Seraphiell
"Now, let's go get some wine." I smile at Lucas who is still staring at me like I'm redemption itself. His tanned skin glows. A certificate of all the hard work he puts into training. He offers me his hand, and I take it and return to the ballroom. He excuses himself to get me a glass of wine. My feet are beginning to hurt in these annoying heels. I hear a familiar voice call me, "Seraphiell!" I spin on my heels knowing exactly who it is. No one except my father calls me by my name like that. Well, him and
"Melody. I didn't even know you were coming." I greet my long-time friend. Her maroon-coloured shoulder length hair and honey eyes are still the same. "Yeah, it's been a bit!" Marquis Pembroke's third child, not exactly known for following etiquette and tradition. The only friend I've had since childhood.
"I didn't want to come, but my siblings are out of the capital and house Salvator just had to send an invitation."
"Neither did I. But in my case, it was one of my brother's lousy attempts to embarrass me."
"Want me to get payback for you?" Mischief always followed this girl wherever she went. "What on earth do you plan on doing?" But I never complained. It was the only source of entertainment I got in my boring life. "Watch me." She smirks. She quickly spots Theodore across the hall and walks casually to the wine table. She walks past Lucas who is coming towards me with two glasses in his hand.
"Wasn't that lady Pembroke?"
"It was." He hands me a glass and I sip the wine. It's sweet. And the alcohol content is faint. He knows that I couldn't hold my liquor to save my life.
"What does she plan on doing?" He asks.
"I never know. But it always ends up making my day." She swiftly walks around Theodore, acting as though she hadn't noticed his presence. Did I mention he has a crush on her? After whispering something, the wine in his glass jumps in his face, drenching his hair and shirt. House Pembroke. The best water mages Aetherwyne can offer. His white shirt changes into the Kingdom colour, and people around do all they can to stifle their laughs. "Oh, dear. The wine was just so good, it seems I couldn't help myself." His blonde hair turns orange, and his face turns red. But his face isn't turning red because of the wine.
"Oh, no! Your highness, you're drenched!" Melody pretends to be surprised. I can see his embarrassment grow upon seeing his little crush.
"P-please excuse me, I'll go get cleaned up." He walked out of there as fast as a horse, but he wasn't going in the direction of the bathroom, he was leaving. Yes, go back home.
Melody came back looking like she just found a gold mine. "Tadaa!" She singsongs like she always does every time she wreaks havoc. It'd be nice to be so free.
A lovely sound fills the air. It's time to dance. Everyone starts pairing up and a swarm of boys come to ask me to. But before each one comes close, they withdraw looking like they just got death threats. I know my expression wasn't exactly welcoming, but- Oh! I turn around and see Lucas towering above me. He could practically be strangling them with his eyes.
"Would you like to dance, Lucas?"
"Excuse me?" He tilts his head.
"I asked if you would like to dance with me."
"I'm not exactly the best dancer..." He rubs the back of his neck nervously.
"Nonsense, it will be fine."
"Alright, your highness." He finally consents. We begin with a slow waltz. He puts his hand gently on the small of my back and leads my hand to his shoulder, then holds the other one. We move and sway into the melody like the song is just ours.
"I thought you said you couldn't dance."
"I never said that."
"So, what did you say?"
"I said I'm not the best of them. You're far better than I am."
"I'm royalty. It isn't exactly a choice." He whispers something. Something I can't make out at all. Before I have the chance to ask, he spins me. His touch is so gentle, as though I'm something he's trying hard not to break. "Lu-
I'm torn apart from my thoughts from a crashing sound. No, an explosion. There's smoke and dust everywhere and people are screaming and trying to find the nearest exits. 3, 5... 7 masked mages fight the guards screaming,
GIVE BACK WHAT YOU STOLE FROM US!
What could possibly have been stolen from you that you couldn't simply file a complaint of theft to the palace? Lucas quickly grabs me and takes me towards the edge of the ballroom. He casts a spell on his hand and punches the wall, sending it tumbling down without even breaking a sweat. He's about to pick me up when I scream, "No, Lucas! There are people still trapped inside; they could get killed!"
"Protecting you is my first priority, your highness!"
"And protecting my people is mine. The guards are losing, and some people are trapped under rubble. What kind of princess would I be if I just let them die?!" He's still anxious and sceptical. "Lucas, please. I'll be fine. You have to help them." He sighs and turns to face the chaos. "Give me 5 minutes."