She stared at him, both confused and bewildered. "Pardon?"
He stared back, his gaze just as intense.
Tia furiously racked her brain, trying to recall when she made such an absurd promise, when a memory finally resurfaced.
"Would you marry me if I've grown taller than you the next time we meet?" The words, once a childhood joke, now landed with an almost terrifying sincerity as she looked up at the Crown Prince.
As she fully remembered the incident, she chuckled, "Ah... Yes, how foolish childish delusions are."
Leander didn't break his eyes away from her face for even a second. "Foolish? Delusion?"
Upon hearing his weighty words, she turned her head to meet his gaze, "Sorry?"
For a moment, he let his words sink in, and Tia realized what she sounded like. Flustered, she waved her hands in front of her, "I-I don't mean it like that! I didn't mean to call your Highness foolish-" she covered her face with her hands.
"I'm aware you didn't, but what I'm more… intrigued to know about is… how a sincere promise felt like a childish delusion to you."
She froze, realization dawning on her, "Oh, ah. My apologies, Your Highness. I would never take your words lightly."
She paused for a moment, trying to find the words. Then, "Truth be told, even if I agreed to marry you, it still wouldn't be possible."
He leaned in slightly, brows furrowed. "Why not?"
"Frankly, our priorities don't really align now, do they? Plus, in any case, I wouldn't agree to marry your Highness, as I've already been promised to another Ducal household."
For a while, the air felt heavy with the lack of a response.
"Your… Highness-?" Artemesia shuddered, wondering if she'd said something wrong.
"It's gotten quite chilly now, don't you think?" Excusing herself, she hurriedly got up and dusted off her gown, "Pardon the sudden departure, but I think I've taken up too much of your time. My mother must be waiting for me."
Leander got up quickly too, "N-no, it's fine, no need to feel uncomfortable. In fact, I can escort-"
"No, please. You should enjoy your time here, Your Highness. I'll be on my way." She scuffed off, dress fluttering as the cloth crumpled in her tightly clenched fist.
Leander stood there, frozen. As she was finally out of the garden, he collapsed on the seat, running a hand over his face and hair, jaw tight.
Promised to another Ducal household?
The words tasted like ash in his mouth.
. . .
Artemesia ran all the way back until she could finally see the familiar, elegantly dressed tables of the garden setting. Leaning against a nearby pillar of the loggia she stood in, Tia fought against her corset for breath as she replayed her conversation with the blond.
"Are you bloody crazy, Artemesia?! Have you completely lost it, calling the Crown Prince foolish?" She clutched her chest, trying to calm her racing heart.
"Calm down, calm down. He didn't seem to misunderstand me."
As her breathing finally stabilized, she pondered over her actions. "Why did I act like that? It's not quite like me to trip over my emotions."
Choosing to think over it later, she dusted off her gown once again and fixed up her appearance, and made her way to the garden.
As she walked further down the loggia, she saw a young lady in the distance, with flowing hair half up. She didn't look like she belonged to the Imperial family, but the way she carried herself was so…
Approaching her cautiously, Tia addressed the young lady, "Hello there, are you lost, my lady?"
The girl whipped around, and Tia immediately recognized the gray eyes that met her. Albeit, this time the gray eyes were much older and mature.
"Princess Thalia?" Tia blurted out in both shock and amazement.
Thalia's eyes widened as well, but she smiled warmly nonetheless. "Sister Tia!"
Ever since she was young, Thalia had always been fond of Artemesia. That's also where she picked up her impeccable manners. That's why she saw Tia as a sister, and called her as such too.
Even after all these years. Old habits do die hard.
Thalia fondly approached the young woman and hugged her, "I missed you! Why on Earth have you taken so long to get back?"
Tia chuckled heartily, and returned the hug, "The feeling is quite mutual, young princess. I never knew how long it would take to get back, in all honesty."
Thalia pulled away to meet her eyes, pouting. "How mean. I was waiting for your arrival quite eagerly, and you go ahead and meet my brother and mother first."
Tia laughed again, but abruptly paused. Her brother? How does she know?
"I've met with Her Majesty the Empress, but the Crown Prince…"
Thalia winked mischievously at her, "Oh don't worry, your secret little rendezvous is safe with me!"
Thalia blushed, "Your Highness, it's nothing like that-"
"Come on now!" Thalia announced a bit too loudly, "There's someone else you forgot to see."
Leading her out to the garden and into the bright sunlight, Thalia pointed to a little gazebo tucked away from the main garden, but it was crowded nonetheless.
The sight of another gazebo will make me cry.
But the occupant of this particular gazebo, not the Crown Prince, was attracting all the attention. If it weren't for Thalia's commanding presence which caused the crowd to part immediately, Tia would never have made it.
The gazebo stood in the perfect spot, overlooking the lake, where the shade of towering trees cast a cool green glow over their faces. A soft breeze brushed past, carrying the scent of water and leaves, as Tia beamed at the young boy resting on the cushioned seats.
Clutching his mother's arm sat Adrian Halycra, shying away from the crowd but fascinated nonetheless. His red eyes seemed to appear lighter, more pink outdoors as pure white strands glowed in the faint light reflecting off the surface of the lake.
As Adrian's eyes travelled through the crowd, he spotted the familiar face of Artemesia, and his own face brightened immediately. "Sister Tia!"
He had picked up the nickname from Thalia back when he was little.
These kids really shouldn't be addressing someone of lower status so casually.
Already having been noticed, Tia stepped forward and dipped into a graceful curtsy before the Empress and her youngest son. "Your Majesty, the Empress and Your Highness, Prince Adrian. How are you doing?"
Adrian patted the seat next to him, beaming, "Come sit!"
Tia hesitated, glancing over at the Empress. As she nodded approvingly, she sat down next to the young prince. He still hadn't left his mother's arm.
As the Empress called for the servants to help the guests find their seats again, Artemesia noticed a few familiar faces in the crowd.
Ah, so this is where the ladies from my table disappeared to.
"No wonder. It is the Third Prince's first public appearance." She mumbled.
"Sorry?" Adrian looked up at her as the crowd slowly dispersed.
"Oh, nothing, your Highness," Artemesia smiled, "How have you been doing?"
"I'm well! I missed you a lot! Why were you gone for so long?" Adrian tilted his face innocently.
"Well, I, too, wanted to come back to Halycra as soon as possible, but my mother had some work, that's why we took so long."
She continued chatting with the boy over childish topics, until the Empress announced that it was time for Adrian to go back inside.
Artemesia sat there, watching Adrian trot off under an umbrella held by his guard.
The Empress took her seat, sitting beside Tia.
A tranquil silence settled over them as they watched the river flow.
"That boy worries me so much sometimes."
Artemesia turned her head, puzzled.
Is she talking about the Crown Prince?
"He can't even bear the light of day, both the sun and his title would burn him."
No, Artemesia, she's talking about Adrian. Idiot.
"Destiny always finds a way, your Majesty." Artemesia consoled her with what little comfort she had to offer.
"With all the doors locked and the windows sealed, I can only hope it finds one for my son."