#noble.starter

Adelaide was honored to have been invited to such an event. But after all, she and her subjects had deserved it - France was more prosperous after this whole war. The had reigned over the western European continent for far longer than any other monarchy and now that Spain had conceded, there was nothing in her France’s way from maintaining their longstanding traditions. But was it the best time to be thinking of the future? Adelaide thought so, with all the royalty and advisors in the room, she could seek a formidable match - after all, if she was looking to expand upon her power and her empire, perhaps it was time to better connect the Germanic Holy Roman Empire or perhaps Britain, now that they had made their amends. Regardless of her thoughts, Adelaide was the center of attention, her bright ball gown floating across the floor as she danced to her heart’s content. 

She paused for a moment, taking a sip of wine, her face red. She readjusted her crown, smiling at the person next to her, “Is this not wonderful?” She mused, looking back out at the dance floor, “To have such a beautiful way of celebrating a new era of power?” 

Alice was particularly energetic on the evening of the ceremony, having taken in the magnificent scenery of the countryside on the way in the day before. Travel just did something to her soul that almost nothing else could do for it. She had entered the room with her family altogether and watched as her two eldest siblings drank in the attention, correspondence and networking surely on their minds.

As if on cue, she was reminded through a whisper in her ear by her mother to stay on her best behavior. She still refused to believe the entire guest list of an engagement they had attended two years prior heard the crashing of wine bottles in the cellar that had been knocked over when all Alice wanted was to have some fun with an unfamiliar royal. She pursed her lips and nodded.

Once the family dispersed and found themselves in different conversations, Alice was making her rounds along the perimeter of the room when she felt a gentle tap on her shoulder blade. She turned to see a glass of wine being held out to her.

“And when did you learn to read minds?” she asked, taking the glass from the offerer.

Jacques tilted his head at the guards of Versailles, nonverbally thanking them for allowing his entrance as if he wasn’t following behind his father who had borderline express permission to the palace. The entrance took his breath away every time he saw it and seeing the help doing their jobs made him feel right at home.

He broke away from his father, excusing himself to find a toilet and promising to return for their meeting with the gentleman who oversaw all international trade with France. Jacques wasn’t entirely sure of what the meeting was about, but only agreed to tag along to show face for when the family business was his someday.

He walked right by the restroom and bowed his head slightly to any maids or housekeepers who walked by him, but he wasn’t wandering aimlessly.

Jacques found the person he was searching for down in the gardens. He watched Adelaide for a moment through the window up in the palace and admired how she was when she was alone, unaware of anyone watching. After a few minutes, he exited the home and sat down on a bench she was sure to walk by in her path.

“Escaping from your royal duties this afternoon, I see,” he said, leaning back on the bench and crossing one leg on top of the other.

While peace was undeniably something worthy of celebration, William couldn’t help but wish that he was still home in England, the year since the fighting not long enough for everything to be properly restored back to its former glory. Still, it would look bad if the British royal family wasn’t present at what would be such a large gathering of ruling powers and William was curious to see who else would show up. The Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth was making a name for itself, but more than that, he wanted an idea of just what Russia was capable of and what they wanted.

“This isn’t nearly as somber of an occasion as I would have expected,” William muttered into his wine goblet, surveying the dancing taking place on the floor. Likely the Holy Roman Empire was showing off, although he didn’t tend to think of them as a fun loving bunch with a reputation for gaiety. “But perhaps everyone’s had enough of war and wants to celebrate with their best behavior.”

It was undeniably thrilling to walk through the guests all gathered together for the ceremony and Vitaliya was undeniably wide-eyed by her surroundings. While the palaces in Russia were undeniably beautiful and would forever be the ultimate masterpiece to her, there was a wonder in seeing the glories of another country. She’d never been to Germany before and she’d spent the trip pouring over books in an attempt to polish her understanding of the language so she could be ready for an interaction she might have. “Excuse me,” She announced confidently despite her accent, “Were you looking for a dancing partner, by chance? It would be a shame not to.”

Though she had managed to return to normal, a panic still gripped Anastasia. For the first time in her life, she had felt well. Not quite healthy, but better than she could ever remember being. She had not been hit with a bout of sickness in months, and even her more persistent symptoms, such as the dratted constricting in her chest that restricted her ability to inhale, had lessened. Every slight step backwards had her worried for relapse, for now she had tasted even a small measure of the world outside of her chambers, she could never return to her former life. 

She looked up, and caught another’s eyes. “Please, do not be worried for me! I am quite well!” She insisted. The last thing she needed was word to get back to her physician, for she would surely be ushered straight back to Russia. “Please don’t tell anybody.” 

He had expected the halls to be deserted at this time, and for the first few corridors he paced, this proved to be true. However, as he rounded a corner, he spied another light ahead, in what he knew to be a drawing room. Curiosity piqued, he made his way towards the room, and knocked on the door lightly to announce his presence. “Another lonely soul unable to rest?” he asked, a small smile playing on his lips. “I did not expect to find company this night, but I am not complaining. Do you mind if I join you? 

A couple paragraphs further into the novel and Alice looked up at her door, having heard a prominent knock, but no voice to follow it.

“Who is it?” she asked, leaning in her chair to get a better look.