Chapter 21: The Imperial Ball (2)

'It seemed like anything could be sorted out if we all just sat down and had tea,' Arisanna happily thoughted. She took her hundredth sip, clearly enjoying herself.

The other two didn't touch their cups as much, only taking a sip every now and then. They seemed to have reached a conclusive agreement of never being able to understand her love for tea. Perhaps it was more commonly associated with a formality rather than a genuine liking.

As the days passed on, the night of the imperial ball was slowly coming. Arisanna had written a letter replying to the invitation, as well as a formal announcement of the presence. However, she deliberately left out any other details that would mention Cecilia, hoping to discuss them once they got there.

As one would expect, the imperial ball would be a significant event that would never be refused. Only an idiot would not attend an event hosted by those currently in power.

Despite the pressure it may give, Arisanna wasn't particularly worried or scared of attending. If anything, she viewed it as a vacation rather than a chore that she must do. Their family hasn't been back to the capital in a long while, probably due to not having a legitimate reason to go to the capital.

She had been keeping up with the news of the capital, including all the rumors and gossip about Emberlynn Levin. It wouldn't come as a surprise people had spread gossip about her. She was a figure who was known for her terrible attitude at events after all. Once she mysteriously stopped without any dramatic announcement, it would most definitely invoke the curiosity of the people. People had been pinning the Levin household for an answer to her mysterious disappearance, which was fair. In response, they would come up with ridiculous excuses such as 'she is currently feeling ill' or 'she is currently not in the capital'. Of course, no one would buy it, they all knew full well they would have never told the truth. The people pressing them was just a past-time, something did on the surface.

Therefore, people took it upon themselves to make up their own creative answers that stemmed from the figs of their imagination. 'She is probably living in seclusion', one would say. 'No, she must have upset them somehow, they wouldn't endure her for too long', another commented. 'They definitely disowned her!'

These were all very entertaining to hear, and Arisanna couldn't help but laugh at a few of them. However, she doubt anyone would guess she left on her own will looking to take down her own household. Not due to arrogance but because she was fed up with how they treated her. Also, the fact that she went through an incredible shift in personality, completely destroyed the mask she once wore.

That was why Arisanna secretly looked forward to the imperial ball. She wanted to see how Cecilia would bring the household down while shaming the social scene in the process.

But that was beside the point. They had important business to attend to while there. They would most likely meet after the ball was finished, just in case any prying ears were present.

So, as she deals with the onslaught of dress fitting, she now waited for the ball that was about to commence.

***

The bustling city that was the capital. Every day, chatter could be heard aimlessly throughout each crevice of the city.

Bridgette was raised and born here, under the might that was her family. She was extremely cared for. From feeding her by hand to careful supervision whenever she went out, she was touched by those who stuck with her growing up.

She was no longer a child that once roamed these halls. She was neither the toddler who would disrupt the knights at practice nor the little girl who relentlessly teased the maid staff. She was a princess, carrying the burden that comes with the role.

Like her brothers, she had the right to fight for the throne. The thought of someone becoming next in line scared her. She could only glimpse at the responsibility she would be handling. Not sure of what was the root cause, she bore her emotions and pushed them deep down.

When she officially grew out of being a child, she started her campaign despite being at a young age. A teenager spoke in front of a crowd for the first time. A teenager spoke of change and promises. A teenager established a faction of her own, trying to constantly prove her worth in front of the public's eyes.

She stomached it, through and through. It was her life's role, she was born to become this, someone who fought for succession to the throne. Shaped and molded by her community, she never questioned it and automatically assumed the role.

Was it lonely? Yes. Was it frightening? Yes. Walking every day afraid of making the slightest mistake was difficult. Maybe she was taking it too hard, she would comfort herself. Maybe she was just taking reality too literally, she would say.

A child wasn't given normal child needs. She was cared for, she was loved, and she was incredibly privileged, yet the normal things a child would normally have were things that couldn't be given. She had to obtain them by her own means. But where would she start?

She wasn't like her brothers, they had actual talent. She was a mere candidate for those who didn't know who to support. For those who didn't want to support either her brothers.

Bridgette genuinely admired her brothers. One was smart while the other was strong. One could wield mana while the other wielded the sword, These traits were so astounding, and incredibly difficult to harness, she was almost jealous. But there was a fine line between jealousy and admiration. She didn't want to take the throne and only wanted to hand it to her siblings. That thought resonated with her. She may be a coward for thinking so. She may be running away from a responsibility she refused to admit. But that was for her to deal with.

At least, one of the things she did manage to obtain was a friend. Maybe more than just one friend.

She knew her cousin of the North had friends who were to assume the role of his aide in the near future. They were a pair of siblings, a girl and a boy.

"They probably will start training soon right?" she asked her cousin.

"No, they have started early on, maybe around the age when you started to formally socialize," he would reply.

"Is that so?"

"Well, they had a duty to fulfill. It's like you and me."

"It must be nice to have someone to accompany you while training."

"Well, they get heated at some point. But, I guess it's just the nature of siblings."

For once, she felt envious. They sounded so normal, despite being born to take a responsibility set out for them from birth. It must be because they had each other, she would logically reason. She wanted a childhood like theirs, warm and never alone.

Don't get her wrong, she loved her brothers. They never let their rivalry come in between their relationships. But that too is a fine line.

That was why she anticipated their meeting when there was the news they were going to come for her coming-of-age ball.

Her first impressions were simple. She thought they were kids. Not in a bad way, but kids who should rightfully act their age. As she converses and saw their shy appearance, she thought they were like the child of any other noble household.

Well, they were talented for sure. The boy, Reynold, managed to beat her older brother. While his sister, Arisanna, was politely conversing and handled everything very well.

The reality was torn right before her eyes as a small butterfly sparked color into her life. The series of actions that followed brought up forgotten emotions and longing. She knew. She knew they would get along very well. She had a great time conversing with Ari a few minutes before after all. She then realized, they stood on equal footing. They started the same, just had a different attitude to it.

They both started to exchange frequent letters. Those little exchanges would always make her day, and her mood exceptionally got better as she would read a letter from each sibling. She particularly found it surprising she and Reynold hit it off quite well. They became close, very close. She would tell them anything and everything about her.

Her burdens slowly started to lighten. She no longer views them as burdens anymore. After hearing of their dedication to assume their roles, she also wanted to try, even if it wasn't something she dearly loved. She wanted to give the whole ruling duty an actual shot, an actual effort to make the empire better than her brothers.

She was after all not alone. She was never alone. It just took her a little mishap to realize it.

Imagine her surprise when a well-known villainess was courted by her cousin who had no interest in other women.

'What exactly did they do?'