Author's note: this is from Calista's point of view
- - -
The party was suffocating.
I found it interesting how there used to be a time when I was looking forward to these events, but after some time of enjoying my freedom across Europe, I realized why my brother is avoiding official business that involves our family.
The pleasure of doing what you want, when you want, and with whom you want, is such a simple thing, yet it was a luxury unknown to me until recently.
In the castle, I'm always watched either by my parents, or our servants, or guests.
Going out without anyone knowing my identity as Lady Calista is liberating.
I didn't feel like representing the Mezzanotte family, so I stuck to a few familiar faces and made my way among the crowd while listening to the chatter around me.
