Allard Jasion Salvatore was her fiancé in the first timeline. Lumielle had been told that if she received his love, that she would be the happiest woman in all of Endora. He was absolutely gorgeous. The heir of Salvatore had onyx black hair as deep as the night paired with glassy dark blue eyes that rivaled the midnight sky. He was outstandingly gorgeous and his skill with swordsmanship was undeniable. He was praised for his beauty and his icy personality only made him even more unobtainable. Lumielle had asked her father for his hand in marriage and the two were wed. Yet, he never loved her. In fact, he didn't even attempt to get to know her. He was distant and even hostile. She was not the one to bring him spring but it was Cosette De Saude.
The letter in her hand was an invitation to a party; she knew that Allard would be in attendance. It was the first time that she would see him since he had glared down at her from the filthy jail cell. It would be a shame not to attend as Vera would also be in attendance.
"Are you going to the party hosted by the Grand Duke Salvatore?" Lumielle asked peering at Asterias. It was the first time that they had gathered after he was sick. A letter of apology had been sent from his family as she rolled her eyes at the frivolous act.
Asterias smiled, "If the Princess is going, then I'll be in attendance."
She set down her teacup, "Are you incapable of making your own decisions?"
The white-haired male looked even more amused, "Yes. I am."
"I'll be going," Lumielle said capitulating as he couldn't help but chuckle.
"Then, I will see you there."
At least, she would have another comrade. She was not sure if Yennafer would be able to attend or if the invitation was sent to the Counts of the Endora Empire. All she knew was that anyone with the title of Marquise or higher was going to attend—the Emperor wouldn't probably show his face but Lumielle had gotten an invitation along with Aris. That meant that the two of them would have to go; it was good for Aris to get to know more children his age and create bonds that would later propel his career in politics.
"Are you thinking about your brother again?" Asterias inquired leaning back against the chair as Lumielle tilted her head, almost asking the question of how did he know, "You always get that face whenever you're thinking about him."
"I apologize if it's unsightly," Lumielle spoke setting the saucer down on the table.
"Nothing you can do is unsightly," Asterias replied back smoothly with an easy smile as Lumielle's fingers twitched. This child was truly acting even brasher since his sickness. They didn't discuss it—Asterias didn't bring it up and Lumielle, a tactful woman, decided not to be crude enough to speak of something Asterias didn't want to talk about. As such, they both had another unspoken secret between the two of them.
"You must be quite famous with the women in society speaking so sweetly," Lumielle said standing up—it was time for her to go.
Asterias took her hand, starting to escort her out of the mansion, "Why are you jealous, Princess?"
Lumielle stared at him before laughing before politely turning her head away; it was one of the only times that she had actually burst out in laughter. She had not expected him to make such an audacious comment. Asterias was also caught off guard. Lumielle had given him smile after smile, though he was not sure which one was real and which one was just a practiced mirage that she had perfected. Yet, this was the first time she had laughed. The sound reminded him of a soft wind, warm and easy to miss—"Envy doesn't suit me."
Her words held a double meaning; Cosette still lingered in her mind. She had been envious of the woman. Her fair-hair and beautiful smile; everything about Cosette was perfect. She had taken everything that Lumielle had wanted. The man that she had poured her love and devotion to, the father that she been abandoned by, the nobles and society she had desperately tried to assimilate into. Everything had been ripped from her hands and she had been cruelly left with the worst sin of their all, envy.
"Anything suits you."
"You flatter me," Lumielle tutted back as the two finally reached the carriage, "May I kiss you?" Asterias asked—it was always their final goodbye. She nodded as he placed his lips against the back of her hand.
. . .
Glancing at the mirror, Lumielle had to admit that she did look beautiful. Sylvia had poured the entire day into this. She had been woken up at dawn by the maid who plunged her inside of a warm bath—the smell of lavender touching her nose as her nails were clipped and painted with ease. Her hair had been next, gently curled so it spilled past her waist. The bracelet that the twins had given her adorning her wrist, the gold being hidden by the long sleeves. She wore a violet dress with blue accents. Since she was still young, the dress was pretty suiting her younger self.
"You look great, Aris," Lumielle chided looking at her brother. His hair had been swept back to reveal his forehead. He was dressed in the traditional military uniform; a deep black color that clashed with the gold of his eyes and hair. He looked great and he smiled at her. Was he nervous?
Taking his hand, she squeezed it, "Don't worry, I heard that your friends are going to be there."
"I'm not nervous," Aris chided back as Lumielle gave a nod. She supposed it was time to go to the ball. This was the first time she had attended. Previously, she didn't even remember the Grand Duke sending an invitation to her. Even if one had been sent, she wouldn't have gone. Countess Fleur had crippled her self-esteem when it came to etiquette and her brother's isolation would have gotten so severe with Viria. Yet, here the two siblings were. They were at the Salvatore Estate. It was their first time to attend a ball; though they had not debuted in high society, she knew they were talked about fervently.
Good, the more rumors they were, the more power they would have. "Remember," Lumielle spoke her words soft, "You are the Crown Prince of Endora, Aris. Keep your head up high." Looking down at her younger brother, she couldn't help but feel proud and bitter. If she had done this previously, if Lumielle had been less inept in her past life, she would have been able to save him. Regret tasted sweet as the two entered.
The ballroom was gorgeous and she was greeted by the Grand Duke and Duchess almost instantly. They were bowing lowly to the ground, hands placed their chest as a sign of respect, "We greet the Stars of the Endora Empire, it is an honor that you have come to such an event."
Aris was the one who spoke first which surprised Lumielle, "Stand up. Both my sister and I should be the ones thanking you. Neither of us have debuted in high society and yet, you still extended an invitation."
Lumielle almost wanted to hug him but she resisted the urge, "Please stand, Grand Duke and Duchess. Thank you indeed for inviting us," she said smiling sweetly at them. The Grand Duke had the deep blue eyes that Allard had. It was unnerving how similar their oculars were. Yet his hair was a fair ashen brown. The woman by his side who held a smile had deep black hair and warm brown eyes. She was indeed quite beautiful.
"I shouldn't hold the two of you," The Grand Duke said with a swift smile, "I'm sure many people are very interested in the Stars of Endora."
Aris was the one who bowed his head first taking his sister and moving past them. She could hear the exhale leaving his lips. He had been nervous, undoubtedly so. Yet, he had done well. Previously, he wouldn't have been able to look at an adult. Now, he was conversing with them. "There's Sir. Lucius, why don't you go?" She inquired pointing to the circle of young boys who were chatting as Aris gave a smile and a nod.
"Mielle!" Vera chirped wrapping her arms around the female. Already, Lumielle was taller than the green-eyed female as her lips curved up. Vera looked absolutely beautiful. She had worn a deep green dress that matched the color of her eyes. The dress was tightly fitted to show off her curves—the lacework and embroidery were stunning. Indeed, there was no reason why any man would be able to deny her.
"Vera!" Lumielle said back with the same brightness as Vera tugged on Lumielle.
"Come on, there's someone I want you to meet!"
Fraternizing with new people exhausted her as Lumielle kept up the smile on her face. Vera had easily shown her favor towards the Imperial Princess and she could see those that had wanted to scorn her change within an instant. Gaining her favor had been the smartest move that she could make. "She's like a sister to me," gushed Vera as she gently held Lumielle's hand with a warm smile.
"Honestly, I'm honored to have Vera think of me like that, after the death of my mother," she paused—sympathy gaining with her every word, "I didn't have anyone to help me when it came to certain things in high society."
Vera nodded. She was graceful and good at conversation, "I remember when I first saw Mielle. She was wearing dresses from a commoner boutique," she said placing a hand against her cheek and shaking her head.
The other ladies looked aghast, "I didn't know any other places to shop, so I asked my maid to buy some dresses." Lumielle gave them a sweet smile to finish the story, "I honestly have so much to learn, so I'm thankful for Vera."
Vera was also not stupid. She knew that there was good reason to befriend the Imperial Princess. After all, she could be used as a perfect accessory as she was right now. It was obvious that Vera was using the nickname that she had granted them the use of during this situation. It was the perfect move to capitalize her position—she was showing how far ahead she was compared to everyone else. Lumielle knew that Vera had not gotten to the position of the belle of high society without some cunning.
"Is that the Grand Duke Everion's son?" One of the ladies whispered as Lumielle turned her head to see Asterias talking to Allard. The two looked like a painting. Her heart stopped for a second in seeing Allard. He looked just the same; how could he be so eerie? Dark hair had been brushed aside and deep blue eyes like the ocean's depths. An impassive face and tall build. She had stared for too long; their eyes met.
Lumielle gave him a forced smile before averting her eyes. Yet, it was too late. The Grand Duke's son was on the move. "Princess," Allard said, "It is an honor to meet you tonight." He didn't smile and from the tone of his voice, she was quite sure that his father had been the one to tell her to move.
She felt suffocated by hearing his voice. The man that she had filled with her devotion had abandoned her for Cosette. She saw them kissing and he had annulled their engagement. He was the one who brought her brother to his untimely death. Sneering down at her with disgust inside of the jail cell. She felt her heart speed up, her nails dug into the palm of her hands. Smile. She needed to smile and respond.
"The honor is all mine, Sir. Allard."
"Princess," Asterias said smiling at her as Lumielle felt relieved. Asterias had interceded and taken her hand, the one that she had angrily pressed her nails into, "May I kiss you?" He asked as Lumielle nodded. He pressed his lips against the back of her hand. That was right. Lumielle needed to focus. There was no room for error.