Dedicated to: MaroonAngel of Darkness, ZeldaTifa, Cam-Two-Sevens, quasi una fantasia, AnberlinEve
Disclaimer: If I owned Noctis, I would have had his babies already.
J is for Jealousy:
She took a glance at him.
And another.
One more couldn't hurt…especially with a face like his.
No it definitely couldn't.
Focus, Stella.
She blinked and sat up a little straighter; remembering she really should be listening to the meeting. What was it about again? Foreign Trade? The production for an artificial Fal'cie? Oh dear, she could not remember for the life of her.
It wasn't her fault.
Really.
It was his. All his.
She tried so hard to ignore him, but his mere presence shrouded over her as if he was a dark storm cloud. A very handsome, dark storm cloud. A very mysterious, handsome, dark storm cloud.
Stop it, Stella.
She brought both her hands up and patted her cheeks lightly, trying to knock some sense into her usually, calm and sensible head. The action brought unwanted attention as multiple eyes laid themselves upon her. (Including a pair of sleepy, pale blue ones)
It must have looked like she was waking herself up (which she was, technically, but not from sleep).
"Are you well, milady?" asked one of the politicians, clearly masking annoyance at the distraction.
Her cheeks flushed in embarrassment and she nodded quickly. "I am. My apologies, sir. Please continue."
The beast with a thousand eyes turned away from the princess and focused its attention on the previous politician.
She tried to push away the image of amused, sleepy, pale blue eyes linger on her for a second longer and the butterflies that stirred in her stomach.
Did he notice her too?
"Something important on your mind?"
His pale eyes blinked and glanced over at her curiously. "I beg your pardon?"
That voice.
Deep as the ocean and smooth as silk. It was absolutely enchanting. It was one that would melt any woman into a puddle of complete bliss.
She could feel an immense blush rising but fought it down with all her might. Instead, a light giggle burst out her pink pouty lips and she covered her mouth to suppress it. "Your face.." she started and giggled harder at his confusion. He looked absolutely adorable like that. "..it's always set into this hard expression, " she furrowed her eyebrows and pursed her lips to demonstrate, " as if you're concentrating on something very seriously."
His facial lines relaxed (and she swooned internally) "Oh…I see…"
"I didn't mean to offend you." Stella added quickly
He shook his head, hair swaying along yet still in perfect disarray. (She so badly wanted to reach out and touch it) "No offense taken. You won't believe how many times I've been told that."
"Oh?" She tilted her head, still eyeing his tousled hair, waiting for him to carry on which he didn't. "So what is it? …That you're thinking of?"
He closed his eyes for a second before glancing out the window. "A lot of things."
He said no more and she pursued no more.
He spoke to her and that was all mattered.
It was all that mattered.
"Here." She shakily held out a cream coloured envelope with both hands, looking down to avoid his eyes. "It's an invitation." She stated before he can ask because she could just picture his questioning look. "To our annual fall banquet."
She glanced up at him, stretching the invitation out further. He seemed slightly surprised but nonetheless, reached out to take it.
"This is… new. From what I remember, I believe us Caelums were no longer invited to Fleuret banquets."
She had prepared herself for this, repeating it countless times in the car on her way here.
"I was aware of that, I gave it much thought and have come to the conclusion, that there is no need for such childish feuds. Political matters need not interfere with social gatherings and I do believe things may be amended. As future leader of Tenebrae, I wish for there to be peace between our two kingdoms. Starting with this." She had said this in one breath, hoping he wouldn't notice that she was just a bundle of nerves at this moment.
If he did notice anything, he didn't show it.
"I see. Well," She held her breath (Please don't say no. Please don't say no)
"…I'm not very good at parties." He joked lightly, indirectly accepting this invitation.
Her tense shoulders relaxed and the ropes that bound her lungs loosened and now she could breathe easily. She couldn't help but grin and swoon.
" …And I'm not the only one." He added, more to himself.
"Oh I'm also terrible at these events. I can never put names to faces (Because none of them really mattered to her) and the last time I danced, my heel snap and I almost twisted my ankle…" She rambled on, joy so obviously evident in her voice.
The banquet, previously a chore on her list, was now something she was eagerly looking forward to because the one person who truly mattered, was coming.
He truly mattered.
Where is he?
She wondered to herself, throwing constant glances to the entrance while politely greeting her guests. The young gentleman before her took her hand and planted a kiss, lips lingering much longer that was considered courteous and sent a suggestive wink her way. Stella curtsied, bowing her head low to hide the look of horror on her face and retracted her hand before turning her attention (part of it) to the next person.
Please. Please arrive soon.
She felt restless throughout the evening and not even her favourite pink champagne could calm the anxiety bubbling through her. Her parents would throw looks of concern every now and then, but she would just smile her smile and brush it off.
Everything is fine. She reassured them and to prove it, she allowed herself to be dragged onto the dance floor by complete strangers, whose hands were placed far too low, and bodies too close for comfort, but she grinned through it because that's what princesses do. Polite, courteous and graceful.
Sad.
He didn't come….?
Her feet were tired (spirit too) so she excused herself from the awaiting dance partners, and hid herself in the corner by the bubbling fountain of champagne. The pink waterfall cascading down somehow cheered her dampened spirits by the vibrant energy it had. She smiled softly.
Next time Stella. Next time.
She sighed and swept her eyes at the large gathering in front of her. Looking but not really seeing. It was really all the same to her. All the same…
Except that.
Her back straightened and her heart jolted. Her eyes quickly returning to that one spot where she had caught sight of that unruly hair she loved so much (owned by that one particular person who she may just love equally as much)
Her heart and stomach performed synchronized acrobatics making her feel light headed yet so happy.
So gloriously happy.
He's here.
She willed herself not to charge straight at him and instead inspected every aspect of herself. She nervously smoothed out her baby blue chiffon dress and tried to neaten her curled her that was surely out of place from all the dancing. To check her makeup she lifted up her empty champagne glass and peered at her distorted reflection for any smudges and imperfections. It looked fine to her…she hoped.
Deciding that she would break the ice by offering him some champagne, she filled her glass with the effervescent liquid and turned eagerly to her awaiting guest.
Now's your chance.
She glided across the ballroom towards the only one that really mattered. She managed to walk swiftly towards him while simultaneously greeting and declining the dance requests by the guests. She had done enough of that. She was so close now. She could see him in all his glory in a dashing dark grey suit that had miraculously made him look even more handsome which she thought was an impossible feat.
He's so close.
So very close she thought as she quickened her pace. He's . Right. Ther-
Oh.
She stopped in her tracks. Her eyes adjusted from the dark prince to his….guest.
Pink hair was the first thing she noticed that seemed just as out of control as his, and like his, it completely worked. Who was she?
A scowl was what Stella noticed next. It was painted all over her face and her crossed arms showed defiance. It was clear that she didn't want to be there. Then why was she?
A very well dressed arm landed on hers, trying to grab the woman's attention but she continued to scowl and look away. He leaned in closer and whispered in her ear, as if telling her the secrets of the world. He must have said something right, as the pinkette seemed to sigh and reluctantly relinquished her defiant stance by taking his arm.
Stella watched all of this, and she didn't know how to react.
A feeling, so completely foreign to her settled in the pit of her stomach. Her fingers unconsciously wrapped around the glass tightly and began to shake.
What did she feel?
Was it shock? Anger? Betrayal?
She felt all those before, and it wasn't the same.
….Jealousy?
It couldn't be….right?...right?
Someone like her didn't feel jealousy.
Well supposedly, someone like her had no reason to feel it,
until now.
Her chest fell into her stomach and her throat restricted until she was gasping for air like a fish. No matter how hard she tried to look away, her eyes were glued unwillingly on them, especially him. Always him. Him and that broad smile on his face when the pink woman looped her arm through his, as if he was the luckiest man in the world. His million gil smile sent a million daggers through her heart.
Her feet moved mechanically on their own, changing the course of direction. Everything and everyone became a blur and the heaviness in her chest refused to subside no matter how many deep breaths she took.
And just like that
Stella Nox Fleuret lost herself.
Hidden in the stillness of the dark library; the muffled laughter of obliviousness masked the cries of lost love pooling in her lap.
END
Too lazy to edit so please excuse mistakes.
I actually feel extremely guilty, I'm sorry Stella baby, but you will have your turn.
Speaking of which. New Versus Trailer anyone?
I died. Dead. Gone.
Too may feels.
Gaaah.
As ridiculous as it sounds, I'm so overwhelmed, I literally can't bring myself to go read more about it because I think I might just cry. Not even joking.
Virtual hugs and kisses!