Shoving the chair back she loomed over the map, "This is what the meeting is about? Forget it! I'm not a political bargain piece!"

"Venus!"

The door slammed behind her as she escaped down the hall, taking the stairs all the way down to the gardens. Venus exited the castle and paused in front of the waiting guard, the man seemed startled to see her. Venus frowned, "If anyone asks, I'm not out here, do I make myself clear?"

His piercing brown eyes widened, he coughed into his fist speaking with a strained gruffness in his tone, "Of course miss, please enjoy yourself. I'll keep watch for you."

Venus stared a moment longer before going deeper into the snow-covered garden. The guard stooped over and went into a coughing fit, rubbing at his throat when he rose again.

The middle of the garden was nearly silent, the faint bustle of the city could be heard beyond the large hedges blocking off the gardens. Taking a deep breath Venus cleared the snow off one of the stone benches, shivering as she sat on it and looked up to the clear blue sky. She flicked her hair behind her shoulder before leaning her weight onto her hands. Her breaths came in shallow white plumes while she watched a single cloud move diagonally across the sky.

The guard watched her through the gap between two plants, making sure she was safe while still holding his post at the doors. He watched how the length of her hair draped over her back, and how her pale skin glowed against the snowy landscape. Venus laughed when a rabbit hopped about her feet, bending to run her hand over its head. The guard smiled running his own fingers through the dark curls he'd wrapped into a low ponytail. When Venus looked back through the plants he averted his eyes, pretending he'd been looking far off in the distance. Venus admired the deep red of his uniform that fit snugly against his small form. The guard looked back through the plants, catching Venus' eye. Venus smiled and waved, then picked the grey and white rabbit up out of the snow.