Author's Note
Sorry for the super late update! Now, for replies to reviewers.
Loopy Leefy: Yes, that is a Frozen reference! I couldn't resist tossing that in. I agree with you, if you don't know what on Earth is being said, how do you even know the plot? Thanks for the compliments.
Dpca: The detail is pretty useful. If you have any questions about the plot and characters, you can just leave a review. That goes for everyone out there, too! I totally recommend that you read the manga, too, because the plot in this fanfiction is different. The characters are also a little OOC (Out Of Character) because they have been raised in different environments than in the manga.
KevinDaAsian: Interesting name! Thank you, I'll keep writing.
Haou Judai 4Ever: Thank you! I'll definitely get another chapter out. At some point. Hopefully. Don't worry, there is no way I am dropping this story, although I haven't fleshed out all the details. And now you get to read another new chapter! :)
Now read on, my beloved readers! And don't forget to drop a review!
Lacie leaned out of the carriage window. A fresh, clean breeze whistled through her hair as she avidly watched the beautiful countryside flow past her. It was the third and final day of the journey to the Yura Kingdom. Today, they would cross Pandora's borders into Nightray territory. Then, Lacie and her entourage would be escorted to the Yura Kingdom, along with the Nightray guests, for Isla Yura's party. It would be a good chance to make long-lasting allies, but all Lacie could focus on the fact that she was OUTSIDE of Castle Sablier. It was amazing! Now, she finally had the chance to see different sights AND visit two different kingdoms at once! Lacie swore to herself that she would make these few days of freedom the best days of her life. At least, the best days besides her wedding day and Alice and Oz's birthdays.
A few hours later
The Pandora and Nightray entourages had arrived to the Yura palace. During the long ride, Lacie had bonded very well with the three Nightray children, Gilbert, Vincent, and Vanessa. Gilbert was the quiet, shy one. Vincent talked quite a bit and he and Lacie had many things in common, starting with their red eyes, or in Vincent's case, eye. Vanessa, the eldest, was mature and a bit stifling, which was probably the reason she was sent along with the other Nightray children. Lacie found all of them rather interesting. They would become good connections for Pandora and, hopefully, their younger siblings would be good playmates for Oz and Alice.
The carriages rolled through the castle's inner gate and into a large front garden. They stopped in front of the grand stairs leading to the gilded doors and the footmen opened the door for the Nightrays and Lacie. Vincent swept out elegantly and offered Lacie his hand. She giggled and took it, stepping out into the cool night air. Vanessa was still trying to coax Gilbert out of the carriage.
Once Vincent and Lacie helped Vanessa pry Gilbert off of the carriage door (thank God that no one had witnessed that embarrassing incident!), the group of four made their way up the stairs and through the large doors. What they saw was a true sight for the eyes.
The main foyer was filled with paintings of the various rulers of Yura Kingdom. An enormous chandelier hung above their heads, the cut gems throwing brilliant colors around the entire hall. Lacie and the Nightrays walked down the corridor slowly, drinking in the new sights. The guards saluted sharply and dragged open another set of intricate, heavy doors. Lacie handed the herald a slip of paper.
As he called out their names, Lacie, Vanessa, Gilbert and Vincent stepped into the light-flooded ballroom and gracefully descended the steps. At least, everyone but Gilbert did. He walked down the stairs like he was being led to his execution. More guests and visiting dignitaries poured into to the ballroom, a flood of eligible young women and men, along with emperors and empresses, kings and queens, dukes and duchesses. The party began with a dance. Vincent smiled in amusement as Gilbert died a little more inside.
Lacie twirled from one partner to the next, flying across the floor as the musicians pulled the strings of their instruments in a particularly fast reel. She laughed breathlessly as Vincent quickly pulled her away from her current partner. They now had a clear view of Vanessa leading Gilbert through the rapid steps, then, they twirled away. The musicians stretched out the last few notes and the dancers curtsied or bowed to their respective partners.
As Vincent escorted Lacie off the dance floor and back to a small table where Gilbert, who had ran off of the dance floor as soon as the reel ended, the herald trumpeted and yelled authoritatively, "May I present His most Benevolent Majesty, Ruler of the Yura kingdom, Conqueror of Countries, King Isla Yura, the 1st of his name!"
A tall, skinny man wearing an elaborate outfit and tiara appeared on a balcony overlooking the ballroom. He smiled a strange little smile and said politely, "Good evening and welcome, my most important guests. I am overjoyed to see that you could all make it here to celebrate my son's birthday tonight!"
Isla Yura beckoned to the sullen looking boy standing behind him. He didn't resemble the queer king at all and he certainly didn't look happy about having to attend the party. Naturally, the birthday boy chose to slink further into the shadows. The king simply huffed softly and turned back to his audience.
"Thank you all for coming! I do hope you enjoy the rest of the evening and I look forward to meeting all of you lovely people," Isla Yura concluded. The two royals walked back down to the dance floor and the musicians picked up their instruments again.
"Would you fancy another dance, Miss Lacie?" Vincent asked slyly. Gilbert tried to fend off the various young ladies that had finally noticed the two handsome men.
Lacie giggled and said, "Thank you, Vincent, but we should greet our hosts first, shouldn't we?" The aforementioned various young ladies tried to drag Gilbert from his chair.
"Very well, Miss Lacie. Let us go," Vincent replied. They had taken only a few steps before Vincent turned around in confusion and called, "Gil! Vanessa! Aren't you coming?"
Vanessa wrenched Gilbert away from the last of the young ladies and dragged him over to Vincent and Lacie. "We're right here," Vanessa said irritably. "Next time, you try prying Gil away from those harpies. Did you bring a crowbar by any chance? Gil's getting a little clingy for my tastes."
Said boy was clinging to Vanessa's arm like it was his lifeline.
Vincent sighed and pulled Gilbert off of Vanessa's arm and steered him towards the royal balcony.
Vanessa fell in step with Lacie with a soft sigh. "How are you enjoying the party, Miss Lacie?" she asked.
Lacie beamed. "It's quite fun! The food is very interesting! I didn't know you could eat pig's feet!"
Vanessa suppressed the urge to puke and bravely pressed on. "Do you like the decor?"
"Quite so! They are lovely. Those cut gems sparkle so beautifully. And the furniture doesn't clash with that amazing chandelier!"
Vanessa smiled. It was nice to see the cheerful woman acting like a child in a toy store. "I, myself, am very partial to those lovely draperies. They are such a nice color."
"Yes! Don't you think that those French windows are just charming?"
"Indeed, and the balconies are decorated so well!"
The two women continued their chatter as the group walked over to the stairs leading to the royal balcony. The king stood at the bottom of the steps, greeting each guest with his unhappy son.
Vincent led Gilbert, Vanessa and Lacie over and said cordially, "It is a pleasure to see you again, King Isla Yura."
"It has been such a long time, Prince Vincent!" Isla Yura said. He smiled and turned to Lacie. "I don't believe I've ever had the pleasure of meeting you, miss."
"Indeed. I am Lacie Baskerville-Vessalius, Empress of the Pandora Empire. It is a pleasure to meet you, King Isla. Congratulations on your son's birthday. May he live a long, fine life," Lacie said with a polite smile. Yura's smile made her feel like she was being carefully dissected underneath his gaze. It gave her shivers and unsettled her greatly.
Yura's smile grew. "This is my son." He pushed the young prince in front of him. The prince stared at the Nightrays and Lacie sullenly. He did not offer his name or any sort of introduction, simply standing there with eyes glazed over.
"Forgive his manners, he dislikes large parties severely," Yura said, chuckling and whisking the boy away as fast as he had appeared.
Lacie nodded politely. The prince's eyes looked wrong. They were strangely blank and almost as creepy as Yura's smile.
Vanessa coughed lightly enough to catch Yura's attention.
"Ah, Princess Vanessa! And Prince Gilbert as well! The two of you have grown up wonderfully! How is your father?" exclaimed Yura.
Gilbert flinched as Vanessa subtly elbowed him in the ribs and replied woodenly, "He's in good health."
"That's good. Now, I wouldn't want to deprive you of your fun and I have some other guests I need to attend to." The king of Yura smiled slyly. "I do believe some lovely ladies are calling your name, Prince Gilbert. Do enjoy yourself." He waved them along, a clear dismissal. Normally, Lacie would have been very offended, but now, she was just relieved to get away from the king and his horrid smile.
As she approached the dance floor, towing Gilbert along, she tried to let the music and dancing wash away the images of Isla Yura's smile.
Author's Other Note
I hope you guys liked this chapter. We've finally introduced some major characters. See any familiar faces? Next chapter will probably have a bit more action. This chapter was more of a way to get things set up so we could break some hearts and kill off a few characters. Be ready for tears and weepy stuff. If you see any spelling or grammar mistakes, please point them out! Read and review! It helps me get out chapters faster.