A large double door loomed ominously over Akira as she stood outside feeling apprehensive. She checked her reflection one last time in her compact mirror and then nodded to the door attendants. It was time for her to enter. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath in to calm her racing pulse. There was no room for error today, she had to be perfect.

"Announcing Lady Akira of the Astley duchy", A male voice called out to the awaiting crowd.

Slowly the doors swung open and she took another deep breath and cleared her mind. There was nothing to be nervous about. All she had to do was look pretty and meet a few people. Akira stepped out from the shadowy entrance and out into the balcony, surveying the room around her. Directly ahead was an extravagant chandelier supported by many hidden wires that perfectly illuminated the entire room. Thick red tapestries hung down from the walls and the drapes were pulled back, allowing the moonlight to enter. Not a single inch of wall was bare, and various famous art pieces and family portraits hung to fill in any empty spaces.

Akira had never been allowed into the east wing of the Astley home as that was reserved for her Grandmother and supposedly sick Grandfather but she tried not to act too curious as she looked around the room. There were a lot of people in the room, a sea of colour and lavish clothes who were all gazing up at her expectantly.

Akira scanned the room. There she was. There was Grandmother at the raised dais on the far side of the room. As they locked gazes, Akira sent a small lazy smile whilst her grandmother pursed her lips together in strong distaste as she took in Akira's gown.

As she descended down the stairs with her right hand trailing down the oak bannister, a hush fell over the crown as everyone watched with awe and anticipation for the highlight of this social season to reach the floor and the ball to begin.

Akira plastered a pretty smile on her face, schooling her features to look as soft and feminine as possible and carefully reached the bottom. The best approach to gain everyone's sympathy and affection would be to put an innocent and sweet facade. Something that would make her lovable. Something that would endear to the masses.

As she stepped on the last step, the crowd parted immediately for her, cleaving out a path to the dais. Akira stepped onto the long red carpet that cut right through the middle of the room and would lead her to where her grandmother awaited.

In the background, an orchestra played soft music, the melody washing over her and making her feel relaxed. Since she was young, she was taught to manipulate the public. To gain their attention and sympathy. Working a crowd like this would be easy compared to the money-hungry reporters she had encountered in the past.

She walked towards her grandmother, every eye focused on her. With every step, the hushed fervent whispers grew more excited and eager. Everyone was dressed up, the women all wore different styles of ball gowns of various colours and the men wore suits and some even wore tailcoats. However, no one wore green. No one except her grandmother and herself.

"My gosh, isn't she beautiful?" A voice whispered too loudly, sticking out from amongst the other hushed voices. Akira turned her head slightly and caught the enraptured gaze of a young, handsome man whose face erupted into colour under her attention. She sent him an alluring smile and he blushed harder and quickly averted his gaze in embarrassment. She smiled secretly to herself. It seems her plan was already working.

At the end of the carpet, there were high back chairs on a raised dais which were clearly meant for those only from a very high peerage such a duchy. Grandmother was sat, her legs neatly crossed together at her ankles and her gaze judgemental. She wore a knee-length two-piece dress, with matching emerald heels. On her neck was a heavy diamond necklace that looked as if it would weigh anyone down and screamed superiority to everyone else in the room.

"Grandmother", Akira said as she finally reached the dais. "Thank you for hosting this ball in my honour".

"You are welcome, my dear Akira", Grandmother said graciously. "Who wouldn't when they had such a lovely grandchild?"

Akira tilted her head slightly and smiled. "Your dress is very beautiful", Akira replied smugly. There were unspoken rules that anyone of status would understand. Akira wearing green was like a person wearing white to a wedding. There was no doubt that the crowd would have realised what Akira was doing but she continued nonetheless. "We match, don't we?"

Grandmother held out her hand, palm upright and gestured for Akira to take her hand. Akira placed her hand on hers and nearly gasped as Grandmother grasped it tightly, to the point where she felt as if her bones were being crushed. Akira looked up at Grandmother who was still smiling cheerily as she held Akira's hand in what looked like a loving embrace.

"Yes, I'm glad we decided to coordinate our dresses today", Grandmother said, still crushing Akira's hand with a strength unusual for a woman of her age.

Akira smiled tightly and flexed her finger to stop her grandmother who seemed hell-bent on making her cry out in pain. The dress was worth it. The statement she had made by choosing to wear green would be worth any consequences that may befall her. Wearing green symbolised her position as an Astley. It reminded her Grandmother, the Duchess of Astley, that no matter who her mother was, she was an Astley too.

Akira supposed that she had an awful lot of good luck. Green eyes were incredibly rare so it was incredibly lucky that she got them from her father. The Astley family only maintained those looks by carefully selecting who would marry into the family. Of course, there were some who were born without the prominent eye colour but having green irises served as a symbol of status and power within the Astley family. It almost meant that your blood was purer.

Finally, Grandmother let go of her hand and Akira let it fall to her side, ignoring the throbbing pain emanating from her bones. Grandmother nodded to someone in the distance and the orchestra struck up a merry tune, signalling for everyone to dance and socialise.

Akira turned to leave but was stopped by her grandmother calling out her name.

"Yes, my dear grandmother?" She asked, wishing she could be anywhere else in the world.

"Stay by my side for a moment", Grandmother said with what looked like an evil glint in her eye. "I must chat with you".

Akira internally sighed and stood next to her grandmother's seat, observing the amiable ballroom.

"Yes?" She asked, a tad impatiently.

Grandmother ignored her and began to talk to an attendant, whispering quietly in his ear.

Akira stood there, feeling out of place but not showing it and smiled as she met the gazes of people who were watching her curiously, wondering why she was still standing there. Gosh, her cheeks hurt from smiling constantly and her dress was rather heavy. Standing in one place seemed to concentrate the pain.

"Grandmother", Akira asked, frustrated. "I would like to socialise-"

"Hush", Grandmother ordered. "I told you to stand there, so stand there and wait patiently".

Akira did as she was told. She couldn't kick up a fuss, not when everyone was watching. It was uncomfortable though and she shifted discreetly to avoid her legs from cramping from standing in one position for too long.

The servant that Grandmother was talking to disappeared and came back with a small piece of paper on a silver tray. Grandmother picked and scanned through the writing with a small smile on her face. She sent a slight smirk in Akira's direction before dismissing the attendant with a flick of the wrist.

"That was a very stupid stunt you pulled there, Akira", Grandmother said in a low voice all whilst smiling at the crowd. "I hope you do not come to regret that decision".

"What was stupid about it, Grandmother?" Akira responded. Sure, her grandmother could make her stand here for a while but eventually, people would start to talk and she would have to mingle with the crowd. There was nothing Grandmother could do - today anyway. "I just wanted to show everyone that I am proud to be Astley".

"Hmm", Grandmother said with a side glance. "In fact, I shan't complain too much. I suppose the nicer you look, the better it is for me".

Akira hid her confusion. She was expecting Grandmother to be livid at the very least. This was a public act of defiance and it should have made her very, very angry. Something was off, Grandmother was acting too casual at being embarrassed in front of high society and even looked to be in a very good mood.

Akira cleared her throat and decided to change the subject. There was no point pressing right now when her grandmother wouldn't even give her the smallest bit of information. "I remember you told me some important guests will be here. Where are they?"

"Unfortunately, they will be running a little late. They are travelling from far".

"Well, can't you tell me who they are?" Akira questioned, annoyed.

"I could, I suppose", Grandmother mused. "But where would be the fun in that?"

"What does that mean-"

Suddenly the man who announced her entrance stepped to the main doors of the ballroom and cleared his throat.

"Announcing His and Her Grace, The Duke and Duchess of Byron and Lady Emmeline Byron", he called out.

The doors swung open and a couple that looked similar to her grandmother's age and a woman strolled into the room. The duchess was very elegantly dressed with a sweeping blue gown and diamond accessories glinting on her wrist, neck and ears. Her hand was placed at the crook of the duke's arm who also wore the same shade of blue. He wore on top of his suit a flattering tailcoat and pinned to his chest were various shiny medals and accolades. Standing next to them was probably Lady Emmeline who again, also wore blue. Her dress was more of a modern style, flattering her body in every way possible. The soft sky blue seemed to compliment her vibrant eyes that were a replica of her fathers, the duke and paired with her delicate blond hair from her mother, she looked like a modern-day Cinderella.

Lady Emmeline locked eyes with Akira immediately and stared at her without showing much expression. She whispered something to the duke and duchess, her parents and they too turned to look at her curiously.

"Speak of the devil", Grandmother chuckled rather sinisterly. "It appears our important guests have arrived".

Akira felt a strong sense of relief. Was this really the life-changing event that Arthur was talking about? Meeting the parents of a woman who would have married her father? She watched as they made their way towards the dais and fought to keep the frown off her face.

"Ah, Evelyn", The duchess cried as they neared the dais. "How I've missed you so".

"As have I", Grandmother smiled and they exchanged air kisses. "It is nice to see you after so long. How have you fared, Charlotte and Henry?"

So Akira had names. The duke was Lord Henry, the duchess Lady Charlotte and of course, there was Lady Emmeline. Akira politely watched their encounter ignoring the heavy, unwavering gaze of Lady Emmeline.

"Oh, Emmeline", Grandmother said with an affection that she had never shown to Akira before. "It has been so long, hasn't it?"

"Indeed it had", Lady Emmeline responded, finally tearing her eyes away from Akira. "Unfortunately, my husband and son could not make it today as my son is rather poorly and my husband is abroad".

"Oh, I really would have liked to see him and I'm sure my dear granddaughter Akira would have liked to also", Grandmother said as she nudged Akira forwards a little roughly. "This is my dear granddaughter who we were talking about out".

She greeted the Byrons with a smile, feeling uncomfortable under their scrutiny.

"So, this is Matthew's daughter", Lady Emmeline drawled. "It's a pleasure to meet you".

"The pleasure is all mine, Lady Emmeline", Akira responded with faux excitement. "I was very much excited about your arrival".

"Where you?" Lady Emmeline asked with genuine surprise.

"Yes, my dearest Grandmother was full of nothing but praise for you and your family", Akira replied half-heartedly.

"I see", Lord Henry said, finally speaking. "Well, if Evelyn has already told you about our plans and you seem happy with them, then we can proceed".

Akira shot a look at her grandmother who looked away.

"I've discussed the plans with her already, haven't I Akira?" Grandmother smirked, seeming to enjoy Akira's squirming.

"Yes- yes, you have", Akira responded, panicked. What plans? She knew nothing of them? It would be very embarrassing if she asked now so there was no choice but to go along with it to save face. Akira felt a little regret. She thought that there was nothing Grandmother could do to make her regret wearing the dress but this, this was borderline very painful.

Akira shoved the nagging self-pity out of the way. Grandmother already had her plans and her dress wouldn't have made much of a difference. She cleared her thoughts and turned back into the conversation, desperately hunting for something to give away what they were talking about.

"-And if all goes well, summer would be a brilliant time, would it Emmeline?" Lady Charlotte said, happily. Lady Emmeline hummed in agreement and turned to face Akira.

"I think Akira should have a choice too, mother", Lady Emmeline said with a devious smile. "As it will be for her, wouldn't it?"

"Oh, dear me, you're right", Lady Charlotte responded apologetically. "Pardon me, Akira, I guess I was too excited. Wouldn't you agree with summer?"

Akira glanced at her grandmother for some kind of clue but Grandmother just observed her looking very smug and satisfied. Damn it, she would have no choice but to ask in case she was roped into something she did not want to do.

"Pardon me, Lady Charlotte, I seem to be a little out of it", Akira said, swallowing her pride. "But what is to happen in summer?"

"Dear me, it seems you are very out of it", Lady Charlotte said with a laugh. "What could we be talking about except your wedding with my grandson, Emmeline's child?"

Well, I feel strangely unhappy with this. It feels like it's missing something but oh, well.

Question of the Day:

If you could choose to visit the past or the future once (without interfering - only observing), which would you choose?

Thanks for reading,

Xx