A/N: Jane and the Dragon does not belong to me in the least.
Jane stared openly at Darius, Prince Darius, her mouth opened slightly in shock. "Y-you're—you're a—what?" Lenora rose from her curtsy, head tilted down slightly in respect to one of a higher rank than herself. "Since when?!" Darius was gazing at Lenora curiously.
"Lenora," She started at such informality from him, "You seem familiar to me. Have we met before?"
"Yes. In the gardens. Yesterday afternoon." A slight smile on his part while she averted her gaze to Janine.
"Besides from that. Perhaps years ago?" Her eyes closed briefly, mouth tightening into a thin line. Jane looked at her cousin in concern.
"Lennie? Is something wrong?" Jane knew such a look from the days they spent together as children. Granted, she hadn't seen her cousin in quite some years, but she still knew her emotions well enough. "You seem—"
"We have never met before yesterday, Prince Darius. You speak of my sister, Clara." Jane faltered at the name of her elder cousin.
"Perhaps." Darius noted the mood of those around him, dodging the subject. "But perhaps not. Maybe in the gardens one evening, when you were accompanied by Sir Gunther?" Janine raised a curious brow, interested at how this conversation was going. Gunther gazed at him through narrowed eyes.
"You weren't spying on Lady Lenora, were you?" Gunther was quite prepared to believe the lady he had thought was Jane in denial was, in actuality, her cousin. It just simply made life all the easier.
"I was simply enjoying the night air. I believe you sought her out." Darius spoke, countering the Knight's line of questioning. "Remarked about how she acted too much like the blacksmith, was it?" Jane glowered at Gunther, who pointedly ignored such a look.
Janine clapped her hands lightly and Lenora looked over at her. "Do you need something, Janine?"
"Well, I'm bored, so, I'd like to go in now." Lenora frowned at her behavior, then her face smoothed, calm returning.
"As you wish. We'll take our leave now." Janine held up a hand to stop her. "Janine?"
"Oh no, not you. Markus needed to speak with Father. I'd hate to pull you away just as you're getting to know Darius." She pulled in close to her best friend and Lady-in-Waiting. "He's so very interesting, I'm sure you'll have lots to talk about." She winked, pulling away. "Sir Gunther, perhaps you'd care to walk with me?" She batted her lashes at the Knight and he immediately stepped forward, extending his arm for her.
"An honor, Princess." She took it, giggling lightly. Markus rolled his eyes, giving a nod toward Darius before he followed after them. Jester and Smithy, those not really sure what was going on and only that the Princess Janine had some sort of secret agenda and Jane's cousin was somehow involved in it, slowly shifted back towards Jane, making no sudden movements toindicate they were there.
"Jane," Jester hissed, "what's going on?" Jane shooed him off, putting a hand on Lenora's shoulder.
"Lennie, are you alright?" Lenora smiled lightly, but it didn't reach her eyes, something Jane knew was a bad sign indeed.
"I'm fine, Jane. Don't worry about me. Now, it seems I've been exiled for the time being. Perhaps I could assist you—" Darius cleared his throat and Lenora paused, biting at her bottom lip before she returned to her neutral expression, letting no one in to see her feelings. "Prince Darius?"
"Join me for a walk in the gardens, Lady Lenora?" Lenora cursed Janine but hid it well behind a smile and a curtsy.
"As Your Highness wishes." He smiled, extending his hand. Jane raised a single brow, watching as Lenora faltered. Lenora, for her part, was unused to such… behavior from a royal. Except for Markus, but he was like an annoying older brother. If she didn't know better, he was trying to… woo? Would that be the word? Or flirt? Well, whatever the word was, he was trying to do it with her. She didn't want to say he was succeeding, but because he was a Prince, a Crown Prince, she would have to do as he bade.
For now.
"T-thank you." She rested her hand in his own and he pulled her close, away from her cousin, her hand now resting on the crook of his elbow as he led her away.
Jane watched them disappear, a frown marring her features. "I'm not sure… I like this latest development."
"Ah, love." Jester wrapped an arm around her shoulders, letting out a sigh. "Such is life. Such as the blossoms that come forth in the spring, love too arises, without warning and often without any preparation and offer such beauty to the world. Soon, your fair Lenora will be whisked away, in the arms of her—"
"I think you're getting a bit ahead of yourself." Jane interrupted quietly, raising a brow at her best friend. Jester cleared his throat as Smithy shook his head.
"Well, who can say? He seems charming enough." Jane looked at the arch that would lead her to the gardens, if she chose to follow them.
"So did Charles." She let out a soft breath, pulling away from her friend and moving toward her tower room, kicking at stones. Jester looked to Smithy and the blacksmith shrugged.
"Who?" Dragon, who they all had forgotten, and who had remained silent through this whole exchange, sat up, crossing his arms in contempt.
"Now just what is going on here, Jingle Boy? I want answers." Jester looked up at the beast before hanging his head and sighing.
Lenora sat at the table, gazing silently around her at the many nobles and royals that had come to King Caradoc's party. Truly, it was amazing such a large amount of nobility could all be in one room at one time. Janine was out dancing with a Duke from Norway, his speech thickly accented and a little difficult to understand. Lenora had informed her he was in-fact single and looking for a bride and she had also warned her that he may attempt to entice her into such a union. Janine had waved her off, taking the Duke's hand and disappearing with a flourish.
A sigh and Lenora looked to the windows. She couldn't see out, what with the light from the many candles prohibiting her from such an action. She hated parties like these, but Janine had trouble remembering people's names and was actually quite shy when she was by herself with people she didn't know. So Lenora, being her best friend and lady-in-waiting, would accompany her and inform her of a person's rank, country of origin, and a brief little history about them. Lenora excelled in her skills of memorization.
"Lenora." The chair beside her was pulled out and she looked up as Markus sat down. "Save me."
"Hm?" He jerked his thumb over his shoulder, slumping down and resting his head on the table. Lenora turned, gazing at the little Princess Lavinia staring at Markus with wide, love-struck eyes. She was nine now, her older brother, eleven, standing beside her and rolling his eyes. "I daresay, Markus, I think she's your type." He groaned and Lenora laughed, quickly raising a hand and covering her mouth, not letting the joyful noise last long. She smiled at the little princess, beckoning her over.
The little girl walked forward slowly, her eyes averted to the floor, shifting up to look at Lenora every now and again before she stood before her, hands clasped behind her back as she rocked back and forth on her heels, shy. "Hello, Princess Lavinia. I'm Jane's cousin, Lennie. This is my dear friend Markus." Markus sat up, glowering at her before smiling gently at the young Princess.
"Hello again, Princess."
"H-hello Prince Markus." Lavinia smiled shyly. Lenora leaned closer, looking at Markus from the corner of her eye briefly.
"Princess, I was wondering if you could perhaps do me a favor." Lavinia looked up at Lenora as Cuthbert walked over, a small frown marring his features. "Princess, I'm in need of a little fresh air, but Markus doesn't like being left alone at parties. Could you stay and talk with him until I come back?" Lenora gazed down seriously at the Princess. "I'm sure he would appreciate it tremendously." Markus set his jaw, his teeth grinding together.
"O-of-course I can!" Lenora rose from her seat, curtsying to the little royal.
"Thank you, Princess. Please, sit." Lavinia hopped up into Lenora's chair while Cuthbert scowled, sitting next to her. Lenora stepped close to Markus, leaning down so that her lips were next to his ear. "Behave, or I'll have Jane inform you of the proper behavior for a visiting noble." Markus glared and Lenora pulled away, smiling. "I'll take my leave. I'll be back shortly." She gave another small curtsy, turning and walking away, her form shifting around the dancers as though she herself was part of their play.
She moved ever closer to the glass doors of freedom, caught up in the excitement of escaping for a precious few minutes that she wasn't watching for those idle. A hand caught her own, spinning her around into him, one hand braced against his chest, the other held tight in his left hand. She blinked at a navy blue formal jacket, her eyes slowly shifting to look at the man possessing various medals for bravery and valor. "D-darius?"
He smiled, shifting his form to bring her into the dancing, twirling about the other pairs. "Lenora. I'm glad we're on such casual terms now." She stared up at him, confusion at her sudden loss of freedom clouding her better judgment. She simply moved with the music and her "partner", years of practice with Janine's horrid dance teacher controlling her every move. "Smile." She blinked, the daze lifting. A sudden stop on her part but he simply pulled her back in, a hand on the small of her back. "Sudden, I know, but at-least grant me your company for the remainder of the song." She ducked her head, looking away to her left as her brow furrowed before looking back up at him through her lashes.
"I-I… I suppose it wouldn't hurt…" He smiled down at her, eyes softening. "B-but that's all. I'm not some maidservant you can order around."
"Are you sure about that, Lenora?" She looked away again. "Because I seem to remember Janine leaving you in my care. I heard nothing about a time limit, so I can only assume that she mea—"
"Fine." She was upset, he could see that. He blew out a breath, wondering why it was so difficult with her.
"I'm sorry. That was rude of me. I meant no disrespect." The orchestra slowed, the music coming to a halt. She pulled away and dipped into a curtsy.
"The damage is already done, Your Highness." When she lifted her eyes to him, all he saw was anger and hurt.
"Lenor—" She took a single step back, disappearing behind the press and sway of bodies.
Ah, well, we're leaving on a good note, aren't we~?
Well. Bummer dude. Ticked her off pretty good. And you brought up her sister? Tsk tsk tsk. So troublesome you are. And Charles, we can't forget Charles! Evil little child he is… Hint hint: everyone in the Turnkey family hates Charles.
Well! Until the next time, please enjoy~
