The New Spring Ball was is full swing. One third of my year had already disappeared and I still did not have an engagement. Luckily, my deal with the Blackwaters and, evidently, my mother's ex-lover had gone brilliantly. In fact, we were due to sneak them in a few hours.
Me and Aria stood side by side, watching a weird Purist ritual to do with blood and- eugh, it was so gross. The Ball itself was like any other. Fast-paced, yet delicate music danced gracefully in the full air; as if a nimble thief was running through the night, not daring to make a sound. Roses painted silver sparkled in the noon's lazy sun. The warm glow of the central bonfire cast friendly, majestic shadows across the flora that coated the walls. Reds, blues and purples swirled around spiralled columns in a mesmerising ombre. No food, surprisingly, that was reserved for the feast that was going be held individually by each of the families. I guess I am going hungry tonight, I thought solemnly.
"What do you think those lunatics are doing?" Aria said with a slight chuckle, pointing to the men in white robes dancing around the bonfire in comical unison.
"They are f*cking Purists, Aria. This could be their idea of attracting a girl for all we know." I replied sarcastically.
"Careful, you know their brains are underdeveloped. They might try to actually to flirt and end up tearing the wall between here and the Spirit world."
"Worse, they succeed and pass their gremlin genes onto the next generation."
"Nah, I wouldn't allow it. There will be no gremlin children in my Court!"
"Too late." I pointed to a group of Bread Boy and his friends.
Me and Aria erupted into teary laughter. I could hardly get a breath in before I looked at her laughing face and had to cling into a column for support. Eventually, the howling died down and we simply stared at each other, breathless.
Upon Aria's face was the widest, most joyful smile had seen in years. Her blue eyes shone with a hopeful radiance that illuminated the room more than the bonfire or sun ever could. I wondered, for a second, if the sun would stop shining if her eyes were to dim, as though the world would fall into shadow the moment her eyes closed for the last time. Her pale, smooth skin seemed to weaken the power of the silvers and golds that surrounded her; she made the jewels seem more beautiful, instead of the other way round. I felt a hint of jealousy at my core, one that burned alive whenever I saw how others looked at her. I didn't want admiration and worship, but I needed someone to look at me to, well, survive. I pushed my feeling down and reminded myself, she is the only one who has helped you while you have been here. Don't be such a witch.
"Hey, this Ball is kind of boring. Should we get out of here?" Aria said, glancing round room.
"Well, duh."
I felt like a child again as I ran through the crowd, hand clinging to her arm, shoving past people and trying not to giggle. Memories of when I was little, before my mother got pregnant for the second time, came rushing back to me. Memories of pranking my teachers and friends. Memories of telling scary stories and freaking out the other school girls. All vague wisps of a childhood that ended too soon.
Soon the empty hallways where running past us. The occasional servant jumped out of the way to avoid our dual stampede but other than that, we were alone. When we burst into the gardens, we finally stopped and collapsed as exhaustion caught up with us. We lay on the grass, staring at the perfect sapphire sky, our faces inches apart from each other.
"I haven't done anything like that since I was ten." Aria said between breaths.
"Wow, that must've been centuries ago." I joked.
"Hang on, I'm only nineteen, you witch."
"Yeah, exactly, old lady."
"Wow, I hate you so much."
For a few minutes, I let the sun soak into my skin. I allowed the calm quiet to wash over me as the birds sang, so beautiful, so peaceful.
"Hey, err, I was wondering. Why do you want to be Queen so bad?" I asked. The question had been racking me for some time now. Our entire relationship hinged on the fact that Aria wanted the throne. She didn't seem like the kind of person who wants power for power's sake, nor does she seem like she hates her brother all that much. I had never met him, but he doesn't seem like that bad of a guy.
"My brother is an asshole. He abuses the female servants. He is awful to anyone who disagrees with him. He's violent. He's impulsive. Like take away all the things my father has which are good; logic, cleverness and control. Then double everything that's terrible about him, and you have my brother. He will be a terrible ruler, and I know I can do better. I once went into the slums of Dracur Diven; I was horrified. I can fix Golgor, once and for all."
In some ways, I knew Aria would make a fantastic Queen. She was caring, she was kind, she was smart, she could spin any social situation in her favour. With her leading the way, I had turned my life from lonely and desperate, to thriving and with a friend. However, Aria style of control is a lot more subtle than her father's, and I am not sure if she would be able to make the harsh decisions that are needed to run a kingdom.
"It must be so nice to be a princess, though." I said, trying to jumpstart the conversation again.
"Well, not really."
"Why not? You are rich, all the guys like you, all the women worship you. What's not to like?"
"Exactly, they worship me. I am not human to them. I am a goddess on a pedestal. The kind that you observe from afar; the kind that you only come close to when you want something. No one looks at me, they look at my tiara and my fathers crown. That is all they see, all anyone sees. The Lords think I am hot, but what does it matter; we all know I am going to be married to the richest prince my father can stuff a ring on and shipped off before I turn twenty five. I am a princess, nothing more."
There was something about the way her mouth twitched or the way her voice faltered for a second that placed just a droplet of sympathy in my soul. I had told myself a thousand times I would never, ever feel sympathy for a spoiled, exploitive, privileged princess. Yet, a voice inside ne, a whisper, told me that maybe, just maybe, she wants exactly what I do. Perhaps she's just as deprived of love as me. So I told her the things I wish someone had told me.
"You know, you are more than a princess. One day, you will meet a guy who sees you as the girl you truly are. One who loves botany. One who cares about those below her. And in the far, far future, the one fit to be Queen." I couldn't tell if I had lied or not. Will that ever happen to Aria, or me? I had no answer, but it was what Aria needed to hear in that moment.
"Thank you, Amara, but you don't have to lie to me. You are not the type to be optimistic."
"There is no place for optimism where I am from."
Aria scoffed, "Is there anywhere?"
* * *
We still lay on the fluffy green grass as the sun began to dip behind the Palace. Our conversation had run dry but we didn't lie in awkwardness, just the peaceful wisps of the dead winter wind. A gentle reminder that the coldest part of the year was gone, and it was only getting warmer from here.
The bells rang for sunset, their echoes warning all those who remained on the streets. Usually, this would be my call to get out and begin my work. Most criminals used the ringing as a meeting time, as it was one of the only ways you could communicate no matter where you were in the city. Wait, criminals use those rings to set up meeting times. Shit! The Blackwater soldiers!
"Aria, wake up! We have to meet with our contacts."
"What?" Aria replied groggily.
"You know, the criminals you asked me to arrange a deal with. They were coming tonight, I told you that!"
"Oh shit." Aria scrambled up from her position and we both took off. We stole a pair of cloaks from a hanger, not daring tot slow down. If we don't get there in time, they will leave and it will all be for nothing. The second ring of the bell resonated through the palace again. We could only pray to whatever sprit was listening that we'd get there in time. Burning pain cut across my legs. The third ring was louder than the last, taunting us with our slowness. Eventually the outer courtyard came into view. Just a few more metres. The fifth ring disappeared into time, leaving us with only one before the deal was off.
We crashed past the doors, just as the final ring filled the air. We saw a simple trader with a cart full of extravagant dresses turn away from the violent guards.
"Wait! This shipment is for me." Aria said, managing to disguise her exhausted breaths, " There's no need for a check-up I trust this man completely."
"But, Your Majesty, your Father-" one of the guards began, stopping once her looked at her killing glare.
"Help my tailor bring the cart to my quarters. He will unload the dresses, in peace. I don't want you to accidently destroy one of them, now do we?"
They promptly obeyed, beginning to drag the cart that was obviously to heavy for a clothing shipment. Me and Aria looked at each other, triumph in our eyes.
"Can't wait to wreak some havoc."