She closed her eyes shut and was about to ruffle her hair before her sister growled; she could not mess up her carefully styled hair. It was a few minutes before the guests would start filing into their house; she almost wished she could hide in her closet so that the judging eyes of business men and women alike would not land on her wherever she went. She hung her head and grimaced down at the outfit she wore; her father had forbid her to wear a suit because 'a respectable lady should wear gowns' and Morgana was quicker than a cheetah jumping at a gazelle to get for her younger sister a befitting dress.
Thus Morgana pulled Arturia up to stand, a blue gown covering the silver shoes that she had gotten for her. The dress was a royal blue velvet hanging loose and a golden floral sheer lace over her bosom. She looked at herself in the mirror; her eyes scanning over the make-up and hair do that held her blond locks in a simple bun decorated by a braid and a royal blue ribbon.
She felt the heaviness of the fake lashes on her eye lids with every blink, even the red matte lipstick seemed too much but Morgana assured her she did not look like an overdone freak and she was just fine.
"Remember all the etiquette classes we attended, you have to be a prim and proper lady, don't forget to smile." Her sister sounded encouraging, with her very own smile on plumb coloured lips, "You've grown up so fast, just to think a few years back you were worried about entering high school and now you're being introduced to father's circle of business… Mother would be very proud of you, baby." There were tears at the corner of her eyes.
Arturia gave a short chuckle, "I'll be eighteen in a month and a half, I'm not that old yet."
Morgana took a deep breath, "Yes you are."
"And what about you? You are already having a child on the way and father put you in charge of the most important section of the company." The blonde sighed, feeling the pressure in her stomach building up, she had to even out her breathing in order to calm herself down.
Her older sister did not comment, instead, she fixed her very own dress and hair, "Father must be waiting for us now. Don't forget to smile." Why, you ask, must Morgana repeat this to the young lady? You see, Arturia was one not too smile often, in fact, she barely did—especially around guests.
Her father was waiting for them at the bottom of the stairs, a bright smile on his face as he saw his beautiful young daughter start to turn into to a lady, "You both look beautiful," he commented, pride clearly evident in his voice.
Merlin also waited for his wife at the bottom of the steps and kissed her cheek when she reached him. He mumbled something that went unheard to Arturia and Uther but it seemed as if he was complementing his wife on her appearance.
It wasn't long before people started filing in. Extravagant dresses, tuxedos, jewelry and hairstyles splashed the house against the Christmas decorations that had been set the day prior. She had been introduced to the most important share holders that her father had and some other important business figures.
Her smile was starting to hurt her cheeks and she was already exhausted to be meeting so many people, to think they were only forty minutes into the three-hour function. She tried to motivate herself by promising to have more hors d'oeuvres; but the servers never came close to her.
The classical music danced around her house as woman stared at her, judging irises twinkling a little with the many chandeliers. Arturia managed to excuse herself from her father's grasp because she had said something about having to talk with her sister. The first thing she did when she slipped away was take a fruit punch and a chicken kebab from two different servers.
Savouring the taste of that beautiful chicken, she covered her mouth with a napkin whilst she walked around, trying to find a place that she could use to hide. It was out of the mere corner of her eyes that she spotted a rather beautiful woman; long pine green gown with what seemed like a glittery sheer draped from her waist downwards. White satin gloves to her mid forearm and a silver necklace adorning her neck, while pearl earrings hung, sparkling with every movement. Her wavy wine-red hair was neatly swept to her left, exposing a freckled shoulder on her right. A bright and genuine smile on her cherry lips and sparkling myrtle eyes to compliment her dress.
Arturia could not help but stand in awe of how beautiful this woman was, her delicate ivory arm wrapped around her company's; a respectably handsome man but nowhere near Diarmuid's beauty. She took a step toward the couple without thinking about it, but snapped back to the task at hand; hiding from her father.
Shaking her head, she turned on her heel and continued down the room to possibly escape through the back door…but she was stopped short by a tap on her shoulder. Her heart dropped, she was so close to tasting freedom—so close. With a heavy sigh, she turned about, her dress following in her motion.
"M'lady, congratulations." A bright smile melted her fear and she could not help but return the gesture. She was relieved to see the man before her, black suit and perfectly combed hair. She shouldn't have been so excited to see him, but he was completely handsome and his was the only face that calmed her among the judging eyes of onlookers.
"Diarmuid, what brings you here?" She blinked, trying to act a bit dumb, "It's a pleasure to see you."
Diarmuid let a chuckle slip, "As is to see you. I come in my father's stead, my real father." He answered her question, "Where you off to the garden?"
The question prompted a nod from Arturia's part and he offered her his arm so that she could take it before he led her out of the house and into the garden that they had. Of course Arturia had failed to remember a jacket and thus Diarmuid wasted no time in offering his blazer to her. It was a good thing that the stone path had been cleared and salt sprinkled because if not, Arturia would have to trudge through snow with some crazy heels.
"A breath of fresh is always best when you're stressed," Diarmuid commented, shivering a little against the cold breeze of the evening.
Although she did not like heels, she certainly liked the sound they made because for some reason it made her seem powerful, "I'm not stressed," she squeezed his arm a little, "It is just odd to be a specimen that people study."
The man chuckled lightly and gave her a nod, as to convince her that he believed her, "You shouldn't be nervous, it's just a small formal function. I'm sure everyone loves you; I mean you already look stunning and there's nothing they wouldn't like about you. You're responsible," one could argue though, her relationship with her teacher was not exactly the most responsible choice, "courageous, beautiful and cool."
Arturia laughed, leaning her head against his arm, "Of course you would say that, you're my boyfriend." She blushed at the fact that he was complimenting her but she was not going to thank him for fear that he would see her red cheeks.
Diarmuid slowed them to a stop and turned her to face him, an expression of confusion in her eyes, "You are looking dazzling today," he mumbled, his cheeks dusted pink but it could have easily been for the weather.
A smile snaked onto Arturia's lips, "Thank you." White puffs of warm air filled the space around them, along with the aroma of Arturia's perfume for her sister insisted she smell like peaches.
He took a step closer to her, lifting his hands to cup her face. Arturia gasped the moment his hands held her cheeks, his freezing fingers seeping the warmth from her skin, "Your hands are cold," she hushed, blushing slightly as she lifted her very own hands to cover his, "You can get frostbite, you know?"
He gave a small chuckle before lifting her face up a little as he dipped down, her red lips seeming very alluring, "You can warm me up," he whispered, his voice almost escaping with the harsh winter air. Her heels had made her taller and it was a good thing because he did not have to bend so low to reach her lips.
Arturia fluttered her eyelids closed as she felt her heart swell in her chest, she tried to go on her tip-toes a little more, but she couldn't exactly do it as her heels were already quite high. His lips brushed against hers a little before she heard heels clacking and she immediately pulled away, her cheeks burning up. She had thrown his hands back to him and turned towards the sound, her green eyes wide and the fluttering in her heart going wild.
Diarmuid was a bit dumbfounded and it took him a few seconds to recover. He blinked a couple of times and did just as Arturia had done, faced the source of the sound. They both soon heard a giggle fill the air about them; an almost angelic giggle.
From the path hugged by evergreens, the beautiful red head emerged with her arm hooked around a man's. Arturia was surprised to see her and she stood in awe all over again, a fox fur shawl hugged her arms, still exposing her shoulders, albeit; probably a tactic of hers to seem much more lovely.
Even for Arturia, she was hypnotizing; she just seemed so lovely and elegant. Some sort of jealousy washed her over as she thought of the fact that Diarmuid might fall in love with the lady instead of him looking only at her. She wiped her head towards her tall boyfriend and she could see him in shock just as the pair reached them.
"Oh my, you aren't Arturia Pendragon, are you?" Even her voice was enchanting, her jewel-like eyes only resting on Arturia and not a single glance at the man next to her.
Arturia opened her mouth to speak, "Y-Why yes," she had stuttered a bit and she was afraid that the woman caught on to her uneasiness.
"Aren't you very lovely," she commented eliciting a blush from the short girl, "It is but a pleasure to meet you, dear," she extended a slender white-gloved hand (A thought ran through Arturia's head and she honestly thought that her boyfriend and the lady before her would make the most beautiful couple; but even if the jealousy bubbled through her veins, she couldn't help but like the woman), "My name is Youth."
Arturia, this time, could not help but blink, her mind was absent even as she took the woman's hand to shake it. Dead silence surfaced between all four of them as the lady took back her hand, a smile still steady on cherry lips, "Are… you surprised to see me?" A thin brown eyebrow was pulled to raise, "I'm sorry to have startled the both of you." It wasn't until then that her eyes flickered over to Diarmuid for a fraction of a second. The blazer Arturia had draped over her shoulders and the slightest tint of red on Diarmuid's lips already told her all she needed to know.
"Uh, um, forgive me, it is just that you are so very lovely," Arturia snapped out of the trance that had been spiralling downwards. She would never have thought that she would ever get to meet Youth, at her party nonetheless.
Youth giggled that angelic giggle again, "Thank you, sweetheart, but it is truly you that are a masterpiece to look at." Arturia already knew that was a lie, "The daughter and heir of Uther Pendragon and the swain of a Duibhne, I should never expect anything less."
Arturia gave a smile, one to hurt her cheeks again, "Why thank you." She hooked her arm around Diarmuid's snapping him out of his trance.
Youth's smile had seemed to waver but it had to be Arturia's imagination because she seemed quite confident, "Diarmuid," she extended her hand, "It has been quite a long time, has it not?" She seemed genuinely sweet, but she just had to be hiding something; no one could be that perfect, could they?
Diarmuid took her hand a shook it, his eyes had lingered on hers for one dangerous second too long, "It is good to see you faring well." He gave a court nod and placed his hand over Arturia's, "Is this your husband?"
"We're betrothed," her partner commented, a triumphant smile on his lips.
Youth leaned her head on the man's shoulder, "We are to wed in the summer," she sounded happy, and that had caused something inside of Diarmuid's chest to hurt just a tad bit, "Oh," she had opened her eyes in surprise, expanding the forest within them by a fraction, "I'm afraid I have not introduced you all yet."
Arturia seemed to be a little confused for a short while, and it looked as if the man with Youth also did. Everyone was silent for some moments which felt like ages until the sweet sing-song voice of Youth filled the air—much to everyone's relief at first, "This is Aodhan. We met in Australia through a business meeting, a year ago we got engaged."
Diarmuid nodded slightly, cringing at the mention of Australia for some odd reason. Did he just hate the country? Arturia wasn't exactly sure, but she did know it had to do with their break-up.
"And this," She extended a hand towards Diarmuid, "is Diarmuid. We were high school sweethearts at one point, but it didn't quite work out for us; as I have mentioned before." Aodhan's brown eyes glazed over, maybe it was jealousy or simple amusement, "It's really good to see you've got someone new."
Arturia would have called bullshit on the statement, but the sincerity and happiness in the woman's eyes was unfathomable; thus, she remained silent. She clutched her hands in fists for the weather was still in effect and maybe she did feel like nothing compared to the beauty in front of them.
"As it is nice to catch you with a new fiancé, I'm delighted for you." Diarmuid was so good at hiding his feelings, his smile was obviously a little shaky, but you could dismiss it to the freezing cold he was enduring.
"Anyway," Youth smiled and gave a little wink, making herself much more alluring, "I'm sure you would like to be left alone, this party can be stressful for you, as I assume." She seemed a bit shocked, albeit, about the age gap but whatever she though, she kept it in her mind and behind bright eyes, "It was very nice to meet you Miss Camelot," she referred to the bank, "and you as well, Diarmuid. Until next time." With a short farewell from the other two, she walked past them and followed the trail back up to the house, hugging the fox shawl around herself one last time.
"Well," Arturia breathed, "That was intense wasn't it?" She did not expect an answer from Diarmuid even as she turned towards him. She dropped her head and tightened the blazer around herself a little, feeling it trying to warm her up.
After Diarmuid did not respond, Arturia took a step towards him, fear settling in her heart and unsettling taking its place in her stomach. She felt awfully sick but she tried to supress it. Diarmuid like her now, not Youth. It wasn't like old memories were resurfacing his feelings for her, right? Arturia had to trust Diarmuid right now, but she found it hard to do so when Youth was the embodiment of perfection in every sense. She had most likely past high school and university with flying colours while still having a place in Diarmuid's heart.
The blonde slipped the blazer off herself, shuddering at the sudden gust of wind and offered it at Diarmuid, who remained looking at where Youth had gone. Arturia felt her heart become heavy and she finally spoke, "Earth to Diarmuid," she refrained from growling, "You with me?" She was certain that he was not going to catch her double meaning for sure.
He had finally snapped his head towards Arturia, "Ah?" He looked pained, and Arturia just couldn't find it in herself to be upset with him. The look in his eyes, his body slowly shivering, and just how his lips were settled in a frown.
"You're freezing aren't you?" She chuckled, self conscious of the fact that her laugh sounded more like a witch, she had to stop herself, "Here." She pushed the blazer into his chest, a smile on her lips nonetheless.
"What's wrong?" He appeared to have caught on to the melancholy behind Arturia's voice.
She shook her head rapidly, "Nothing," she assured coaxingly, "simply nervous, that's all." She bit the inside of her cheek to make it look a little more believable. I'm just no good.
"Shall we head inside?" The tall man asked, offering an arm for her to take. She did not deny it, she had to play the part of being unfazed by the situation of Youth.
They strolled back towards the house and were soon met with a cozy warmth upon opening the door and the bright lights of the house as well as the chatter of the people. They had talked a bit as they walked throughout the rooms, not intertwining arms any longer as their relationship had to be kept silent. It was bout halfway into the cocktail party that Diarmuid turned to her upon them reaching an empty room.
"I must be on my way now." The conversation between the two had been quite dry ever since Youth departed, and to be frank, Arturia had seen this coming.
Arturia sighed, "But you haven't been here long enough." She urged him to stay… in a way, she was hoping he would listen because it somewhat proved how much he cared for her and if he left, she would take it as an indication that he still had feelings for Youth.
Diarmuid gave a frown, cutting the edge of his lips deeper into his cheeks, "I'm very sorry, but it is getting a bit late and I ought to be leaving." His eyes were glazed over with what seemed more like disinterest or something of the sort.
The boiling of the jealousy within her had finally bubbled over and she gave a scoff, "As if eight is any late." She crossed her arms over her chest; seeming more like a child throwing a fit.
"Arturia…" He blinked his amber eyes in confusion a few times, not understanding her sudden outburst.
The frustration of the party and especially of his behaviour was released, "It's because of her, isn't it? I know you still like her—I mean of course you do, she's gorgeous and kind and just perfection and of course I'm not." And so her rant began, she couldn't keep silent.
"Arturia, what's wrong?" He had finally shown some sort concern over her, after she had nearly felt he had forgotten about her.
She looked at him, anger turning into sadness, "I'm not the only one you think about… I understand that Youth was a huge part of your life, I mean five years is so long and you even gave her everything. Of course you aren't over her… but, but I have feelings too. I'm supposed to be your girlfriend but you've never looked at me the way you looked at her; you were star-struck."
He frowned, his brows furrowing and his frown already becoming more prominent, "Arturia, you're my girlfriend and that isn't going to change because Youth suddenly showed up. I made the decision to move on when we started dating." There was a sort of uncertainty in his voice, almost as if he was afraid of what Arturia would do.
"But you didn't, did you? You saw her and you immediately changed. You were about to kiss me and were even flirting with me but you see her and shrivel up back into your shell that took me forever to cajole you out of. You looked like a nervous teenaged boy about to talk to the love of his life… Your heart still lingers on her, doesn't it?" There was a pause for she was hoping to get an answer, "Actually, you can go." She shrugged after noting that wasn't going to happen, "I'll try to trust you." She managed a fake smile and proceeded to leaving the room, closing the door behind herself and taking a deep breath before she went out to greet more guests.
Instead of hiding from her father's sight, this time, she actively sought him and the party continued without her trying her best to escape. She was formally introduced to everyone and then she was back to following her father about to find out what he truly wished to show her off to everyone.
She awoke the next morning, turning in her bed a few times for she had been restless; Youth was still on her mind. She slowly sat up and gave a loud sigh, "Why?" It was all she could say as she slipped from her bed and thought about the entire day that she had planned ahead—most of it was start to get to know the Company.
The warm shower was great for remembering everything that had happened the previous evening and she already started her day with grumpiness. She wore one of her suits and tied her hair in a ponytail, not bothering to put on makeup before she turned away from the mirror. Her usual stoic expression had made its comeback debut for another time.
Christmas was still a few days away and Arturia already knew the problems in their relationship were starting. Her phone began to ring and she reached for it, stretching her body over the chair and wrinkling her suit, "Hello?" She did not even bother to see who had been calling.
"Halo?" The much needed voice of Jeanne came through the other line.
"Hey Jeanne, how are you?" They had not seen each other since the beginning of the holiday break because of random occurrences that seemed to limit them seeing one another.
"Great, sweetheart, and you?" Jeanne replied; Arturia could basically hear the smile on the girl's lips. After the shorter blonde had responded, Jeanne came again, "So, I was calling to see if you wanted to meet up today, I really want to go out."
"I'm sorry, I do not think I will be able to make it. You see, father has me running around for the company's stead."
"Oh," the excitement in the older girl's voice started to run away, "I see… Okay."