Everyone was beautifully dressed, with sparkling jewelry on their bear necks. Breathtaking music was filling the air, with couples dancing and laughing, in the great hall that was covered in light from hundreds of chandeliers. It was truly a marvelous sight to behold. Two princes escorted Lola to a beautiful balcony overlooked the courtyard. As soon as they left the Kings eyesight prince Valentine turned to Lola and said.
"I'm sorry, but me and my brother have some matters to tend to right now. I'm sure you can handle everything on your own. We shan't be long."
Lola was disappointed to part with the prince. She also new no one here, so she would be completely alone. Still she could not say that to Valentine. It would make her look pathetic, in the eyes of a man she wished to show only good qualities of herself.
"Yes of course. Don't let me hold you back."
"Thank you. Let us go." Said the prince to his brother and immediately proceeded to leave. Prince Shermandin looked a little worried. Lola understood this and smiled at him to ease his mind. He was still uneasy, but could not say anything in this situation. he bowed and followed his brother. Lola was standing alone on a balcony looking at a room full of people. She averted her gaze and looked out at the courtyard. It was so silent outside. She took a deep breath of the midnights air. as it filled her lungs, peace washed over her. True she was alone, but since when did she need a man to hold her up. Even if she held some affection for prince Valentine, she still had to depend only on herself. Her mission wouldn't necessarily Include him. She quickly turned around and entered the room filled with joyful sounds. Everyones was having fun in groups. Some well dressed girls on her right whispered something to one another and started giggling. They looked at each, nodded and walked over to Lola.
"Hello your highness princess Lola Malat Dumil. I am viscountess Ninalea Skamershut. It is truly a pleasure to meet you. This are my dear friends baroness Se cher Gatboba, daughter of earl Sikvarul, Miwa Sikvarul and other not so important people that are unworthy of mentioning."
"Pleasure is all mine viscountess Ninalea." Said Lola. It was evident how much of an unpleasant person viscountess would be, but she could only be polite to someone of such high standing. She herself had only an unofficial rank of crown princess to be in this country.
"I must say i thought it was just a rumor that your face was always hidden. Why is that i wonder?"
Lola frowned. It was vary rude of Ninalea to touch this sensitive topic.
"Im afraid I'm not at liberty to talk about this matter. Im sure you understand and won't bring this topic up again." This was a warning that next time she would not be so polite with her answer.
Viscountess was displeased. She was a vary vain and arrogant woman. It would be unwise to make an enemy of a future crown princess, but she did not care.
"I see that the prince has already departed. It is no surprise. How could he leave Acacia alone and accompany another woman to a party. Still to abandon you alone in a place where you know no one and go to his lover... O that must really hurt. Please feel free to ask for my help, or company if you feel sad or lonely." She placed her hand on her mouth as to show her shock, but was clearly smiling underneath it.
Lola was really put on a spot. Was it all true? Did his fiancé truly abandon her here and go to another woman? It was understandable if he loved someone, but then he should have either turned down the proposal or at least shown her appropriate respect and not leave her standing alone in a place so foreign to her. He couldn't give her even this one day? She quickly snapped back to reality. She had just now met this rude woman. Why would she trust her so easily and doubt a man who has been nothing but kind to her.
"Thank you for your words. I will try to return the favor and give you a piece of advice. I heard that woman who sticks their nose in other peoples affairs will surely die alone as an old maiden. You really should be careful to not associate with such individuals." Said Lola with a smile underneath her vail. She turned around and left the fuming viscountess Ninalea. A long time passed and many people started to leave, but there was still no sign of prince Valentine. Finally Lola grew tired of waiting. She excused herself and left accompanied by her ladies in waiting and prince Valentines attendant Kari. When she crossed through the garden, Kari suggested to go a shorter way as it was getting really late. They walked for a while and entered a beautiful desolated garden near one of the most exquisite towers of the castle. It was dark and most of the places were only illuminated through oil lamps standing in the gardens, but this corner of a garden was covered in light through hundreds of beautiful flower shaped candles. There in the middle of this garden set a woman dressed in a dress sewed completely from golden threads, with golden embroidery on it. She looked to be of a very high standing. It was rude to just pass her by, so Lola walked up to her.
"Greetings. I am Princess of Ujarma Lola Malat Dumil. I do apologize for bothering you so late at night, but we were simply passing through and my attendant made us take a wrong turn. Please do not mind us."
The girl stood up. With a faint smile on her lips she said " It is a pleasure your highness Princess Lola Malat Dumil. I am Acacia Chalorite, daughter of the grand general of the royal army. Please do not worry, in no way are you bothering me."
Acacia? The Acacia? Was she really her fiancé's lover? And why was she leaving in the palace and in one of the most beautiful corners at that. She was a princess, but her accommodations weren't nearly as good as hers. How could she find out the answer?
"I did hear about you at the gala from viscountess Ninalea. Why were you not in attendance i wander?"
Acacia smiled "O I had a company i just could not refuse."
Lola frowned. "May i ask whose company that was?"
"You may and i may not answered, but we both know who it was I entertained the whole afternoon. Even now he is inside resting."
Lola was furious. Not so much at this girl, even though she was clearly trying to insult her, but at the prince who was this disrespectful towards her. Suddenly a sound of door closing was heard. Lola turned around to see who it was and immediately sound of a woman's scream came from behind her. She was startled and stepped back. Before her lie On the ground Acacia Chalorite. Suddenly prince Valentine came running towards them. He did not even look a Lola and kneeled in front of Acacia, holding her up.
"What happened my love. Talk to me please."
He wasn't even trying to hide his behavior anymore.
Acacia looked up at him and said with a trembling voice. "I am sorry it was my foulte. Princess Lola found out that you had spend this whole time here and came to confront me. She called me an unbecoming name to insult me, which i would have said nothing about, but it would insult you as well my prince. When i said that we loved each other to defend you, she slapped my cheek, but it was my fault. Who am i to get in the middle of your engagement. She is a princess and I am a nobody beside her." she started crying.
"No my love. Please calm down. I would love no one except you. Ever!" He turned to Lola with disdain in his eyes. "How dare you? Do you think you have the right to feel jealous of her. You are just a princess of an insignificant country, whiles she is a beautiful goddess of Dali. Is it not enough that i agreed to the two year deal of not taking in a mistress?! To stoop so low as pushing a week girl to the ground. I have greatly misjudged you."
Lola was lost for words.