The pounding of drums and whistling of flutes had been echoing throughout the castle since dawn. From the balcony overseeing the ballroom, Leonidas Riordan observed the mass of spinning noble folk as they danced across the marble floor. Their velvet dresses and silk suits sparkled and shined underneath the large chandelier which hung brightly above them all like the sun itself. Even from his distance above, Leon could see the grinning faces and hear the bouncing laughter below.
Even with the current state of the world, Blair demanded to follow through with her sixteenth birthday. As her older brother, he knew how much this night meant to her, but he could not imagine enjoying a birthday when war was on the horizon. The princess of Kazuya, Alina Lovett, had yet to respond to his proposal. Well, it was his father's decision to arrange the marriage. Leon rarely had choices when it came to his life decisions. His father had arranged this securing deposit of protection and allegiance between the two kingdoms, believing the danger of war would be a good start for establishing mutual relations between the two states. Kazuya had never involved itself in any of the kingdom's affairs, and it would be historic if they agreed to get involved. But at this point, they had no choice considering the imminent action that the Southern Empire, Sarlow, threatened merely four days ago.
"Leon!" A familiar voice called from behind him. He looked over his shoulder and down at his youngest sibling and the only Avrithian princess who wore an extravagant navy blue gown. It had diamonds encrusted along the waistline and bodice, ending right before the long lengths of tulle that draped down to the floor and pooled around her feet. Leon was not a seamstress, but after listening to Blair's plans for this specific dress for months, he naturally added a few new words to his vocabulary.
"Having fun?" She asked. Her brown eyes sparkled as she looked up at him. It might have been the hundreds of lights brightening the ballroom or simply her delight.
"Of course," He smiled. Parties and dancing were not his cup of tea, but watching everyone enjoy themselves and seeing his sister content was more than enough for him. "Is tonight everything you dreamt of?"
Blair nodded, her attention shifting down at the event unraveling below. "Today has been wonderful. I'm not sure how it could get better."
Leon followed her gaze. It was a risk having the townsfolk and officials gathered in one place, and with how extravagant and boisterous this party was, he feared for the safety of the attendants and what the Sarlothian Empire may be considering upon hearing about this event.
"You want to head back to your room now, am I wrong?" Blair's question interrupted his thoughts, and Leon suppressed a meek smile. It was true, he had been planning to congratulate his sister before fleeing back to the comfort of his chambers.
"Yes, but only if you allow it."
Blair rolled her eyes, grabbing his arms and shooing him away. "Go ahead and sleep. I should be able to stay out of trouble for the rest of the night."
And with that, they parted ways. The princess glided down the grand staircase while Leon retreated to the dimmed hallways. His father would be upset with him leaving the event so early on, but Leon hoped he would be invested in speaking with representatives and planning his potential wedding rather than worrying about his whereabouts.
The path to his chambers from the ballroom was a long walk. They were essentially at different ends of the castle. As Leon strolled down the luxurious hallways, he felt an eerie drop in his stomach. Nearly everyone in the kingdom was dancing in the ballroom, and yet, he felt as if he was being watched as he slowly passed the large oil portraits of former rulers on his way back to his bedroom. He kept his hand steady at the handle of his sword. It hung from his belt, a heavy but comforting weight. He unknowingly held his breath every time he turned a corner and only noticed when he sighed out in relief. There was nothing there.
Leon rarely brushed off his gut feeling. As the first-born prince of Avrithia, there were many dangers to be wary of. Thieves have broken inside the castle before, and assassins were also no exception. As he turned a corner, he saw the figure of a shadow leaning against the wall near his bedroom. Leon instinctually sheathed his sword and pointed it at the shadow until a velvet voice said, "Relax. It's just me."
"Lucia?" Leon sighed and slipped his blade smoothly back into its holster. "Why aren't you at the party?"
The younger woman pushed off of the wall. Her long blonde hair was twisted in one long braid and jewels were embedded in the plait. She wore a long red gown that exposed her shoulders and flowed with her steps. "I could ask you the same question."
Lucia placed her hands on his chest, dragging her fingers along the embroidered pattern. Her blue eyes looked up at him with longing, and by this time, he knew what she wanted.
"Not today, Lucia. I'm exhausted." He tried stepping aside to enter his room, but she clung to his jacket.
"We won't take long." She cooed. "Besides, everyone else is at the party."
Her painted lips curled into her signature smirk, and Leon sighed. She walked backwards until her back hit the wall, dragging him by his shirt collar and brought her cherry-colored lips against his. It was a rough kiss, one of desire and impatience. Her fingers were quick to grab his hair, and he placed his arm around her waist. They had started this kind of relationship for almost a year now, with her visiting him every time their fathers had meetings together. Lucia Anatoly was the first-born daughter of the Duke Anatoly, and she never hid what she wanted from Leon, so eventually, he gave in.
The room grew hot as their bodies flushed together. Leon moved his hand below the fabric covering her chest, brushing against her bare breast and she gasped before moaning against his lips. She gave kisses along his jawline and then moved to his neck. He quickly spun her around until her hands braced against the wall, and his hand traveled below her skirt and up her thigh until he reached her core. It was warm and slick, and Lucia stifled loud moans as his fingers entered her. She cried as his fingers pumped in and out, so Leon grabbed her neck with his free hand and pressed his mouth against hers. He felt himself getting riled up as her body rocked against his, but when she quickly finished, he suddenly pulled away. Beads of sweat trickled the woman's temple, and her eyes were hooded and clouded. He could not have looked much different.
"Why did you stop?" She asked, her eyebrows pinching together in frustration.
"Like I said, I'm exhausted." Leon smoothed his hair with his clean hand and stepped towards his room.
Lucia huffed and crossed her arms. "Is this because of the proposal?"
His hand paused before reaching the door handle. He then turned around to face her, and shook his head. While it was likely he was to be married soon, he never had true feelings for Lucia. He had simply accepted her advances. There was no particular reason, but he did not see himself developing their relationship further, and the proposal simply came at the right time. He raised her chin, and her sapphire eyes watered as she pouted.
"We were never going to last, dear Lucia." He said in a low voice. "Now, goodnight."
Tears had pooled her eyes and she raised her hand quickly for what seemed like a slap, but Leon caught her wrist. She pulled away angrily and walked away. He watched her leave hastily and waited until she turned the corner, likely headed back to the party where the attendants would still be celebrating until dawn.
Without hesitation, Leon entered his chambers. All of the lights were turned off, which was not unusual. He slipped off his jacket and shoes, setting the two on a chair by the fireside. A knock suddenly came at the door. Was it Lucia?
"Your majesty, are you in there?" Clemson. His personal bodyguard.
"Yes, come in." Leon watched as the taller man slipped inside his chambers, bowing his head slowly.
"I am sorry to interrupt, but we have received news about the princess' response to your proposal."
She responded already? "And what did she say?"
Clemson cleared his throat. "The princess of Kazuya, Alina Lovett, has accepted your proposal."
Leon tried to mask his surprise. While Kazuya had no choice anyway, he did not expect her to accept so soon. Alina Lovett was the only child and sole heir to the Kingdom of Kazuya. He should have expected nothing less.
"Brave girl." He responded. "I underestimated her."
Clemson nodded his head. "There is one more piece of information that you should be aware of. The princess is arriving tonight," Clemson glanced down at his pocket watch. "At about any time now."
Arriving? Tonight?
"Clemson!" Leon ripped his jacket off of the chair and pulled on his shoes. "Have you no sense of urgency?"
"I was searching for you throughout the party, and then when I did find you here," Clemson brushed his beard with his gloved hand slowly. The man suppressed a smirk. "It seemed you were preoccupied."
Preoccupied? Shit, Lucia. Leon did not acknowledge the remark, as frazzled as he was being caught by Clemson, and smoothed his hair back. "Thank you for the helpful news. Shall we get going?"
Clemson nodded and they set off into the hallway towards the back entrance of the castle. Clemson reported her ship would shortly arrive and they would meet at the back entrance through the garden so as to not draw attention to the Kazuya heir's arrival. It made sense, considering the fuss her presence would create if it were known.
He wondered what Alina Lovett looked like. There were no recorded portraits of the current Kazuyan royal family, but according to historical documentation, the Kazuyan people were famous for their dark hair and bright colored eyes. An unusual but recognizable look. She was supposedly a year younger than he was, so twenty years-old.
They arrived at the garden where a string of black carriages and stallions waited. Leon's father was already there. His father looked over his shoulder as they approached and gave Leon a scowl before returning his gaze at the carriage. Leon walked up until he stood beside his father and placed his hands behind his back. The horseman hopped down from his seat and unlocked the side of the carriage facing them.
Leon felt his hands shift nervously as the princess stepped out. She wore a simple silk gown that matched the color of the navy night sky. It complimented her slim frame, hugging her hips and cinching in at her waist. The horseman offered his hand which she took as she descended the steps.
Her icy blue eyes met his own for a split moment before shifting quickly to his father. The woman gracefully bowed with both hands pressed against her heart, the traditional courtesy of Avrithia. She studied well. While his father welcomed her and her servants to their kingdom, Leon studied the features of his soon-to-be-wife.
There was no debate for her beauty, her dark hair flowing over her shoulders and to her waist and her skin evenly tanned. Her shy and polite smile brought an air of fragility and innocence, but her voice was lower than Leon expected. Less innocent and fragile than her looks suggested.
Leon cleared his throat and bowed. "It is an honor to meet you, your highness."
Alina paused for a moment, almost as if studying her soon-to-be husband. She then smiled, but the smile did not quite reach her eyes. Still, she bowed, "The honor is mine, your majesty."