Aurora stared blankly at the reflection looking back at her in the mirror. The painted lady in front of her reminded her nothing of herself and yet in someway she was more real than Aurora was.
The face she always had fixed during times such as these where she had to be around other silvers like her.
Even during her own birthday.
The dress on her body was much more lavish than she would have personally picked, something her mother and sister had laid out that morning. A gown that matched her brothers suit he was to wear today, on the birthday they shared.
The white gown flared out from her waist with black intricate lacing layered over top. It formed small flower details over top the white base of fabric, and golden jewelry hung from her neck and ears. Together the colors formed the house colors of the noble house Melanthios.
Her brother would be colored in a similar fashion, with an outfit also hand picked by their mother. He had little concern over his clothing choices, despite his enjoyment of the female attention it brought him. He'd probably be just as happy in some form of workout shorts as he would be in his high quality wool suits.
She sighed a heavy sigh in irritation. Pulling at the curls that had been unnaturally laid into her hair, she sat down on the floor with a frown pulled onto her lips.
She had taken to hiding in the upstairs rooms she knew no one would be at, except maybe servants.
If her mother found her she would be in an astonishing amount of trouble. She knew guests had already begun to arrive, and it was awfully rude of her to not be greeting her guests. After all they had traveled here to give her and her brother the best of regards on their nineteenth birthday.
'No not for me, for them, to prove something. It's always to prove something' she thought. She was proving something right now by being dressed this way, proving that she was just as noble and powerful as every other girl in the nation.
Just as worthy of a competitor for queenstrial.
She heard steps coming down the hallway and quickly stood up, in order to straighten the fabric of her dress. Praying it wasn't her mother that had found her, she took in a breath and turned to find out who was approaching.
To her relief it was only her brother.
Aidan's face was set in that damn smirk she hated so much, the same one that would find its way to hers every so often.
"You know, it's very unbecoming of a young lady to stare so long at her reflection." His voice chimed out in a familiar tone, the same one he always used when he teased her. She rolled her eyes at him.
"Yeah right that's what I was doing, because we both know how much I just adore my appearance." She glowered at him, not in the mood for whatever teasing was surely coming, to her surprise Aidan just sighed.
"You know you're lucky I'm the one who came to find you, I stopped mother on her way up here. The guests are starting to arrive and she is very upset that you are not there to welcome them." His eyes trained on his sister as he talked, trying to read her face. " I know how much you hate parties but please, for both our sakes let's get down there yeah?"
She huffed like a child and simply crossed her arms, " and why should I, they came to see us not the other way around. It's our birthday Aidan and if I want to spend it alone I should be allowed to." she wasn't accustomed to whining but more than anything, she had just wanted a quiet day with her family.
Aidan's eyes soften a little as he looked over his twin sisters face. " You know it's about more than just us." He walked up next to her standing shoulder to shoulder.
"I know, I just wish for once it could not be." she sighed and turned to look at both their reflections in the mirror. Aidan stood tall as he always did, but somehow his outfit made him look even taller. The strong fabric was similar to her own in coloring. A white militarily suit adorned with black buttons and trimming. An embroidered pattern adorned the collar and cuffs of his suit, a strong gold color. He was a handsome man but always much more so in his uniforms.
Their faces had the similar strong bone structure of their mother. The same straight nose, high cheekbones and dark brown hair that gleamed a shade of red in the sunlight. All their mother. Although Aidan's hair had a natural curl to it, him and their little sister both, something Aurora seemed to miss.
His voice spoke up, pulling her out of her observations "Besides look on the bright side, Cal and Maven will be here soon." He smiled, excitement lacing his features.
"Oh you mean I get to play third wheel to yours and Cal's bromance, great what could be better." She quipped, sarcastically, giving Aidan the raised eyebrow. He jabbed her in the side, causing her to squeal.
" I hate you so much." She exclaimed holding her side away from him. He just smiled.
"Ahuh sure, you wouldn't last two seconds without me."
"No actually I'm pretty sure I would do wonderfully"
"Yeah right"
"Conquer worlds even, without your annoying comments following me everywhere."
"Oh whatever, you know you love them."
"Whatever."
The both of them stared at each other before laughing a little, then their eyes slowly steeled over as they prepared to head out to the main hall of their mansion. Nodding to each other Aidan reached out his hand to his little sister.
"Together."
She nodded putting her hand in his, "Together."
The both of them turned to begin their descent downstairs to the hungry predators waiting for them. As long as they were together though, they would never be devoured.
The lights in the main hall were bright and disorienting. Holding tightly onto her brothers arm as the both of them walked to the main staircase to begin their descent.
The loud jabbering of the crowd quieted down as the silvers in the room turned to watch the pair. An all to polite applause crawled up from the crowd in a warm welcome to the birthday duo.
Although they were most likely the least important in this room. Half of the guests had come to maintain appearance and the other half for the alcohol.
Aurora straightened her spine and put on a false smile, hiding any trace of discomfort. Her and her brother both began a pleasant wave as they stepped down the steps.
Scanning her eyes around the room, she caught sight of her father and mother standing in the middle of the large floor. Aislynn however, was noticeably missing from their parents side. Aurora's eyes scoured the waves of people to search for the younger Melanthios girl, but she was nowhere to be seen. Confusion swarmed inside Aurora's mind but she quickly shook it off and focused onto the crowd. Aislynn would show up eventually.
Aidan halted at the bottom of the stairs and Rory followed in kind. Their father began to approach the pair as their eyes followed him. He smiled to both of his children in a kind manner before turning to the audience.
"On behalf of my family I, Arrin Melanthios, would like to thank you all for coming tonight to join us in celebration of Aidan and Aurora's nineteenth birthday. It is an honor to have you all here. So please enjoy yourselves, and may the festivities begin." Many voices cheered out from the crowd, especially for those who had been waiting for a drink.
Their father turned back to the pair, his eyes traced the both of them before a big grin broke onto his face. Swallowing his eldest daughter in a hug, he pulled her close. Aurora wrapped her arms around her fathers back, digging her face into his chest. His scent calmed her from the anxiety of their surroundings.
"You look beautiful tonight sweetheart, make sure to enjoy yourself alright." Her father's voice was soft. She nodded slightly before pulling back and giving him a small smile. She kept looking at him before something popped back into her mind.
"By the way papa, where's Aisy?" Aurora asked her eyebrow raised in questioning. Her father smirked playfully. Both of his progeny looked at him waiting for his answer.
"Oh she just went to go grab a couple party guests.'' His voice had amusement laced into it and Aurora was still just as confused.
'Why is she escorting party guests? Shouldn't the servants be in charge of that?" Aurora shook her head, figuring she would find out soon enough.
"Now both of you, go and talk to your guests." Their father grasped them both by the shoulders and gave a little nudge.
Soon she found herself stuck in an awful conversation with an older Silver woman. By the appearance of her clothing she was of house Gliacon.
The woman couldn't stop spouting on about useless things Aurora had little patients for.
She cursed her father and mother for making her talk.
Losing concentration, Aurora began to stare behind the woman's head at the other party guests.
Aurora felt relief flood through her when she noticed her sister walking out from a corridor. It was a viable reason to escape the insufferable conversation she found herself trapped in. Quickly turning to the older silver woman, she spoke swiftly.
"I must apologize, my lady but it seems my sister is in need of something at the current moment. If you'll excuse me."
The woman nodded, although Aurora could see the irritation underlying in the woman's eyes at the sudden interruption.
Rory left her company gracefully, picking up her skirt and starting a quick pace to her sister. Her step stuttered however when she saw who it was that her sister was with. The prince's stood tall behind Aislynn, the three of them smiling and laughing together. A frown tainted Aurora's lips for a moment before she let it melt away and approached them.
Aislynn's eyes lit up when she saw her beloved elder sister.
"Rory! You look so beautiful tonight, sorry I wasn't here to greet you and Aidan . I went to go grab these two." Aislynn's smile made Aurora's heart melt, glad that their presence made her sister happy despite her own reservations. The rest of her family was quickly approaching as many of the silver houses turned. The room was quiet, in respect to the two royals now arrived.
Both of the boy approached the girl, bowing their head in greeting.
Cal reached out to take her by the hand, lifting it slowly to his mouth in greeting.
Aurora watched with a slight anger brewing in her chest, her hand twitched when it was returned to her side.
"It's wonderful to be here lady Aurora, congratulations, I wish you a very happy birthday." His face was spread out into a kind smile, and while most women would swoon Aurora felt irritation.
Although her face hid it well.
She smiled gently, playing every part the lady she was born to be. She curtsied to the male.
"The honor is mine Prince Tiberias, Prince Maven. I am honored to have you here tonight in the celebration of my brother and I's birthday." Her voice was softer than it normally was.
Behind her the rest of her family walked up.
Her father and mother went straight up to the princes. Her father lifted his hand to shake both of the younger boys hands.
"Cal, Maven, it's wonderful to have you both here tonight. Thank you for joining us tonight." He shared a smile with the princes as they both nodded to him.
"The pleasure is ours Lord Melanthios, it would be wrong not to celebrate a friends birthday. My father and mother will be here soon. Urgent matters held them back but they urged us on ahead of them so as not to miss the party." Maven spoke, his voice smooth and blue eyes gleaming. Aislynn smiled at him.
"Now everyone, let us continue with the celebration, we will partake in dinner soon." Her father's voice called out to the crowds. Quickly the attention turned back to others in the room, and away from them.
Her mother stepped forward to both boys, quickly giving them hugs.
"I hope the journey found you both well, it's wonderful to have you here. It's always such a treat to have you both at the manor." Her mother's face was so kind and genuine. A pang of jealousy twitched in Aurora's heart, it wasn't often that her mother was that way with her. She was strict and demanding most days, raising her daughter to be a perfect candidate for queen.
Both boys smiled kindly at her mother.
"Thank you lady Qurina, it's always nice to be so warmly welcomed.''Cal's eyes lit up with warmth as he talked with Rory's family. His eyes moved towards Aurora's side and a smirk found its way to his face.
Him and Aidan stared at each other for a minute before laughing. Pulling each other into some kind of half bro-hug type thing, they patted each other on the back. They always achieved in confusing Aurora profusely.
"Look at you Aidan, upgraded from gym shorts to an actual uniform. And you actually showered? Must be a birthday miracle." Cal teased, trying to annoy her brother.
Aidan only laughed, "Well you know, gotta look nice sometimes. If I walked down here anything less than presentable mom would've killed me. And I think we can both agree, no one wants to get on her bad side. Both boys laughed in unison, Aurora could only roll her eyes.
"Can you believe those two Aisy?... Aislynn?" Rory looked to find her sister when silence was all that answered her. In a moment like this she was often her only companion. But, when she turned her head she found her sister engaged in a conversation with Maven. The both of them smiling, seeming to enjoy themselves.
Rory's lips drew into a frown and she huffed. Both of the Princes had stolen away her siblings, leaving Aurora with no one.
A hand rested on her shoulder. She looked up to see her mother looking down towards her, a couple inches taller. Silver gray eyes met silver grey eyes as her mother raised an eyebrow at her.
"Well? Go on and join them." Her mother nodded to the teens in front of them. Aurora looked away.
"And be a third wheel? No thanks, mother. Can we just start dinner already, I'm hungry." Qurina looked at her daughter and sighed before going to her husband. She whispered into the man's ear and he nodded.
"Alright everyone we'll be starting dinner now, please proceed to your assigned seats."
And just like that dinner commenced. Aurora was left stuck between her two siblings as she endured their conversations with the princes. Maven sat just on the other side of Aislynn, while Cal sat on the other side of Aidan. Aurora simply shoved each new course in front of her into her mouth and tried to ignore the pairs.
Dinner continued on like this for a long while, with Aurora counting the minutes to keep herself preoccupied.
Once dinner was finished the most dreaded part of the night had finally arrived. It was time for the dancing. Dancing always meant having to be polite to boys she could care less for. She stood, watching as her brother was already up and dragging some silver girl onto the floor. The abandonment was real. Usually she would be his first dance.
She felt a tap on her shoulder and she sighed slightly to herself.
'And so it begins.' she put on her best smile as she turned to whoever it was behind her.
She wasn't prepared to see the eldest prince there, holding his hand out in expectation. His golden eyes staring at her.
"It would be a honor if you joined me in a dance my lady." his voice was pleasant and vile to Aurora at the same time. She swallowed down her distaste and nodded.
"Of course my prince, I'd love to." She took his hand and he led her to the floor. Together the two of them began to dance to the slowed down beat of the song. Discomfort flooded her body, her back stiff and straight as an arrow. Cal smiled at her, warmth radiating off his body as they twirled around the floor. She tried her hardest not to cause a scene but as the beat went on she found it hard to contain her distaste at the situation she was trapped in.
They continued dancing on passing small talk around. Aurora felt the need to slam her head into a wall but kept on an overly polite smile and agreeable attitude.
They talked quietly of her family and his, of how the night had been and of other useless things Rory found no interest in.
She couldn't help but glare over his shoulder at her brother who now was staring at her with a smirk. He knew exactly what he had done and Rory wished wholeheartedly that she could strangle him.
"Rory, you okay? You look like you're about to murder someone." Cal's voice called Rory's attention away from her brother. Glancing up at the burner she quickly put back on her soft facade.
"Oh, forgive me your Highness. It's just Aidan seems to be teasing me. It's just, he typically is my first dance so I was a little disappointed when he decided to abandon me on our birthday." The overly sweet tone in Aurora's voice made Cal sweat a little. Her tone was incredibly passive aggressive.
Clearing his throat Cal smiled again at Aurora.
" Well I'm not as good a dancer as Aidan but I hope I'm not too poor of a substitute."
'You might very well be the worst substitute.'
"Of course not my lord, I am very happy to be dancing with you tonight." she hated lying, it tasted vile on her tongue but for her family's sake she would put away her own personal vendetta.
" Well I'm glad to share this dance with you. I haven't gotten to see you in a few months, since you've stopped going on trips with Aidan and your father to the palace." He was always too polite, it always got under Aurora's skin in a way she detested.
"Yes well, my mother has pulled me out of many engagements as of recent in favor of preparing for Queenstrail. I have had very little for much of anything these days.'' The flat disinterest caused Cal's lips to sink into a small frown, a touch of guilt on his face. At the mention of Queenstrial his positive aura diminished. Although it seemed horrible, even to herself, she hoped that he was sharing in her suffering when it came to the event. It made her feel better about what she had and would endure in the coming future.
The rest of the song played on in continued silence. He was certainly a good dancer. The both stepping gracefully over the marble floors. The hand rested on her hip burned slightly but she could not tell if that was from his ability or her own machinations.
Soon the song came to an end.
Bowing to each other, the prince smiled again at Aurora,
"It was wonderful being able to dance with you tonight. So thank you." His voice was so kind and gentle, Rory couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt over her wish that he was suffering too.
She gave a small nod to him and it wasn't long before the both were swept away by others for the next dance.
She couldn't help but observe his face as he danced with the other girl. The smile he had on now was fake, a formality, and was almost sad. She wasn't the only one hiding behind false face tonight for the sake of family. Though she still resented him, she couldn't but feel connected to him in this way. They were both sad victims of their society.
The night went on with little incident after this. The dancing came to an end eventually. Dessert was served and gifts given to the pair of siblings. Soon guests were excusing themselves and heading back to their own estates.
Standing by the door with her parents and siblings, she kept a bright smile as she wished each one a safe journey home. When the last of the guests had filed out Aurora let out a sigh of relief. Aislynn giggled next to her and wrapped an arm around her sister. The two of them shared a smile as Aurora placed her head on her sister's shoulder.
"Glad tonight is over?" Her sisters soft voice chimed.
"Incredibly."
The only two guests left were the prince's who would be staying for the next few days. It wasn't uncommon for them to stay at the Melanthios Mansion and there was still a visit expected of the King and Queen the next day.
Her mother was the first to retire for the night after wishing her children a happy birthday. Then followed their father after her.
As Aurora headed towards her own room she watched the servants cleaning up after the party. A pang of sympathy hit her heart, they must have been tired too.
Shaking her head she continued until she was face to face with her door.
Wishing her siblings and the princes a good night as they too headed to their own rooms.
She walked in to her room and leaned on the door after closing it behind her. Taking in a deep breath, she sat in the welcomed silence for a moment. Parties were always overwhelming.
When she opened her eyes she did not head to her bed. Instead she walked straight to her dresser. Stripping out of her party clothes, she put on the cheapest pair of clothing she owned.
Grasping onto one of the many cloaks she owned, she wrapped it around her.
She was in desperate need of fresh air, and she knew just the place to go.