Lora Thomas was her Father's little precious daughter. She was beautiful, smart, a noble, and had such a wonderful personality. One would automatically fall in love with her. Her voice was soft, almost like a stream of water gently moving along. She was only fifteen when death came to her.
Mark Thomas hosted yet another party and that party was all for his close friends, those who worked with him as an Apostle. Mark Thomas was known to be the center of attention and hosting such entertaining events in his house hold. Today, however, was a celebration, a celebration of Lora's mother, Catharine Thomas. She was a young, petite stunning woman, the love of Mark Thomas's life. These two both fell in love and had four children.
Lora had her hair in a high bun, lose blond strands fell from the side of her face. Her pale throat had a sapphire necklace that was given to her as a gift last Christmas that had matching earnings. Her dress was the same deep shade of blue as her necklace. She smiled wide as she entered the ballroom and every family member turned and stared.
All except for one.
It was always that single person in the corner of the room uninterested on the world around them.
She nodded and greeted the guests, slowly making her way to that certain person. Everyone complimented her and her father's party. Having to be honored and excited to be invited to one of the finest manors and be guests of one of the most favorite Apostle. Lora smiled and thanked them for coming and bringing her mother gifts.
Once she arrived to the back of the party, where this certain person stood with arms crossed, a blasé expression on his face, she smiled wide and they raised an eyebrow at her.
Sebastian Leonard.
The Leonard family was known to be the protectors of the king. All served as royal guards and knights of the king for generations to generations. They were also the ones that executed the whole police force that came to be with Sebastian's grandfather in charge of it. They were also known for their somber expressions, structured features, emotionless eyes, and simple attitude. It was told that they were made by god like that in order to fit well as a protector for the chosen King blood.
His hair was the color of pure darkness, not a single strand under the chandelier turned is hair color a different tone of brown. He's face was sculpted to hardness, his eyes the color of fresh cut green grass, which also carried eye bags. They were always empty, like all the family of the Leonard's. He wore a simple white cotton shirt with a red vest and his family pocket watch sticking from his vest pocket, the gold chin connected to the fabric. His fingers held a glass of half filled champagne.
"Good evening Sebastian." She greets.
Sebastian made a face, "Is there something you want from me?" he asks in a low voice.
"Of course not." She lied.
And he knew, "You only do play nice when either your told to or want something."
She laughs, "You and I both know that is simply not the truth."
"You want to know where he is." Sebastian said, lifting his drink to his lips, "He's here, but where is the real question." He tip his head back and took a sip, he's green eyes watching her.
Lora held onto her clasps hands a little tighter. She looked around and indeed he wasn't in sight, his family however was here, talking with her father up the front of the ball room. She looks back at Sebastian who was waiting.
"Where is he?" she asked with little patience.
Sebastian shrugs, "How am I to know? He has he's own wills that doesn't involve with me."
"You're one of he's best friends, anything he does you are the first to be aware of."
"Of course only you would know that information." He grins leaning towards her, "Drawing room." He murmurs and Lora smiled wide.
"Thank you Sebastian!" she turned on her heels and quickly, but stealthy, made her way out of the ball room.
Once she arrives, she stood in front of the double wood doors; she looked left and right and took a deep breath. As usual her heart started to beat more quickly, and her fingers shook with excitement. She reached for the knob with shaky hands and opened the door. There, standing by the fire, was the love of her life.
He's back was towards her. She steps in and closed the door, not daring to move. Then, slowly, he turns around and gives her a smile. Her heart skipped a beat. He was so beautiful, with eyes so grey they were the color of the silver moon, and his hair so blond, the color of the golden sun. He wore a simple black coat, a white dress shirt tucked under his blue vest. He was tall, lean, and held himself with the Throne pride.
The Throne family was loyal apostles to the king, though they are known to be ruthless, rude and quite arrogant people. However, get to know them better, and they are simply a family who would share the same kindness back if you don't step over the line. It was important to keep a Throne close to you; they had the brains and skills to plot in a cunning smart way. The Thrones got their name simply because they were all beautiful, lovely to look at, and used for many purposes, like a rose. Although touch it without thinking, or make a wrong move, you would gravely regret even interacting with the rose in the first place as their thrones were sharply pointed.
"Ah, Lady Lora." He says in his sweet soft voice, "I hope Sebastian didn't give you a hard time to tell you where I was?"
Lora smiles, "You know Sebastian better than anyone. Do you truly think he wouldn't use my determination for his enjoyment?"
"Of course, I only hope he wouldn't. Seems to be he was slightly in a good mood tonight." He steps forward.
"He had too many drinks." She said stepping forward towards him.
"Well, if only everyone knew a few drinks can turn a Leonard back into a human." He grins.
She chuckles and walked towards him. He had two sets of masks. She called them masks because that was what she observed while watching him for a long time. One mask where he acts as if the world around him was all his play objects, everything replicable. The other mask he puts on when he would want something. The ignorant mask and the manipulating mask; both working well on everyone.
Though she saw past his masks and he noticed she did. It was soon they slowly started falling for another, well, she hoped he had fell for her.
She almost tripped. It wasn't the dress nor was her heels; her body gave out as if it lost the will to walk. By the time she tried to steady herself, he was already there holding onto her. He looked down with worrisome in his eyes and she managed to pull a smile, "I'm quiet alright," she whispers.
She wasn't. The room started spinning, and her limbs started becoming weak. She slowly felt each of her muscles losing its strength and she slumped against him. Without hesitation he carried her in his arms and walked to one of the sofas that were facing the fire place. He sat down, Lora still in his arms and held her close to his chest.
She wanted to cry.
How embarrassing! She thought. She had hoped nothing like this would happen to her tonight, and she had her medicine right before the party. Alas, her body and god truly loved ruining her intentions and efforts. She didn't move but placed her head on his shoulder, waiting for the terrible feeling to pass. He smelt like the finest cologne. She closed her eyes to memorize his scent.
He smelt sweet.
"Are you feeling better now?" He gently asks.
She wasn't feeling any better, in fact she felt worse, "Yes, yes I am." She spoke though pain, but it almost sounded as if she was gasping through it.
He stroked her hair, "Have you gotten any of your medicine before the party?"
She nods, "Yes, although I'm not sure why it went against me."
She felt him laugh, "'Against' is a fitted word."
"Indeed it is."
Silence. The fire crackled and their breathing sync in one. If she pressed herself harder on his chest, she was sure he'll feel her hammering heart. It was beating too loud, way loud then she had hoped for.
"May I ask you a question?" she mumbles on he's shoulder, eyes still closed.
"Of course,"
"Are you still considering on marrying me?"
She felt him froze. He turned into a solid statue underneath her and she panicked. Why had she asked this question when she knew? Who would marry her? Yes she was the first born and the favorite child of her Father. 'The beautiful Lora Thomas' many people had called her that. Although she was sickly, and everyone knew that but never had said it to her. She was too pale, too weak, and too skinny. She was dying.
"Lora," he sighs, "Why would you ask such a thing?"
She opened her eyes and with all her might she looked up. He's silver eyes held nothing but worries. Were they worries for her? Or worried of something else? It was hard to tell. Despite learning the masks he pulls on everyone, he was still unreadable.
"You know why Cyrus." She said simply.
His hand that was frozen on top of her head a moment ago came to her cheek, her hollow cheek, "Of course I'll marry you. My dear, I love you."
Her breathing stopped. She felt her heart drop, her body feeling weightless.
He loved her.
He had never said it to her.
He loved her.
Why now?
He loved her.
She loved him.
She smiles, "Despite…me?" she didn't dare said it out loud.
He frowns, "You've been doing well Lora, and lately you started glowing more. The best I could say is that you're becoming healthier with the new medicines your Father got for you."
"But not tonight,"
He shrugs looking away, "Perhaps it wasn't the medicine."
That was true; lately she was doing well with it. "Perhaps you're right,"
He grins looking back, "Of course I am."
Suddenly she got a striking headache. Why is the pain getting worse by the second?
He looks up, "I should tell your Father soon, I'm sure he'll be in such joy! All your family would be, Arthur, Mary, and little Cole. Your little siblings would be proud of you. I can see it now, we'll have our own little mansion, unless you'll like to move in with the Thrones, but I'm sure you wouldn't want that. The wedding would be perfect, oh yes, however you dreamt my dear you would get it. I assure you-"
"Cyrus."
He looked down calmly, "Yes?"
She was losing conscious, "I- I think I ought to lie down."
His eyes widen and nod. He quickly got up and started moving. She closed her eyes, and then a moment later she heard the nose of the party. They had entered the ball room. She was slowly getting deeper into the darkness as she heard Cyrus yelling for her Father.
"Sick… fell…caught her." Was the words she had make out on what Cyrus was saying in a hurry.
"My Lora!" her mother cried.
"…her room to rest." Her Father was saying.
All the sound around her started becoming faint. She tried hard to stay conscious; she didn't want to give into the darkness. She felt her heavy skirts gone from her body and someone yelling 'perhaps the corset was making her having difficulty to breathe!'. She was breathing fine, it wasn't the corset.
Someone yelled for a doctor.
No, she didn't need a doctor. It would pass, she just needs to lie down and she'll be fine in the morning. She'll apologize to everyone for ruining her mother's night. She would have tea with the Malecite's as scheduled for tomorrow. And she would go shopping for more fabrics for dresses. She would also be very well and able to continue her classes and take her medicine continuously. She was all right, there was no need for everyone to fuss over her. It was ridiculous.
The darkness came over her and she sighed. Tomorrow she'll explain that it was simply her having to many drinks. She didn't have any, and everyone knew she couldn't drink. Oh well, she'll figure it out once she wakes up. And when she does, she'll also apologize dearly to the love of her life.
She never woke up.
By the time she realized it was too late.
What was Cyrus's gift again?
Manipulation.