10 Leaving for the Fief (2/2)
Chalice went to her parents and hugged them both.
”I'll be going now, Papa, Mama.” Lyana hugged her back while Alaric ruffled her hair.
”Be safe.” He said softly to which Chalice returned with a smile. She proceeded to hug Lucy and then turned away.
Chalice headed to the carriage, her slim yet unrelenting back faded into the sunshine. She did not look back. In her mind, she vowed that after three years she would set this capital ablaze.
--
Dainty sounds of instruments in harmony with people's scattered laughter echoed throughout the Palace walls. A ball was held in honour of Her Majesty the Empress. Members of the aristocrats, ministerial families, and even the nouveau riche were present to pay their respects. This also gave them the chance to widen their connections.
Lucy was a bit fidgety. It has been a very long time since she last went to a ball like this. She had almost forgotten it. She wanted to forget it. The blinding lights of huge chandeliers, the grating noise of the orchestra, and the suffocating, gratuitous smiles of scheming people.
'No, you can't be like this Luciana. Chalice is counting on you. Steel yourself like before. This is a battle you can't lose.'
She chided herself.
”Lucy, dear. Are you alright? Are you ready?”
Lucy felt the warm hands of Duchess Lyana. It gave her comfort and courage to endure.
”I'm alright, god mother. I'm ready.” she answered the woman.
”Very well, let's go now.”
Lyana held her husbands hand and gestured for Lucy to follow. She walked behind the couple as they entered the ballroom.
”Announcing the arrival of His Excellency, the Prime Minister Duke Alaric Silvann de Amaranth with his wife Duchess Lyana Charlotte de Amaranth, and their god daughter Lucy de Solaris.”
Murmurs suddenly burst through the crowd when they heard the introduction. The guests looked forward to the arrival of the Prime Minister, second only to how much they look forward to the arrival of the royal family. However, this particular one caught the attention of many. The young lady of the Amaranth House was absent.
Although, it was an open secret in the capital that the daughter of Duke Amaranth was trampled by the crown prince's horses due to the former disrespecting the latter by chasing after him. There has been no news of the Lady Chalice's being reprimanded. Though, it seemed that her absence today was proof enough of that. And just who is the girl that was announced as their God Daughter? Why was she brought here?
The people tried to steal glances at the young lady following the Duke and Duchess. Since she was behind them, all they could see was a head of auburn hair. They waited in bated breaths until the girl revealed herself in their line of sight.
She was beautiful, the pure and gentle type. She walked lightly, flitting like the cherry blossoms of spring. Her auburn hair which were almost a shade of red framed her delicate face, creating a stark contrast to her glimmering ocean blue eyes.