Chương 181: Maybe They Would Offer Him Potato Chips, Too

"Thank you for your help tonight. I'm sorry you had to go through that." Tori hated that tonight's dinner was so mentally exhausting. Tomorrow was the wedding and she had to wake up early to prepare for the ceremony as the groom's sister, but all she wanted to do was sleep in and put off dealing with her mother's sister, and mother's sister's goddaughter. Piers sat on the sofa in her room, holding one tumbled amethyst at each of her temples to ward off her headache.

A cool, damp towel was placed over her eyes as she lay across with her feet hanging off the edge of the sofa and her head on a pillow on his lap. She didn't see his concerned face as she concentrated on the energy from the amethyst.

"It'll be over soon." He almost sounded as if he was going to ensure that with violence. Alexander was on her stomach and purring in an attempt to comfort her as she replayed that evening's unexpected events over in her mind once more. After Fabian's refusal to accompany Alessa, not only could Tori not believe it, but neither could Alessa. The blonde had looked completely taken aback. Her mouth had dropped, and she seemed to want to ask why, but Gideon swept in to save his friend.

He had expressed his disappointment and then excused Fabian.

"He only came to escort me in. Due to the nature of this dinner, it is inappropriate for him to be here," Gideon had said. Tori had to admit, Gideon's ability to navigate delicate situations was good. It seemed that now that also included situations with Alessa. She had almost praised him for growing as a person. Fabian had taken the excuse and slipped away.

Tori heard he had gone to Fiona's courtyard with the other lucky people and joined them in a round of dungeon crawl before Ewan chatted him up about the Guevera knights training. Fiona's courtyard was still active even after Nanny Rey had taken Fiona to go to bed. Of course, Tori could not join them. She was dealing with her mother and aunt's tense relationship, and dodging questionable questions from her aunt. Her aunt even had the audacity to sit Alessa next to Tori because 'they knew each other from school'.

Her Guevera and O'Tuagh relatives had not forgotten Alessa and were stunned to see her there, at yet another large march event. If Sebastian had less self-control, he would've kicked her out, even at the risk of offending his aunt. Tori had pulled him aside when he found out and reminded him that it was his wedding the next day and this was not a time to play into the drama that their aunt apparently needed to live. Besides, Tori insisted that she and Alessa were on better terms.

Not on great terms, but better than when she showed up at Siobhan's ceremony two summers earlier. Idunn had also helped calm Sebastian down and dinner had proceeded with most of the discomfort coming from Fabiana's not-so-subtle criticisms of how her sister raised Tori to be so distant from her. Tori could manage Alessa, and with Gideon there and Piers' threatening aura, Alessa quietly ate and only asked about recommendations to places around Horizon that she could visit.

Unfortunately, it was Tori's own blood-related aunt that pushed the awkwardness of the dinner. After Tori had attempted to ease the tension by assuring her aunt that she was simply busy as her Lycée project was much more complicated and complex than she imagined, thus keeping her from visiting, she realized she could not stop her aunt from complaining and making remarks disguised as well-meaning thoughts. This was different from Tori's mother, who was rather straightforward.

Her parents had been seated further up the table with Sebastian, Idunn, their grandparents and some of Idunn's close relatives, so Fabiana was far less restrained than she should've been. She made some passive-aggressive comments, muttered subtle critiques on Tori, and even dared to lightly scold her. For her brother's sake, Tori didn't cause a scene. She had laughed and brushed off Fabiana's words. Still, Fabiana continued until her luck ran out.

There were two topics that Fabiana didn't continue to chatter on about, and that was because Piers and Axton stopped her immediately. The first one was the Lunar Inns. Alessa had told Fabiana about the Lunar Inn at the Lunar Pavilion. Fabiana's face had a smile, but there was sharp coldness to it as she spoke about how Tori was 'so lucky' that Maria had given her the Lunar Pavilion. She had said that she'd been offering to buy it from her sister for years, but her sister refused.

Then she had asked what Tori had said or done to make her sister give it to her. She made it all sound as if Tori tricked her Auntie Maria. Axton had stopped eating and turned towards Auntie Maria, who was seated further down and chatting with some Nordursins.

"Sister Maria, do you remember how much we paid for the Lunar Pavilion?" Auntie Maria hadn't seemed to think anything of it, but laughed and said, "If the Duke of Alvere is still paying it off, isn't it a bit too much to speak of?" Fabiana's face had reddened as Axton turned to her with a sweet smile and told her that he and Tori had made a joint purchase because the cost of the property was so large. It was an investment for both of them. He had then asked if she had any concerns about his inn.

It was a clear warning that as it involved him, she was not worthy to judge how he spent his money and with whom. The second topic had drawn a bit more attention. Unfortunately, by the time it happened, Axton had excused himself and somehow managed to take Gideon and Aiden with him to escape the awkward dinner. They didn't get to hear Fabiana ask the question many people in Horizon wondered, but didn't dare verbalize.

"Do you plan to become engaged and marry my niece, Your Highness?" Fabiana had an innocent smile on her face, but the table quickly became quiet. Her husband's eyes had nearly rolled back as his face paled. Her children had been mortified in place and Tori had felt her heart tighten. She knew that many people questioned it, but it was none of their business. And she was only sixteen. Let her live her life. If Piers didn't mind, why did everyone else have to care?

She opened her mouth to speak, but Grandpa Sophos had spoken up first.

"Fabiana, that is an inappropriate question to ask His Highness." There had been a hint of warning in his tone.

"My apologies, Father, you're right." Fabiana had given her father a small nod. Her apology had come too soon, and Tori was suspicious. She was right to be. Fabiana then looked directly at her and gave her a self-satisfied smile as she winked.

"Tori, do you plan to become engaged with His Highness? Tell your auntie. I'll help." Tori had seen her mother standing from the corner of her eye. Antonia had looked as if she were ready to grab Fabiana and physically kick her out of the Fortress. Beside Tori, Piers' wine glass had gracefully returned to the table. His expression had been eerily calm, but his cold voice had sent chills up her spine.

"Madam Lombardi, may I ask you a question?" Fabiana had sat up straight and looked excited.

"Of course, Your Highness."

"Who gave you the audacity to ask an imperial family member such a question? Do you see us as equals?" Tori had heard someone hiss as her aunt's face lost color.

"No, Your Highness-""Then, why do you dare to ask such a personal question of me, the first prince of Soleil?"

"I don't dare, Your Highness."

"My personal relations, regardless of who they are with in relation to you, have nothing to do with you. As we are celebrating my master's wedding tomorrow, I will let tonight's offense pass, but Madam Lombardi, there will not be another." Her aunt's head had dropped and Fabiana trembled in her seat. The imperial family was known to be measured and even allowed for a certain level of criticism, but they were still the imperial family, and some things just could not be tolerated.

"Your Highness, thank you for your mercy," Uncle Enrico had looked like he lost a year of his life as he also bowed his head. Piers had turned away from them, as if unwilling to pay attention to an insignificant guest. He then lifted his hand and Tori found that he had somehow woven his fingers between hers and placed their joined hands on the table, as if in some sort of act of defiance. Against what, Tori wasn't sure. Just like Axton had prophesied, her mother had ended up taking Fabiana out of the dining room.

Though it had happened after dessert, Tori hadn't seen her aunt again that evening. An embarrassed Uncle Enrico had to be escorted out and Alessa had no choice but to follow. Fabiana's adult children apologized to for mother and left soon after. As the evening wound down, Piers had informed one of the hosts, Idunn, that he was retiring for the night, and took Tori with him.

He offered to take her to Fiona's courtyard, but Tori just wanted to rest, so he took her back to her room and prepared a cool, damp towel for her.

"Thank you for stopping her, Piers. I'm sorry she asked such a question."

"It is not your fault. Neither you nor anyone else controls her." Piers paused.

"Madam Lombardi is different from the Marquess."

"Wasn't Auntie Maria right?" Piers answered her with a small hum of agreement.

"I'm glad the others didn't have to meet her. It's fine if she targets me, but Ilyana and the others are off limits."

"... I am not off limits?"

"Any sane person knows that you, as the first prince of Soleil, should be off limits," Tori said with a scoff.

"I don't know what she was thinking. Not even high nobles would ask you such a question. I know she was asking to target me. How is this woman my aunt?" Up until now, all her relatives had been amazing. She forgot that there was always at least one relative no one liked.

"I will be upset if she interferes with Master's wedding tomorrow." Piers' voice lowered.

"Must she be present?" Tori lifted her hand and took the towel off her eyes. She gave him a suspicious look.

"Whatever you're thinking, don't."

"I have not told you."

"You don't need to." His lips curled up a bit and he put his hand on her forehead and stroked her hair back.

"You know me best."

"Nyaow." A lazy meow came from the gray clump on her stomach.

"Yes, Alexander knows me best, too." Tori snickered and gathered Alexander against her as she sat up.

"It's getting late. You should go to your room. You may not have to get up early tomorrow, but I do. I have to get my hair and makeup done, get dressed... thinking about it is already painful." Piers rose to his feet and helped her up.

"Aunt Celine says beauty is pain." Tori rolled her eyes.

"I don't want to hear that coming from you. All you have to do is get dressed, so you can sleep in."

"You believe I am beautiful?" His eyes lit up a bit as she led him towards her door. Tori sneered.

"You know you are." Piers looked pleased.

"I do not hear it often."

"You are very beautiful," Tori said as she opened her door. She smirked.

"Just like Fifi's chicken." When he was still a personal knight to Gideon, he overheard one of the other escort knights saying that many women would imagine themselves as brides when they were at a wedding, and so would daydream about marriage and their own wedding day. Then something about how that was an opportune time to ask a woman out.

Fabian hadn't thought much about it, but as the Archbishop of Presidio's rhythmic voice prayed and blessed the Guevera March heir and his bride, Fabian found himself wondering if Countess Guevera was imagining her own wedding. His red eyes often strayed back to the young woman in the maroon and gold dress with the lace maroon mantilla resting over her bun and draping around her smooth, pale bare shoulders. Unlike him, she was paying attention to the ceremony and with a slight smile on her red lips.

Many people said that she was beautiful, but very few people they knew would ever see her as beautiful as she was now. A surge of shame filled him as he lowered his eyes. Even if he had some animosity with her and hated that she bested him and questioned his abilities and loyalty, he did not hate her as much as he should've. It frustrated him that seeing her made him feel things that he shouldn't feel, but he couldn't help but soften his stance on her. Perhaps it was how she took care of Gideon.

At first, he only watched her to see how she would guard Gideon compared to how he would. If she made a mistake, he would point it out and try to use it as an excuse to remove her from her position. But she didn't. She was attentive, clever, and made more than adequate preparations for things he'd never considered. She may not have the strength or skill to qualify as a personal knight, but she had the ability to change a situation to reduce the need for a personal knight to intervene.

And when they were needed, there were plans in place. For situations like transport, dining, leisure, and scheduling, she had out done him. She'd prepared something for Gideon to use in case he was kidnapped or if he had to test for poison. The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. The Countess went beyond what she was tasked with. Fabian knew she was only doing it because of the first prince, but she allowed Gideon to join her and her group of friends.

Not only to play games and eat, but to study. Gideon broke into the top fifteen in the school for the first time and he'd praised Agafonova for her ability to teach. Fabian was only able to attend her last final exam reviews, and his scores had also risen. He didn't think a few classes could do so much. He was convinced Agafonova was the reason the Countess steadily held third... though it was strange that she didn't attend the reviews. Then there was Ewan Conner.

Despite now being a student of La Garda, Conner was as close as ever to the Countess and his other childhood friends. He was never left out of events when possible and they scheduled around Conner's La Garda activities when they could. The Countess' eccentric niece had a stuffed plush named after Conner. That was how close he was. Every time Fabian looked at Conner, he thought he should've been angry and resentful. That naive idiot was living the life everyone had expected of him.

Conner got into La Garda as one of the highest scored students. Conner was the pupil of two of Soleil's sword masters. And Conner did training with both the Imperial Knights and the Guevera Knights, to the point that the Guevera Knights were willing to recruit him if La Garda rejected him. How could La Garda reject him knowing that one of the most elite groups of knights wanted him? It wasn't fair. Fabian had dedicated his life to becoming an imperial knight.

He was so assured of his ability that he'd openly mocked and challenged Conner. Now the situation was reversed. If Fabian had been in Conner's position, he would have used it to crush his rival's confidence into the ground, but Conner did not. And it had baffled Fabian. Agafonova had once told him that 'Ewan is the most forgiving one of us'. Conner would not hold a grudge and was quick to make friends for a reason. The more he spoke to him, the more Fabian understood.

He had grown up trying to be the ideal knight with perfect skills and unquestionable loyalty. He selected what he thought were the best options he had; options that would bring him glory and increase his ability. Conner had no such goals; he simply wanted to become a good knight and took all the chances he had. Coupled with his natural patience, kindness, and a strange humility to accept defeat and learn from it, it had placed him leagues ahead of Fabian. He was envious. Conner was on the career path he wanted.

Conner had friends who cared about him. Friends he would fight for. And what did Fabian do when Guthry was about to punch Gideon that night in the courtyard in Lycée? He had stood there, quietly thinking that Gideon was too cold to Alessa and deserved it. The Countess was right to question his loyalty. To think that she, someone who had hated Gideon, would step in to protect him. That was an integrity he questioned if he had.

When he distanced himself from Gideon, he found himself questioning everything about his life. Gideon was directly tied to his identity as a knight, as a swordsman, even as a student at Lycée. The more he saw Gideon tagging along with the Countess, the more Fabian felt he was unnecessary in Gideon's life. So, he began accompanying Alessa more. Even if the only thing he could do was guard her, she still tried to find him a connection so that he could make a living outside of being a knight.

He was thankful for her kindness, but when Alessa did not need accompaniment anywhere, he did not have much to do. She didn't seek him out. Fabian furrowed his brows, automatically clapping when everyone else clapped as the wedding ceremony ended. He liked Alessa and considered her a friend, but aside from random errands outside of and in Lycée, Alessa didn't spend time with him in the same way Conner and friends spent time with each other.

He knew that the Countess and the others were deeply involved with joint projects and work. He knew they left Lycée to do work for their projects or businesses all the time. It was just that it was also balanced with play. Sometimes, they all went to the first prince's cafe down the street just to eat. They even brought snacks on to campus to share with each other, Gideon included. When he accompanied Gideon to the delta, half the time the group had been lazing around, laughing, and playing games or eating.

They talked a lot and offered each other support, as he had seen with Skuldsen when his father quit being the merchant guild master. It wasn't empty words either, the Countess and Agafonova focused a portion of their personal business on helping Skuldsen recoup losses. They also took care of each other's families. The thought stunned Fabian: it wasn't that one particular individual was dependable, though it may look like it. In truth, they could depend on each other.

"What did you think of the ceremony?" Alessa asked as she found him as they were exiting the Basilica. The newly married couple was supposed to head the procession from the Basilica to the Plaza Mayor up the hill. Fabian looked down at her and gave her a small nod. She likely came with her godmother while he had come with Gideon and the others. Though no longer Gideon's personal knight, he was considered part of Gideon's entourage, so he was allowed to stay close to where Gideon and Prince Piers were.

Even Agafonova, Conner, and the others were seated further away in the Basilica.

"I have been to other weddings before, for knights, but this one is much more elaborate. It is also surprising that it wasn't as long as I thought it would be." When they told him it would be in the morning, he thought it meant it would take up the entire morning.

"Lady Nordursin is so beautiful in her wedding dress." Alessa gushed as they reached the doors and watched the bride and groom get into a carriage under the energetic cheering of crowds waiting outside. The Countess was helping carry the bride's train to the door and then placed it in the carriage.

"I can't help but wonder how my own dress will look like one day." It seemed that the knights were right.

"I am sure you will have a beautiful dress, too." Alessa beamed. She reached for his arm.

"Thank you, Fabian! Are you also going to the Plaza Mayor?"

"Yes, I will follow on horseback behind Prince Gideon's carriage."

"Alessa! Come, we'll take a carriage to Plaza Mayor!" A woman's voice seemed to pierce the crowd to get them and Alessa whirled around.

"Coming, godmother!" Alessa looked over her shoulder.

"I will see you there! Save me a spot!" She bounced off and Fabian narrowed his eyes. He looked down at his arm that she had reached to touch and frowned. Did she know what he knew about that charm Alvere gave her? His eyes narrowed and he heard Conner call him over, telling him that they were getting ready to follow on horseback. The bride and groom, their families, and high nobility could take carriages to the plaza first, as they needed to parade through the streets to get to the plaza.

They were escorted by knights on horseback. Guests would follow in their own carriages, followed by the crowds who wanted to attend the open celebration at the plaza. Conner was given a horse and would follow behind the bride and groom, as was his privilege as the groom's pupil. The rest of their friends were in the Countess' carriage. Fabian made his way to a predetermined location, where lower ranked knights were assisting the guests or preparing horses.

Conner was talkative as they rode to their designated spot in the procession. Fabian was a few carriages behind him and was a bit relieved to have a moment to think. All he had to do was follow the procession and stay in his spot, which didn't require much thinking. His mind wandered back to the night of Gideon's birthday party. He'd heard what the Countess said about the charm, and he'd seen the look of helplessness and frustration on her face when she got a drink immediately afterwards.

The charm Alvere gave Alessa could influence the attention and favor of others. The thought had chilled him, and he couldn't help but recount all the times that they'd followed Alessa without question. For days, he couldn't rid himself of the idea that his friendship with Alessa wasn't what it seemed. He'd allowed Gideon, whom he vowed to protect with his life, to almost be punched by Guthry because Guthry was defending Alessa. Fabian didn't understand how it had come to that.

He had begun to pay more attention to Alessa in school, but didn't go out of his way to accompany her as he had in the past. When Gideon invited him to places, he began to accept and follow. He began to spend less time with Alessa, trying not to make it so obvious, and questioning his prior actions increasingly. One night, he suddenly understood the Countess' defeated expression at Gideon's party when she found out about the charm. There was no way he could believe that the charm did not affect him.

Whether it was on purpose or not, whether Alessa knew or not, his thoughts and favor were being influenced and making him do, think, and say things he normally wouldn't. It seemed that the more time he spent with Alessa, the closer she was, the more effect it would have. He'd tested this out without telling anyone and that did seem to be the case. He readied himself and was alert for any energy change around him. His heart sank the first time he felt it.

Thus, when Alessa saw him at dinner the night before and she grasped his hand, he knew that the charm was being used. Fabian had no qualms about rejecting her. If there was sincerity in her friendship, she would not have used a charm to begin with. How could she do that to someone she claimed was her friend and whom she said she cared about? How could Fabian not feel betrayed or tricked? He didn't want to maintain such a false, fabricated friendship with Alessa.

The decision didn't hurt as much as he thought it would. Perhaps he'd already been resigned to the decision after finding out about the charm and knowing that it wasn't harmless. The thought that he could've been used against Gideon filled Fabian with fear. Gideon was not only his prince, but his friend. They had been together since they were children. He didn't want to tell anyone about his realization. He resolved not to approach Alessa and to avoid contact, specifically her touch, whenever he could.

When school resumed in the fall, he would join Gideon in the second to the last row of their homeroom. The seat in front of Agafonova was still available. Maybe they would offer him potato chips, too.

"Von Dorn, you'll be standing on the other side of Prince Gideon," one of the knights instructed him as he reached the plaza. The portico of the large building curved around the length of the plaza was turned into a viewing terrace that looked on to the square and fountains below, where the crowds would gather. A fenced off area was where the performances would be held. Fabian quickly handed off his horse to an awaiting knight and rushed to stand beside Gideon's gilded chair.

He and Piers were guests of honor seated just behind the bride and groom. Duke Alvere had a seat to the right of Prince Piers and the two were talking.

"JP, when is Tori's dance?" Duke Alvere asked as he leaned to the side. On a slightly lower platform just to his right were some cushioned seats for the Countess' guests and the small children of her family.

"She has to change, so she said she will come out after the salute of the knights," Mr. Vissage answered dutifully. So, that was the reason the Countess was missing from the viewing terrace.

"Fabian," Gideon said as he looked up at him.

"Are you all right? You seem distracted."

"I am just trying to plan ahead. I think I will continue the march to the Fortress in the same position I was in earlier in the procession." Gideon nodded.

"We'll be served lunch here, at our seats, and won't be leaving until the sun starts to set. Conner, Martin, and Agafonova brought snacks for everyone if you are hungry." Fabian nodded. Dependable friends. He furrowed his brows and bent down.

"I don't think we should accompany Alessa tonight, if she'll be in the Fortress." He paused, half expecting Gideon to reject him. Instead, Gideon nodded.

"I agree. I don't know if that disagreeable woman who is her godmother will follow her. She has been rude to not only Guevera, but my brother. I won't give time to entertain such a person."

"They won't be coming to the Fortress." Prince Piers spoke up in a low voice that only they seemed to hear over the shouting of the arriving crowds and festivities around them. Gideon snapped his head towards his brother and furrowed his brows.

"They won't? But isn't she the Marquess' sister?"

"I've spoken to the Marquess," Prince Piers said, keeping his gaze ahead of them.

"Her sister and Baroness Hart will not be attending the reception celebration at the Fortress." He said nothing more and Gideon lowered his head and nodded. Fabian wondered if Gideon was as relieved as he was. He glanced around the viewing terrace to see where Alessa sat. Seating was done in accordance with social rank and personal relationship with the bride, groom, and the families involved. As Lord Sebastian's maternal aunt, Madam Lombardi should've been seated reasonably close by.

In fact, his maternal uncle and his family were a few rows in front of the Countess' friends and small children. Fabian finally caught sight of them several sections to the right. Alessa was looking towards them with some longing in her face, but there really wasn't anything they could do. No. Fabian shook his head. If Gideon wanted, he could have her brought to their area with a few sentences. He would've done this in the past, but Gideon allowed for the distance.

Fabian glanced over at his friend's head as Gideon watched the knights salute their newly married heir and his wife. Perhaps Gideon had also made his decision some time ago to keep his distance from Alessa.

"She's next!" Agafonova clapped her hands and seemed to squeeze the little girl on her lap. She was the adopted child of Kasen de Guevera and she and her brother were victims in the ceiling collapse last winter.

"Fifi, are you excited?"

"Auntie's going to dance!"

"Cousin Tori is the best dancer in the family," the O'Tuagh child in front of them said in a haughty voice.

"Watch carefully." The little girl nodded and wore a determined expression. Fabian followed her gaze. The crowd directly across from them began to part. Knights stepped in to create human walls as a steady drumbeat echoed through the plaza. With each beat, a woman in gold took a step forward, arms out and looking straight ahead.

"It's Auntie!" The woman stopped in the center of the performance area and the drums stopped. The entire plaza seemed to hold their breath as she stood, unmoving in the first position of the blessing dance. Then the drums started once more. He watched her twist her body and stomp her feet with firm, solid movements of her legs; quick to stabilize herself and transition into another graceful movement that was so subtle, no one but those who studied the dance could appreciate it.

Fabian had watched her do this dance many times, over and over, little by little. But seeing her go through the entire dance in that golden costume with its flowing sleeves and jingling details, he was reminded that this was not just a dance. This was a blessing, and he could feel the energy coming from her with each turn, each step, and each breath. How many times had she lectured him in their class about the symbolism of each tiny movement and the importance of executing them well?

The golden strands shone in her thick, black curls, making her hair sparkle in the sunlight. That was what she was, he decided. Countess Guevera looked like a ray of sunlight, enlightening all she touched. His eyes widened. Suraelle was the Goddess of Wisdom, but wisdom was represented by the beams of sunlight and fire.

"I understand now...." The way her arms moved in circles to eventually point down; the way she stomped on the ground. It was sunlight, or just light, which also translated into a flame on a lantern. Enlightening man; giving man wisdom. His heart quickened as his eyes followed her around the courtyard. He wanted to be warmed. He wanted the attention and affection she gave others. He wanted to be touched by sunlight. To have it wrapped around him forever. He could hear his heart beating in his ears.

He wanted that dancing woman and held out his hand, the palm up, and squinted. Her small figure danced in his hand. She would be sincere with him. She had always been sincere with him, even when expressing her anger. She didn't hold back against him. The dance ended with a final clash of symbols and unexpected fire flew up from her hands.

"She modified carnelian rings...." He heard Instructor Ignatius telling Lord Kasen. Lord Kasen looked smug as he lifted his hands and began clapping.

"You can be honest with me, Benedict. My sister is a genius, isn't she?" Instructor Ignatius sighed, but continued to clap. The sound of applause filled the plaza and Fabian only clapped harder. His hands began to hurt from clapping, but he didn't stop. A movement came from his left and he turned his head. Prince Piers had leaned forward on his chair. His eyes were on the slim figure of the young woman bowing to the crowd once more, and they were filled with warmth. For a moment, Fabian's heart twisted.

His hands lowered and he looked down. He wanted the Countess', but the Countess would never want him. She had much better options.

"Brother, what did you think of her dance?" Gideon asked.

"She is the sunlight that betters me," the first prince replied. Fabian's heart dropped, even though Gideon had made a disgusted face at his brother's undisguised praise. Fabian didn't remember what the next performance was, but just before the next one started, the viewing terrace they were on grew lively. He heard the rapid chattering of Agafonova and the others and turned his head.

His eyes widened and his face reddened as the Countess slipped back into the viewing terrace in the gown she'd worn to the wedding ceremony. She was holding a small metal bowl with some dust and was tapping her finger inside and lifting it up to her friend's forehead.

"The blessing of Suraelle is upon you," she was saying with each touch on their forehead.

"May you become wiser with this blessing."

"Were you endowed for today?" the nun who was her aunt chuckled.

"Yes, just for today," she said with a wide smile back.

"Auntie, the blessing of Suraelle is upon you." The nun leaned forward to be blessed, then blessed her niece in return. She made her way towards her family, blessing them individually. Fabian took a deep breath and took his seat; his eyes fixed ahead of him. They were lucky to receive her attention.

"Von Dorn, let me see your head." Hearing his name, he turned towards the voice and immediately felt a warm finger against his forehead. He felt a small, gentle pulse of energy and then the finger retreated.

"The blessing of Suraelle is upon you. May you become wiser with this blessing." His eyes widened.

"Me?"

"Don't you want it?" she chuckled. She grinned.

"I'm not so petty that I'd forget you when it matters, von Dorn." She shook her head and moved on to the next person. His hand rose and he touched the remnants of crystal powder on his forehead. An unexpected calmness was in his chest, as if there was some reassurance in his life that had been so shaken in the last year. Perhaps it was the crystal dust blessing, but the thought came to him: it is not a terrible thing to be in the Countess' light. At the very least, Countess Guevera was sincere to him.