𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐄 𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐄.
chapter thirty-eight; The First Dance
" No person deserves to go through something like that. "

LOLA'S WEDDING HAD arrived. The decorations were lovely, with live flowers and warm candlelight; and Elspeth had complimented Lola's dress no short of ten times.

"They seem so happy," Elspeth smiled.

"They are," Greer noted, "And they deserve it."

Elspeth agreed, glancing at the people at her side.

It was strange, and perhaps still a bit tense, but Elspeth had tried to push through it for the company of Greer, Kenna, and Sebastian.

"Where is your benefactor, Ellie?" Greer questioned, "The two of you have been inseparable lately, it's strange not seeing him at your side."

Elspeth's smile faltered, straightening her shoulders as she looked back to the crowd.

"Lord Langlois is busy with his duties."

"What is it that he does?" Kenna questioned, "His only title is 'Lord' after all."

"What doesn't he do?" Sebastian breathed out a laugh. "Hunter, soldier, advisor."

Sebastian shook his head with a grin, but it fell once he saw three confused expressions staring at him.

"House Langlois has always had many roles to fulfill in court," Sebastian said, "With Demetre being its sole member, he's had to take most of them on himself."

Elspeth furrowed her brows at the revelation.

"That is a lot of power for one man," Greer noted after a moment, "I can hardly believe he's the only member. . . what about his parents? Aunts, uncles. . . anyone?"

Sebastian shifted uncomfortably, clearing his throat.

"Um, perhaps I've said too much already," He said, "It is Demetre's choice to tell, not my own."

"Of course," Greer noted, "Still, I'm surprised he's chosen not to attend tonight."

"He sent someone in his stead, to represent the house and its happiness for this marriage."

Elspeth looked to Sebastian at his words, her lips parting just barely.

Sebastian had no way of knowing about her and Demetre's conversation the night prior or its lasting effects on their dynamic today. He had no way of knowing that Elspeth had realized only after that conversation that she was folded into an ancient and noble house without truly knowing what it meant.

He had no way of knowing the thought of Elspeth representing House Langlois made her blood freeze.

"A perfect choice," Kenna said with a smile, "You're much prettier than him, after all, Ellie."

Elspeth laughed, shaking her head at Kenna's comments.

"Oh, Ellie," Greer said, grabbing Elspeth's arm, "Don't look just now, but Lord Landon is eyeing you. His father's Marquees Holt and I've heard Landon is looking for a wife, considering his father's age."

A Marquees's son was no consultation prize, Elspeth thought. Though it was still a lower title than her own father, it would do nicely.

"Then let us grab drinks," Elspeth plastered on a smile, extending an arm to Greer, "Shall we?"

Greer nodded, linking arms with the girl and leading them on. Though Elspeth Liens did not miss the flinch and flicker of emotion from Sebastian De Poitiers, she attempted to bury the sting of her own heart.

There was no going back. So the only way to go was forward.

Elspeth smiled as a servant handed her and Greer glasses of wine, turning her attention to the party and finding Lord Landon.

He was handsome, if not a bit clean-cut. Landon was probably only a few years older than Elspeth herself, with a neatly styled head of dark blond hair and broad frame.

And his eyes scanned the party until they landed on Elspeth.

She averted her gaze quickly to Greer, but the girl was already grinning.

"Is he coming over here?" Elspeth whispered harshly.

Greer nodded with a wide smile.

"I'm not prepared for this," Elspeth said quickly, regret and dread sinking in, "Oh, Greer, I--"

"Lady Elspeth?"

Elspeth turned at the voice, plastering on an even smile.

"Lord Landon," Elspeth greeted warmly, "Are you enjoying the festivities?"

"I have been," Landon smiled gently, "Though, I believe I would enjoy it more if you were to grant me a dance."

Elspeth couldn't speak as he held out a hand. Her mouth had run dry-- this had been a terrible idea. It was too soon, far too soon, to be dancing with any man she didn't know, especially with Sebastian standing on the sidelines.

But Greer's elbow nudged Elspeth's ribs, and the girl nodded, accepting his hand as Greer took the wine cup from her hand.

Landon lead her to the floor, before falling into the same movements as the couples around them.

"I've heard you paint better than most artists in Paris."

"I'd hardly say that," Elspeth breathed out, allowing herself to relax just barely.

"Her Majesty has a portrait by you hung in the castle," Landon urged lightly, raising a brow, "That is no small feat."

Elspeth smiled genuinely.

"I've always loved art," She admitted, "It was the only lesson I didn't fight as a child."

"Really? I always hated it," Landon laughed, "Could never sit still long enough to make anything real."

"You're restless, then?"

"My mother seems to think so," Landon admitted.

Elspeth laughed lightly, feeling herself begin to enjoy the dance.

It didn't have to be Landon if he wasn't right. And she did not need to marry him tomorrow even if it was; so there was no harm in enjoying the dance and his conversation right now.

"I'd heard, you know," Landon said, his voice bringing her back to reality, "About your engagement, and--"

"Oh," Elspeth said, her movements faltering, "You don't need to--"

"I just wanted to say I'm truly sorry," Landon continued, "A terrible thing, really. No person deserves to go through something like that."

Elspeth said a simple 'thank you', and spoke nothing more the length of the dance. Landon continued trying to chat, about lighter topics after bringing up the only one Elspeth had no interest in. He told her about his travels and recent studies, that he wanted to see as much of the world as he could and if she came that she could paint it all.

And when the party started to die down, Landon offered to escort Elspeth back to her chambers.

"Thank you, Lord Landon," Elspeth breathed finally, "But I have a guard to join me."

"Of course," Landon nodded, smiling and not yet moving.

"Thank you for your company, it was a lovely night."

Landon nodded again, glancing around for a moment before plucking a carnation from one of the centerpieces.

"An olive branch?" He said, almost sheepishly, holding it out to her, "I never mean to offend, but I know when I have."

Elspeth smiled tightly, lifting a hand to accept the flower.

"Forgive me," Landon spoke again, "I truly have enjoyed your company, Lady Elspeth. I hope to see you again, perhaps outside of one of these festivities."

"Thank you."

Landon nodded, his sheepish smile never leaving as Elspeth departed from the room, a single guard joining her pace as she exited.

Elspeth spun the stem in her fingers as they walked, the only sound that of the guard's chainmail swinging as he walked.

"How long have you worked for House Langlois?" She questioned, peering at the man.

"Ten years, Lady Elspeth," He responded evenly.

Elspeth nodded, twirling the flower again as they turned a corner.

"What is your name?"

The guard seemed surprised for a moment before he spoke, "Hugo Laurent, my lady."

Elspeth hummed in acknowledgment, holding the flower at her waist as they approached the wing of the castle that was now her home.

"Is Lord Langlois in his chambers, Hugo?"

Hugo did not answer as they approached Elspeth's room, so the woman halted at her door.

"Hugo?"

"Lord Langlois is busy with work, my lady."

Elspeth pursed her lips, nodding once. She peered down the hallway, at that lone door without a guard outside, for a long moment.

"Well, thank you for accompanying me," Elspeth sighed, turning back to Hugo, "Goodnight."

"Goodnight, my lady."

Elspeth put her hand on the doorknob, twisting it open, and just the second she stepped inside, she heard another door open.

Her curiosity always got her into trouble, and tonight, that trouble would only lead to hurt. As Elspeth leaned out of her own doorway, the blood in her veins ran cold.

Demetre Langlois wore casual trousers and a loose, untied tunic. His normally neat curls were messed and frizzy, and perhaps most damning, his head was dipped down as he spoke quietly to a woman Elspeth did not recognize, who was retreating from his room slowly.

Elspeth wanted to march right up to him and demand what he was doing. Question who was in his chambers, and if she was the 'work' he'd been so busy with as to not attend Lola's wedding. She wanted to yell and shout and swear until her voice was gone entirely.

But as Demetre's eyes wandered from the woman in front of him and locked onto her own, Elspeth knew she could not face him.

If she hadn't known any better, Elspeth thought Demetre almost looked. . . sad.

But she looked away, entering her chambers and shutting the door. Elspeth set the flower on her vanity, before slowly unraveling her hair, allowing it to hang loosely down before brushing it out. She discarded her jewelry before changing into a night dress and slipping into the bed that felt far too large.

And she lay there for hours. Unmoving and unsleeping, as the flower wilted on her vanity.

( AUTHOR'S NOTE. )
I've been listening to Taylor
Swift while I write lately
and Ellie is such a 
the archer, this is me trying,
tolerate it, mirrorball girlie