A/N: I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. I did, though bits of it gave me trouble. More of me later, but here are the translations:

glissando-a glide from one pitch to another. When pianists glide their fingers down the keyboard, playing all the white keys between points a and b, they're doing a glissando

crescendo- (in case you didn't already know) getting louder

con amore- with love

affannato- anguished

acciaccatura- in its context here, crushing

Enjoy, and please review!

The music started as soon as she began her glissando down the marble stairs, and she was grateful. Even if it lent no warmth to cold white walls, she could imagine she was snug, surrounded by tones of cellos, basses, and her new favorite, bassoons.

Anya was there, with camera, alongside Gino, both smiling. That warmed her heart; Anya rarely smiled, and Gino was as bright as ever. And there was Princess Euphemia. Aly had always wanted to talk to her, and now she had the chance. Clovis—she thought more kindly of him than of his brothers, but he was the Viceroy of Japan and was doing no wonders for its people—all in all though, he wasn't entirely unwelcome. Schneizel—Prince Schneizel—was as cold as ever, like a snake. It hurt that she had nearly been drawn in, that day where he had nearly touched her. Her father was beside Schneizel, and Bismarck was on her father's other side. Which meant that she would have to talk to them first, instead trying to avoid them.

She wondered if her other guests could tell how steeped in politics this was. She had been to other seventeenth parties, and the few of which royalty had attended had been the parties of people of higher nobility or personal friends. Aly had always believed herself to be more perceptive than others, but these people had lived in court all their lives and learned how to survive.

She reached the bottom of the stairs, smiling, and walked toward her father. Her grand entrance finished, the burble of noises resumed.

"Father."

"Aly." He smiled, but his eyes were weary. He was an ambassador after all; he ought to be more aware of this than she was. "Happy Seventeenth. We actually managed to have the party on your birthday this year."

"Can you imagine?"

Her father leaned down and whispered in her ear. "Just, do your best. You've got good blood for this kind of thing. And be safe." Straightening, he said more normally, "I hope you like it."

"Of course Father. I always like your presents." She turned toward Schneizel and curtsied. "My lord Prince. It's been a several weeks since I've had the pleasure of talking to you."

Prince Schneizel returned her curtsy with a nod. "It has been too long, Lady Aly. You look as lovely as when we last met. I apologize for not having a present. I did not learn of your birthday until it was too late to get something."

"Your presence here is quite enough. Besides, this year I asked my guests to donate to charity rather than buy me a present."

"That is most generous of you. This is your seventeenth after all."

"Thank you, but truthfully, I want for little these days. If people insist on spending money, why not spend it one others who really need it."

"All the same, don't be surprised if my aide comes around with a gift in the next few days."

Aly curtsied again. "For which I will be eternally grateful." Schneizel dismissed her with a nod, and she went to greet Bismarck, who still stood beside her father. "Sir Waldstein."

"Lady Asplund." He bowed.

"I'm glad I'm decent for this meeting." She still hadn't gotten used to being called Asplund, but it was better than people automatically being on first name terms with her.

"Has your maid been helpful?"

"Ito-san? Oh, she has been very useful. She has very nimble fingers." Bismarck's face was blank as she responded, but Aly knew that he would report all of her words to his master, with particular focus on what she called her maid. However, her family was known for their more radical beliefs, and she would never sink to disrespect her maid in front of anyone.

"The Emperor will be glad to hear it. I was sent here to thank you for composing this year's Christmas music, and to tell you that, upon hearing your gift request, he promptly donated a sizable amount to a charity."

But that wasn't the Emperor's way, not at all. He was supporter of Social Darwinism; Aly certainly remembered all of the sickening speeches. "I appreciate it greatly."

"Very well, then. Lady Asplund, I must be going. Happy Birthday." He bowed and left.

Aly floated off into the crows. Receiving a champagne flute filled with a small amount of bubble from a passing waiter, she made her way to an empty corner of the ballroom. She needed the alcohol to calm her nerves, but she would need to be careful with the amount she ingested; royalty required a clear mind.

Princess Euphemia stood chatting happily with the nobles around her, blissfully unaware of the party's strained atmosphere. Clovis, not too far away from the princess, also seemed relaxed, though his relaxation probably came from practice and the knowledge that he was on the winning side. Schneizel was no different from usual, and therefore immaculate. The Prince was still speaking to her father, but they had been joined by several of her father's friends—all fellow ambassadors-so they were discussing diplomacy. Anya had found her own quiet spot, and was taking pictures, recording the party into her memory. Gino—actually, Aly didn't see Gino. He certainly had been here earlier, lecherously grinning at her as she came down the stairs.

"Enjoying the party, my dear?"

"Lloyd?" She turned to see her benefactor standing beside her.

"I'm sorry I wasn't here for your grand entrance. I'm sure it was quite...grand."

"It's fine." Aly glanced around. "Is Miss Cecile here?"

"No, she's in Japan working on our current project~" Lloyd clasped his hands together joyfully.

Aly grinned. "You sound excited about that."

"Oh, but I am. A new kind of knightmare, the best anyone's ever made. And I've already named. It's called the Lancelot."

"What is it with Britannia and Arthurian legend?" She had wondered about this for a long time. Most of the knights of the Round had knightmares named after Arthurian characters, and the Emperor's own daughter was named Guinevere. Aly's mother had loved the legends as well, and even if Aly didn't share her mother's fascination with the legends, she still knew all the stories by heart.

"The Emperor likes it. He's supposed to be descended from Arthur Pendragon you know."

"I've always found that idea completely preposterous. Even if the current line has lasted for many generations, so many families have had the throne since the time of Logres."

"Ah well. They life for us to believe they are descended directly from the first kings. Divine right and all of that."

"I suppose." They fell into silence, watching the party's process.

"This is quite a high profile party." Lloyd's eyes roved the crowd.

"I know. Sir Waldstein was here earlier too, to tell me about the Emperor's generous donation to charity in my honor."

"And what did you think of that?"

"I thought it unnatural."

"Hmm. But you accepted it gracefully, I assume?"

"Of course, what kind of diplomat's daughter would I be otherwise?"

"One without her parents' talents." Lloyd paused, then continued more softly. "I heard that you're in charge of the Christmas Orchestra this year."

"Yes."

"Did you want to do it?"

"Did I have a choice?"

Lloyd tilted his head. "I guess not. If you acted more like girls your age, you might've been able to convince them you are not good enough for the job, but since you tend to stay away from court galas, they would suspect you."

"In hindsight, I guess it would have been better if I went to all the optional court events, but-"

"You couldn't. I know. I remember when you first arrived here, you were drowning in black and looked like you were very cold."

"I still am cold, whenever I'm inside the palace walls. I just never foresaw that the Emperor's eyes would fall on me."

"Few do, Aly. But there are always things beneath the surface that few would know, even you Aly." Lloyd clapped gleefully, and he returned to his usual manner in a fast crescendo. "Oh, Prince Clovis is here too. Excuse me, my dear. I need to go see if he'll tell me about his newest project~"

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen." Aly nearly dropped her champagne flute, freshly refilled with carbonated water by her maid.

"What the hell is he doing?" Aly stared up at Gino, who was up at the top of the stairs, holding his cello.

"I've no idea, M'lady."

Gino, the whole attention of the ballroom now focused on him, continued. "As you are aware, a certain lady is turning seventeen today. And she is currently in a corner all by herself, except for her maid, because you have forgotten who is now eligible for marriage, though I, for one, haven't."

Aly resisted the urge to put her face in her hands. Aware of the guests now looking in her direction, she prayed quietly. "Please say he isn't drunk. The last thing this party needs is a drunk Gino."

"Oh? Lightening the mood might be good."

"Ito-san, he's a very happy drunk. And he acts ridiculous. He'd be trailing around me constantly, proclaiming his everlasting love, and at the same time try to kiss anything with breasts. I don't know though, maybe anything that moves. I usually try to minimize the damages as quickly as possible."

"I can see how that could cause a problem. But I want to know what he's doing."

"Anyway," back at the top of the stairs Gino continued to talk, "This is for you, Lady Asplund, con amore." Gino, along with a small ensemble that suddenly appeared through the door, launched into a rendition of Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor.

Aly grinned. "That bastard."

"M'lady?"

"That's my favorite song."

"You look lonely, Lady Asplund."

Aly looked up from her champagne flute, an exquisite piece of crystal. Dimly, she wondered where this and the other crystal parading through the ballroom came from. "Prince Clovis." She curtsied.

"Has no one really asked you dance yet?"

"No, but it's only the fourth or fifth dance."

"But it's your party. And I don't see how any male could ignore you tonight. You look stunning, like a column of blue fire."

She smiled. It was true that her royal blue, boat-necked dress complemented her brilliant hair, let down to her waist tonight, and its raised waist made her look taller, though she was still undeniably shorter than Clovis, who was about average for a Britannian man. "Thank you, your highness. I guess I'm still but a shadow to those who don't look."

Clovis arched an eyebrow. "Somehow I think you're happy about that. That's quite unusual."

"Perhaps it's because I know what I might happen if I become a hotshot."

"No silk bedsheets for you then?"

"No, your highness. I'm comfortable with cotton."

"If only I were so lucky. Lady Aly, would you like to dance?"

"With you? Of course, your highness."

"Yes Prince Clovis, I would love to see your collection. I've heard that your art is beautiful." Clovis responded, then departed.

"You enjoyed dancing with my brother?"

"I thought you would turn up, Prince Schneizel." Aly turned to face Schneizel. Her face was relaxed, her mouth curving gently, but inside she was all butterflies and confusion. Even so, ever since she spotted Schneizel, she knew it would come to this, and had prepared herself.

His smile was a razor, as if he saw right through her facade, as she feared. But she had realized that was his default expression, and pretended that she wasn't still terrified by it. "Of course. I would never ignore a party's subject, especially when she shines through the crowd."

"Thank you, Prince, though I don't compare with you or your family."

He nodded, giving her that deflection. "Would you like your second dance of the night?"

"You've been counting my dances? Prince, you needn't concern yourself with the amount of attention I get."

"Not even when it's your seventeenth? Lady Nice, I like to know who are becoming prospective couples."

Aly would've laughed if this wasn't Schneizel. "I doubt that will happen soon."

"I know several lovesick boys who would be most unhappy if you married."

"Oh? And who are they? The only people who have asked for a dance have been from the royal family." She froze as she uttered those words. Surely, surely royal interest wasn't the reason no one else had asked for a dance, or was it? She stole a glance around the crowd. No, even if some of the younger males had noticed an unhealthy presence of royalty, many boys would be dancing with anybody who had breasts.

"I have already told you that you look ravishing tonight, no?" Aly bit her tongue as she caught Schneizel's keen eyes looking up and down her figure. "A dance then, Lady Aly, for the second prince?"

"Of course, your highness."

He kept her for a second. Her dress whirled, and his crisp white suit gradually brought her closer until they were closer than she danced with anyone except her father and—resignedly—Gino. "How is the composing going?"

A slightly more comfortable topic. Music she could talk about, easily and honestly. "I've got all of the melodies down. A few of the accompaniment parts too."

"How many musicians?"

"I'm not exactly sure. Not a full orchestra, but more than a quartet. Probably about as many people that are playing here now. And I've already found a few musicians to play."

He nodded. "Good. I don't suppose you would mind showing me your work so far sometime next week?"

"No, no I wouldn't." She could think of no excuse.
"Then, I'll send Earl Maldini to bring you to my office sometime next week."

"Very good, Prince." They settled into an affannato silence, uncomfortable on her end at least. And then, his hand slid down to her rear, acciaccatura, and she nearly stopped dancing in the middle of the ballroom. Sickening memories of his large, pleasantly warm hands roaming her body when he had given the Emperor's direction, even worse the memory of how she had been taken in, if only for those few brief moments.

"Your highness, may I cut in?" Gino. Thank God. She closed her eyes and breathed.

"I suppose so, Sir Weinberg. I must be going anyway. My regards Lady Aly, Knight of Three." Schneizel hands released, and she dropped into a curtsy, low, keeping her eyes closed. Gino's comforting hands replaced Schneizel's, and she nearly collapsed.

"Aly, are you okay?"

"Gino, I-" Aly looked up into his blue, blue eyes, Gino's face filled with concern. "Thank you, so much. I-"

"Shh. Wait until you are ready to talk." So they danced, silently, and she was relieved. But as they danced and she processed what he'd done, a sense of guilt and worry rose within her.

"Gino, I don't know if I've ever been more grateful to see you, but that was so stupid."

"Don't worry. I'm the Knight of Three. I can handle myself."

"Egotistical bastard."

He ignored the response, though she suspected his voice became more gleeful because she had uttered such un-serious words. "And if you're so happy to see me, why don't you give me a kiss?"

"We're in public Gino."

"Does that mean you'd kiss me if we were in private?"

"No."

He pouted. "Really? You're so cruel Aly." He looked down at her, more serious. "I've told you, despite all the marriage proposals I've gotten, I only want to be your knight."

She blushed and looked down at her feet. "Even though I'm seventeen now, don't think you're any closer."

"I'll be eighteen soon, my dear. Then I'll be a true man of the world."

"Really? Somehow, I suspect your cocky attitude will still be there when November 27th rolls around."

"What cocky attitude?"

"Exactly."

A/N: You enjoyed didn't you. I hope I got Lloyd alright. I got to use "~" with him. That makes so happy.

Since we don't get to know Clovis that much in the series, so I took creative license. I want to make him a troubled "good guy". But if you don't like my portrayal of him, still stick around, because he won't be in the story much longer, because, well, you know what happens. And I won't be changing any major plot points.

If any of you have any questions, review or PM me. Um, I realize I sometimes have long bits of dialogue without anything explicitly saying who is the speaker. If any of these are too confusing, tell me (nicely, always nicely) but don't leave me in the dark please.

Please, please review. But any notices that fills up my email are most welcome. That being said, I have no idea of when I'll be able to update again.

Till then, DFTBA.