An hour had passed, and the coronation ball was moments from beginning.
Following the official naming of Channary as queen of Luna, the people gathered in the chapel gradually dispersed and made their way into the Artemisia Palace—in particular the ballroom, where the main event was to be held in the fullness of splendour.
The room was abuzz with activity. Most were remarking at how lovely the palace looked, and how the city had a warmer climate and more pleasant landscape than any had anticipated. There was also talk of how lovely the court and thaumaturges were, and how elegantly and regally Channary conducted herself.
The orchestra played an upbeat and pompous piece, the melody putting on an air of regality throughout the splendid ballroom. As the song ended, everyone bowed and chatter filled the empty space once again.
At last, the announcement was made by Charleson, the courtier. "If I may have everyone's attention."
At once, the discussion drifted away, and everyone faced the front of the ballroom, toward the awning where the marble throne sat, moved from the throne room for the occasion.
Charleson cleared his throat, and then gestured. "Her Lunar Majesty, Queen Channary!"
At once, everyone gave their full attention and respect to the side of the room, as the queen, looking just as elegant and regal as before, walked onto the awning, her long flowing cape trailing behind her, her head held high and perfectly poised, and her hands calmly folded in front of her. She soon came to the middle of the platform, right in front of her throne, and then stood before the crowd, giving them all a fair smile, the kind one would expect from any 'proper' noblewoman.
"Her Lunar Highness, Princess Levana!"
As he finished saying that, Levana immediately came running, so excited that she completely forgot about the 'grace and poise' rule. Nearly stumbling in her heels, she rushed up to the front of the room as fast as she could, barely managing to get there before the courtier finished the announcement. Once there, she quickly folded her own hands in front of her, looked to the crowd, and grinned.
However, she couldn't do so long before the courtier came up to her and indicated up further, showing that she was supposed to be standing right next to Channary. Right next to her. Less than two feet apart. For a moment, Levana paled at that, and almost said 'no' before the courtier gently took her arm and led her up. She found herself placed next to Channary in front of the room. Her older sister continued to smile forward, as always not even seeming to notice her. Levana herself tried to put her best face forward, to keep her discomfort hidden from the crowd. She couldn't remember the last time she was that close to Channary—but before she could dispute it, she was forced to simply stand there and try to stay calm as the nobles gave them both acclaim and applause.
The clapping died after a moment and the ball was officially underway. The orchestra that had been brought in to play music struck up the first real song, and the nobles immediately turned to one another to start pairing up for the first dance. Some went to the food, others struck up conversation, but soon the room was filled with the activity of a ball. All in all, it was a fairly merry affair.
Levana peered over to the crowd, her eyes squinted, trying to find a certain someone amongst the sea of tailored suits and brightly coloured ballgowns. To her dismay, however, there were just too many people dancing and moving about to be able to identify any one individual. She sighed and clasped her hands together in front of her, rocking back slightly on her heels, glancing up at her perfect sister.
The princess nervously tucked a stray curl behind her ear. "Um...hi."
Channary just stared straight ahead, her pleasant smile never faltering. Levana felt a twinge of annoyance in her gut as she cleared her throat.
"Hello!" she said, a bit louder than before. The queen's head whipped around, her brown eyes smouldering, seeming to pierce through Levana's very soul.
(oh what did I do now)
"Who gave you," Channary's lips curled into a menacing sneer, "the permission to speak?" she spat. She seemed to grow even taller, the illusion of loveliness fading, the serene queen disappearing, replaced with the demonic sister that Levana had rightfully feared her whole life.
The princess shuddered, trying to move away from the aura of fear and hatred that Channary was giving off. "All I said was hello..." she muttered, barely above a whisper. Channary sighed and rolled her eyes, about to say something that was most likely a cruel insult, until she was interrupted by a man suddenly walking up to the sisters.
(I knew that you would come I've been waiting for you)
Levana's heart raced and her knees nearly turned to jelly. It was Saito.
The emperor bowed. "Your Majesty."
Channary curtsied in return. "Your Majesty," she replied, smiling. "To what do I owe you the pleasure of your company?"
"I was wondering if could have this dance?"
"Why, of course—" Channary started, but was quickly interrupted by Saito, who took a step closer and held a hand out towards Levana.
"I was addressing Her Highness," he said, his tone far too sharp.
Levana barely bit back a laugh at Channary's shocked face, her hanging jaw. No one on Luna would have the audacity to brush the queen off, much less for her younger sister. The princess took a step forward and accepted his hand, a smug grin on her face. "It would be my pleasure, Your Majesty."
He smiled and led her away from the awning, squeezing her hand slightly. She squeezed it back. Right before they disappeared into the midst of the crowd, Levana looked over her shoulder and threw a mocking smile at Channary.
As the two royals walked away and went off to mingle with the other nobles, the queen stood behind, her blood boiling. She felt a sudden urge to kill the insolent emperor, to spill his blood like wine.
And then Levana dared to look over her shoulder and smile at her, as if she were mocking her. Making fun of her.
That little—
(oh you little brat how dare you do you know who I am I'll squash you like a bug)
She caught herself as she felt her hands bunching up, fisting the material of her exquisite gown, surely wrinkling it. She took a deep, shaking breath, making an effort to stamp down her temper. Her breathing returned to normal as her fists relaxed, and she smoothed out her fingers against her skirt. Within seconds, she had regained her composure, and looked every bit the image of a perfect monarch.
Although inside, her mind was running rampid, She went back to memories of the previous months, of diplomatic meetings over the net with the earthen world leaders, and in particular those with Emperor Saito. They had been feverishly discussing an alliance, and so far not much has come to fruition. She had only one condition, but the stubborn emperor refused instantly every time she made her requirements clear.
In exchange for peace, for military and financial support, Channary wanted only one thing in return. Power over the Eastern Commonwealth.
A marriage to Emperor Saito.
So it troubled her quite a bit when instead of trying to be with her, the foolish emperor instead went after her sister, of all people.
Channary shook her head. She was getting way ahead of herself. She didn't know what business Saito had with Levana, but she was certain that it was nothing of significance. After all, who in their right mind would ever pick Levana over her?
(you're the most beautiful no one can match you certainly not crybaby Levana)
She sighed and plucked a glass of champagne off the tray that a passing servant held as he walked by, the cool glass refreshing against her flushed skin. She brought the glass up to her pink lips and took a sip of the fiery liquor, the liquid burning her throat as it went down.
She swept her tongue discreetly over her teeth and pressed her lips into a thin line.
Whatever was going on between Levana and Saito was history.
Because she was going to stop, even if it was the last thing she ever did.
They danced quite a bit before Saito suggested that they go for a walk outside, to get some fresh air and to get away from the prying eyes of the crowd and the queen.
He also had something of utmost importance that he wanted to ask her, but he didn't mention that little detail.
After walking around the top floor of the palace, they made it to biggest balcony in the building, a glass platform with a breathtaking view of all of Artemisia. Levana took his hand and led him over to a crystalline bench that sat right in front if the railing. They sat themselves upon it and gazed over at the sparkling city. Normally, the sight would have cast a spell on any onlooker, but Saito felt his stomach churn, maybe from the heavy food—but that was doubtful. Rather, it seemed more like fear and sadness over the paradise that disguised his beloved's prison. Over the fake smiles and constant masks of the people around him.
In a moment of boldness, he took Levana's chin with his fingers and prodded her to face him. Her eyes grew wide with concern at his unhappy expression.
"What is it?" she asked, a pang of worry brewing in her gut.
(did I do anything wrong oh god he's upset but why what did I do)
He cupped her face in his soft hands. "I wish I could take you far, far away from here so you could be safe, and happy. I hate that she hurts you so much," Saito said softly, inching closer to her so that their noses almost touched. He put a hand on her back and held her gently, as if she were the most precious thing in the world.
"I promise you, Levana. Someday I will get you away from her, and you and I will live happily ever after," he said, making tears form in her eyes. She flung her arms around his neck, pulling her face into it, and she began to cry as he gently rubbed her back, whispering "I love you," over and over again.
"You can't really do that," she mumbled into his neck. "Channary would have you arrested before you could even leave Artemisia."
"She couldn't if you were my empress."
Levana pulled her head back, wiping her eyes, looking puzzled. "Wait—what?"
Saito took one of her hands in his own, smiling brightly. He got down on one knee and pulled out a black, velvet box. "Levana, will you marry me?"
For a moment of silence, Levana stared at him with a hand on her chest, almost completely aghast. She didn't know what to say. It took her a moment to even understand the question.
(marry me Levana marry me I'll make you happy I love you more than anything and I'll keep you safe)
She couldn't believe it. She had met the perfect man, and now there he was, really kneeling before her, and actually asking for her hand in marriage. It seemed so sudden, so overwhelming, like the greatest fantasy she had was coming true—like it couldn't possibly be real.
Then, she thought of home. She thought of the closed doors, the judging stares, the isolation, the abuse, spending hours and hours walking through the halls with no one to talk to but herself. Not knowing if she would ever have the chance to meet anyone else and, if she did, if they would be even half the man Saito was, if they could ever love her the way he did.
And how wonderful those past few months were, how every day seemed like magic. How Saito hung on to her every word, went with her to play all those crazy, silly games, who gave her the love she had desperately wanted for so long.
Did she want to marry him, to spend the rest of her life with him? To go and live with him on Earth, to leave Luna and never return?
Duh.
There was only one answer to that.
She let out a laugh, her smile so big that it hurt her cheeks. "Y-yes! Stars, yes!"
Saito's grin became even bigger, shone even brighter. "Close your eyes."
"Why?"
He chuckled. "You'll see."
She felt him take her left hand and hold out her ring finger, and after a moment, she felt something hard slide onto it. She opened one of her eyes a tiny bit, and he lightly slapped her hand.
"No peeking," he said playfully, making Levana laugh a bit before closing her eyes once again.
A few more rustling sounds. "Okay. You can open your eyes now."
Her onyx eyes flew open, and she let out a small gasp. On one of her fingers was a ring, and it was probably the most beautiful thing she had ever seen or worn, a platinum band with small, delicate crystals lining the edge, and a gorgeous diamond circled with thin branches of ivy made of silver rest on the middle.
(ah so nice I love it it's amazing such a lovely gem such shiny gold I love it)
"Oh Saito, it's beautiful..." she sighed, dapping at her tears.
He ran a hand through his hair. "It was my grandmother's engagement ring. She and my grandfather were married for sixty years, so I figured that it would bring us luck."
Levana held her hand to her chest, a goofy smile on her lips. Saito looked at her the same way. "I love you," he breathed, reaching out his hand and lightly brushing her face.
She caught him by surprise as she flung her arms around his neck and her lips met his, leading them into a hot, passionate kiss. Her fingers tangled themselves in his black hair and his arms wound themselves around her waist, bringing them even closer together.
They stayed like that, locked in each other's embrace, until many hours had passed, but they didn't care. They didn't even notice.
They loved each other, and that was all that mattered.