"So when I was dancing with Aurelian…" I began, and then explained exactly what had happened.
Cassia and Lysandra listened with rapt attention. Cassia seemed to harbor mixed feelings about the tale, while Lysandra was clearly displeased to hear it.
"So, what do you think I should do?"
I asked in a low voice. Cassia leaned back in her chair, exhaling slowly as she processed everything.
"Ohh, that Aurelian. He really has started taking a liking to you," Cassia said, then added, "If you ask me, you should go and find out."
She spoke with quiet confidence. Lysandra and I exchanged glances, clearly not expecting her to say that. He was the man she had been paired with, after all. Yes, she didn't want it and the arrangement had been canceled, but still.
"What are you saying?" Lysandra asked in my defense, her hand gesturing with evident confusion.
"I mean, Lucia is beautiful, pure, and elegant. And Aurelian is a man—men are gross, disgusting."
Yes, Lysandra, tell Cassia exactly what I am. I didn't know why she was complimenting me so lavishly, but I would gladly accept every word.
"No, Aurelian isn't. And control yourself. You don't even know him."
Cassia replied, crossing her arms firmly. Lysandra simply looked down, as though Cassia had shattered her heart in some quiet, unexpected way.
"I'm sorry, Lucia. She has OCD and doesn't like men because she thinks men don't bother to clean themselves."
"Ohhh," Cassia said, and that was… Alright, I chose to say nothing. But I hadn't expected this from Lysandra.
"Haha, the thought of Lysandra beating her husband in the future because he didn't wash his hands is so funny. A single kiss would probably kill the poor guy."
Cassia laughed, resting her arm casually on Lysandra's shoulder. The contact made Lysandra blush fiercely; she hid her face in embarrassment. Beating her husband? I would love to see that.
"Why do you think I should go?" I asked, resting my head on the table.
"Well, because..." Cassia began, her gaze drifting into thought. She added, "He hasn't acted this way before."
Cassia paused, and I hung on every word she was about to utter. She continued.
"He always acts so serious and rarely smiles. He doesn't even show much interest in women, but all of that is different now... I mean, he is from a family of lawyers."
Lawyer? Yes—he was tier-one royalty. I had forgotten that detail. And that was exactly what he had meant when he said, "How did I forget about what I'm going to become."
His words had been so out of character before I pointed it out. Cassia continued, carefully searching through her thoughts.
"His family is tier one, and if you marry him, you will live a good life. Alright, I'm thinking like my parents now. I should stop."
"Yes, you were talking like an annoying adult," I said with a nod. "Now what do I do..."
Cassia pressed her temple, massaging it with guilty fingers.
"I take that back. Don't ask me why—you already know. Maybe. Just… don't go."
Cassia spoke with a faint thread of tension in her voice. I knew exactly what she meant, and that was precisely what I had wanted to hear. Yet satisfaction refused to settle in my chest. I said nothing, simply remaining quiet for a long moment.
"Ahhh, now I feel like I should go."
I delivered the words in an overly dramatic, annoyed tone. Cassia shot me an intense look, clearly wondering what on earth I was plotting.
"Lucia! Are you on your period?"
Cassia asked. I simply stared at her blankly for a second, then nodded slowly with a tired expression. She pressed her temple again.
"Then I'm not going to say anything, or you'll blame me if anything happens. Go if you want."
Cassia spoke casually, almost dismissively. Why wouldn't she say anything? I needed her help too. The mood swings were creeping in again. I shouldn't make her worry—she was already enduring enough today.
"I still think you shouldn't go," Lysandra said in a censoring voice. I ignored it.
"Can you two... maybe come with me? Watch me from a distance."
I asked, my voice laced with need. To my surprise, Cassia nodded with a simple, "Yes, fine. I will go." She wasn't even mad about it.
"Thank you so much."
I cheered up instantly, lifting my head from the table with a bright giggle. I could tell, however, that Lysandra was far from happy with my decision.
It was time for dinner to begin. Soon the Viremont family, the D'Arthemont family, and my own joined us at the grand main dinner table.
After Cassia had mentioned Aurelian coming from a family of lawyers, I saw the resemblance clearly. Mr. and Mrs. D'Arthemont looked every bit as classy as their son in their light-absorbing black clothing. They didn't seem particularly bothered by the cancellation of the marriage announcement. Then again, they were royals from a higher tier than mine. If they were acting, it was frightening—very frightening.
Mr. Viremont, however, was brightening Cassia up as though she were twelve years old again. I guessed he was feeling guilty for forcing a marriage announcement on his daughter so soon. And Cassia seemed glad that her father had finally realized what she truly did not want.
Aurelian sat directly across from me, flanked by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. D'Arthemont. He wasn't even looking at me, as though deliberately granting me the space to make my decision. In truth, the way he avoided my gaze only made the choice harder. I was still overthinking every possibility.
My parents sat beside me on the left, whispering something to each other.
"What are you two lovebirds trying to hide?"
I asked teasingly. The moment the words left my lips, I felt Mother Elowen's fingers clamp onto my ear and tug sharply. "Ouch!" She released it just as quickly and giggled, as if the entire exchange were perfectly normal and natural.
"Your father was simply curious about your experience with the dance, but he felt a little shy to ask."
Mother Elowen explained with a comforting smile, then turned toward Father.
"I'm just worried, that's all."
He was concerned, after all. Both Mother Elowen and I had been approached by so many men that evening. That would worry any husband, and I knew exactly how to soothe him.
"Don't worry, Father. I got tired, so I simply sat on the stairs and rested."
I said softly, slipping effortlessly into the role of Father's princess. He brightened instantly. "Are you feeling alright?" he asked politely. I nodded with a warm smile.
"I'm just feeling hungry, that's all."