The garden lay serene, the golden hues of the evening sun casting long shadows over the neatly paved paths.
Beyond the trimmed hedges, the academic buildings stretched out in full view, brimming with movement and anticipation.
The past few days had been a flurry of activity as students and staff worked tirelessly to prepare for the upcoming ball.
People moved back and forth, carrying large crates filled with decorations, their faces strained under the weight. Some balanced towering stacks of fabrics and banners, while others heaved massive floral arrangements through the entrance gates. Ladders stood tall against the entrance hall, where workers balanced precariously to hang shimmering garlands.
Students, eager to involve themselves in the spectacle, bustled about offering help. Though, many simply lingered, their idle chatter blending into the symphony of clinking glassware and shifting furniture.
Jane sat beneath the shade of an ivory gazebo at the garden's edge, surrounded by her closest circle of friends. From their vantage point, they had the perfect view of the unfolding chaos.
"I heard the orchestra this year will be from the Royal Conservatory," Lilith noted, adjusting the lace cuff of her sleeve.
"How fitting," Evangeline mused, her eyes bright with anticipation. "Dancing to their music will be absolutely divine."
Jane allowed herself a small smirk. "Dancing is secondary. What matters is making an impression."
Her friends exchanged knowing glances, a silent agreement passing between them.
Then, amid the sea of bustling figures, Jane spotted a familiar silhouette.
Celeste.
She moved with feigned innocence, her poised steps carrying her through the courtyard with practiced ease.
Jane's lips curled in distaste as she watched the girl weave through the crowd. "That girl," she muttered, "is always slinking around the boys. How utterly shameless."
Evangeline followed her gaze, then let out a quiet laugh. "She always looks polished, though. I suppose it's a perk of having a family that owns the most exclusive parlour. She gets access to the latest styles before they even hit the market."
Jane barely spared Celeste another glance. "Let her enjoy her little privilege. She won't even come close to our group at the ball."
The conversation shifted when they spotted Lucien, Theodore, and Kevin emerging from the auditorium doors.
Celeste had already made her way toward them, her soft laughter carried by the wind as she approached Theodore with calculated ease.
Theodore, ever the charmer, flashed a smile, the kind that made naive girls believe they were special. It was an expression Jane had long grown tired of.
She watched as Celeste responded, her voice light and coy.
Jane exhaled, a knowing smirk tugging at her lips. How utterly predictable.
"That poor, idiotic girl," she murmured, her smile widening. "She's walking straight into Theodore's game."
She tilted her head slightly, watching the interaction unfold.
Any girl who coveted something far beyond her place deserved the consequences of her actions. Celeste would be no exception.
Later that night, Jane stood before her towering full-length mirror, its gilded gold frame adorned with intricate floral carvings that swirled up to its arched top. Its polished surface reflected every detail of her poised figure as she lifted her chin higher, studying her own imposing stance.
The room was in a delightful mess, her enormous bed now entirely buried beneath a sea of fabric. Gowns lay scattered across the silk sheets, an array of colors and textures waiting for her final decision.
One by one, she held up the dresses against her frame. A sapphire-blue gown, regal and commanding. A crimson one, bold and fiery. A soft champagne-colored piece, understated yet elegant.
None of them would do.
She needed something perfect. Something that would command attention the moment she entered the ballroom.
Then, she found it.
A breathtaking black and gold gown. The bodice was adorned with delicate golden embroidery that cascaded like vines down the skirt. The dark fabric contrasted beautifully against her pale skin, giving her a look of undeniable refinement.
With a satisfied hum, she draped it over the dressing screen before turning to her vanity. Earrings glittered in delicate trays, brooches rested in velvet-lined boxes, and necklaces lay coiled like precious serpents waiting to be chosen.
She reached for an opulent diamond necklace, lifting it to her neck as she examined the way it gleamed under the light.
Then, a fleeting thought crossed her mind.
Evangeline's bracelet.
Jane let out a quiet sigh as she set down the necklace, already making a mental note to retrieve it tomorrow. If she didn't, she would undoubtedly forget again.
Her gaze flickered down to her hands.Though pristine, her nails were no longer flawless.
"I would need a manicure while I'm out." She declared.
With that settled, she moved on to her perfumes. She dabbed the faintest touch onto her wrist, inhaling the delicate notes.
Yes.
Celeste would learn her place.
And Jane would make sure of it.
- - - - - -
John stepped into Noah's room, the weight of a thick hardcover book in his hands. The title, Mai: A Pictorial History, was embossed in gold. It was a gift meant to make the boy's history lessons more engaging. But the moment he entered, the sight before him effortlessly stole his attention.
Noah was standing on a stool beside a wide table, his small frame clad in a pastel apron with a flower-shaped bib fastened at his chest. Tiny gloves covered his hands, though smudges of cream had still managed to find their way onto his sleeves. He was intently focused, a piping bag in hand as he carefully traced delicate patterns onto a half-decorated cake.
The air was warm with the scent of vanilla and butter, mingling with the faintest hint of citrus and almonds.
The cake was still in progress, its surface smoothed with layers of creamy frosting. Plates of garnishes surrounded the workspace: glossy candied fruits, finely chopped nuts, and sugar pearls glinting under the light. Bell stood beside him, assisting with the arrangements.
John took a step closer, his lips curving slightly. "What are you up to, little one?"
At the sound of his voice, Noah turned, his warm crimson eyes gleaming with excitement. "Uncle John!" he chirped in a cutesy voice.
With a bright look, he held up his piping bag triumphantly. "We're making a cake for Brother Lucien and his friends!"
John let out a quiet laugh, watching his nephew's eager expression. He looked just like a baby rabbit, all wide-eyed and brimming with innocent excitement.
Noah turned back to his work, humming softly as he carefully placed a candied pear slice onto the frosting, his small fingers trembling slightly in concentration.
"It'll taste super good!" he declared, puffing out his chest slightly.
John let out a quiet chuckle as he ruffled Noah's feathery locks.
After a beat, Noah hesitated, then glanced up at John with a nervous look. "Uncle…" he started tentatively, his voice small. "When you send Brother's presents… can you take this cake too?"
John blinked at the small request and the response came immediately, his voice gentle yet firm. "Of course. I'll make sure it gets to him safely."
Relief spread across Noah's face, and his shoulders relaxed, but before he could return to decorating, John added, "Actually, wouldn't you like to get your brother a gift, too? Something from you, apart from the cake?"
Noah tilted his head. "A… gift?"
John nodded. "You can pick anything you like. I'll be paying for it, so don't worry about the cost."
"A gift for Brother…"
His tiny fingers tapped his lips as he pondered the idea.
John couldn't help but be entertained by the myriad of expressions passing over the boy's face.
"I don't know what to buy…" Noah admitted softly. "I've never bought gifts before."
He lowered his gaze slightly, his fingers curling into the fabric of his apron.
Noah had never been in a position to give, he could only survive with what little he had. To him, the best gift one could receive was a warm meal after a long day. But Lucien was different. He already had everything. What could Noah possibly give him?
He wracked his brain for an answer. A long-lasting gift would be best… but what? A book? A pen? A coat? Lucien probably had dozens of those already.
Sensing the boy's growing distress, John gave his shoulder a reassuring pat. "You don't have to decide right away. Think about it until tomorrow, and we'll go buy something together."
Noah pursed his lips. "But… Brother's birthday is tomorrow. Won't it be too late?"
A knowing smile tugged at the corner of John's lips. "We'll be seeing Lucien for dinner tomorrow," he revealed.
Noah's eyes widened. "Really? I get to see Brother?!"
He was practically bouncing on his feet, his happiness too large for his small frame to contain. Then, before John could react, Noah threw himself forward, wrapping his small arms around John's torso.
The embrace was sudden but filled with genuine warmth.
John let out a quiet breath, his arms instinctively wrapping around the small boy.
At this point in time, Noah no longer hesitated to show his affections. His walls had long since crumbled, leaving only an open heart.
Noah gasped audibly as he noticed a small smear of white cream pressed against John's impeccably tailored coat.
He pulled back immediately, eyes wide in horror as he stared at the unintended mess. "Ah! I-I didn't mean to—"
John only laughed, wiping off the mess without a care. "It's fine, it's fine."
He reached down, cupping Noah's small face in his large hands, then pressed a kiss to his forehead.
Noah giggled, his previous worry melting away, and beamed up at him.
"Alright," John said as he stepped back, "you finish that cake with Bell. I'll be waiting to hear what you decide for Lucien's gift."
Noah nodded enthusiastically, determination sparkling in his eyes.
With that, John watched as the boy eagerly returned to his work, piping more cream onto the cake.
John stayed for a moment longer, simply observing, before quietly stepping away.