The Emperor smiles brightly as he gestures for them to rise. "Thea, it's been ages!"
The Duchess shakes her head. "While it is not my place to correct how Your Majesty addresses me, throwing around silly nicknames at a formal banquet seems..."
The Empress sighs, "He never learns."
"Come now, Celestia. Can a friend not refer to another by their nickname?"
"Other than sounding utterly disgraceful, no there's nothing wrong."
As they bickered, Leander couldn't help but wonder how he hadn't known that Halycra and Montclair were closely acquainted. His eyes drifted over the Ducal family, when they met a pair of deep grays.
For a split second, he forgot who he was. But as he realizes who those gray eyes belong to...
His eyes snapped away immediately. Having nowhere to look, he lowered his head and stared at his white gloves.
Why are my hands trembling?
"Prince Leander has also grown a great deal since I last saw him." Leander groaned inwardly. It wouldn't be good for him if he ignores Duchess Montclair. Especially since she's the mother of...
What do you mean 'the mother of', Leander Halycra? She is a powerful ally to have. Nothing more.
He tried his utter best to try not to blush as he raised his head and met the Duchess' eyes. Strangely, she didn't seem as obnoxious. He didn't even feel any weird intentions as she made that remark.
"Yes. It's been very long since I last saw you, Duchess."
I do NOT sound as powerful and dominant as I should. What in the Lord's name are you doing, Leander?
The Duchess gave him a warm smile as the Emperor returned the comment. "I could say the same for Tia and John. John looks like he's a year away from inheriting the position of Duke."
They shared a laugh as Lee focused on his words.
Tia? This noble lady is called Tia?
"I suppose Artemesia has grown a lot too. Last I saw her, she was a young girl clinging to her mother's sleeve. Now, she herself is a grown and refined lady"
Ah... Artemesia is her name... Pretty...
"So, is Leander's situation any better? About the throne and things?"
"I'm afraid not. The boy refuses to get out of bed in the early mornings. It pains me to think how he would rule."
The Duchess sympathized with him, "Now now, Gregor. It's only a matter of time. Give the boy some space. He hasn't even entered his teens and you've already thrust upon him the ridiculous weight of the title."
The Empress sighed. "I told him the exact same thing when Lee was born. But he always says that it's better for him to know his responsibilities from a young age. Now look at what he grew into."
Out of the corner of his eye, Leander could see the young lady look at him.
What does she think of me? A childish prince? Or a careless ruler?
He pondered over the adults' words. Maybe they were right. Maybe it was time for him to grow into what he was born for.
But then, he caught himself.
What the actual heck, Leander? Are you serious? Are you sane? You want to take the huge responsibility of ruling the whole freaking empire, just for some girl?
His own words rung out in his head.
Some girl...
Was it this some girl that had him question his vow of never taking on the Emperor's title?
"God, I'm thinking too much." he mumbled to himself, rubbing his temple.
He cleared his throat loudly, catching everyone's attention, as he rose from his seat.
"Excuse me..."
He stepped down from the podium.
"Where are you going, Lee?" Thalia called out.
"To get some fresh air," he responded as he walked down.
"Can I come-"
"No." He passed the Duchess' Family without a word. But he felt a gaze on him and the lingering scent of lavender as walked out the ballroom and into a hallway.
. . .
A burst of fresh air escaped as the doors to the balcony swung open. Leander inhaled the scent of the flowers gratefully, his previous suffocation wearing away.
The space was not very spacious, but flowers hung from all four corners of the small square space and it was beautifully decorated, which gave the place a serene atmosphere.
He leaned against the railing, a cool breeze tickling his face, as he closed his eyes and appreciated the solitude.
A few moments passed, filled with the sounds of heavy breathing and leaves rustling.
"Haah... What did I do to deserve this...?"
"Nothing much, really."
He jumped, almost rolling over and falling off the balcony.
Artemesia gazed at the sun setting from the railing adjacent to his, brown hair fluttering in the cool breeze. The remnants of the sun's rays casted orange hues on her pale face, making her calm expression feel warm somehow.
Leander fumbled with himself, straightening the front of his shirt and fixing his hair.
"L-Lady Montshire- Montclair, I mean Montclair, yes. Lady Montclair, what brings you here?"
The ghost of a smile played at her lips, yet she refused to meet his eyes. "I was just answering your question."
"S-sorry?"
"You asked about what you had done to deserve this. I was merely stating the obvious. Fate has its own cruel ways of playing with us, don't you think?"
As the words slipped out of her lips gracefully, her beautiful gray eyes finally met Leander's, and he felt like the world was closing in on him.
"You were staring at me quite intently earlier. I was wondering if I had something on my face."
He tears his gaze away, flustered, as he tries to remember he has hands and he doesn't know what to do with them. "I-I.. No- Don't get the wrong meaning, I was just, um.. Observing, yes. I was just observing a new face."
This time, the Lady laughed.
Laughed.
Lee had been robbed of breath as the melodious sound filled his ears.
"You have quite a strange way of observing, I must admit."
Silence settled between them as the sunlight finally died down and the first of the stars were pricking out in the night sky.
"You handle them quite well. The adults I mean."
Leander's ears perked up at her voice, but didn't quite believe her. "Believe it or not, you're the first person in my entire life who has told me that."
"Well, I'm not joking. Even though you act childish, it seems almost... forced. I can sense that the inside of your head is beyond the age of 12, you just don't want it to be obvious."
Leander seemed taken aback. Was it?
"I'm not quite sure about that. "
"Well, I am."
Leander smiled. "Alright, fine. But you yourself act as if you are old enough to debut already."
"But I am nearing the age, so may as well do it before than after."
Hearing her say that, a question pops up in Lee's mind. In the Halycran Empire, a young man or woman must be 15 to 17 years old to debut.
"Hold on, how old are you?"
"I am presently 14, your highness."