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He was with Susan, cornered and rather bound near the conservatory, the raven haired girl smiling, while he stood there like a can of prunes. He rolled his eyes as she exchanged flattery, and he scoffed when one of the noblemen boast on about their accomplishments
Rows of the like came in all breed, with their silly hair combed and mousse into something unnatural buffoonery, looking like they were some sort of coconut husk, others had their hats on arrays of feathers in all possible colors dressed in extravagant flamboyant attires, in the pursuit of making a striking impression and instead making it seem like as if their intent was to give everyone a massive headache.
Nevertheless, As of now he was stuck to listening to the likes of her admirers and he was growing bored by the minute. .
Having enough of the superficial exchanging of conversation, he drawled on never responding to their brief address to him: what would his eminence say on the finest mare as which would then shift quickly back at his sister something along the lines of: how exquisitely beautiful you look my lady
While Peter May tolerate, Edmund simply did not care for small talk.
Unamused by socializing, he asked Susan if he could be excused but she hesitated, cajoling him to stay and that he would later be needed as company to go in the center and kept insisting that she really need him with her back to the interior of the hall.
As Susan cut the admirers abruptly, she made haste and dragged him until they had return to the center.
He was confused, but complied until he realized the reason being:
The music of the orchestra has changed, the lively music has slowed down into a more warm romantic tone
His eyes casted cynically into the crowded marbled floor, he saw many creatures in a stance, couplets dancing accompanying the slow movement of the ensemble as they dragged on in slow deliberate circles, and then there was Peter and some girl that he did not know of,
then he took notice of her.
She wore a green gown, gold intricate linings, and her brown light tinged hair exquisitely cascading pass her shoulders.
His eyes wandered to her soft locks as they fell graciously pass the shy curve of her breast, and to the small exposed creamy skin of her neck.
She looked different he thought, never fully realizing that she had grown. (BRUV EDMUND SO VAGUE AF)
And yet she was alone, guilt rising up in his chest, amidst the dancing couplets she was the only one that did not dance-
—-
(Sorry Edmund ? we will leave your private thoughts alone)
"What happened?" She asked in a confused voice, she breathed on his back, hoarse and short of it.
She stared at his shoulder.
He brought her at the end of the corridor through the chamber of mirrors.
basked by moonlight, the glittering marbled floor and a magnificent hall coated in large regal mirrors, she saw their reflection and could not help how dashing he strided, even with her on his back, he looked so unburdened although his face besotted with a mysterious countenance barring her from knowing further how the young boy was feeling.
She looked at the mirror again taking the sight of him when she saw that his head had turned and his piercing honey brown eyes appeared to be so dark casted in shadows by the illuminating moon behind them.
He looked tired, she thought briefly of his well-being
The commotion of the crowd fading away in the distance, the lively music could no longer be heard, they are finally and ultimately alone to each other's company.
"E-Ed!" She almost whispered, aiming for the attention of the dark haired boy.
He gently placed her by the chaise and then stood up looking at her, her mouth agape, she sunk deeper into the cushions sensing that he drew closer.
"You fainted" was all he said, he knelt and dropped his hands to feel her forehead.
She did not know if it was a mere statement or that the slightest change in his voice hinted that he worries about her.
Only then it was confirmed when he offered her his hands.
"What?" She asked confused, looking squarely at the boy before her
"If you can't walk then I will carry you" the look of concern clearly evident on his face and yet he looked to be placid, a stubborn metaphorical fence dividing them both apart. She looked upon his eyes and saw his eyes cast down, dark circles enveloping them, She sensed his growing impatience.
"I-I'm quite alright now" she stammered, forcing herself out of the chaise with her weak arms, not wanting to trouble him any further.
When she shot up, she felt weak, short breaths escaping her Cupid lips, and her vision darkening, she was certain she was once again going to fall when he caught her.
It was that wretched stays, it was squeezing all her internal organs until it shrivels up into nothingness most likely the cause for making her faint earlier.
She shifted uncomfortably, trying to loosen the laces, she groaned again when she felt one of the bones of the stays dig into her sides unto her ribcage,
Then He stood behind her, his hands on her waist once more, and she felt the heat began to creep into her cheeks.
"don't squirm" he advised, his warmth burning through the fabric into her own being
"let me see" he uttered, his hands moving her hair gently to her front
She licked her lips in anticipation
Then his hands move up on the small of her back, his strong calloused hands sliding into the silken fabric until she let out a small inaudible gasp when she felt his warm fingertips briefly press unto her cold bareskin, sending shockwaves to her spine and to her core.
Then with utter disappointment his fingers disappeared to the laces that held the stays, he pulled and tugged until they were loose. And then she no longer felt his warmth.
"Thank you.." she mumbled, the words leaving her mouth quickly as it had come out as if no more words should be uttered between the two of them
"Do you want to go back" he asked still behind her,
"Go back where?" She said as he begun to walk forward ahead, then turned to look at her
"The ball" he said while hesitating for a moment whether that would be a good idea, "then again, if you don't feel good it'll be best not to" he straightened his vest ready to leave
She didn't move from where they stood, not knowing what to do next, he didn't help alleviate the awkwardness as he didn't seem to mind standing in quiet.
"I want- to return to my chamber" she declared, her feet walking away on their own volition, he caught up, his legs striding faster than hers.
He offered his arms, and she looked in sheer embarrassment wide eyed and furiously blushing.
"I will escort you"
She kept her lips tight and simply nodded, then linking his arms with her own.
Unbearable silence plaguing dead in the night, the moon still shining as bright birthing them with plenty of light to see each other, they walked on the silence dragging the time slowly and Lucy could not do it.
"How did Peter... -Susan react?" She questioned
He raised a brow and stopped on his tracks to engage on her question
"React to what?"
"You know when I fainted..." she bit her lip and tore away from the ground to look at his honey brown eyes
"Well, Peter was outraged, he tore away from that girl like a lion would dispose of it's prey and came rushing to my side when I caught you, and well Susan tossed all of her admirers away and sprinted like a stag" he said nonchalantly but direct with a glint of brash humor.
"That girl? She has a name, in fact she is Lady Izildrom my latest lady in waiting" She informed him smiling at him making him smile a bit.
"Well, I guess not that it matters, I don't know her and Peter always has been famous with the ladies" he said in his deep voice, and a tad bit dismissive
It was rewarding to hear him like this, depraved of his presence far too long, Edmund had always been direct and honest.
For the remaining when they began to walk, she asked him about his campaign most of his replies short and direct,
She found herself holding on too tight as her brain wanted to ask him more delicate questions such as why he doesn't address to her much or act like an older brother to her but she did not dare to, she was just now only breaking their stubborn invisible iron wall and she did not want to risk building it back up again
Unfortunately, they have reached her chambers and their company must come to an end for the time being, she frowned when he did not look.
He let go and stood there, the moon baring her whole. She was beautiful and becoming, her huge grey eyes looking at him with such longing.
The Just was indifferent, too stubborn perhaps, they cannot stand there forever
"Goodnight Ed" she gently intoned, her rosy lips curved into a smile.
"Good night" he replied in an almost whisper
He watched her turn when he uttered
"Happy birthday"
She spun again, clearly shocked and delighted and gave him a big smile
"Thanks Ed"
Then she vanished into her room and he swore he saw halos above her head when the moon was upon her.