"Is it truly necessary to attend?" Ashkan asked Kadia, using a less-than-enthused tone.

She didn't move her gaze from the coach window. "In a sense, yes. Her Royal Highness, Princess Diamae has specifically requested your attendance. It is an honour for you to be invited."

"That doesn't explain why she would want us at her birthday party in the first place," he pointed out. "She's barely fifteen."

Kadia turned her head and looked at him with a serious face. "She is a princess. She is perfectly within her right to associate with whomever she wishes. And, more importantly, we have the opportunity to make a good impression. It would be quite gauche to refuse such an invitation."

He huffed a sigh. "I suppose..."

I leaned forward in my seat to join the conversation. "How long do we have to stay for? If it's going to be unbearable, I'd rather not stay all night."

Kadia raised an eyebrow. "We'll stay as long as the Princess wants us there. If you cannot bear the company of nobility for more than a few hours, then perhaps we need to work on your social skills."

I slumped back in my seat and looked at the ceiling of the carriage. It was going to be a long night. My gilded, perfectly handwritten letter of invitation was tucked neatly into my jacket pocket. Ashkan and Shaye had received identical ones. I'd read it so many times since I'd received it a week ago that I had most of it memorized.

Dear Your Luminary, Lady De Mavset

We hope this letter finds you well. On behalf of Her Royal Highness, Princess Diamae, it is our honour to inform you that you have been cordially invited to the Royal Palace of Winithas to celebrate the fifteenth anniversary of the Princess' birth. The festivities will take place on the eighteenth day of the twelfth month, and a dinner feast will be served promptly at eighteen hundred hours. There will also be music, dancing, and other diversions to enjoy.

Should you choose to attend, a coach will be sent to retrieve you from your residence at approximately seventeen hundred hours. Your attire will be designed and constructed prior to your arrival to ensure a cohesive aesthetic. Please send your confirmation letter as soon as possible. Her Highness is eager to receive your response.

Warmest regards,

Dalrya C. Sarton

Head of His Majesty's Social Affairs

Naturally, a letter from the castle was filled with formal jargon, but the sentiment was clear. Princess Diamae wanted us to attend her party, and I effectively had no choice but to accept. I'd only met her once before, briefly at the Nyvar Festival, so I wasn't sure why she'd want us three at her birthday celebration. I figured she thought of us as pseudo-celebrities.

"What kind of outfits do you suppose they've made for us?" Shaye wondered aloud. "It would be nice if they were comfortable."

Ashkan crossed his arms. "It's never about being comfortable. It's about being showy."

"The palace is always trying to prove its superiority through its opulence," Kadia added. "Her Highness has chosen a theme of black and white this year. The royal tailors are the best in the realm, and fashion is already of great import in Winithas, so expect to be dressed extravagantly."

Shaye's nose crinkled slightly. "Hopefully, there will be plenty of chairs..."

I wasn't exactly looking forward to the celebration. It would be full of haughty nobles who believed their social status and money were reflections of their inherent worth. It was a tiresome game I'd never had the patience for, so I would do what was necessary and leave. I was only going because the Princess had requested my presence.

The coach rattled slightly as the horses slowed. I glanced out the window at the outskirts of the neighbouring town. A small crowd had gathered to watch us pass, and children waved and called to the driver. Kadia and Ashkan were watching them, too. Shaye kept her attention on the road ahead, her eyes distant.

We took a right turn, and the palace's majestic form came into view. It sat atop a towering hill, connected to the rest of Nelorismel by a giant stone bridge. The hill dropped off sharply into steep cliffs from most angles, and a dark, dense forest could just barely be seen below. I recognized the castle's ice-blue spires and silvery-grey exterior.

Our coach was lined up behind a few others in a procession across the bridge. I was surprised at how short the line was. We parked quickly, and the door was opened for us by a pair of footmen. Kadia and Shaye exited first, followed by Ashkan. I made sure to hold my duster coat close to my body as I stepped out. If I could help it, I wasn't going to make a fool of myself at this party.

Once the four of us were out, we made our way toward the main entrance, passing through the enormous gates. We walked by many frozen fountains and frosted blooms before approaching two armoured guards flanking the massive front doors. Their expressions were hidden by gleaming helmets, but they nodded once they saw Kadia.

The doors swung open, and a gust of warm air from the interior of the palace greeted us. My breath no longer formed misty clouds in front of me. We must've been early because the only people around were staff. As far as I could see, the entire interior had swapped its grey and pastel blue tones for black and white. The entry hall was a vast space with vaulted ceilings, marble flooring, and a grand, X-shaped staircase. Garlands of white flowers and black ribbons hung on the walls, and the windows were lined in black silk. Matching drapery was twisted around bannisters and railings. Several maids were busy levitating black lanterns to hang from the chandeliers, and footmen were rolling white and black carpet runners along the floor. Silver candelabras had already been placed on tables, and I watched more staff scurry to light them. White and black roses were artfully arranged in some of the corners.

A young woman in a crisp uniform approached us. She curtseyed deeply, then looked up at us. "Welcome, Your Luminaries; Captain Lowell. Excellent timing. We're almost ready for the evening's celebrations. If you'll follow me, we have a private dressing room prepared for you to get changed in."

"Thank you, Yulianna," Kadia replied. "We're quite grateful for your assistance."

She gave a smile, then spun on her heel and began walking briskly towards the X-shaped staircase. I had to pick up the pace in order to not fall behind. To work for the King, it seemed you had to be lightning-fast at everything. Once we reached the top, Yulianna continued her swift pace, leading us down a hall decorated in the same theme. As we passed through the various corridors, the staff's frantic work continued. They were a whirlwind of activity, and I didn't envy them one bit.

After ascending a spiral staircase at the end of a third corridor, Yulianna led us down yet another hallway. Finally, she halted at a door, and she held out a hand. "Here we are. Your Luminaries, your garments await you inside. As we are on a schedule, please kindly make haste, and be ready before the next hour." She then turned to Kadia. "Captain, I assume you've been notified that your attire is awaiting you in your chamber."

"I have," she answered. "I'll see to it right away." Kadia bowed her head, then took off down a different hall.

Yulianna continued, "I shall stand outside the door and attend to you as you dress. Do not hesitate to call upon me for any reason. Afterwards, the hair and makeup artists will come to style you. I'm sure the Princess is very much looking forward to seeing you all." With that, she unlocked the door and pushed it open, allowing the three of us to step inside, then closed it behind us.

It wasn't a huge room, but it was spacious enough to comfortably house five large dressing screens and a couple of dressers. The screens were painted with beautiful scenery of wintry landscapes. The back wall held a giant mirror, and the floor was made of polished hardwood. Not a speck of dust or dirt could be seen anywhere. The entire room was perfectly tidy from top to bottom. Several tall windows looked over the cliffside and the forest, bordered by heavy curtains. There was a small, round table with three chairs in the corner, as well as a low table near the door. On it sat a crystal pitcher of ice water, three glasses, and a silver platter filled with cheese, bread, and fruit.

"Well, this is very fancy," I said, pouring myself a glass of water. It was freezing cold, but refreshing.

Ashkan eyed the charcuterie, picked up a cube of cheese, and popped it in his mouth. "Everything's perfect, as usual. Perhaps it was greedy of me to assume we'd have separate rooms to change in, though."

Shaye laughed. "The screens are long and quite opaque. I think you'll survive."

Three of five of the dressing screens had heavy garment bags hanging from them. Finding the one labelled with my name, I went behind it and began undressing. Once I was stripped down to my undergarments and my clothes were tucked away on a nearby shelf, I unzipped the bag and pulled the contents out one by one.

First, there was a pair of sheer, black tights. They were stretchy but still felt like gossamer against my skin. Next, I reached in and fished out a pair of black, opera-length gloves. Small diamond embellishments glittered from their trim, and matching droplets hung from the upper arms, resembling crystalline raindrops. Lastly, I retrieved the final piece: a white, strapless column gown with a straight neckline, made from the finest silk. Its fabric shimmered subtly like moonlight. The waist was cinched and adorned with the same diamond detailing as the gloves. The back had a slit running from the hem to the back of my knees, which would make it easier to move in, but I had a feeling this wasn't a dress made for moving much in. For jewelry, I got a short necklace made of stringed diamonds, alongside matching stud earrings.

"My stars!" Shaye exclaimed from behind her own screen. "I think I'm in love... I don't even want to know how much this cost to fabricate."

I could practically hear Ashkan rolling his eyes. "You know, if royalty really wanted to make a good impression, they'd stop spending so much on lavish outfits and events."

"Well, this isn't your birthday party," she retorted.

He scoffed. "Thank the gods for that."

"Did we get shoes, too?" I asked, changing the subject. "I can't find mine."

"Yes, there should be a box underneath the bag," Shaye replied.

I felt around the floor, and sure enough, there was a small box. I slid it out and opened the lid. Inside were a pair of glossy, black pumps. I cringed. They had pointed toes and stiletto heels, which had to be about five inches tall. I wondered if they were thin and sharp enough to hurt someone. They were definitely precarious enough to hurt me. So, I refused to put them on until I absolutely had to. The palace tailors really had another idea of fun.

Before I was even half-dressed, Ashkan was already done, and a woman entered the room to style his hair. Her work was complete within minutes, and she left just as quickly as she'd arrived. Ashkan left too, stating he wanted to go for a stroll.

Shaye and I spent longer getting ready. She helped zip up my gown, and I returned the favour. She wore a short, ruffly, white lace dress with a fitted, velvet black jacket overtop. The light coat extended into a train, was trimmed with ruffles, and had puffy sleeves that ended in flowy flares. Her tights were similar to mine but had tiny diamonds sewn into them, and the white d'Orsay heels on her feet were even higher than mine. Despite that, she didn't seem the least bit fazed or unbalanced. I can't say I was surprised – I swear Shaye was born wearing pointe shoes. Her fingers had a few cocktail rings on them, and her ears twinkled with small hoop earrings.

"Wow," I said, stepping back. "You look amazing."

She smiled. "Thank you. So do you! The shape of the gown really suits you."

There was a knock at the door, and a man poked his head inside. "Pardon me, are you ready for hair and makeup?"

I looked to Shaye, and she nodded. "We are."

The man bowed his head, then stepped inside, followed by the same woman from earlier. "Wonderful. Please, take a seat."

We sat in chairs at the back, and the two began fussing over us, talking about how lovely our outfits were and how they'd be styling us. It was mostly meaningless chatter, but it was clear they were skilled at their craft. In about fifteen minutes, my hair was tied at the back of my head into a complicated knot, with a few long waves hanging down my shoulder blades. Dark, smoky eyeliner lined the outer corners of my eyes, and my lips were painted with a soft pink gloss. Shaye's curls were left loose and voluminous but were pushed back by a black satin headband. Her eyelids were a shimmery silver colour, while her lips were stained a faint magenta. We were spritzed with a few pumps of sweet-smelling perfume, and were deemed finished.

As we stood up, Shaye gave herself a twirl. "What do you think?"

"I love the headband," I said, smiling. "It really draws attention to your face. I bet you'll catch some eyes."

"I hope not," she laughed.

Right as the artists walked out of the room, Kadia strode in, decked out in a black pantsuit with a white, button-up blouse and a matching ascot. A silver brooch sparkled from her lapel, and her long hair was slicked back into a chic twist. The look was refined and slightly edgy, perfect for her.

"Hello," she said, giving us a once-over. "You both look fantastic."

"So do you!" Shaye chirped. I nodded in agreement.

"Thank you," she replied, smoothing down the collar of her blouse. "Well, are we ready?"

"I just need about five minutes," I said, heading behind the screen again to find my gloves and shoes. "I'll meet you out there."

"We'll see you soon," Shaye told me.

Once the two left the room, I picked up my gloves and slipped them on. My arms felt bare, and the air was somewhat cooler in this room than in others, so they were comforting. They were clearly made with quality materials because they clung to my skin perfectly, not bunching up or stretching out. It was as if I'd been sewn into them.

Sighing, I picked up my heels next. It was now or never. I slid my right foot into one, and kneeled down to adjust the back, but the bodice of my gown prevented me from leaning over properly. Frustrated, I decided to sit instead, which worked better. I wiggled my toes to make sure the shoe fit well. Then, I repeated the process with my left foot. They definitely looked stylish, at least.

I stood up and instantly lost my balance. I had to grip the edge of the screen for support. My legs wobbled like a newborn fawn's. Not wanting to risk a fall, I sat down on the floor again. There had to be some way to make these work. My brain began churning with ideas. Would Yulianna even know how to solve this?

But before I could come up with anything, the door opened again. I froze, waiting to hear who'd entered.

"Brielle?" Ashkan's voice rang out after a second. "...Are you in here?"

"Yeah, I'll be right out," I called.

From where I sat behind the screen, I heard Shaye say something unintelligible to him from far down the hall.

"Busy...! ...No, I've got it. Meet you there." The door clicked shut. "Ah, sorry," he apologized. "Not to rush you. I got a bit lost, so I wasn't sure if you lot were still in here."

I smirked. "How'd you manage that?"

"Well, the corridors all look the same. And so do the doors." I heard him start pacing around the room.

"Fair enough," I said, trying to keep myself from laughing. However, my grin quickly faltered as I nudged my focus back to my wretched shoes. I kept pulling them off and on again, wondering if a different angle would make them more bearable. Nothing I tried seemed to work. I was hunched over unnaturally like a goblin thanks to my gown's structure, while Ashkan undoubtedly looked like a model. I didn't even have to see him to know.

"Um," he said after a minute or so of this. "Are you all right back there?"

"I'll figure it out," I told him, hoping he'd drop the topic.

"Brie." He'd stopped pacing.

"Yes?"

"Is there a problem?"

"...No."

"That's not very convincing."

I felt a spike of embarrassment. It wasn't like I'd asked to be given impossible stilettos, but it was still a little humiliating to not be able to move in them. All I had to do was walk, not run, or dance. That couldn't be too difficult.

Ashkan continued, "Is your outfit fitting correctly? Or perhaps it isn't very comfortable? Shaye mentioned you don't have sleeves... The castle can get pretty drafty, especially at this time of year. I'm sure you could ask the tailors to– "

"Ashkan, seriously, it's fine," I interrupted.

"...Okay. If you say so," he said slowly. I could tell he didn't believe me. "But you know," he went on, "you could be more selfish if you wished. Maybe you don't have to wear what they gave you."

"And give the Queen a stroke? No, thank you," I huffed.

He laughed quietly. "Very well. Then, I don't want to invade your privacy. I'll see you–"

"W-Wait," I blurted out before I could stop myself. I could feel my face start to burn.

Ashkan's footsteps grew nearer. "Hm?"

"Can you, um..." I swallowed, the words not wanting to leave my lips. "Can you help me up?"

"...Up?" he echoed, his tone confused but attentive.

I nodded, then remembered he couldn't see me. "Yeah. I can't really...stand," I clarified. There was a brief pause. I could now see Ashkan's shoes from the crack between the floor and the bottom of the screen.

"Did you hurt yourself?"

I wanted to crawl under a rock and stay there forever. "No, I didn't. It's...these shoes. The heels are really high; higher than I'm used to. It's like walking on needles."

"That sounds vile," he said. "Well, I'll... I have to..."

My cheeks flushed brighter. "Yeah, I'm fully dressed," I said quickly, trying not to think about the fact that he might've possibly just imagined me in some state of undress.

"Right. That's– Okay." I watched his feet turn and start walking towards the side of the screen. Just like that, he appeared from around the corner, and his eyes widened. His lips parted, but no sound came out.

I stared back at him, equally stunned. I first noticed that his shoes were actually boots with silver hardware. He wore black velvet trousers, black silk fingerless gloves, a white tuxedo vest with black lapels, and a long tuxedo jacket overtop with an inversed colour scheme. Underneath the vest was a white collared shirt and a shiny black cravat. Draped across his right shoulder was a sumptuous black cape lined with white fur. A tiny string of diamonds ran across his chest, disappearing into the jacket's breast pocket. His hair was styled back and away from his face, making his features more pronounced. I couldn't remember a time where I'd seen his entire face, completely unobscured. And I also couldn't remember a time when he'd looked more handsome.

I realized that this was probably the longest we'd ever maintained eye contact. He'd always been the one looking away, but now it was my turn. I tore my gaze aside, embarrassed, and focused on my lap. I was sitting with both legs bent to one side, the skirt of my gown pooled around me. My hands rested on the floor to help me stay upright.

"Sorry you had to see this," I muttered.

"Don't be," Ashkan replied, snapping out of a stupor. He kneeled down next to me. "Well, I can't just leave you here to suffer, can I?"

I shrugged. "I suppose you could. I'd find a way out."

His head dropped forward as he let out a laugh. "Not an option. Let's get you standing."

"It won't be easy," I warned him. "My ankles are like mashed potatoes."

"I can work with that," he said, sticking his arms out.

I inhaled and braced myself, then reached for his hands. Ashkan stood up first, and in one swift movement, he lifted me up with him. As I'd predicted, my legs wobbled and trembled. I felt like a giraffe, all lanky and coltish.

Ashkan's mouth curved into a faint smirk. "Wow. Those really are stilts."

"It's not funny," I retorted.

"It's a little funny," he said, a laugh threatening to escape. He let go of my hands and took a step back. "Try walking now. One foot in front of the other."

I took a deep breath, then tried to walk in the direction of the mirror. One step, two steps. Okay, this wasn't too bad. I kept going. Three steps. Four. The shoes themselves weren't painful; it was the fact that my entire body weight was concentrated on two tiny points. Five steps. Six. My feet were almost shoulder width apart, and my knees were slightly bent, the kind of stance you'd enter when learning to ice skate. Whatever the exact opposite of elegant was, that's what I looked like. Seven steps. Eight.

"Well," Ashkan began, sounding amused. "I think you're doing great. Before you know it, you'll be strutting down the halls."

"Not within the fifteen minutes I have left." I turned around to face him, and nearly toppled over doing just that. "This is a disaster."

"No, it's not. I'll walk with you."

I crossed my arms. "All night? Really?"

"Really," he replied simply. "I won't leave you here, so, we have two options. Either you go barefoot, or you let me assist you."

I was quiet for a moment, considering this. People would instantly notice if I lacked shoes. Neither choice was free of awkwardness, however. "It would be so annoying for you, though. You'd have to stick near me all night."

"You'll hardly be the only person hanging onto somebody. Besides, you'd do the same for me if I were in a similar position," he countered. "Of course, I can go fetch Kadia or Shaye if you'd prefer."

The former was the sister I didn't even know I had a month ago, who loathed me for most of her life. The latter was my best friend who'd probably turn the entire castle inside out to find a replacement pair of shoes for me, even if it meant inconveniencing others or causing a small scene. In other words, the obvious choice was already right in front of me.

I straightened my shoulders. "Fine. If you're offering your help, I'll accept. But only when I'm moving."

Ashkan smiled. "As you wish."

"Just let me check myself in the mirror one last time, and then we can leave," I said, carefully turning back to the mirror.

"Take your time."

I stood still for a moment, then raised a hand to touch my hair. The knot was secure, and the loose pieces were light enough to not look pedestrian. The smoky eyeliner was perfect, not too much or too little. Diamond droplets hung from my waist and upper arms, glittering as they swayed back and forth with me. The way the gown was cut was admittedly flattering, too. It was hard to believe, but this was me. A version of me, that is.

I rotated to the side to view my profile, and my attention was instantly drawn to the back of my left arm. The reddish scar from the viper bite was clearly visible, my gloves not quite long enough to cover it. My shoulders slouched as I thought about how many people would notice. How many curious eyes would bore into me. It didn't make for a particularly beautiful accessory, especially with a gown like this. I shook my head. There wasn't anything I could do about it.

"...Brielle?"

I flinched at Ashkan's voice, having nearly forgotten he was still in the room. "Uh, sorry. I'm ready."

He stepped closer, and his eyebrows drew together. "Are you certain? You look troubled."

I looked up and met his gaze. There was a small glimmer of something in his eyes. Concern? Doubt? It was hard to tell. But the way he held himself was different than usual. There was less tension in his posture. He seemed more relaxed, though not entirely. I looked away. Why was I so hesitant to share what was on my mind with him?

I needed a moment to myself. I closed my eyes for a few seconds, trying to figure out how I felt about Ashkan. I always liked the fact that he never acted conceited. And he was surprisingly thoughtful if he'd let you get to know him. But the way he looked at me now? I wasn't sure how to react to it. My heart did something strange when he looked at me like that. This was a lot different than our average interactions. There was a connection. I was awkward, but not uncomfortable. I trusted him. In some ways, it was more than just that. ...I felt safe. I felt like he cared. Maybe more than I knew. More than anything, though, I had to remind myself that connections are two-way streets, so if I wanted him to keep opening up, I'd have to do the same.

His words reached my ears after a few beats of silence. "Hey..." he said with the most dulcet tone. My eyes flew open. "Hm. Usually, your thoughts are right on your face. But at this moment, I can't tell at all what you're thinking...or feeling..." He paused, then added, "Should I be worried?"

My breath caught in my throat. As far as I could remember, this was the first time he'd directly inquired about my mental state, independent of our saviour statuses. We had our fair share of emotional conversations, but it had always been me asking, not the other way around. This was new. And probably important.

"Um, not worried. I just–" My voice was stuck. I looked at myself in the mirror once more, finding it easier to look at her than Ashkan. "I can't say I'm very in my element," I began again, forcing myself to be honest. "I know none of us are, but... This might sound weird, but I actually feel really out of place. Not just in the castle, but also...with myself." I gestured at my reflection. "Look at me. I don't look like me. And yet, I do. This feels more like a costume than clothing. Like it's wearing me. And this obvious scar..." My arm prickled, and I resisted the urge to touch it. "It doesn't match. It doesn't fit in. ...And now I can't stop wondering if it's because I don't either."

I waited for Ashkan to say something, but he didn't. I could see him from the corner of my eye. He was listening. His expression was serious, yet patient. The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

"Nevermind," I spoke up after a bit. "Let's just go." I was about to walk towards the door when I remembered how precarious it was to do so. I ended up shuffling forward rather than actually walking.

Ashkan's hand lightly grazed my shoulder. "Wait." He said it so quietly, I doubted he meant to say it at all. The skin-to-skin contact was like an electric shock.

"It's okay; it's nothing," I mumbled, embarrassed.

"Brie, stop. Please."

I halted, taken aback by his tone. It was a striking combination of caring and assertive. "...Yeah?"

He didn't respond at first. Instead, he moved to stand in front of me, his cape swishing around him. He lowered his head, albeit not much, so that our faces were level. His expression was earnest, yet unreadable. "I have some food for thought. If you're open to it."

"Um... Sure," I replied.

"I've never thought of this before, but perhaps there's a difference between not belonging somewhere and simply standing out," he elaborated.

The gears in my head immediately began turning.

"The question of whether or not you belong on this planet is irrelevant. You're here. And everyone has a different opinion about it regardless. But the idea that you don't belong to yourself, or that the world will only let you stand out in a negative way? That's the thing I believe needs to change. You just... You stand out. You're unique, and some people hate that. ...But belonging is not uniformity. Or conformity, either."

I stared at him, a little wide-eyed. It had never occurred to me to put it like that. My thoughts were a mess, and I was at a loss for words.

He smiled at my expression. "It's just a thought," he said, shrugging one shoulder.

"...Thank you," I finally managed to say.

A faint pink tinge coloured his cheeks. He inhaled sharply, clearing his throat. "For what it's worth, I think you... You look, um..." He faltered, his hand raising and falling awkwardly. "Really lovely," he settled on. "I-Is it okay for me to say that? You look lovely," he repeated, the blush darkening.

The colour of my face must've now rivalled the hue of his. "It's okay," I replied, smiling slightly. "I... Thank you."

"Right," he said, his voice laced with a mix of relief and embarrassment. He cleared his throat again. "Um, we should probably head out now."

"Yes. Good idea."

Ashkan extended a hand to me. I placed my gloved one into his, and he wrapped his fingers around it. But instead of leading me to the door like I'd expected, he lifted my arm high above my head and spun me in a circle. My skirt fanned out around me, the hemline floating and twisting, and the diamonds sparkled in the light. I couldn't help but laugh. When I came back around, I was facing him, and our gazes locked.

"What was that for?" I asked, smiling.

"Just wanted to help you feel lovely, too," he answered with an uncharacteristic amount of boldness.

I blinked. "Oh. Um... Mission accomplished."

He gave my hand a squeeze. "Excellent. Shall we go?"

"We shall."

And so, we carefully made our way back to the main floor. For the entire trip, particularly on the staircases, I clung onto Ashkan's arm for balance. I couldn't believe it, but it was actually working. His presence was like a security blanket. He kept me steady and gave me the confidence I needed to not break my neck.

When we arrived at the great hall, Kadia and Shaye were already waiting for us.

"Oh, good. You made it," Kadia said. "You look very nice, Ashkan."

"Yes, you do," Shaye agreed. "I was wondering if you'd fallen and died in a closet somewhere."

"Not quite," Ashkan replied. "But if there's any falling and dying to be done, it'll be her." He pointed at me.

Kadia's eyebrows furrowed. "What do you mean?"

I sighed. "Suffice it to say that these shoes are not made for walking."

"Ah. So you're using him as a crutch, are you?" Shaye teased.

"I've exhausted my options, all right? He was the lesser of the two evils," I defended.

Ashkan pretended to be offended. "Why, I'm wounded..."

"Hey, I never forced you to help me." I released his arm and began to hobble over to the entrance.

"No, no, wait! I was kidding!" He rushed to catch up to me, placing his hands on my shoulders to prevent me from toppling over.

Kadia and Shaye fell in line behind us. As we crossed the threshold into the grand hall, I didn't know where to look first. The entire room was alight with dozens of candles and chandeliers. The ceiling was arched, and the walls were decorated with black tapestries. Everything was so ornate, from the silver candelabras to the white floral centrepieces. At the back, there was a raised platform with a long, rectangular table, presumably for the royal family. Four longer tables were placed vertically in the center, covered in elegant, cream-coloured tablecloths, and peppered with gleaming silverware. All the chairs were made of wood but had elaborate carvings and velvet cushions. A small ensemble of musicians was playing classical music from a corner.

As the four of us strolled down the aisle, I was struck by how many people were present. There were at least a hundred people, probably more. There was no assigned seating, so guests were free to sit wherever they pleased. People were chatting, laughing, and greeting each other, and a line of servants were pouring champagne, wine, and other spirits. We decided to sit off to the side, but not far from the dais at the front. Ashkan pulled a chair out for me, which made me chuckle, before plopping down on my right.

"Wow. I've never seen you act so genteel," Shaye joked.

"Yes, well, it's called chivalry, Shaye," Ashkan quipped. "Are you unfamiliar with the concept?" She just rolled her eyes.

"Hey, look." Kadia's voice was hushed. She nodded her head towards the platform, where the King and Queen were currently making their grand entrance.

They were both dressed in lavish attire. The King's tailed suit was made of black silk and adorned with silver trim, while the Queen wore a radiant, off-the-shoulder, ivory gown embroidered with diamonds. They were escorted by two of the King's personal guards. The crowd immediately began applauding, and we did the same.

"Welcome, everyone," King Typhis addressed the guests once the cheering had died down. "It is an honour to have you all join us this evening. My wife and I are thankful that you were able to take time out of your schedules to attend. We are gathered on this blessed day to celebrate my daughter, the Princess' fifteenth year. She is still young, but I'm certain she will be an invaluable asset to our kingdom in the coming years. And for now, it is my hope that she continues to pursue the things she loves." The crowd clapped, and I joined in half-heartedly. "So please, eat, drink, dance, and be merry!"

As soon as the King finished speaking, servers refilled beverages and brought out a selection of dinners. Everything was delicious. I didn't recognize some of it, but I didn't mind. I opted for roasted srurfish with a citrus sauce, aromatic pilaf, and steamed vegetables. Shaye tried some sort of meat with an orange glaze, Ashkan chose a pasta dish, and Kadia was served some kind of soup.

"Did anyone else notice Princess Diamae's dress?" Shaye asked from across the table. "The gold really catches the light."

"Mm. It's pretty," Kadia agreed.

I looked over at the head table, which was now filled with the immediate and extended royal family. The Princess' short-sleeved, gold lamé ballgown shimmered brightly, an obvious contrast to everyone else's monochrome ensembles. Her ice-blue hair was done up in a braided, twisty updo, and a few ringlets hung down on the sides. She was chatting with her older brother, Zyel, who was grinning. Reuvyn was beside him, looking as serious as ever.

"Do you think she actually wishes to talk to us, though?" Shaye continued.

Kadia nodded. "I would count on it."

"How's the food?" Ashkan questioned, poking my shoulder.

I took another bite. "Incredible," I answered, chewing.

He chuckled. "Don't choke."

"Shut up."

After dinner, the plates were cleared away and dessert was served on towering, tiered stands. There were cakes, tarts, candied fruit, pastries, and everything in between. I had no idea what to choose. Shaye picked up a custard tart, while Ashkan chose a mini cake topped with berries. I studied the display for a minute, noting the intricate designs, delicate frosting, and fresh fruits. Everything was so beautifully made, like straight out of a dream.

"Nothing will kill you," Shaye laughed. "Just pick something."

"Here, try this," Kadia suggested, holding out a thin, white, rectangular wafer.

"What is it?"

"It's called a laao. Try it."

I gingerly took the wafer from her. It was light and airy, and the top was dusted with sugar. I bit off the corner. The middle was dense, almost like a cheesecake. The exterior texture was nothing like anything I'd had before.

I chewed slowly, trying to make sense of the flavour. "Oh, wow. This is interesting."

Kadia smiled. "I take it you like it, then." I nodded.

Since the desserts were tiny, most people ate more than one, but I was satisfied after the laao. My nerves didn't give me much of an appetite, and I didn't need my gown's built-in corset to be any tighter than it already was. I sat back, content, and watched the party unfold around me. Some people were drinking, some were mingling, and others were simply enjoying the ambiance. The music was pleasantly soft. The lights were a little dim, but not so much that you couldn't see anything. It was all rather relaxing.

Ashkan spoke up a while later, "Perhaps we should go find the Princess. Before she gets overwhelmed by the crowd."

"Good idea," Kadia replied. "Should you need anything, I'll be here. If there's a problem, I'll find you."

Shaye rose to her feet. "You're not coming with us?"

Kadia shook her head. "It's best I stay here. We don't want anyone thinking you're causing trouble. Me lingering over your shoulders like a hawk would certainly give the impression that something is amiss. I trust you to handle yourselves."

"She has a point," Ashkan agreed.

"What should we do afterwards?" Shaye inquired.

"Whatever you please, within reason. Should you become hungry or thirsty, the butlers will oblige. Dancing will soon commence in the ballroom. The gardens are open as well, but be mindful of the cold. Nobles are likely to ask questions about the three of you, so it's best to keep your answers short and vague. They can be...quite intrusive," Kadia cautioned. "If any of them start to annoy you, politely excuse yourself. Just keep your wits about you, and all should be well. And do not venture into areas you are not permitted."

"Any idea where we'd find Her Highness?" I asked.

"Most likely in the large drawing room on the east side. Past the gallery, down the corridor, and on the left. I'm sure she has hundreds of gifts to open, so you should have time to get her attention," she answered.

"Great. Thank you."

"Happy hunting," she wished us with a grin.

I stood up, and Ashkan did the same nearly simultaneously. His hand hovered near the small of my back. I tried my best not to feel pitied. I knew he was just doing it to help me walk without stumbling.

Shaye led the way through the mass of people socializing outside the great hall, and Ashkan and I followed close behind. I could feel the stares. A few nobles greeted us politely, and Shaye took it upon herself to return the sentiments. She was a natural. I, on the other hand, kept my mouth shut. The fewer words I said to them, the better.

Instead, I focused on trying not to trip over my own feet. The shoes were already a challenge to move in, and the waxed floors didn't help. Both hands were firmly wrapped in the crook of Ashkan's elbow. Through his jacket and my gloves, a faint warmth reached my fingertips. It was hard not to be hyper-aware of how close he was, where our bodies made contact, and how his breath seemed to sync with mine. Maybe a casual conversation would distract me.

"So, how's everything been with you? How's home?" I asked Ashkan.

He glanced at me, a hint of surprise on his features. "Uh... Nothing of note, I suppose. The same."

"The same? What does that mean?"

"It means that things are fine," he replied vaguely.

I frowned. "Really? Nothing ever happens?"

"Let me put it this way," he began. "When you have a sister that's constantly working, a little brother that's constantly breaking things, and a father who's constantly drinking or working or breaking things, then there isn't a lot of time left for much else. Everything is constantly changing yet stays the same. It's a cycle. And for me, there's always something to fix, or replace, or clean, or rebuild."

"Oh," was all I could think to say. "Well, if you ever need help with that, let me know."

Ashkan raised an eyebrow. "Are you saying you have experience retiling a roof or repairing a shattered window?"

"Not in the slightest," I admitted. "But if it would help you, I could learn."

He chuckled. "That's sweet."

"I think we've arrived," Shaye interrupted. "Take a breath, everyone."

Sure enough, we were standing in front of one of the palace's larger drawing rooms. The double doors were wide open, and inside were about twenty nobles. They were all sitting or standing, chatting and drinking. A few footmen circled, offering glasses of ice wine and sparkling cider. Princess Diamae was seated on a tall, ornate armchair, surrounded by a mountain of packages. Reuvyn and Zyel sat behind her against the back wall.

The three of us entered quietly. Some people nearest to us turned their heads, and the whispering began. The Princess looked up from a box she was opening. She was beaming.

"Hello! Oh, thank you so much for coming!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine enthusiasm.

"Thank you for inviting us," Shaye replied, bowing. Ashkan and I followed suit.

"Come, come, sit! There's plenty of room," she beckoned. One by one, the Princess introduced us to the other guests: Count Taviel, Duke Efren, Lady Kyr, Duchess Lysia, Viscount Rheil, Baroness Haelen, Earl Oleth, and several others that I immediately forgot. Each noble exchanged pleasantries with the three of us, and Shaye was as poised and eloquent as ever. Ashkan and I didn't say much, opting to nod, shake hands, and smile instead.

"Please, take a seat," Baroness Haelan urged, gesturing towards a cabriole sofa.

"No, no, sit over here!" Lady Kyr suggested, motioning towards three empty chairs.

"Oh, you must come sit by me," Earl Oleth insisted.

"Don't hog them," Count Taviel chided.

"Now, now, everyone," the Princess intervened, her tone light. "They may sit wherever they please."

I looked up at Ashkan. He gave me a slight shrug, and then a small nod. We advanced into the room. Shaye and I settled down onto a loveseat, while Ashkan perched on the armrest beside me. As more of the nobles gathered around, I felt my pulse quicken. Thankfully, everybody quickly shifted their attention back to the Princess, who was now unwrapping a small, black box.

"Ooh, what's this?" she wondered, her fingers tugging at the silver ribbon.

"Go on, open it," Duke Efren urged.

Princess Diamae lifted the lid. Inside was a beautiful, silver hair comb. It had a single, oval-shaped sapphire in the center, and was accented with dozens of smaller diamonds, which made the entire piece shimmer.

"Oh, it's gorgeous!" she cried.

"Try it on, Your Highness," Viscount Rheil suggested.

She delicately slid the comb into her hair, securing it to her updo. "How does it look?"

"Stunning," Count Taviel declared.

"Gorgeous," Shaye agreed.

"Radiant," Duchess Lysia chimed.

The Princess clapped her hands together. "I adore it! Thank you, Duke. You have such an eye for these things."

Duke Efren bowed his head. "The pleasure is all mine, Your Highness."

As the evening progressed, the Princess opened gift after gift. Each one was more luxurious than the last: a gold hairbrush, a pair of opalescent earrings, a bottle of perfume, a silver necklace, and so forth. It seemed each person's present was intent on outdoing the other. I felt a bit awkward watching the whole spectacle. The sheer excessiveness was overwhelming.

"This is beautiful," Princess Diamae commented. The item she was currently admiring was an ornamented, hand-painted mirror.

"My sister's an artist," Duchess Lysia informed.

"Is that so? Well, she's quite talented."

"I'll let her know you said that, Your Highness."

A few minutes later, Ashkan leaned over to whisper, "Have you noticed that none of the gifts are of any use?"

Shaye whipped her head around. "Hush!" she hissed, giving him a discreet smack on the leg.

"Okay, okay, ow!" he whispered, scowling.

I stifled a laugh. He wasn't exactly wrong. All the items were more for show than function. There were no books, no tools, no hobby materials. It was all jewelry, perfumes, clothing, and decorations. Sure, the Princess might have enjoyed the lavish presents, but was this really all she would receive on her fifteenth birthday? It just seemed...superficial. I wondered how many presents she actually liked, or if she was hoping for something different. Maybe everybody was just making assumptions. Something told me that Diamae didn't have the grit to tell an aristocrat that she hated their gift.

Eventually, the Princess opened the last gift. Wrapping paper was shredded and torn everywhere. Ribbons were discarded on the floor, and bows were haphazardly strewn about. Most of the packaging was shoved aside or stuffed into a wastebasket.

Diamae promptly shifted her attention towards the three of us. "Your Luminaries, I have a request."

Ashkan inclined his head. "Anything, Your Highness." His smile didn't quite reach his eyes.

"What is it, Princess?" Shaye added.

Diamae's eyes twinkled. "Would you each be so kind as to tell me a story? The kind of tale you'd share at the hearth during the long, dark winter months? You are all saviours, warriors, champions. Surely you must enjoy sharing stories with one another during your travels."

The nobles looked mildly surprised, but pleasantly so. Some began to exchange smiles and glances, and a few even clasped their hands. Clearly, this wasn't a common occurrence.

"Lady Shaye," the Princess continued. "You may go first."

Shaye nodded. "Very well."

Her Highness settled back into her seat. She crossed her legs, folded her hands, and gazed intently. Everyone else turned to look at Shaye, awaiting her tale.

"One summer, when I was but a child," she began, "my father took my brothers and me on a camping trip. We were deep in the mountains, surrounded by trees. On the first day, my father showed us how to build a proper campfire, and how to start it. We learned how to collect wood, dry it, and arrange it properly. My eldest brother, Cilas, took to it right away, but my youngest brother, Fenryk, hated it. He didn't like the idea of sleeping outside. He wanted his own bed and a solid roof over his head."

Diamae giggled. "I can't blame him."

"Indeed. But we didn't have a choice," Shaye went on. "We spent the next few days learning the basics: how to pitch a tent, how to use a compass, how to sanitize water. Fenryk was not having it. He refused to sleep in a tent, and he kept wandering off. My father had to chase him down several times, and each time, he threatened to send him home. He was quite the hassle." She smiled at the memory.

"And how are your brothers faring now?" the Princess inquired.

"They are doing well, Your Highness. Cilas is out on his own, travelling the world and writing his adventures. He's likely to be engaged soon. My second eldest brother, Kelton, will move out in a couple of years, once he decides what profession suits him best. And Fenryk lives at home with me while pursuing an education. He's grown up a lot since that camping trip."

"I'm sure he has," Diamae replied, amused.

"Thank you for listening, Princess," Shaye finished, dipping her head.

Lady Kyr leaned forward. "I adore camping. It's so romantic, don't you think?"

"A wonderful way to get closer to nature," Duchess Lysia agreed.

Viscount Rheil hummed. "Lady Shaye, I can't help noticing your accent. Are you foreign?"

"No, milord," she answered. "I was born in Nelorismel, but my father hails from Al-Shorasad, Hezura. I am very proud of my dual heritage."

Duke Efren tapped his chin. "How interesting. I do not recall Hezuran women being so keen on hunting or swordsmanship."

"There are no laws against it," Shaye defended. "My father is an avid outdoorsman. I suppose I take after him."

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

"You're not a fan of sewing, then, I presume," Lady Kyr teased.

She hesitated. "Uh... Well..."

"Milady," the Viscount began again, "is there a suitor in your life? Surely you have many suitors."

"Um, that is...not exactly something I am concerning myself with at the moment, milord."

"I'm certain you're not short of admirers," Count Taviel remarked, smirking.

Shaye shook her head, flustered. It was rare to see her speechless.

"You should attend one of our sewing circles," Duchess Lysia offered. "Our conversations are always so stimulating."

Shaye was clearly uncomfortable, but the nobles kept pushing.

Earl Oleth leaned over the back of his chair. "I believe you would do well to reconsider an uncouth lifestyle of fighting and running about outside, my lady. Such things are unbecoming of a proper young woman. A wife's most important duty is to keep house. And children, too. There's no greater blessing than that."

I bit my tongue to stop myself from cursing at the Earl. How dare he imply that Shaye couldn't be a real woman just because she didn't conform to their standards of what a woman should be? Did he have any idea how much she accomplished in her life, or how intelligent she was?

Princess Diamae seemed nervous to interject, but she did so anyway. "Earl Oleth, I'd like to hear more stories, if you don't mind. Perhaps from Lord Ashkan?"

Ashkan shrugged. "I'd be happy to, Your Highness. But I'm not sure I have much to tell."

"Of course you do," the Princess countered. "Everybody does. How about a tale from your youth? Perhaps something comical, or something frightening."

"My youth..." he trailed off. A shadow passed over his face. The room was filled with somewhat awkward silence as he searched his memory. Finally, his gaze returned to the Princess. "All right, I've got one. Growing up, my older sister – Niista – and I used to fight a lot. Over anything and everything. Who could find more sticks. Who could eat their dessert the fastest. Who could climb the tallest tree. Who could stay awake the longest. I remember one time, when I was ten years of age or so, I became furious with her. I can't remember why... But it lasted long enough that my mother decided to lock us outside and refuse to let us back in until we'd reconciled. The weather was fair, of course. But my sister and I were stuck out in the middle of the yard, yelling at each other for hours. Eventually, we realized that if we didn't make up, we'd never get dinner. And no matter how angry we were, we were never ones to pass up a meal. So, we started talking. We apologized and made peace, and the very second we were forgiven, we raced inside to eat. It was quite a good stew, too."

Several of the nobles chuckled alongside the Princess. I myself smiled at the anecdote. Ashkan really had a way of recounting stories, I'd give him that. Maybe it was due to all the reading he did.

"You and your sister, do you still argue?" Diamae inquired.

"Oh, certainly," Ashkan replied with a smirk. "Though these days, our quarrels mostly come from a place of care. It's the sort of arguing where both parties know the other only has their best interests in mind."

The Princess smiled. "That's a nice way of putting it. Do you have other siblings?"

"Yes, Your Highness. A younger brother, Wendyll."

"Tell me, what is he like?"

Ashkan shifted his position on the armrest. "Energetic and curious. Very smart, and always getting into trouble. I can still recall a time, many years ago, when my mother was teaching us how to fry an egg. She had asked Wendyll to crack one but didn't specify it needed to be over the pan, so he simply threw the egg at the wall. When the shell broke and the yolk splattered everywhere, he was astonished. I suppose he hadn't been expecting that. My mother was not impressed, but she was sure to be very clear in her instructions the next time around."

The nobles laughed heartily. I could tell that Ashkan was being genuine. There was a lightness in his voice and expression that was endearing to watch.

Diamae giggled, covering her mouth. "How silly. And...what of your parents?"

The laughter subsided and the room fell silent. Ashkan's gaze dropped to the floor. Then, he collected himself and looked back up.

"My mother is no longer with us, Princess. My father is alive."

The Princess's smile faded, her eyes widening. "Oh... Oh, I'm sorry."

He shook his head. "It's all right. It happened a long time ago. She taught us many things, like how to cook, how to dance, how to bandage wounds, how to care for others. But the most important thing she taught me was to have courage."

Baroness Haelan cooed, "What a lovely sentiment, milord."

Lady Kyr flipped her hair over her shoulder. "Your father, what is his occupation?"

Ashkan raised an eyebrow. "He is a carpenter, milady."

The nobles exchanged looks, some murmuring amongst themselves.

"A carpenter," Duke Efren repeated. "A...tradesman. Interesting."

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Ashkan's dad was a craftsman; so what? I didn't see the issue. It was far from the most glamorous job, but it was a respectable profession nonetheless. These bluebloods were trying to get under his skin. It was some sort of ill-mannered test, or game, or...something. I didn't care for it one bit.

Count Taviel hid a leer with his wine glass. "Manual labour, naturally. Commoners do love that."

Ashkan stared down the Count, entirely unperturbed. "My father's work is essential to many."

"Certainly, milord," Duchess Lysia agreed, waving a hand. "But surely you do not aspire to a life of hardship and poverty. As a saviour, I'm certain you wish to aim higher."

"Higher is subjective, Your Grace," he responded, his tone flat.

The Count hummed and sipped his wine. "The hindrance is not his father, Duchess. It is most unfortunate that one cannot choose one's own bloodline."

"Indeed," the Duke chimed in. "If only that were the case. Then we could rear superior children, and be rid of the less favourable stock."

Lady Kyr sighed wistfully. "'Tis a pity that Lord Ashkan had a mother who put such emphasis on teaching her sons domestic practices. She may have done them a service in the long run, but she's rendered them less useful to society."

The room grew deathly silent. I had been clenching my fists so tightly that my nails had dug into my palms through my gloves. Shaye was fuming, her cheeks turning red. The Count and the Duke exchanged glances, clearly enjoying themselves. Ashkan's jaw was set, but he kept his expression calm. He was not giving in to their bait. I could still see the anger and shame brewing behind his eyes. I wanted to lunge forward and punch those bastards. They were so condescending. They were talking about him like he wasn't even there. My hand travelled subtly to Ashkan's sleeve, and I pinched the edge of the fabric between my fingers.

The Princess opened her mouth but closed it again. She seemed unsure how to proceed. She didn't want to upset the adults. Fortunately, her older brothers were more than willing.

"Are you trying to start an argument, milady?" Zyel asked sharply.

Reuvyn crossed his arms, glowering. "Your words are unwise, Lady Kyr. Please refrain from further commenting on a topic that is not within your jurisdiction."

Lady Kyr blinked, then huffed indignantly. "Oh, come now, Your Highnesses. It is simply an honest observation. I meant no disrespect."

"It would be remiss of me not to point out the offence," he retorted.

Duke Efren and Count Taviel looked amused. They were pleased that they'd managed to cause a stir.

"We are only trying to enlighten the lad," the Count stated, shrugging.

"I hardly think it necessary," Reuvyn replied coolly.

Zyel gave the Duke a warning look. "Lord Wroet'by is an esteemed guest in this castle, Your Grace. We would not wish to make him uncomfortable."

Duke Efren held up his hands. "I meant no harm. Merely a bit of teasing, I assure you."

Ashkan glanced down at me, his expression softening around the edges. His shoulders relaxed. I couldn't help him directly, but I could try and show him support. He didn't say anything, and neither did I.

"Continue if you want to, Diamae," Prince Zyel encouraged his sister. "Pay them no mind."

She nodded weakly. "Thank you. Lady Brielle, would you be so kind as to share a final story? And then I shall adjourn to the ballroom."

I sat up a little straighter and let go of Ashkan's sleeve. "Of course, Your Highness."

Diamae looked relieved. "Please, go ahead."

I thought for a moment. Having lives on two planets, there wasn't much I could reveal for the sake of anonymity. I could've easily spun a tale about my home life or the things I had done in the past year, but none of them sounded interesting. Maybe, just maybe, I could use this opportunity to get a few points across to these nobles. I could dispel some preconceptions and stereotypes, or at least make a few of them think twice about their narrow-minded attitudes. Besides, I knew that Diamae was very curious about Earth.

"Well, Princess," I began, "rather than a story, could I interest you in some information? Answers? If you'll permit me."

Her brows rose. "Answers? To what questions?"

"To anything you like, Your Highness."

Her curiosity was piqued. She smiled. "That sounds fun. Then... What are the strangest things on Earth?"

"Strangest, hm?" I mused. "Probably the internet, I'd say. Or social media."

"I am not familiar with those words," she said.

"They're, uh, systems of information and communication," I tried to explain. "You can share photos and messages and videos with everyone else. And if you're connected to the internet, you can contact someone from a different country. It's...a way to bring the whole world together."

Her eyes were sparkling. "What an intriguing concept. And... Is it true that people on Earth can travel to space?"

"Absolutely. In fact, they've travelled to our moon many times."

The Princess's jaw dropped. "Really?!"

"It's true," Zyel added. "A previous king of Opios was well-acquainted with a man who was part of the first mission."

"Amazing," Diamae murmured. "What about the oceans? What have people discovered in the depths?"

I smiled. "Many things, Your Highness. Coral reefs. Shipwrecks. Ancient things from centuries ago. Terrifying creatures."

She sighed dreamily. "So much to learn... How many kingdoms are there on Earth?"

"In the modern day, we have governments of countries rather than kingdoms, Princess," I answered. "They vary greatly in size. But there is no singular ruler over all of them. In the past, yes. Kings and queens ruled over their nations."

Diamae's smile turned into a frown. "No more kings? How does that work?"

"It's complicated," I replied. "Some people are still very loyal to royal families. There are monarchies and hereditary systems in many countries."

"Oh, I see. But it is a land of great variety. I cannot imagine all the fascinating things that could be found there."

"There are certainly more wonders than can be listed."

The Princess clasped her hands. "What of magic? Are there any magic users?"

I hesitated. "Uh... I believe not. I've heard that exceptionally powerful people visiting from Emiarhia could wield magic under certain conditions, but I'm honestly not sure."

Diamae's expression saddened. "No magic? Then... What about the gods? Do they exist?"

I bit my lip. How was I supposed to explain that? I guess this was what I signed up for. "That's hard to say. It depends on who you ask."

She tilted her head. "Why would anyone answer that question with 'it depends'? It's a simple yes or no."

"Because, Your Highness, it's a matter of personal faith. Many people believe in gods, but many do not. Deities exist in legends and stories, and people interpret those differently. Different religions believe different things, and they don't all agree. Though I think it's safe to say that no god from Earth has ever been as...active as the ones here."

The Princess blinked. "There is no theocracy? How was Earth made if not by a god?"

"The science behind it is...advanced," I responded. "Too complex to explain in one sitting. And not everybody believes in science. A lot of the explanation is still theory, though. People will argue about it forever."

Diamae nodded slowly. "That is understandable. Thank you for indulging my curiosity, Lady Brielle. I have never spoken at length to someone from another world. I'm not sure I ever will again, so..."

"I would hope not," Viscount Rheil muttered under his breath.

Earl Oleth stood at attention next. "What my colleague is trying to say, Your Highness, is that it would be wise not to place your trust in a stranger. The unknown can be dangerous."

"But that's exactly why I should learn about it," Diamae insisted. The Earl did not look convinced.

"She's not a stranger, Oleth," Duke Efren interjected. "We all know her. She is an Earthian. Plain and simple."

"Emiarhian or Earthian, it doesn't matter. Her allegiance is to her homeland, not this one," the Earl retorted. "If she had the choice, she would not be here."

I frowned but remained quiet. He was wrong. He was so, so wrong.

The Count scoffed. "She doesn't have the choice. It is her godsent duty to aid us...unfortunately. She is a means to an end."

"But the end is not yet reached," Ashkan countered firmly.

Count Taviel waved his hand dismissively. "Yes, yes, the prophecy is still intact. So, she has a purpose. For now."

Baroness Haelan huffed. "Trust is earned. Let the child keep her fantasies. As soon as her job is complete, she will have no reason to stay."

"And Lady Brielle has earned our trust," Zyel snapped.

The Baroness glared at the Prince. "Her presence here is a risk. You know it as well as the rest of us. It is a miracle that the kingdom hasn't fallen apart yet."

I felt a lump form in my throat. What was happening? Why was this going so badly? Was my very existence a problem?

Lady Kyr snatched my attention, speaking up. "Milady, I've caught sight of your scar, there," she pointed out, gesturing to her own arm. "How did you acquire such a grievous injury?"

"It was uh... A snakebite," I responded. "Venomous."

"Goodness! A serpent did that to you? How horrid."

"Did it hurt?" Duchess Lysia asked, her eyes wide. "It appears quite...unsightly."

"Terribly, Your Grace," I answered, smiling bitterly. As if I didn't know how obvious it was.

"Then perhaps you should avoid going out in the wilderness, my lady, if a mere animal can harm you so," the Duchess suggested.

"Indeed," Baroness Haelan agreed. "Best leave the adventuring to the men."

My hands curled into fists, my face heating up. It was an accident. I'd tripped right underneath one of the trees. Not to mention that it was dark, windy, and those vipers were literally invisible.

Duke Efren hummed. "She is a saviour. Shouldn't she be able to withstand a little pain?"

"Perhaps a reminder of what may happen if she fails," Count Taviel suggested.

"The wound is a sign," Earl Oleth declared, looking up at the ceiling. "A warning. This girl is not fit for the task that the gods have appointed her."

"I think you're being unreasonable," Prince Zyel remarked coldly.

"I think I am being realistic," the Earl countered.

Shaye had been biting her lip for the duration of the conversation. She looked ready to cry. My body felt cold, despite the room's warmth. This couldn't have gone any worse. I thought we were all in agreement about my responsibilities, or at least tolerating each other. But apparently, some of them weren't satisfied. They wanted me out of the picture.

The Viscount folded his hands, shaking his head. "I do not wish to know how much money His and Her Majesty have spent on her training and supplies. I hope it was worth the investment."

"It was not," Duke Efren responded. "A waste of resources."

Prince Reuvyn stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the stone floor. His glare was icy. The chatter and laughter died immediately. "You go too far, Duke," he warned, his tone sharp. "Cease this line of conversation immediately."

"I am merely voicing my concern, Your Highness," the Duke explained, his expression calm.

"You are questioning the judgment of the royal family," the Prince corrected. "My father would not have allowed Lady De Mavset to enter the palace if she was not worth the expense. She is a saviour. We are her allies."

Duke Efren did not back down. In fact, he rose from his seat. "Allies that have nothing to gain from helping her," he stated. "We have already lost much. Our time, our resources, our security. For a stranger. I am only concerned that our sacrifices are in vain."

Zyel took a step forward. "Cease this. You will not speak a word against her."

"You are not my sovereign," the Duke reminded him.

"I am still your Prince," he retorted. "And the son of your King."

The atmosphere in the room was stifling. Everyone was staring at the three men. Even the servants looked frightened. Shaye and Ashkan were frozen in their seats. The Princess looked close to tears. She must've been feeling responsible, or guilty, or embarrassed, or a combination of the three. My chest tightened. They couldn't seriously be arguing about me.

"My apologies, Your Highness," Duke Efren said flatly. "I did not mean to raise my voice."

Count Taviel stood up, wine in hand. He enjoyed the chaos. "Perhaps we should let the girl defend herself," he suggested. "Let her speak for herself, for once."

"Count, please," Zyel urged, frowning deeply.

"She's done nothing to prove her worth," the Count went on. "I am still unconvinced."

"You've seen nothing of value?" the Prince questioned. "Not her training, nor her character, nor her accomplishments? All of which have been reported to you and the others. You've simply dismissed them all because she is not a native."

"Your Highness, she is a foreigner," the Count argued. "She knows nothing of this world. Nothing of our customs. Nothing of our way of life. She is an outsider. Her father forsook this planet the moment he decided to marry an Earthborn."

I couldn't stay silent any longer. My mind was buzzing, my mouth was dry, my stomach was in knots. But I knew that they were trying to provoke me. They were trying to start an argument or make me snap, or something. And they were using the opportunity to voice their opinions, while everyone else was too stunned to say anything.

"Count Taviel, I don't know what to tell you," I spoke up quietly, looking him in the eye. "I can't help the fact that I was born somewhere else. It doesn't mean I'm any less capable of doing what needs to be done. And if you're concerned about losing resources, then I suggest you consider that I have spent almost half a year of my life learning how to save your planet. My commitment hasn't wavered."

"Ah! She speaks! Bravo!" he cheered, clapping. The nobles around him laughed. The rest were silent. "And yet, she does not know her place. She does not know her manners. She does not know the first thing about our world, and how we function. It is clear, from the very beginning, that you are not meant to be here, milady. If only you had a modicum of common sense. Perhaps you would've taken the hint. The people are not comfortable with you."

His statement hit me like an arrow. It wasn't true. It wasn't. "...I have never claimed otherwise, Count," I replied firmly, grabbing fistfuls of my gown and standing. For a moment, I forgot about how teetering my shoes were. "I am highly aware of the people's doubts and fears. But I assure you, the feeling is mutual."

The Count smirked. "Then, pray tell, why are you here?"

"To protect Emiarhia," I stated. "As it is written. To save you all."

"From what, Brielle?"

"From..." I faltered. I still didn't know. It was all just a guess. A gamble. An educated assumption. I didn't have a clue what the future held.

"You don't know, do you?" the Count prodded, raising his brows. "You couldn't even say. You're grasping at straws, trying to save your own skin. And ours. What a joke."

"We don't know–" I tried.

"You are an intruder," he interrupted.

"You're wrong."

"You are a plague." Taviel turned to address the room. "Your kind will ruin everything. Everything we've built. Everything we've worked for. Our culture. Our heritage. You will destroy it all. You will destroy us. You will turn the kingdom inside out and bring nothing but disaster. The gods...have cursed us!" Upon uttering the word 'cursed', the Count's arms flourished outward, and his crystal goblet flew from his hand.

At that moment, it felt like the world slowed down. I watched in horror as the glass flew through the air, its dark, purplish-red contents spilling out in a spray. Everyone in its path gasped.

Everyone except for me.

I was the closest to him. And the only one to be drenched.

The crimson liquid splattered my gown, staining it, seeping into the fabric. It splashed onto the floor, creating puddles around my feet. The glass crashed on the stone floor next to me, the pieces shattering and skidding across the ground. The silence was deafening. Nobody moved.

I held my arms far from my body. This all felt way too familiar. The tension, the anger, the way the wine soaked into my clothes. The embarrassment. The rejection. My stomach churned. My knees felt weak. My breathing stuttered.

No.

Please, no.

Count Taviel looked me up and down. He didn't say anything. But he didn't have to. His eyes were smug, his lips pulled into a small, satisfied smirk. The other nobles were staring. The footmen were staring. Shaye, Ashkan, Diamae, Reuvyn and Zyel were staring. It felt like I was being burned alive, and everyone was watching me burn. Tears pricked at my eyes.

I had to get out of there.

"Lady De Mavset, please forgive me–" the Count began.

I couldn't handle it. Without a second thought, I turned and left the drawing room. But I had just barely made it through the doors when my ankles decided to betray me, buckling and giving out. My knees hit the cold floor. I could feel their eyes on my back. Furiously humiliated, I pushed aside the layers of my gown, grabbed my feet, pulled off the heels, and threw them down the hallway with all my might. They landed with a clack about forty feet away.

Then, I got to my now flat feet and ran.

I heard the yells of the princes following me.

"Count, what in the heavens is wrong with you?!"

"You've gone too far, Taviel. I won't stand for this."

I was in a trance. I had no idea where I was going. I couldn't see through the tears. I just knew I had to keep going. The wine smelled nauseating. The hallways were endless. It was all too much.

I found a staircase and started running up the steps. I was so caught up in the moment that I didn't care where it led. Anywhere but the main floor. After climbing several floors, I reached a door at the end of a narrow hall and threw it open. I was greeted with fresh air and moonlight. A balcony. I stepped outside, closing the door behind me. It was a quiet, frigid night. I gripped the railing, my breath shaky, forming clouds of condensation. My hands were trembling. The tears wouldn't stop. The balcony was large and shaped like a semi-circle, giving a full view of the gardens below. It was the first time I'd seen them. They were beautiful. The hedges were trimmed, the paths were mostly cleared of snow, and the flower beds were full of pale blue blooms.

I didn't have the heart to admire it. My shoulders shook as I wept. I was so tired. Everywhere I went, no matter how hard I tried, I didn't fit in. Using a column to steady myself, I swung my legs over the balcony railing, sitting on the edge. The wind blew, making my hair dance around my face. I stared down at the ground, which was a good seventy feet below. At least sitting was warmer than standing.

I questioned if I should've run to Kadia instead. If she would've been more forgiving. Maybe she would've understood. Maybe she wouldn't have blamed me. I sighed. Maybe, maybe, maybe. But what could she have done? She worked for the King, after all. And her job was to keep me alive. It wasn't to help me deal with my emotional baggage, or to defend me from the court, or to help me find my purpose. How was it possible to be surrounded by so many people, yet feel completely alone? A tear slid down my cheek, and I let it fall into the hedges below. The cold air stung my exposed skin. My fingers were freezing despite the gloves. My shoulders were bright red. But I couldn't find it in myself to care. I was too preoccupied with my own brain.

I felt sick. Sick of the bluebloods. Sick of the stares. Sick of the gossip. Sick of being the odd one out. Sick of trying so hard to make a difference, and being told that it wasn't enough. Sick of having to justify my presence in a world that was never meant for me. I just wanted to disappear. I just wanted to be home. Ashkan was wrong; it wasn't that I simply stood out. I just didn't belong. I wasn't a crown jewel. I wasn't the star of the show. I was a stain, a blemish, an eyesore.

The glass French doors behind me burst open. I didn't bother to turn my head. I knew who it was.

"Brielle! By the gods, what are you doing?!" Shaye cried out, running over. Her arms encircled me from behind. She tried pulling me back over the railing. I didn't budge. "Come inside! You're going to fall, or freeze to death!" she pleaded.

I sniffed. "Let go."

"Brielle, come on," she urged. "Get down. We'll talk about it."

I swung my legs around to the other side but stayed sitting. The wind blew fiercely against my back. The cold was painful. "Talk about what, Shaye?" I asked bitterly.

"Talk about..." she trailed off, clearly at a loss.

"How I don't belong? How the rich and powerful hate me, and are just waiting for an opportunity to get rid of me? How I'll never fit in?" I went on, looking at her directly.

"Brielle..."

"How I'm just some freak of nature, who happened to land in the worst possible place?"

"That's not–"

"How I'm not worth the resources? How I'll destroy the kingdom?" I breathed out slowly, my chest feeling hollow. "Which one? What do you want to talk about?"

"Please, come inside. I'm scared," Shaye whispered, hugging me tightly.

I leaned forward and hugged her back. "How'd you even find me? There's, like, twenty million balconies."

"This is the only one on this floor," she explained. "And I saw you through the glass."

"Ah. Of course," I remarked, my tone flat.

"Did you... Did you not want me to find you?" she wondered, her voice small.

"…Kind of."

Her brows were furrowed, her expression pained. "You don't mean that," she stated, her hold on my forearms tightening.

"I don't want to see anyone," I corrected.

Shaye bit her lip. "You'll see me, won't you? Please?"

I sighed. She was being kind. And sincere. I couldn't say no to her. "...Okay."

She seemed like she didn't know where to start. "I... I'm sorry. About what happened in there. That was awful."

"What'd they say when I left?" I questioned.

"They argued about whose fault it was," Shaye answered, frowning. "Some were concerned for you. Prince Zyel was furious. I've never seen him that upset. Prince Reuvyn was angry but tried to be calm. Princess Diamae was crying. The others just watched. I wanted to punch Count Taviel in the face. And that's coming from someone who doesn't like violence."

"I would've paid to see that."

She smiled weakly. "I would've done it for you."

I managed a tiny laugh. "Thanks, Shaye."

"I'm sorry," she murmured.

"Why are you apologizing?" I asked.

"Because I didn't defend you," she said, her eyes cast down.

"It's fine," I said quietly.

"It's not. You're my friend. I should've said something."

"I don't expect you to," I assured her. "Especially not in front of the nobles. Besides, the whole thing was stupid. It wasn't the first time, and it won't be the last."

"It's still not right," she insisted.

"I know," I replied. "But it's reality. I have to accept that."

"You shouldn't–"

Abruptly, the doors opened again. I looked past Shaye to see Ashkan. He seemed frantic, out of breath, and relieved. My shiny black heels dangled from his hand.

"I'm okay," I told him. "I'm not gonna jump. Just chill."

He didn't seem to hear me. Instead, he took me by the waist and pulled me into his arms. The embrace was so warm and…inviting. So safe. The tears threatened to spill over again.

"I'm fine," I mumbled into his jacket, my hands resting around his back.

"No, you're not," he countered, his chin on top of my head. "You're frozen. You'll catch your death out here."

"You worry too much."

"I'm serious. You need to get out of the cold," he said firmly.

"Okay, okay," I agreed. I glanced over at Shaye, who seemed surprised by his decision to hug me.

She looked at Ashkan. "We were just coming inside. She wanted to be alone."

Ashkan's grip on me loosened. He angled his head down to observe me, his face pensive. I was afraid he'd ask questions. Questions I didn't know how to answer. My eyelids were heavy with the threat of fresh tears and the aftermath of previous ones. I didn't want him to see, so my gaze landed somewhere near his collarbone. But as usual, he was intuitive. I could almost feel him analyzing my expression. He nodded once and let go of me, but kept an arm around my shoulder.

"Let's go back inside," he said gently.

I slouched. "I really don't want to put those shoes back on."

"They really are cruel, aren't they?" Shaye commented.

I nodded. "They're murder weapons."

Ashkan stared at the heels dangling from his fingers. "They are...not made for walking, that's for sure." He contemplated something, his eyes darting back and forth between the shoes and the scenery behind me. His mouth twisted into a sly grin. "...Hold on."

With that, he drew his arm back and hurled them off the balcony, far into the snowy hedges. It was too dark to see where exactly they'd landed. I couldn't tell if I should've been horrified or ecstatic.

"Ashkan! Did you just...?!" Shaye's jaw dropped.

"Nobody will notice for a while," he decided, shrugging nonchalantly and dusting off his hands. "And she'll be more comfortable without them."

"I can't believe you just did that," she gaped. "You're a delinquent."

He scoffed. "I'm a delinquent for throwing away torture devices?"

I wiped my face with my glove, chuckling through the sniffles.

"What will we do if they get found?" Shaye inquired.

"Lie," he answered simply. "Now, can we please go inside?"

I stood up, my feet sinking into the snow. I cringed at the contact. Having been snapped out of my funk, the chill finally got to me. My skin was so cold that it burned. My hands were shaking, and my teeth were chattering. I hugged myself.

Ashkan noticed right away. "Can I just…carry you?"

"W-What?" I asked, blinking.

"You're shivering, and standing barefoot in snow," he pointed out.

"Um, o-okay," I relented, giving in. "Just, uh, just don't d-drop me."

He snorted. "It'll be quick."

In one motion, he wrapped his arms securely around my waist and hoisted me up, as if I weighed nothing. My body stayed upright, and I was lifted just enough so that my feet hovered above the snow. At this height, I was almost face-to-face with him.

His green eyes met mine, and his expression remained perfectly neutral. "See? Easy."

I was taken aback. My arms flew to his shoulders. "Geez! A little warning next time, would ya?"

"Sorry," he laughed.

"Let's go," Shaye said, holding the doors open.

"After you, milady," Ashkan replied, gesturing towards the doorway. Shaye gave him a playful roll of the eyes and stepped back inside, and we followed. The warmth was a massive relief. The two of them walked down the hall a bit before Ashkan set me down. I instantly slumped against the wall and slid down until I reached the floor.

Shaye sat down next to me. "Feeling any better?"

"Yeah," I said, wiping the stray tears away. "Just tired. I haven't cried this much in a while." Something about admitting I'd indeed shed tears recently was humiliating. But then again, what hadn't been lately?

"It's been a long day," she agreed.

"That's the understatement of the century," Ashkan commented, sliding down to the ground. He unclasped his cape and removed his tuxedo jacket, leaving him in a dress shirt and vest. "Here." He then draped the two articles of clothing over me in the same order he'd worn them in. The soft fur around my neck felt wonderful.

I snuggled into the jacket, the scent of pine and leather engulfing me. "Thanks..."

Our hallway conversation was quickly interrupted by a group of footsteps echoing down the corridor. A moment later, the twin Princes came into view.

"Brielle!" Zyel shouted. "There you are. Dear gods. We've been looking everywhere for you."

"Are you all right?" Reuvyn asked, kneeling in front of me.

"Yep," I murmured, rubbing my eyes. "I'm okay. I just needed a moment."

Zyel's face was tense, his fists clenched. "I'm gonna kick Taviel out of the country. How dare he treat you like that? How dare he say those things? He should be put in jail. I'm telling Father. This is not acceptable."

"It's fine. Don't bother," I mumbled, waving him off. "He's an aristocrat. They always act like that."

"That doesn't make it right," Reuvyn countered, frowning.

"He's a horrible man," Shaye commented. "I think everyone's always been too afraid to call him out on it."

"Well, I'm not," Zyel stated. "He should be ashamed of himself."

"Anyhow, we have little power over that," Reuvyn sighed. "I know you're angry, brother, but this isn't helping. We should let Brielle rest."

"Yeah, you're right," Zyel relented. He looked at me. "We're sorry this happened. I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault," I assured him. "Thank you both for standing up for me."

"I suppose you aren't interested in rejoining the festivities... But you're welcome to, if you'd like. None of the court members shall bother you again. We'll make sure of it," Reuvyn offered.

I shrugged. "I'm not sure yet. I just need some time to cool off."

"Take all the time you need. The castle is at your disposal," he said.

"Thanks," I replied. "How mad are your parents?"

"Not mad," Reuvyn explained. "More...disappointed. Disappointed with the court. Not with you. They understand. They know you've been trying to make the best of a difficult situation."

I sighed. "Well, that's good, I guess."

"Is there anything we can do for you?" Zyel asked.

"I'm fine, really. Thanks," I answered.

"Then we shall take our leave," Reuvyn decided. "We must return to the party. And, I believe your Captain is searching for you. It might be worth returning."

Shaye perked up. "Oh, she probably wants to know what's going on. I'll go," she promised, getting up. "Are you two all right on your own? Do you need anything?"

"We'll be okay," Ashkan answered. I nodded.

"I'll be back as soon as I can," Shaye assured me.

"Go. Kadia's probably stressed out of her mind," I said.

"All right," she agreed. She hurried off, her coat fluttering behind her. The twin Princes each gave a respectful bow before leaving, following her path down the hallway.

"So... What's the damage?" Ashkan questioned, turning his body towards me.

I rested my head against the wall. "I'm embarrassed. Angry. Sad. Confused. Frustrated. Take your pick. They're all applicable."

"I'm sorry, Brie," he said sincerely. "I wish I could've done more. I wish I could've... I don't know, done something. Stopped him."

"You didn't do anything wrong," I reminded him. "I could've stood up for you, too. They attacked all of us."

"It's not an easy thing to do in that scenario."

"No kidding," I murmured. I brushed a strand of hair behind my ear, trying to avoid his gaze.

"Well, it was brave, what you did. Standing up to Taviel. Even after he'd hurt you. He doesn't deserve the air he breathes."

I let out a mirthless laugh. "I'm not brave. I'm an idiot. He got to me, Ashkan. I hate that he did."

"But he provoked you," he pointed out.

"I should've ignored him," I stated. "He was testing me. Seeing what he could get away with."

"You're human. You're allowed to react."

"He won, though," I pointed out, my voice barely above a whisper. "I'm... I'm not supposed to let him. But he did."

Ashkan reached for my hand. "I think it's okay if you aren't invincible."

I stared at where our fingers interlocked loosely. I couldn't form a reply. So, I simply nodded. We sat in a comfortable silence for a few minutes.

"You're still cold," he noted.

Why did I keep finding myself in situations with Ashkan involving coldness? "Aren't you?" I asked.

"Nah," he dismissed. "But you're still shivering. Let me..."

"Wh–"

Without warning, he slipped the glove off my hand before repeating the process on the other.

"Great, I'm even colder now, thanks," I said, my brows furrowing.

"I'm trying to help," he defended with a chuckle.

"By stealing my gloves?"

"Just trust me."

He removed his own fingerless gloves, then took both my hands in his. I tensed, the lack of fabric now glaringly different. Then, he scooted a bit closer and guided my hands to his neck. I watched silently, remembering the first time he'd done this. He pressed our hands to the sides of his neck, where his pulse point was, and held them there, his own palms over the backs of mine. The iciness in my fingers made him wince briefly.

My face was burning. But I was warm. My hands, my skin, everything was warming.

"See?" he said. "I'm telling ya, it works like a charm."

I melted a little, the harsh tension in my shoulders evaporating. "How?"

"Because I'm a human space heater," he answered. "Cats would love me."

"Or you have a fever," I countered.

"Hopefully not," he chuckled.

I couldn't deny that the feeling was nice. The warmth. The comfort. The distraction, if nothing else. It was calming. I managed a tiny laugh, closing my eyes. "You're too nice. You really didn't have to follow me. To come get me. To bring my shoes back. To give me your jacket. To...this."

"...I wanted to," he replied, his voice low and soft.

"Why?" I asked without thinking.

That question seemed to stump him. He paused. "Because... We're friends. Aren't we?"

"Of course we are," I responded.

"Then, what're friends for?" he asked rhetorically.

I wasn't sure how to reply, so I just stayed quiet. He released my hands, but the lingering warmth remained. I tucked my gloves into his jacket's pocket.

My brain was still fuzzy. I couldn't stop replaying the night's events. Every word the nobles had said to me. Everything that had been happening the past few weeks. My head started to fall sideways, and by the time I'd noticed, it had already landed on Ashkan's shoulder. My eyes snapped open, but I really, really didn't want to lift my head back up.

"That was a mistake," I muttered.

"What was?" Ashkan questioned.

"Warming me up. The cold was keeping me awake."

He laughed, his shoulder rising and falling under me. "I didn't know you wanted to be frostbitten."

"I'll live," I replied.

"Will you?" he joked.

"Hey!" I protested, lifting my head. I was met with an amused grin. "You're either the sweetest guy or the biggest pot-stirrer. Pick a lane, Ash!"

At that, his grin vanished in a second. His mouth was left slightly open, eyes wide. It took me a few seconds to realize my mistake.

I cringed. "I didn't mean to call you that. Sorry, it's just... It really rolls off the tongue, you know?"

His eyebrows scrunched together. A muted cherry red washed over his features, spreading to his ears. "You're fine," he muttered.

"...Are you blushing?" I questioned, a teasing smirk forming on my lips. "From a nickname?"

"No," he said quickly. "Of course not."

"Mhm," I hummed, raising a skeptical brow.

"I'm not," he defended.

"Whatever you say, Ash."

He groaned, running a hand through his hair.

"Admit it," I demanded. "You don't mind one bit."

"All right, I don't," he gave in, throwing his hands up. "I just... I've never heard you call me it before. So, it's new. That's it."

"No need to be embarrassed," I laughed. "I won't call you that if it's not okay."

"It's okay," he said, his voice small.

"Well, okay then," I replied. "So, what now? Don't you want to go dance with everyone else?"

"Not particularly," he admitted. "Unless, you want to...?"

"Hell no. I'm perfectly content staying here."

"In that case, me, too." Ashkan gave a soft smile. Then, he straightened. I could've sworn I saw his eyes instantly light up. "Wait, I have an idea."

I squinted. "I'm not sure I like that look."

"Don't judge before you've heard it," he said, grinning.

"Fine, fine," I laughed. "Tell me."

He cleared his throat, sitting up a bit. "Let's go dance."

"I thought we'd already established that I didn't want to."

"Not in the ballroom." He tilted his head to the side. "Well, not exactly. Just come with me."

I eyed him skeptically. "I don't know, Ash."

He tried to fight off a smile upon hearing his nickname again. "Oh, c'mon. You can't sleep in this random corridor."

"Ashkan, no," I groaned.

"Brielle, yes," he argued, standing. "We'll be leaving soon enough, anyway. Come on, get up. I'll try to make it fun."

"What about Shaye?" I asked.

"She'll find us," he replied, holding out a hand.

"If she doesn't, you're getting murdered."

"Deal," he agreed, flashing a crooked smile. I rolled my eyes and took his hand. He pulled me up. "One thing first, though."

"Yeah?"

"Stand still. And look up."

I did as he instructed. Ashkan's hands lifted to my face, his thumbs brushing against my cheeks. My pulse skyrocketed. He wiped under my eyes, clearing the smeared makeup. I fixed my gaze on the chandelier above us as his fingers brushed my hair back into place. Finally, he adjusted the jacket, straightening it and pulling it tighter in order to cover the wine stains on my dress.

"There. Good as new," he commented.

"You didn't have to do that," I mumbled, looking down at the ground.

"Eh, I had a feeling you didn't want anyone else seeing you like that," he stated with a shrug.

"Thanks," I told him, a soft smile on my face. "Lead the way."

"All right," he agreed, starting down the hallway. I followed a step behind, the hem of my dress brushing against the marble.

We walked in silence. Eventually, he turned, leading us up a narrow staircase. I'd never been down that hall, nor the stairwell. But it was pretty, nonetheless. A few paintings hung on the wall, depicting various scenes from the castle's history.

"How much higher up?" I questioned, staring at the seemingly infinite stairs.

"Not far," he assured.

"Where are we going?" I wondered.

"You'll see," he sang, glancing at me over his shoulder.

I shook my head. "Fine, be mysterious."

Finally, the stairway ended, leading us out into another corridor. We rounded the corner, and Ashkan stopped in front of a door.

"I've never been here before," I noted.

"Obviously not," he replied. "I found it when I was wandering the halls."

"You mean when you were lost," I teased.

"Shush," he huffed.

He opened the door, and it revealed a wide, circular balcony overlooking the main ballroom. There was a railing around the edges, the wood painted white. In the center of the floor, there was a circle, also white, and the rest was dark, glossy hardwood. The dancefloor below would hold hundreds or perhaps thousands. We weren't completely hidden from view, but it was high up enough that no one could make out any features. The domed ceiling was painted intricately with swirls and designs. A massive chandelier was hanging from its centre, casting a warm glow throughout the balcony. Everything was absolutely stunning.

"Wow," I breathed, stepping forward. I leaned against the railing. From here, you could see everyone dancing and having fun. "What a vantage point..."

"Told you," Ashkan stated, coming up next to me.

"How'd you even end up here?" I asked.

"I don't know," he chuckled. "I thought it might've been a guest suite, or something."

"And instead, you found an awesome secret balcony," I concluded.

"Indeed."

Music was echoing up from below. The song wasn't familiar, but it was catchy. A slower, classical piece. Not so slow that it was sad, but not fast enough to be energetic. Perfect for swaying along to.

"Care to dance?" Ashkan offered.

"Oh, I don't know," I dismissed.

"No one can really see you, or judge you," he pointed out.

I shrugged, glancing at him. "It's not that; it's... Well..." I gestured vaguely at myself. "Look at me."

"What about you?" he said, tilting his head.

"I'm a mess. My gown is ruined, I don't have shoes on, my hair has knots in it, and my eyeliner is probably on my cheeks by now."

"Not anymore. I fixed it."

I exhaled roughly, looking back out over the ballroom. "Not to mention, I was crying, what, not even an hour ago?"

"Brie, it doesn't matter," Ashkan said, shaking his head. "You look...fine."

"Gee, thanks."

"Lovely," he corrected.

My heart jumped, but I quickly recovered. "You're too nice to be honest."

"Honestly. I don't care. Would it help if I did this?" He kneeled and took off his boots, tossing them aside.

I raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

"Now we're equal," he decided.

"We're still not even close to matching," I chuckled.

"Well, then..." Ashkan thought for a moment before unbuttoning the top buttons on his shirt. I stared in disbelief. He tugged his cravat loose, letting it hang around his neck. Then, he rolled up his sleeves to his elbows. "Better?"

"What in the world are you doing...?"

"Trying to match."

"You're ridiculous," I laughed.

"Maybe. Okay, now... Oh. I know what'll help." He bent over at the waist and mussed his hair furiously with his hands, ruining the meticulous work the hairdresser had put into it. When he finally stood up, whipping his head back, a few strands were now dangling in his face. The sandy locks were dishevelled and untidy, like he'd just gotten out of bed. He grinned at me, dark emerald eyes shimmering.

I bit my lip, trying not to smile. "What was that?"

"My best attempt," he said, shrugging. "How'd I do?"

My eyes trailed over him. I'd never admit it, but the unkempt appearance was a nice look on him. "Not bad," I told him. "There's the blond mess of waves that I'm used to seeing."

He shifted his weight onto one leg, resting his elbow against the railing. "A crowd favourite."

Suddenly, a thought occurred to me. "Hey, can I ask you something?"

"How about you ask while we dance?" he proposed, offering a hand.

"Fine, you stubborn oaf." I gave in and accepted his hand.

He smiled, placing a hand on my waist and pulling me closer. "All right. Shoot."

I settled my free hand on his shoulder, the other still clasped in his. "Um, I've just noticed that..." I searched for the right words. "Your personality kind of...changes, sometimes. Around certain people. You're more open, or less guarded. I've noticed that you're more you with Shaye, with your friends, and with me, now. You're actually fairly confident, if not terse. But you're not arrogant, just...assured. And you're smart, and witty, and curious, and...strangely somewhat charming. And above all, you're awfully...sweet. When you want to be."

Ashkan's eyebrows were raised. "Is that a question?"

"No," I muttered. "Well, I guess it's more of an observation."

He guided us to the music, and I followed his lead. "Mm. What's your point?"

"I'm just curious why you're so different," I said. "I've known many different...versions of your character. So, forgive me if this new one is a little unfamiliar."

He pursed his lips, thinking. "A lot has happened, Brie. I'm not the same person as I was five years ago. Or even one year ago. I'm constantly changing, and adjusting, and trying to figure things out. Sometimes, I'm better at hiding who I am, and others, I'm not."

"That's fair. I don't expect you to always be the same. It's just interesting," I replied. My eyes fell, watching our feet. My steps were a little clumsy.

"Why're you suddenly so interested in this?" he questioned.

"I don't know," I sighed. "It's almost like... Every time I think I know what type of person you are, you prove me wrong."

"How do you figure that?"

"Well, for instance," I began, "in the beginning, you were just cold. Aloof, and unreadable. Borderline rude. Just borderline. After that, you became more polite, and I learned more about you. Things were kind of awkward as we were stuck in a sort of limbo, and you'd sometimes switch from one personality to the other. You'd be warm, and nice, but then turn around and be dismissive and reserved. Now, lately, you've been a lot more...genuine. Less guarded, less closed off. You're reliable, kind of goofy, and just...really cool. But still, you have your moments where you're quiet, serious, and distant. ...Like when I was in the hospital. It's almost as though you're trying to reel yourself back in or something."

Ashkan stayed quiet for a long while. He most likely didn't appreciate being in the spotlight. I could feel his eyes on me, but I kept my gaze down. I had no idea why I'd even brought this up. It'd been nagging at me, but it didn't have any real meaning. I just wanted to know more.

Finally, he spoke. "It's hard to explain. I don't think I have a solid answer to that... You're right. I try not to be so guarded, but sometimes, I just slip into that behaviour. As long as I'm not too standoffish, people don't have a problem with it. It makes things easier. Simpler. For me, at least."

"And how so?" I wondered.

He spun me in a circle, then pulled me back. "The people who truly care will ask for more. People who don't will leave me alone."

"I'm assuming you prefer the latter," I commented.

"Prefer is a strong word," he stated. "But... I guess it's just easier to keep them at a distance. They don't really have to know me, and vice versa."

"And that's better?" I asked, confused.

"Usually," he confirmed. "See, Shaye is a good judge of character, so she won't befriend anyone unless they're trustworthy. That's probably why we became such strong friends, besides our parents also being friends. She could see right through my shell. And that's the thing—it doesn't work with her. Because she's just so...open, and honest. And caring. I don't really have a choice but to be vulnerable. She won't have it any other way. She's too good at knowing when I'm lying."

I smiled. "Sounds about right."

"But that's not my point." Ashkan's hands were warm, his thumb absentmindedly running up and down my back. His voice was smooth. "Shaye saw past that wall. And after enough time, you did, too. But the difference between you and her is... She's not always the best at letting things be. She's a fixer. She won't let you off the hook until you've sorted through all your issues. And ironically, that's a little bit intimidating. It makes me think twice about being vulnerable because I don't want to be pushed into facing things. It's not that I'm afraid to talk to her, but... I'm almost afraid of her reaction. I know it's not her fault, but it's just the way it is. I still appreciate everything she's done for me. Shaye just likes people who are...padlocks. I'm more of a puzzle, myself."

"Ah," I said, understanding.

"So, with you, Brielle, it's..." He sighed. "It's easier. I don't have to think so much. Because you'll let it be. If I'm quiet, you don't push. You don't try to get me to talk, or make me confront anything if I really don't want to. You're patient. It's refreshing... You know the difference between me wanting to talk but needing some encouragement, and just not wanting to, no matter how much encouragement. If I'm feeling crabby, then you allow me to be crabby, and if I'm feeling cheerful, then that's fine too. ...I'm sorry. I'm rambling."

"No, it's okay," I assured him. "I understand."

"It's a good thing," he insisted. "It's just...hard to explain. It's all very new."

"Well, we're practically forced to spend time together. It's harder to keep me out," I pointed out with a laugh.

"That's true," he chuckled. "But you're not the type of person to force me into talking."

"You're not the only one who has trouble being open, y'know," I reminded him. "I've always found it hard to confide in people. So, I try to give you that respect."

"Well, you're really good at it. You're easy to talk to."

"You think?"

"Definitely. Like now. It's easy to tell you things because you listen, and you don't judge, or anything. You're a good listener," he affirmed. "That, and you're easy to read. I can usually tell what you're feeling."

I raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really? How?"

"For starters, you're a pretty bad liar," he stated.

"Okay, I'll admit, that's true," I agreed.

"But there's a lot more than that."

"Like what?"

"Well..." He tilted his head, his eyes on my face. "You can't hide the fact that you're curious, or that you have a million thoughts running through your mind. You just don't necessarily express them."

"Really? What about now?" I questioned, pulling a straight face.

"Hmm." He narrowed his eyes, examining my features. "Right now, you're definitely intrigued, and amused, but you're also trying not to show it. It's in your eyebrows."

I tried my hardest to maintain a deadpan expression. "Is that it?"

Ashkan leaned forward, studying me. I felt a warmth creep up the back of my neck. His eyes flickered from my own to my chin, to my nose, then back. "You're wondering why I'm not making up some rubbish answer, and how I know what I'm saying is true. You're not sure whether to believe me or not. And... You're wondering why I'm looking at your face so closely."

I blinked a few times. "Wow. That's actually impressive."

"Shaye's not the only one with an observant eye," he said with a smile. "But, it's a little hard to notice the small stuff if you're not looking closely."

A jolt of something shot through me. Was that Ashkan's way of telling me he paid attention? Even when I wasn't focused on him? "I didn't realize that I was so...transparent," I chuckled, looking away.

"Maybe not to everyone," he offered. "It's just something I've had to learn how to do. But if it's any consolation, I think being transparent is good."

We swayed in a slow circle, our footsteps matching the steady beat. There were no words exchanged for a moment. The only sound was the faint music from below. Since neither of us had shoes on, we were almost gliding over the floor, our movements silent.

Ashkan spoke up, breaking the silence. "So, I peeked inside the treasury earlier. The sceptre's definitely there."

I almost tripped over my own feet. "You found it?!"

"It's there."

"Oh, wow. You're sure it's the one we'll eventually need?" I asked, my mind racing.

"Unless there's another one in there with the exact same markings," Ashkan replied, "broken into about a dozen pieces, with what looks like empty notches around the top."

"Huh. Well, that's good. It's right where the Elders and Zyel said it was," I murmured. "I wonder how we're supposed to repair it... Something tells me we can't just magic it back together. Not without the missing jewels, at least."

"Maybe, or maybe not. We'll cross that bridge when we get to it," he decided.

"Yeah." I exhaled slowly. "I'm still kind of overwhelmed by all of this, to be honest. How can we do this, y'know?"

He looked thoughtful. "I'm uneasy about it too. I'm not sure I believe everything they told us or everything that I've read, but... We've made it this far. It's hard to think we can't finish what we've started. Especially with the three of us."

"Right." I didn't want to tell him that all that was starting to get repetitive. "You're good at hiding your nerves, though."

"Don't be jealous of that," he chuckled. "And hey, if we're all going down, we're going down together."

"That's…not the most comforting thing you could've said."

His laugh was rich and full. "It's not comforting knowing you won't die alone?"

I shot him a look. "It's not comforting knowing I might die sooner than I'd like to."

"Hm, point taken." He looked around, taking in the scenery. The lights were dimmed, and the sky was dark. Through the glass windows, the stars were barely visible through the snow clouds. "It's strange to think of dying, or leaving, or whatnot. There's still so much left to see."

"Exactly," I agreed. "So, the sooner we can finish this, the better. Then we can get back to the lives we had."

"Yeah." Ashkan looked down at me.

Time seemed to have come to a halt. There was a certain softness in his expression. If I stared long enough, I thought I could see a flicker of emotion deep in his eyes. An almost undetectable trace of vulnerability. He looked calm, content, pensive, and...maybe just a little bit fearful.

My heart lurched. It was at that moment, for the first time, that I realized he was just as afraid as I was. Perhaps even more so. Ashkan noticed me staring, and the mask slipped back over his face. We'd stopped dancing. Don't! I wanted to say, Stop that! I didn't want the mask. I didn't want the façade. I wanted to see the real him. All along, we could relate to exactly how the other was feeling, without knowing it.

"Hey," I whispered, not moving.

"Hey," he replied. "...Something wrong?"

My left hand dropped from his shoulder, and he let go of my right. His other hand left my waist. We both stood perfectly still, not knowing what to do next. It had only happened twice before, but there was something about his arms that felt so secure, and stable. It was hard to shy away from anything like that while dealing with so much uncertainty. I don't know what compelled me to do it. Maybe it was selfish. Maybe I just wanted someone to lean on. But maybe we both did.

My gaze fell to my feet and my head hung. A wave of exhaustion sunk its teeth into me. I closed my eyes and leaned forward, causing the top of my head to bump against Ashkan's upper chest. For a brief moment, I pretended that this wasn't about the world, or the future, or the sceptre, or the prophecy, or anything unknown. It was just Ashkan and me, two near-adults trying to find a little bit of comfort, however unconventional it was.

Before I could convince myself not to, I wrapped my arms around his torso, angling my head to press my cheek against his shirt, just below his chin. The action took him by surprise. Ashkan inhaled sharply, and I felt his body go stiff. There was a pause. My eyelids were heavy. It felt like I was wearing brick shoes.

After what seemed like forever, he finally moved. His arms wrapped carefully around my shoulders. It was nice. I didn't feel the need to talk. There were no questions or expectations. No pressure, no judgment. Just mutual understanding, and a little bit of compassion. I let my eyes close, and we just stood there. Ashkan gave me a light squeeze, and I squeezed back. It was simple, but…comforting.

In that moment, I didn't feel quite as alone as I had earlier. In that moment, we were exactly what each other needed. Support. Security. Sanity. After the whirlwind our lives had been thrown into, that hug was proof that we were more than just this stupid prophecy. Proof that we mattered outside of it. Proof that, despite the cosmic roadblock we'd been thrown, we were living beings, and that wasn't going to change. And now, there we were, two lost souls seeking comfort in a place and with a person they'd never expected to.

I don't know how much time had passed before we separated.

Ash, he's... He's something else.

I don't think there's a word that exists for him yet.