"Cleo!"

Clara panicked upon hearing the urgency in the prince's voice, and barged into his room, afraid that someone had attacked him while she went to check on some preparations for the day's party.

"Your majesty?" she called out. "What's wrong? Are you alright?"

"No, I'm not alright!" he exclaimed loudly.

"What is it?"

"My shirt ripped!"

Clara never wanted to strangle him more than that moment.

"Oh for god's sake..." she muttered angrily. "I thought you were hurt!"

"Only my dignity." he grumbled, looking at the rip in his clothes.

"Oh please, you lost that long ago" Clara muttered quietly so he wouldn't hear her.

"Go get the seamstress."

"She's too busy right now." she responded, knowing how full her hands were.

"Do I look like I care?" he raised an eyebrow at her. "I need to fix this!"

"Don't you have like...a hundred other suits?"

"I've already worn them." he said like it was obvious, making Clara roll her eyes. "What, do you want to put Avelyn to shame?"

"By wearing a suit more than once?" she tried to show him how ridiculous he sounded.

"Yes!" he exclaimed, walking closer to her. "We have royalty visiting from other kingdoms, and they only expect the best from us."

"Alright, alright, I get it!" her eyes widened at how defensive he was being. "I'll fix it up."

"You know how to sew?" he furrowed his eyebrows. She nodded.

"My mother taught me when I was young." she tried her best to hide the way her voice cracked slightly at the mention of her mother, which thankfully went unnoticed by the prince.
She then walked over to a shelf in the corner of his room and pulled out a box that contained sewing tools. She brought it back to where the prince stood in front of his mirror and took out the needle and thread, preparing it. The prince watched as she bit her lip in focus as she put the thread through the needle, and then looked back at the rip revealing his abdomen.

She unbuttoned his shirt, averting her eyes so she would only look at the fabric in her hand, not noticing how stiff the prince had suddenly become. She flipped the fabric to the underside and began to sew it carefully, so that it wouldn't leave any marks. Victor's breath hitched in his throat every time her hand grazed his skin, and he found himself staring once more at the young maiden in front of him.

Soon enough, Clara finished stitching up his shirt back to perfection and patted it with a grin of accomplishment on her face, once again unaware of Victor's gaze.

"You're good to go." she smiled cheerfully. "Need anything else?"

He cleared his throat and tore away his gaze, shaking his head at her, letting out a breathless 'No'. 

"Shall I escort you to the banquet hall?" he raised an eyebrow at her question.

"You escort me?" he laughed dryly.  "I'm perfectly capable of going there by myself."

"Well it's my job to accompany you, you majesty; King's orders." she crossed her arms, looking up at him. The prince sighed and rolled his eyes, motioning for her to follow him. Clara smirked and walked beside him, gazing at the beautiful decorations of the hallways; various plants in every color and shape covered the walls and windows, basking in the sunlight.

"What will you be doing while I'm at the party?" he asked her, glancing at her shortly.

"Oh you know, the usual..." she tried to hide her laugh. "I'll be helping around."

Clara wasn't lying when she said that, because as soon as they got to the ballroom and the prince made his entrance, she left to find her little sister and best friend. Shortly after, she arrived back at her home and she breathed in the comfort it brought her.

"Clara!" Lila screamed and ran to hug the bigger girl, who grinned down at her and lifted her in her arms.

"You look wonderful, darling!" she said, grinning.

"Dad helped me!" she exclaimed. "Look at my hair!"

Just then, Edwin walked over, wearing his best suit that consisted of the colors of Avelyn's crest. The gold thread melted into the purple fabric elegantly, and Edwin would have looked nothing less than a king, had he been wearing a crown as well.

"Your braiding skills prove to be perfect, sir Edwin." Clara said, making him laugh.

"After all those years training, I should hope so, lady Clara." he bowed in reply to her curtsy. 

Clara put Lila down before she remembered that she had bought her a little gift for that day's occasion. She bent down to her level and pulled the butterfly clip from her dress' pocket.

"A butterfly for our butterfly."

Lila laughed happily and turned around so that Clara could place it into her hair. She stood up once she was done, and watched as her little sister twirled happily, showing off her beautiful dress.

Edwin sniffed, and all eyes turned to him, seeing him with glossy eyes. Once he realized they were looking at him, he cleared his throat and looked away.

"I'm fine." he said. "it's just...you're both growing up so fast!"

Lila grabbed ahold of Clara's hand and walked toward Edwin, wrapping her arms around him, making Clara follow suit and lay her head on his shoulder. Edwin held them tightly, grateful for his little family. Neither of the three could explain just how much the other two meant to them. They stood there, held in each other's arms, soaking in all the bliss of the moment.

A knock on the door broke them away from their trance. Edwin was the first to walk towards the door, leaving Clara to check on Lila to make sure everything was perfect.

"Edwin?" Hazel asked. "Shouldn't you be at your banquet by now?"

"Blame the little one, she couldn't choose a dress to wear." he put his hands up in mock surrender, and Lila grinned sheepishly. "I suppose I should be on my way now. Lila, do you want to join me or would you prefer to come with Clara and Hazel?"

"I'll come with you!" she said as she skipped over to him, placing her hand in his, looking up at him with a wide smile.

Hazel entered the house, laughing lightly along with Clara as Edwin bowed dramatically before leaving with his daughter. 

"Shall we?" Hazel grinned, holding up two dresses that she had picked up from the seamstress. Clara grinned back and took her dress from her, and they walked into the girls' room to get changed and prepare for the banquet being held in honor of Edwin's service.

Clara slipped into her silky dark purple gown, with delicate gold details throughout the bodice down to the hem of the skirt; the small family had decided to wear matching colors for the day. Hazel fastened her corset before Clara did the same for her Emerald gown.  Once the gowns were on, Hazel sat down Clara to start on her hair.

Clara's mind drifted away as Hazel hummed to a song inside her head. She could remember the first couple of times Hazel did her hair, when her breath would get caught in her throat and her eyes would burn with unshed tears. Before she came to Wisteria, Clara's mother was always the one who did her hair for her, insisting that it was the perfect mother daughter bonding time. That's why Clara never learned to style her own hair. However, when she came to Wisteria, she was determined to learn so that she could follow her mother's tradition and be able to style her little sister's hair. That's when she met Hazel; she was walking around town with Edwin when Hazel approached her with a toothy grin and a beautiful braided crown on her head. She even taught Edwin how to do some simple hairstyles for Clara for whenever the two weren't together. For a few years, Clara always felt a pit in her stomach when someone played with her hair, but as time passed, she found that it brought her comfort; knowing that the people she loved were still there where she could feel them. She'd revealed this part of her life to Hazel a few years after, when she felt like they were more like sisters rather than friends.

"People won't be able to take their eyes off of you." Hazel said when she finished styling Clara's hair and sat down for Clara to help style her hair. 

"Me?" she chuckled. "Have you not seen how breathtaking you look? You'll have every man on their knees for you."

"Alright, I admit it." she rolled her eyes with a smile. "We both look like royalty, and we'll be stealing many hearts today."

"I heard a few royals will be arriving from neighboring kingdoms." she said, pushing a stray strand of hair away from Hazel's eyes. "I've never seen Victor so excited."

"Let's go find out if they're worth the excitement then!"

And so the two maidens set out to the banquet hall in the beautiful castle surrounded by wisteria trees. Music could be heard from all around and people were happily conversing with one another as life continued on that sunny day. 

The guards standing by the banquet hall's doors smiled in recognition at the two maidens and bowed, earning a small curtsy from both girls. They opened the doors and in walked Clara and Hazel, instantly catching everyone's attention.

All the knights were present and were wearing their best formal clothes in celebration of their general. Julian looked dashing in his blue suit as he conversed with some of his friends until the doors opened, and he felt all the air being taken from his lungs. His eyes followed Clara's frame as she and Hazel approached the center of the room, where Edwin and Lila stood with the king.

"Oh, she looks gorgeous." Alan said from beside Julian. Fortunately for the blonde knight, he was looking at Hazel. "Do you know her name?"

"That would be Hazel." he said. "shall we approach them?"

"I'll need a drink first, come on." he pulled him away to the tables were all the food and drinks were placed.

Meanwhile, in the left corner of the room, where three princes stood talking to one another, a new topic sparked up when the two ladies had entered the room.

"Who is that?" Prince Hugo asked.

Victor looked to where he was staring and froze, his goblet ghosting his lips, seeing none other than Clara and her friend standing with his father and Edwin, who was holding a little girl's hand. 

"Wow..." whistled Prince Thomas. "She looks incredible!"

"Which kingdom do you reckon she's from?" asked Hugo. "I wouldn't mind merging our kingdoms, if you know what I mean." 

Victor's grip around his goblet tightened as Hugo's eyes trailed over her, a smirk playing on his lips. It wasn't a secret that Clara looked beyond beautiful in her gown, far more eye catching than most women any of them had seen.

"She's from Avelyn."

The two men turned towards him with confused expressions.

"Since when did Avelyn have a princess?"

"And I'm sure we would have heard if your father had a ward as well." 

"She's not a princess." he said. "That would be my maidservant and her friend."

"She's your maidservant!?" Hugo asked with wide eyes. "You lucky arse!"

"I'm far from lucky, believe me." Victor muttered as he took a long sip of his wine. "I wasn't aware she would even be attending this, much less be talking to my father and Edwin."

"Well go on then," Hugo pushed him. "Introduce us."

"I think you're too late gentlemen." Thomas laughed as they all turned to see Julian and Alan approach the girls. Victor averted his eyes and turned to his friend.

"How's Carmen?"

"Clara!"

Clara turned around, her eyes meeting the approaching figures of Julian and Alan, whom both had smiles on their faces. She smiled and waved at them, as did Hazel. 

"Sir Julian, Sir Alan." she curtsied. 

"Don't you get formal with me," Julian teased before bowing down and winking at her. "Lady Clara."

At the same time, Alan bowed and took Hazel's hand in his, placing a soft kiss on it, telling her it was an honor to meet her.

Clara noticed how Hazel's cheeks had darkened and grinned, looking over at Julian with a glint in her eyes as if she was asking him if he saw it too. Julian smiled and nodded, and a silent agreement was made between them.

"Oh!" Clara feigned surprise. "I forgot to show you...the plants!"

"The plants?" wondered Hazel.

"Yes!" Clara said. "You two go get some drinks, Julian and I will join you shortly."

Before either of the two could speak, Clara sent a subtle wink to her best friend and left hurriedly with Julian's hand in hers, completely unaware of the few royals still looking her way.

Hazel vowed to herself that she would annoy Clara relentlessly about Julian after the stunt she had just pulled. But secretly, she was also grateful for her.

"She's going to murder you." Julian said.

"Oh, I don't doubt it." she said, resulting in them laughing. "Alan too, actually."

"Have I mentioned how enchanting you look today?" he whispered, taken aback by her beauty.

"Look who's talking." she grinned, nudging his arm with her own. "You've got quite a few admirers here."

"Poor them," he chuckled as he brought Clara's hand up and placed it on his chest. "they don't know someone's snatched my heart already."

Their moment was rudely interrupted by the loud trumpets playing a tune to gather everyone's attention.  The king was standing on a higher floor level, with Victor just a little behind him by his side. All the knights joined in, standing proudly around. Clara joined in, standing next to Julian, and Lila came running to her with a wide grin. The knights stood with honor, not batting at eye at Clara, knowing she belonged there just as much as them, if not more.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" King Harry spoke. "Today we are gathered to celebrate the greatest general Avelyn has seen, Edwin Virtus, for his 20th anniversary as the knight's leader. He is loyal, fierce , valiant and well respected. We owe him the safety of our streets, for without him, we'd be living in fear of rivaling kingdoms who wish to take over."

Victor's mind could no longer focus on his father's speech once he spotted Clara standing with the knights. Her entire presence in this banquet created more and more questions in his mind with every passing second. He could see Hugo's eyes studying her, and wondered what was going on in his mind.

Secretly, he was happy Julian was by her side.

"I wish you could have had a knighting ceremony like the rest of us." Alan spoke up from Clara's left, with Hazel agreeing from behind them.

"I don't know," she shrugged. "It's quite exciting being a secret knight."

"I bet." Julian laughed.

When the king finished his speech, he had given Edwin a gold medal in appreciation. After that, the music started once more, and everyone was dancing. Lila ran up to Edwin again, clapping excitedly for him. He picked her up and danced with her. Clara smiled at the sight, and would have joined if it weren't for Julian asking her to dance with him. She accepted his hand graciously and the two swayed along to the rhythm of the music, with Hazel and Alan not too far away from them.

The music skillfully transitioned into a traditional Avelyn dance tune, where everyone who knew the steps connected hands and went around the room doing the dance of their home. Wide smiles were stretched on every face, whether they were enjoying dancing or watching it. The men spun their ladies and lifted them up before placing them on their other side. They then swayed side to side, and exchanged partners, and so on. 

To Victor's surprise, Clara spun right into his arms, but they were both so caught up in the joy of the moment that they didn't acknowledge their rivalry, and continued to dance together. Victor's hands were on her waist as he lifted her in the air again before placing her down and twirling her back into his chest.

"Didn't expect to see you here, Cleo."

"I wouldn't have missed my guardian's ceremony." she grinned at him. "Edwin has taken my sister and I in six years ago, he's family."

 Clara let out a joyful laugh as they swayed and Victor found himself wanting to hear it again. Unfortunately, it was time to switch partners once again, and Clara slid away into the arms of none other than prince Hugo of Cupia.

"You look ravishing, darling." he told her as they continued to dance. Clara took notice of his crown, which meant that he was the crown prince of a kingdom. 

"Thank you, your majesty." she smiled politely. She didn't like the way his eyes trailed her figure up and down, and longed for the moment she can finally leave him. 

They didn't exchange any more words, and Clara felt a pit in her stomach every time he placed his hands on her waist, especially when he kept putting it lower than it should have been. It was finally time to switch partners again, and she felt pity for whomever was next. However, Hugo seemed to have other plans, as he didn't let go of her, and instead twirled her back to his chest, and placed his hands on her lower hips. Clara stomped on his foot, making him let go of her with a yelp, and she glared at him before she left the dance, her mood completely dampened. Hugo's eyes darkened and he decided to follow her.

The group dance had finished a few seconds after their departure. People went back to their original partners, their chests heaving from all the movement. Victor bid farewell to the lady he last danced with, with a charming smile, and left to find his friends. He found Thomas fairly quickly, and the two of them looked around to find Hugo. 

Hugo quickened his pace as to not lose Clara, and once he was in arms reach, he held onto her arm, pulling her to face him roughly. Clara's eyes burned with hatred as they met Hugo's green ones. 

"Why did you run from me, darling?" he asked, venom dripping from his voice, and his grip got tighter. 

"I assume you're familiar with the dance if you were participating." she answered coolly, her tone hard and serious. "I was only following the tradition, your majesty."

"Stepping on my foot wasn't so nice." 

"Neither was the place you placed your hands."

Hugo felt anger boiling up in his blood, and his grip on her arm tightened more as he grabbed her other arm as well. His scowl was unnerving, but Clara stood with her steel eyes; the power radiating from them challenged the prince and he was not going to back down. Clara was growing more furious at him, and if he knew better, he would back away instantly before he could see what her wrath truly brought. They were lucky to be away from prying eyes and ears.

"How dare you speak to me like that, you lowly peasant!" he all but growled. "I demand some respect!"

"You don't demand respect, you earn it." Clara snapped, her tone was spine chilling and her eyes were so dark it was like Hugo was looking into the abyss that would become his end if he continued to anger her. "The only thing you will earn from me is a slap if you don't take your hands off me, now."

Hugo glared down at her, his jaw clenched, and his face red from fury. He faltered under her stare and let go, not noticing Victor and Thomas nearing them.

"Guards, arrest her."

"Whoa, calm down." Victor stepped in. "What's going on here?"

"She thinks she can talk to me like I'm some commoner." Hugo accused.

"If I recall correctly, you were the one who followed after me and held me without my consent." Victor's eyes widened and he exchanged a look with Thomas, who looked disappointed in Hugo. 

"I get to do whatever I want-"

"This is not your kingdom!" Clara said. "You don't get to take advantage of women like that here. Nor anywhere you disgusting pig!"

Thomas' eyes widened at her outburst, but Victor showed no indication of surprise. He knew she would not stay silent if something were wrong, and right now, his friend had disrespected her, so he would be facing her insults. Hugo raised his hand as to slap her, but Victor quickly caught it, and Thomas pushed him back.

"Hugo, stop!" Thomas warned.

"She's your maidservant," Hugo said with a glare at Victor. "Do something about her."

Victor's eyes glanced between the two, and one look into Clara's eyes he knew that Hugo truly was in the wrong here, and he deserved every bit of scolding from his maidservant. Victor felt guilt over the change in Clara's mood; she had been so happy not so long ago, celebrating an important day for someone who meant a great deal to her. Her laugh echoed in his mind, and seeing the scowl and betrayal on her face now made him speak up clearly.

"I believe her." he didn't tear his gaze away from her as he said that, and her eyes widened slightly at the support, but her lips turned upwards nonetheless. "Hugo, you have no right to touch any woman without consent, especially not in my kingdom. I promised my people safety and if you choose to be the one who threatens that, I will not hesitate to hold you accountable for your actions."

Hugo's glare hardened even more and he pushed Thomas out of the way as he marched to Victor with the intentions of hurting him, but Clara stepped in front of him with a stronger glare of her own.

"Don't you dare." she said.

With one last glance at Victor, the prince of Cupia stormed out of the banquet hall, requesting for his party to leave immediately. Clara turned to Victor, her expression had softened, even a hint of happiness apparent on her face.

"Thank you, for supporting me." she smiled. "I believe it took a lot of courage to stand up against your friend."

Victor nodded, a smile of his own stretching on his lips.

"And thank you for stepping between us." Clara's eyes twinkled at his words. "But I must say, that was completely reckless. And if he hurt you to get to me, I'm sure both Hazel and Edwin would have had my head."

Clara laughed, and Victor's guilt began to fade at the sight of her being happy again. He cleared his throat and glanced at Thomas, who was watching them with an amused smile.

"Well, I expect Edwin is waiting for you." he turned to point at Edwin and Lila, who waved at Clara. Edwin seemed a bit concerned, so she assumed he had seen the dramatics of Hugo.

With a final smile and curtsy, Clara bid farewell to both royals and walked over to her family.

"What a woman." Thomas chuckled, staring after her and nudging Victor teasingly, to which he got shoved away playfully as Victor began walking away, looking back and rolling his eyes dramatically to tease his friend. "Oh come on, admit it!"

Clara arrived to where Edwin and Lila stood, and she grinned at them, hugging her little sister.

"What was all that about?" Edwin asked.

"Just a little fight with the prince of Cupia, that's all." she shrugged.

"Did he hurt you?" Edwin was quick to ask, looking over her to see if any harm had come her way. Sure, Clara was known for speaking her mind even when it could probably land her in the dungeons, but he knew she wouldn't do anything unless it needed it.

"No, don't worry. I'm fine." she smiled. "Victor stepped in and helped."

"Well thank god for him." he sighed and pulled her into a hug. 

The music changed again and Lila clapped, recognizing it as her favorite song. Edwin took her in her arms and held a hand out for Clara, which she took happily, and her other hand held Lila's. And so the three began to dance together; their smiles being so contagious, everyone stared at them with fond smiles, even someone who Clara thought to be cold hearted. In fact, he was enjoying the sight of the happy family more than anyone, even if it made him sad because he couldn't have what they had.

Oh my god I love this chapter so much. It had me taking breaks because I couldn't breathe. I cried, giggled and jumped up and down while writing it.

Can we just talk about Edwin walking through the doors with little Lila holding his hand, and him smiling so proudly as he showed her off because she's his world?

And can we imagine Edwin learning how to style Clara's hair, and freaking out when he does something wrong? As well as him braiding Lila's hair for her?

MY HEART CANNOT TAKE THIS-

And then the three of them being so happy and just having the best time ever and- *inhale*

I'm okay. Totally okay.

I lied.

I'm not okay.

THIS CHAPTER IS KILLING ME-

Anyways, I hope you guys liked this chapter too! Please comment what you thought about it, it would mean the absolute world to me.