[The Gradral Household]

Cutlery clinked on plates and pitchers hit the glass rim. Everyone ate in silence.

Reynard peeked over at his father who was picking at the peas in his plates. Reynard remembered very well how much his father liked peas, but today, he looked upon them with no appetite. It was likewise for Rosa.

She sat staring emptily at her untouched food. Reynard looked at his own plate and realized he was the only one who ate at all. It was a weird thing. When other people were nervous or in grief, they either ate very less or didn't eat at all. Reynard, on the other hand, built up an appetite when he was anxious.

As he spooned into his mouth a chunk of potato, he thought about how to break the ice. It had been two and a half years since they last properly saw their father, who had then enlisted into the Knights' Regiment training upon Reynard's wish. Before that, his father was a mercenary who often left the country in search of work. He had just retired for a year when Reynard had developed a special interest in the palace knights. (Admittedly, he had just found their armor uniform very impressive.)

Reynard swallowed his food and gave a deliberate cough to get his family's attention. His father and Rosa both looked up at the same time, and Reynard couldn't help notice how glazed their eyes were.

"Um… the food's good, yeah?"

None of them answered. At least, not for a while.

Rosa gave a small, hoarse chuckle. "I get it, Reyn. You don't need to force yourself to be like that. It's just...It's just been so long since we last sat together like this. Father hasn't been a part of family meals for 3 years, so it's just a tad bit awkward for us."

Simon Gradral's shoulder slumped as he stared at his plate.

"I'm sorry, kids," he managed to utter. "I should've been here for you all. I really should've-"

"Oh, stop it!" Rosa snapped and then placed a fond hand on her father's. "Let's not talk about this. How long of a leave of absence has the Emperor agreed to grant you?"

"A week." Simon sighed.

Rosa nodded, the glazed look going away from her eyes. "We've got so little time; let's make it count, father. Let's not waste such precious seconds."

Simon nodded and then reached his hand out for his son's. Reynard let him take it. His father gave it a gentle squeeze and smiled. At that moment, Reynard couldn't help noticing how worn out he looked. He looked like he had aged 10 years since the last time he saw him, and even his hands were callused.

"That's right," Simon said to both of his children. "Let's spend as much time together as we can. Let us all hope Amice is looking upon us with an intent to love and protect."

Rosa and Reynard simultaneously clenched their jaws as once more, they were reminded of their mother's demise. But they felt much more confident after having their father along with them.

Maybe, just maybe… they could make this work.

✿

"You look daft."

I scoffed. The audacity Sven had gathered after growing fond of me was just 'staggering'. Literally.

"And how do you reason that?" I asked as I stuck out my chin, which wobbled just a little under Sven's intense gaze. No, maybe it wobbled since we were on a carriage, going over the bumpiest path of my life.

He frowned as he studied my face. "What's on the pink stuff on your face? And my shoes-" he looked down at my feet that I promptly pulled under the shelter of my poofy dress. "What a horrendous paint job. You look a comic."

I laughed bitterly. "Well, thank you for going ahead and ruining the last ounce of confidence I had left." Dammit, I know he was right. Ever since we had set out of Ogden Cove, I had seen many other carriages heading the same way: To the Grandeur Plaza. Admittedly, I had tried several times to catch glimpses of the ladies inside the extravagant, pumpkin-shaped carriages and dare I say, I was chuffed. In comparison to them, I really did look like a piece of green algae growing on the side of the road. It made me feel nervous.

Sven had insisted on escorting me there because I could trip or something, but I knew he just wanted to see the venue of the ball. "The Selection ball of the decade, it says," he had muttered. "Well, wouldn't I like to confirm that. They should be lucky they've got a princess attending." And that's why he had come along.

"How much farther, mister?" Sven's voice wobbled as he turned his face to ask the coachman, who was a man wearing a mystery eye-patch.

"3 minutes."

Sven nodded and turned back. "We'll be there soon. Have you everything with you?" I nodded and brandished the invitation card from a hidden pocket inside the dress's folds. He nodded back, approving. "Fix your hair, too. There are some frizzy strands near your temples. Yeah, right there. And rub your lips again to re-apply the rouge. You've removed it almost completely from your bottom lip since you've been biting it all this time. Don't do that, or your lips will start bleeding."

I kept looking curiously at Sven while he babied me. Someone once told me that this is how a mother acted with her child, and I hadn't believed it since my mother had never even had an ounce of care for me. But now that I was experiencing this in real life, I felt warm all over.

As Sven continued to fret over me, I broke in and said, "I'm OK! Stop worrying, by God."

Instantly, he stopped talking and blinked. "I wasn't worrying."

"Yeah, right," I laughed. That's when a shiny golden glare hit my eyes and blinded me for a moment. When I had recovered, I looked out and saw a large building with a similar architectural structure of the palace, but shrouded with colors, indescribable. Is this The Grandeur Plaza? "Anyways, I think we're here now."

Sven looked out , too, and reached the same conclusion because he pulled back in and nervously clenched his hands. "Will you be okay? What if someone recognizes you?"

"Sven," I sighed. "Not again. We've talked over this time and time again. I'll be okay, I promise! Look at me, do I look anything like my posters?"

He observed me for a moment and then shook his head, seeming disappointed.

"Okay, but what if he tries to assault you? I don't trust him," he muttered as he avoided my gaze, which made me burst out laughing.

"Oh, c'mon. Buckle up, Sven, he's a gentleman. I doubt he'll ruin his shiny reputation at the last moment, just when he's looking for a bride," I exclaimed, teary with laughter. "But oh, alright. I'll keep out of his way, or EVERYONE'S way if I can help it."

He leaned back in his seat, finally seeming satisfied. Just then, the carriage halted to a stop.

"That'll be 20 coppers," the coachman grumbled without looking back. Sven reached out a hand through the little window that separated us and stopped the coins into his palms.

"Can you wait right here?" Sven asked shyly. "I'll just drop the lady off and come back, since I have no business here." Then he turned to me. "How long is the ball going to be?"

I shrugged. "I'll give it an hour and a half."

He nodded and whispered, "Okay. Come on, let's go. Mind your footing."

He got out first and offered me a hand to help me down. Invitation clenched in hand, I got out and almost tripped over a crack in the cobblestone, but Sven was right there to help.

"That's why I said I should come," he smiled, "or you would've been lying on your face right now."

I shook my head. When had he become such a tease?

"Alright, smarty-pants," I said as my eyes looked past him at the Plaza. Women dressed in extravagant ball gowns walked in pairs or groups of three as they trotted down the cobblestone path and into the grand entrance. "Off we go."

Sven had somehow forced himself into wearing a coat, so as not to embarrass me among the other rich nobles. He looked much better in formal clothing, so I had to give it to him. With his silver-ish hair slick back and feet in polished shoes, he looked very much like a proper gentleman.

"M'lady," he said as he offered me his arm. I took it with a smile. Both of us walked down the long path that led to the grand entrance. "The name really suits the venue, don't you think?" he whispered to me as we got closer. I looked at him as he admired the building, his face shrouded in a golden glow.

"Yeah."

A look of uncertainty passed his face as he leaned closer to my ear. "Are you sure you'll be okay?"

I sighed and closed my eyes. "I'm not answering that anymore."

He pulled his arm towards himself, pulling me closer to him. I got easily annoyed at that.

"Just tell me."

I sighed again. "Yes, for the nth time, I'll be fine." Just as I finished my sentence, we reached the entrance and I noticed women gaping at Sven. Did he look that good? "Alright now, shoo! Shoo away."

Reluctantly, he pulled his arm from mine and walked a few steps before giving me a second glance back.

"Go!" I hissed.

He frowned and then finally, he left. I watched him climb into the carriage and not a moment later, the horses carried it away. Far into the mist, till it was just a moving dot. Only then did I realize how alone and out of place I felt. Fancily dressed women in heavy jewelry stared at me as they showed their invitations to the guard at the entrance.

I, too, after gathering my nerve, proceeded towards the guard with the invitation in front of me, displayed for all eyes to see...