Chapter Text
Events like these were always exhausting. A whole month of listening to people snicker and throw insults behind her back. A whole month of hearing how she was “tainting the Eckhart name” by simply existing. Sure, she had occasionally crossed the line, like when she dumped wine on Marquess Richmond’s daughter last time, but she really hadn’t done anything to deserve all of the scrutiny she faced on a regular basis at events like these.
And so, when Duke Eckhart had announced to his children, rather, his sons and Penelope as well, that they would be attending the month-long “diplomatic relations” event, she nearly jumped out of a window right there and then. She had a vague memory of throwing something to the floor, silverware perhaps, and then storming off to her room. Not even the prospect of new dresses or jewelry could make up for the dread she felt. For nearly a week, Penelope Eckhart sat in her room thinking of ways to get out of it. She considered making herself sick or injured, getting on probation, and even faking insanity.
That was, until she heard the Poisonous Beauty of Agriche was attending.
Penelope was best known for her love of yelling, throwing things, expensive dresses and shiny jewelry, but nobody was aware of what she actually really loved. To start, she was quite the reader. Having grown up poor, she threw herself into the expensive books she would never have been able to even look at as a child. She kept this hobby to herself, she was allowed so little happiness in the Duchy that she was constantly afraid of it being taken away. She saved portions of her allowance for trips to bookstores, hiding her purchases among the fancy clothes in her ridiculously huge closet. But even more secret than her love of books was that Penelope Eckhart, the mad dog of the Eckhart dukedom, was a huge fan of Roxana Agriche.
It would seem absurd to anyone if they knew. The two women lived in different empires, they’d barely even held a conversation, and the Agriche family was famous for their bloodlust and violence.
None of this mattered to Penelope, of course, for one simple reason.
A few years back, the Agriche family was attending a ball in the Eorka Empire. It was the biggest gossip in all of high society. When she first heard, Penelope was just relieved that they were talking about something besides her for once. But the more she listened, the more curious she became. There was the father, Lang Agriche, who was a cruel and horrible man. His oldest son, Dion Agriche, was known to be quite handsome, but murderous and obsessive too. They said he was better than any trained assassin, and that he could fill an entire ocean with all the blood he’d spilt. His younger brother, Jeremy Agriche, was not quite as bloodthirsty as Dion, but made up for it in psychotic tendencies. And finally, there was Roxana Agriche, about whom little information was known. It was said she was as cold as she was beautiful, which was saying something according to anybody who’d seen even a portrait of her. There weren’t as many rumors of unspeakable things that followed her, but she was a part of the Agriche family, meaning very few dared to approach her.
So, when the two women met, it was quite the moment to remember. Derrick was chastising her for something or other, she’d long forgotten the reason, and suddenly they were approached by a stunning blonde woman with the most striking red eyes Penelope had ever seen.
“Is there a problem, Young Duke of Eckhart?” She asked, in a voice that made honey seem sour. There was something about the way she drew out the words that made Penelope stare in shock at her.
“I’m afraid this is a family matter, Lady Agriche.” Derrick replied, trying to regulate his annoyance. Penelope kept looking in wonder at the beautiful woman, as if she expected her to vanish at any moment. Why was the Roxana Agriche over here and talking to Derrick? How did she know who they were?
“A family matter? Oh dear, it sounded to me like you were chastising a pet. It seems as if the Eckharts take the nickname ‘mad dog’ a bit too seriously. I had no idea the lady of Eckhart was subjected to such treatment on a regular basis, how disappointing. But, I suppose, it is a family matter as you’ve stated.” Roxana’s perfect smile didn’t slip once, even as her words sharpened themselves into daggers and cut right into Derrick’s pride.
Speaking of Derrick, it had seemed like Roxana’s words had left him completely dumbfounded. Not a single person, in all those years, had ever defended Penelope Eckhart. Not a single person had ever talked to Derrick like that, with such malice disguised in a sugary tone.
“I assume your silence means you’re done with your dear sister? I’ll borrow her for a moment then. Good day, Little Duke of Eckhart.” Roxana took Penelope’s arm and led her away from Derrick before he could protest. Confidently, like they were old friends from childhood, she picked up two glasses of champagne and handed one to Penelope.
“I find a little alcohol and lots of patience gets me through these things.” Taking a sip of her drink, Roxana eyed the room as if she was looking for somebody.
“I-“ Penelope couldn’t think of anything to say before Roxana spotted who she was looking for, a tall man with dark hair and red eyes like her own heading towards them.
“Excuse me.” Downing her champagne, Roxana set the empty glass down and swiftly moved in the opposite direction.
Even though it had been a few years since that incident, Penelope was still in awe of the only woman to ever stand up for her. So, she jumped at the chance to get to see her again, to pay her back for what she’d done last time. If the Eckharts found her sudden change of attitude odd, they didn’t mention it.
And that was how Penelope Eckhart ended up at the banquet hall with a brand new dress and her finest jewels.
As the most beautiful woman in the Eldyme Empire, Princess Cayena loved banquets and balls. She loved dressing up in expensive dresses and jewelry, she loved the crowds of men that flocked to her, she loved the jealous glances that followed her like perfume.
So when the news came that the royal family was invited to the Eorka Empire’s centennial diplomatic relations ball, she was ecstatic. A whole month of her favorite thing in the world!
Even better, she had received word that Eris Mizelian was attending as well. Eris, her only female friend, who was engaged to the prince of the nation that she lived in.
They’d met at another royal ball years ago. Cayena’s family and Prince Alecto’s family did business often, as their empires were right next to each other. Cayena and Eris had gotten close quickly, being the two highest standing women in the room. They exchanged letters frequently, but Cayena hadn’t met Eris at a ball for quite some time, so she was looking forward to seeing her close friend once more.
She’d been sure to pack her best dresses, newly bought of course, and bring all of her ladies in waiting. Her luggage nearly took up a whole carriage, forcing her to share with Rezef.
She didn’t mind, her brother was her closest ally in the palace. After the ghastly poisoning incident last year, he’d become increasingly protective of her.
How lucky she was to have such a caring brother.
“Sister?”
Cayena snapped out of her trance. She’d been staring out the window for quite some time. It was a few days' journey to the Eorka Empire, and they’d been staying at various noble houses along the way. It was fun to watch the most well-respected bachelors of the empire to trip over themselves to impress her. A couple of them had tried to sneak into her room late at night, but Rezef had put a stop to them. And as entertaining as the trip had been, Cayena was rather grateful this was the last day of it.
She pulled her eyes away from the carriage window she’d been staring out of, and smiled at Rezef.
“Aren’t you just so excited brother?!”
Rezef returned her smile, which didn’t quite meet his eyes.
“Of course.”
The carriage finally stopped after a couple more hours, arriving just as the sun set into the horizon.
Rezef offered his hand to Cayena who gladly took it, stepping delicately out of the vehicle.
“How nice it is to walk after such a long time!” She exclaimed, surveying their surroundings. “Oh, what a lovely sunset! Rezef, look at that!”
She thought she saw annoyance flicker through her younger brother’s eyes, but it was gone just as soon as it came. He must just be tired from the long ride.
A funny looking man with black hair and green eyes hidden behind glasses greeted them as they walked up to the doors. He bowed, and gave a warm smile.
“Welcome, Prince Hill. I am Cedric Potter, assistant to the Crown Prince.”
Odd. Why were they being greeted by the assistant of the Crown Prince?
It seemed the thought crossed Rezef’s mind as well, as Cayena observed a frown cross his face.
“How kind of the Crown Prince to send his personal assistant. One would almost think we were old friends.” Rezef’s face stayed pleasant, but there was a certain sharpness to his words.
“He will explain it all when you meet, Prince Hill.”
That satisfied Cayena. Perhaps Prince Callisto was one of her many admirers, who was attempting to ask for her hand! The thought made her giggle slightly, earning her an odd look from the assistant.
“Very well.” Rezef replied curtly. This was a signal for Cedric Potter to step aside, which he did with a slight bow. Cayena gave him a small wink as she brushed past, enjoying the embarrassed blush that covered his face in return. He was certainly cute.
The chambers that she was led to were certainly beautiful. They were not as grand as her own back at home, but a huge step up from the noble houses they had been staying at.
Worn out from the trip, she collapsed into a chaise in the middle of the room, which was decorated with golden pillows. In fact, the whole room was covered quite nicely in gold, not gaudy enough to be tacky, but not simple enough to be insulting.
Yes, she would like it here.
After a few hours of much needed beauty rest, Cayena’s ladies in waiting started the long process of getting her ready for the first ball of the banquet.
First, they bathed her in warm water filled with rose petals and prepped her skin with all sorts of products, until her face was as clear as a summer’s day.
Next, they dressed her in the beautiful dress she’d picked out for the evening; a flowing gown in the perfect shade light blue that brought out her eyes. The bodice hugged her frame tightly, but she didn’t mind. She was used to such things, as the most beautiful woman in the Eldyme Empire.
And she would certainly be the most beautiful woman at the celebration tonight.
The final step to get her ready was to apply makeup. Cayena, being a natural beauty, only required some light powder and lipstick. Lastly, she applied her favorite perfume, which smelled like honeysuckle and sugar, and slipped into her golden heels.
When she was all done, she found Rezef waiting outside of her room for her. Taking in her appearance, he smiled and held out his arm.
He really was the perfect brother.
She returned his smile and took his outstretched arm, barely able to contain her excitement for the ball.
Cayena and Rezef, the picture of elegance and beauty, entered the open ballroom doors as they were announced.
“Prince Rezef and Princess Cayena Hill, the Crown Prince and Princess of the Eldyme Empire!”