Cleo and Cloe Harold were the daughters of the Marquess, serving under the Dukedom of Ylzia—the same land from which Alexandra hailed. Although the titles of Marquess and Duke didn't differ greatly in prestige, the Duke held higher rank and more prestigious responsibilities.
"Childhood friends always have stories," Cleo mused, curling her lips in a wry smile. She had already started playing matchmaker, imagining Alexandra and the Crown Prince of Caestria as the perfect pair. Kiara, on the other hand, she despised. The animosity was mutual among her circle of friends. Kiara was far too arrogant and rude for Cleo's liking. If she ever ascended to the position of Crown Princess of Caestria, Cleo feared they would all be doomed.
"Don't let it bother you," Cloe replied softly, noticing the tension in her twin's expression. "Yes, they may have grown up together, but that's all it is. Childhood friendships don't always lead to something more. Sometimes, rumors are just that."
…
The ladies spent the rest of the afternoon engaging in activities such as archery, random exercises, and tending to the horses. By the time the sun began its descent, it was nearly time for them to head to the Tishir Market.
Alexandra changed into a gown more suited for the evening—an exquisite creation adorned with diamonds and beads that shimmered in the light. She met Cleo and Cloe in the grand hall, where they were waiting for her.
"Mmm, you look stunning, Alex. I didn't realize purple dresses suited you so well," Cleo remarked, her eyes gleaming with approval as she took in her friend's appearance.
"It's a beautiful color, I suppose," Alexandra chuckled, brushing a hand over the intricate beadwork before the three of them made their way out of the mansion's double doors.
Outside, the trio was greeted by the sight of Alexandra's mother, Brione, stepping down gracefully from the family carriage.
"Mama!" Alexandra squealed, running towards her with the unrestrained joy of a child. She embraced her mother tightly. "What a beautiful evening, Mama," she said, kissing her on both cheeks.
Brione returned the smile, her eyes softening. "And a beautiful evening to you, my darling." Her gaze then drifted over to Cleo and Cloe, who were approaching from behind.
"Good evening, Auntie!" the twins greeted in perfect unison, their voices filled with warmth.
"Oh, my dears, come give Auntie a hug!" Brione beckoned them over with open arms, and the girls happily obliged.
Though they weren't bound by blood, the close bond between the Harold twins and Alexandra had long since made them feel like family.
"You're heading to Tishir Market, I presume?" Brione asked, glancing at the prepared carriage, large enough to comfortably seat the three young women.
"Mm-hmm," Alexandra confirmed with a nod. "We'll be back soon, Mama." She kissed her mother on the cheek once more before they all climbed into the carriage.
The vehicle, pulled by three powerful horses, set off toward the bustling market.
"What kind of dress are you thinking of buying, Cloe?" Cleo asked as they settled into their seats.
Cloe tapped her chin thoughtfully before replying, "I'm not sure. I'll probably pick whatever suits me." Her gaze shifted toward Alexandra, who was focused on scribbling on a parchment she had brought along. "What are you working on, Alex?" she asked curiously.
"Oh! That's right, I didn't ask," Cleo chimed in, blinking in realization. "You know you're expected to perform a skill at the bride-picking ceremony, right? What are you going to do?"
Alexandra glanced up from her parchment, her eyes gleaming with determination. "I'm thinking of sword dancing," she said, resting the feathered quill against her cheek in contemplation.
The twins exchanged a glance, their eyebrows raised in surprise.
"Sword dancing?" Cleo repeated with a sigh. "Isn't that a bit... 'too for men'?" Sword dancing was a rare art, mastered by few women, but Alexandra was among those few.
Both Alexandra and her brother had been taught the art by their late uncle, a master of sword dancing. The siblings had developed a deep love for the skill, and Alexandra had grown to excel at it, even surpassing her brother, though never quite reaching her uncle's level of mastery.
"They said we need to showcase a skill, didn't they?" Alexandra rolled her eyes. "Sword dancing is a skill, and it's the one I'm best at. What's wrong with that?"
Cleo shook her head in exasperation. "It's just... it's not the usual thing a lady would perform in front of the court. I'm just saying."
"I'm going to sword dance for the King and the other nobles," Alexandra said with a shrug. "If they don't like it, then all the better. At least I'll be sure the Crown Prince won't choose me."
She then held up the parchment she had been working on. It was a sketch of the Daghla, a rare and ornate dress designed specifically for sword dancers.
"I plan to find this at the market," she added. "If I can't, I'll have my mother's seamstress make it for me."
"Mm, I doubt you'll find one easily," Cloe murmured, studying the drawing. "It's incredibly rare these days. You'd be lucky to find even a scrap of fabric like that."
She sighed and leaned back in her seat. "But honestly, Alex, you're good at so many other things. Why sword dancing? I mean, just look at your drawing. You could captivate anyone with your art alone."
"I'm not trying to captivate anyone," Alexandra replied with a determined glint in her eye. "I'm doing what I love."
Cloe let out a long breath. "Fine, fine. I won't discourage you. You're right—you're brilliant at sword dancing too. Just... be careful, alright?"
Alexandra gave a small, confident smile as she looked at her sketch again. "Is it really that strange for me to want to sword dance?" she asked, more to herself than to her friends.
No matter the doubt cast by others, once Alexandra set her mind on something, there was no turning back. She would sword dance, whether anyone approved or not.