To ascend to the throne, she would need the support of the nobles around her. It would be easiest to secure one of the Grand Dukes, but she had no willingness to hold hands with the young Salvatore heir. She had no idea what he would do and whether or not he would sink his fangs into her back once more. Lumielle did not trust him; even now, she felt jittery as if being by his side would result in him swinging his sword down and beheading her in a second's haste. How unnerving to be around such a man. What about Cosette had been so lovely? Lumielle begrudgingly would admit that the De Saude heir apparent was nothing short of captivating. Her beauty was that of a lily of the valley and her personality made her likable. Asterias poked her forehead, "What are you thinking of Princess?" He inquired pivoting so that he was obscuring her view.
Lumielle touched her forehead, "Harming the Imperial Princess's body is warranted with death by beheading." Yet, Allard looked even more shocked at the casual interaction between the two. Asterias simply smiled at the threat that escaped her pink lips.
"It was all in jest, Princess."
A huff left her lips as she wanted to roll her eyes at the smug man in front of her. Asterias was enjoying this, he was having fun teasing the lavender-haired female. Ever since their first meeting, she had been interesting. She was unpredictable and amusing, always confounding him. As the son of the Grand Duke, he had been lauded for his perfection. Weakness was not excused as he began to devote himself towards becoming the perfect heir. It was all so bleak and boring. It felt suffocating. Asterias poured hours upon hours in dedication to magic, learning, and learning until his body felt as though it would pass out. Holding the sword until midnight, callouses formed on his palm in a matter of a couple of days. He was not naturally skilled as Allard was. Asterias was observant enough to see that Lumielle avoided the other Grand Duke son's eyes. What was the reason? It was subtle enough for most not to notice.
"I wanted to extend an invitation to the Princess," Allard said as Asterias snapped back into reality, the two had been conversing in front of him but he had retained very little of their conversation. Lumielle blinked as she urged him to continue, "It is to my birthday. It would be an honor if the Crown Prince could also attend. A formal invite will be mailed to your house at a later date."
Placing his infamous smile on his face, Asterias took her hand, "I will be in attendance, Princess."
"And why should I be concerned with that?" Lumielle shot back, as he laughed. Indeed, she was witty. Never did she hesitate when it came to a response. Her intelligence was unrivaled and sometimes, when Asterias looked into her eyes, he felt overwhelmed.
"I just thought you would want to know," he hummed kissing the top of her hand as he let go of the heliotrope-haired female to swing his arm around Allard. The dark-haired male was slightly taller than Asterias. In Lumielle's memory, she couldn't differentiate who would end up being taller. It was not like it mattered.
Placing a hand on his chest, Allard bowed, "Then, Asterias and I will be taking our leave." It was a dismissal as Asterias quietly quirked a brow.
Grabbing Lumielle's hand he asked the question that she had been expecting, "May I kiss you?" Perhaps, since it was in front of another person, she felt slightly more flustered. She nodded as he pressed his lips against the back of her hand. Giving her a smug smile, he walked away with Allard as Lumielle let out an exhale. It was time to go fraternize with more women. Vera would be calling her over fairly soon.
Meanwhile, Allard was the one to break the silence between the two boys, "Do you know her?" Asterias asked, "The Princess." He added, Lumielle had been conscious of Allard but it was somewhat unnoticeable. It was the first time he had seen Lumielle drift towards him and away from someone else. She looked somewhat unsettled.
"This is the first time meeting her, but that isn't the case with you is it, Asterias?" Allard answered honestly. It was the first time that he had met the Imperial Princess. She had always been fastened inside of the walls of the castle. Just recently, he had heard that both the Crown Prince and Princess had moved into the Emerald Palace after vacating the Ruby Palace.
"That's a secret," Asterias said placing his finger over his lips, it was a teasing remark that made Allard's lips twitch. "Did your dad tell you to invite the Princess?" The white-haired male asked tilting the glass of juice around focusing on the small details.
"No, I just thought I should extend the invitation," Allard responded blinking at Asterias who lifted his eyes at him. The two were on amicable terms. Asterias did not dislike the straight-laced male in front of him; he was a stickler to the rules, always doing what his father told him to do. Perfect in every regard, it was impossible for the two boys to not be compared to one another. In fact, it was quite difficult. Asterias was known as a personable character; people flocked him. He was well-versed in magic and was growing as a swordsman. People praised him for his amicable personality. Juxtaposed with the robotic-like son of Salvatore, unyielding and perfect, he was practically poised even when some may view him as uncouth.
Humming, Asterias placed the drink down, "I didn't take you as the spontaneous type."
Allard rejected the notion, "It's good to get acquainted with the Princess and Prince of Endora." Was that really the only reason that he had asked? Asterias didn't speak as he simply shrugged. It annoyed him.
"Is that the only reason?" Asterias asked as Allard let out a sigh.
"Are you trying to ask another question?"
The Everion Heir smiled, "Well, I suppose if you think I am, you should answer."
Allard rolled his eyes, still albeit gracefully, "I don't understand you, Asterias."
Indeed, he was a troublesome character. With an impish grin on his face, it was hard to pin down his motives. It was as if he meticulously avoided everyone and everything around him. Plastic, Asterias was practically astounding for no one could figure him out. He was still so young, and somehow still retained a sharp edge that made adults weary. Sky-blue eyes that seemed to be omnipotent.
"You should just try harder then," he purred out, as he adjusted his gloves to glance through the crowd to gaze at Lumielle. At that moment, the lilac-haired female's eyes met his own and he gave her a wave and a smile to which she only jerked her head continuing the conversation she was having with Veronica.
Lumielle had forgotten how late it was as she was escorted into her carriage. "It was lovely being able to meet the Stars of Endora," Duke Salvatore stated as Allard stood between the two loving parents. Indeed, it must have been nice. Though politically ambitious, Allard's parents loved him deeply. Enough to call off the engagement to Lumielle simply because their son was in love. It must have been nice.
Lumielle curtsied as her brother bowed, "The honor is all ours. Thank you for the invite."
Nudging his son forward, Allard took her hand. His hands were not as rough as they were back in the day. He had callouses from practicing swordsmanship by the time that they met. His hands were not as developed; placing a kiss against the back of her hand, he bowed his head, "It would be an honor if you could attend my birthday gathering, Princess."
"I will notify you shortly," Lumielle said respectfully as she could feel the blooming curiosity from her brother. The two Imperial Highnesses were in the carriage as Lumielle sunk down. It was exhausting. Vera was an animated talker while Lumielle preferred to be reserved. It was nice to have someone like that next to her.
Aris unbuttoned his uniform as she smiled, "Did you have fun?" She inquired as Aris scowled.
"You're just going to not mention the Duke's son?" He asked as she put her hands up in defense.
"It was just a question," Lumielle hummed, "He just invited us to his birthday."
Comfortably, the two siblings let the silence fill them, "Do you want to go?" Aris inquired.
Lumielle tilted her head to the side; the moon was bright but the night was dark. "I haven't given it much thought," she said. Truthfully, it wasn't even an area of concern for her. The rolling wheels lulled her into a state of serenity. Her mind had been overactive while she was conversing with nobles at a dizzying pace. She was lucky to have Vera who casually handed her information—it was like a lifeline to her. "Do you want to go?" She asked looking at Aris.
The blonde-haired male paused, "Yeah. Let's go."
Lumielle smiled. "Then I'll write to him when I have the time."