Kelsey smiled when she stood in the garden. There was a female who was watching her, she could see the raven haired girl. "Hello, dear." The princess called to her, extending a gloved hand. She knew what she was doing was forbidden. They had met earlier in the corridor. It was like love at first sight.

What a cliché.

She took the other female's hand, as they stared into each other's eyes. With the gentle serenade of the cricket and sorrowful song of the birds, they began a slow waltz. Their heads were gently leaned against each other. Kelsey had one arm around 'Kordelia's' waist, her other, her left, clutched Kordelia's right hand. They interlocked fingers, enjoying the quiet and peace. The two perfectly fit together, their bodies in tune.

It was like fate wanted to put them together, and then tear them apart.

Kelsey stared dreamily into her juliet's eyes. This was doomed, this wasn't permitted. They were breaking two major rules.. That Royal were not to be with anything less than royalty, and that females could not be together in any sort of romance.

But the two didn't care. They savored the moment, knowing that once they pulled away.. Reality would rush in, and they would walk away. So the girls just danced on, tears flowing down their faces. One of them would die. The cards always held death. They just didn't know it yet. Kelsey held onto her lover for just a little longer, as they stopped waltzing. They just slid to the ground, crying and holding each other.

Kordelia's cradled the princess and sing a sorrowful lullaby to her beloved.

We keep behind closed doors..
Every time I see you, I die a little more
Stolen moments that we steal
As the curtain falls..
It'll never be enough...
As you drive me to my house..
I can't seem to stop these silent tears from falling down..
You and I won't have to hide..
On the outside..
I'll can be yours
And you can be mine..
But I know this..
We got a love that is hopeless..
Why can't you hold me in the streets..
Why can't I kiss you on the dance floor...?
Wish that it could be like that
Why can't it be like that..
Cause I'm yours..
Why can't I say that I'm in love?
I want to shout it from the rooftops..
Wish it could be like that..
Why can't it be like that...

She kissed the top of Kelsey's head and sighed. Standing up, Kordelia bid her princess goodbye, wiping the tears. They agreed to meet, not knowing that..

The arranged meeting might never happen..

•

Alyssia watched the ball with no interest. This was extremely boring, wasn't there supposed to be something happening? She watched drunk nobles wander around and dance on their wives and/or mistresses, and vile rose in her throat.

   How disgusting..

She jumped slightly when a pale arm wrapped itself around her waist. Alyss' widened sunset eyes turned to look at the person holding her, but giggled as she saw him. "Castellan!" She said happily with closed eyes. The joy that overwhelmed her could not be expressed. She dearly loved this childhood friend, who had taken an interest in her. They were engaged, of course.

   Two royals, what could be better? She loved him, and he was a prince. It was perfect. But she felt a pair of eyes on her back, and wondered who was staring them. She turned to see a raven haired boy in the crowd, but when she blinked, he seemed to have left.

  Alyss shook off the feeling, her heart racing. Who was that? Her mind flooded through thoughts, but no one registered. No one in her family had black hair. They were either red, or blonde. With the two exceptions of her father and aunt, who had purple and brown hair. She tugged at her own ruby hair, seeming anxious.

  She blinked when the feeling of Castellan shaking her finally came through. She sighed and looked up at him, with a weak smile.

"I'll be right back, okay? I just need some air.." When he nodded, she glided to the balcony and pushed through the doors. She closed them with a click, and took in a deep breath. Alyss felt the cool and crisp fall air calm her. The party inside had grown too crowded, too social. She couldn't focus, especially with her lover right there. The air did her good.

   Alyss froze when she hears footsteps behind her. She whirled around to see the same raven haired boy behind her. She tensed up, and tried looking for a weapon. Was he here to hurt her? No, she wouldn't let him.

"Your majesty.. Relax.. I just came out here to see if you were okay.. You went out in a slight rush. Pardon my manners. I'm Edward Thomas Kasper Neoma, son of Joshua Neoma, who is a noble on your court of advisors. I do hope you'll forgive my intrusion."

Alyss looked at the male with a small smile. Even if the country said she was cruel and unforgiving.. Alyss was still a child. She still loved and cared for everything. She was just misunderstood, but sometimes.. She would let her anger get the best of her. So she sighed, and waved a dismissing hand. "Of course, of course. Good day, sir Edward. I assure you, I'm fine. And it would be none of your business even if I weren't." Her tone slightly hardened, she wanted him to leave. But he just made his way to the railing.

"What a beautiful night.." When Edward turned, he tripped. Alyss tried reaching out to catch him, but ended up falling with him. Had crown clattered a few feet away, as she rubbed her cheek. Her right cheek now held a forming bruise.

"Don't worry, Edward.. I'm fine.."

~Lovely timeskip brought to you by Rilliane's brioche.~

Alyss snuck out of the ballroom with a knife hidden in her corset. She headed to the sickly queen's room. She didn't care about being proper anymore. When she got there, Alyss opened the door and headed inside. She looked down at her mother's sleeping form. It had been a whole day. Her mother would awaken any second. So she made it quick.

"Hello and goodbye, mother. Queen Crylia.. You brought prosperity to the land.. And I will try to ruin that.. But don't worry.. I'll still love them.. And now you just die, for I must take the throne and marry Castellan. You're just holding me back. So au revoir..."

With that, Alyss plunged the knife in deeply, Crylia's eyes fluttering open.

"Alyss.."

"No, don't speak.. Shh.." Alyss smiled and kissed her mother's forehead, as she waited for the queen's final breath. When it came, she disposed of her gloves off the balcony, watching them sink into the ocean. She left the knife in Crylia though.

Alyss ran out into the hall, screaming bloody murder, literally. Saridon, her father, and Castellan ran into the room, while Edward tried comforting her. "Alyss.. Shh.. It's okay.. I'm here, my lady.. I'm always here.." He held her, but she pushed him away and ran to Castellan. She almost tackled him as the fake tears poured from her eyes. Nobody suspected her.

The playboy held her, smiling while his internal thoughts only cursed. He hated the female. He was only marrying her for money that his kingdom needed. They had hit hard times, and needed the wealth. He looked up to see Edward'a hateful gaze on his person.

This was when Edward knew..

Castellan had to go.