A few days later, behind a white curtain in a simple dressing room, Luna and Aria tried on their dresses. Sunlight spilled through the windows, casting warm beams across the room.
Long tables lined the walls, filled with fabric and sketches, while a marble pillar stood in the center, supporting the high, intricate ceiling.
The polished wooden floor gleamed with soft, natural patterns, and the floral-embroidered curtains swayed gently in the breeze.
Luna and Aria changed into their dresses. Luna came out first, giving a delighted spin, her light chiffon gown twirled like mist around her legs. As she turned, she caught sight of Aria emerging from behind the curtain.
Aria wore a rose gold chiffon dress with off-the-shoulder sleeves and a skirt that flowed like petals. Silver embroidery decorated the bodice, sparkling in the light, and an ivory ribbon tied neatly around her waist. The soft colors glowed against her strawberry blonde hair, giving her a gentle, radiant look.
Luna's eyes sparkled. "You look pretty!" she said, skipping over and staring up at her in awe.
Aria smiled warmly, patting Luna's head. She chuckled, "We have to go, there's no time to waste!"
Luna nodded, her lips curling into a heartfelt smile.
Side by side, holding hands, they made their way to the doors.
The two servants, twins with black hair and green eyes, opened the doors for them into the ballroom, where Nyx waited.
He wore a fitted midnight navy suit with a charcoal vest and a steel-gray cravat that matched his cool, steady gaze. Silver buttons added a subtle touch, and polished black boots finished the clean, refined look.
Turning toward them, Nyx extended a hand to Luna. She took it without hesitation, and together, the three of them set off down the corridor, their footsteps soft on the plush red carpet, the deep color contrasting with the polished marble floor.
Laughter echoed softly between the walls as they walked, smiling, teasing, basking in each other's company.
Reaching the Grand Hall doors, two assistants greeted them with a slight bow.
"Welcome. Enjoy the evening," the twins said in unison, pulling open the great doors with practiced grace, each one adorned with a rose pattern.
Golden light spilled through the gap in the gates, illuminating the hall from the towering chandelier overhead. It shimmered like a crown of stars, casting a warm, radiant glow across the marble floor.
Confused, Luna kept glancing at the twins as they walked in. They… weird. Quadruplets?
This duchy really doesn't care for tradition.
With a smile, she added inwardly, That's why I love my family.
The doors closed with a silent THUD.
In the Great Hall, the hum of life amused Luna. It was the first time in this life she'd seen so many people.
Laughter, music, and conversation filled the air. The room swelled with movement, men and women dressed in fashionable attire, a vibrant tapestry of styles, unmistakably noble.
Hundreds of guests filled the Grand Hall, chatting, drinking, dancing. In the middle of it all, they enjoyed themselves beneath the glittering light: the indulgence, the sin, the charm of nobility.
Nyx and Aria scanned the crowd, searching for a group.
Still holding their hands, Luna looked around with wide eyes, captivated by the beauty of it all.
Aria flinched suddenly, then smiled. "There, Nyx! I found them!" she said cheerfully, pointing toward a small group of four by an open window, where silky white curtains danced on the breeze.
"Oh, they're there," Nyx said, his gaze following hers. Then he looked down at Luna.
"Ah, Luna, do you want to come with us?"
"No… I'll go explore," Luna replied with a soft smile.
Aria exhaled gently, crouching in front of her with a hint of concern. "Okay. But do not leave this hall, no matter what. If you need anything, find us. And if you can't, open the gates and speak to the servants outside. They'll help you."
"But don't leave the hall alone," Aria said again.
"Okay?"
Luna nodded. "Of course."
Aria gave her a warm smile and patted her head before standing. "Then have fun," she said as she and Nyx walked off to join their group.
…
Walking down the Great Hall, Luna pouted slightly, though it quickly turned into a growing smile.
Last time I was here, they closed it off before I could even explore, she thought, strolling down the red carpet, its golden rose patterns intricate and ornate.
To her left, guests stood in circles with champagne glasses, chatting and laughing.
To her right, others sat at long tables, eating, joking, and sharing stories over warm food and clinking silverware.
Pleased by the lively atmosphere, Luna curiously made her way toward an arched opening at the far end of the hall, veiled by a curtain.
She leaned forward, one hand resting on the wall, and peeked inside.
To her right, a group of children played near a fountain, their laughter blending with the soft music.
The water sparkled beneath a statue of a rearing stag, its gilded antlers catching the chandelier's light.
To her left, a quiet balcony stretched out beneath the night sky. Tall windows stood open, curtains fluttering gently in the breeze.
Moonlight spilled across the marble floor, and the faint scent of lilacs and jasmine hung in the air.
It bathed the city below in its silver glow, a glimmering expanse of soft lights.
Her heart stirred with wonder.
She stepped forward onto the soft carpet. A few of the children glanced at her, curiosity in their eyes.
Luna noticed, but when she met their gaze, they quickly turned away, pretending not to watch.
With a quiet smile, she turned left and skipped toward the balcony. The cool night air brushed against her skin as she stepped outside.
She approached the stone balustrade and rested her hand on the curved surface.
Before her stretched a breathtaking view, lamplit buildings nestled beneath a starry sky, glowing softly in the dark.
The lights shimmered in harmony with the world.
"Wow…" Luna murmured, utterly spellbound. She had fallen in love with the scene.
A faint rustle echoed from the entryway behind her. Luna turned.
Four children stood at the threshold, three boys, one girl.
The boys wore cocky grins. The girl stayed back, quiet and uncertain.
Luna's breath caught. Wow… she whispered again, not at the sight of them, but at the way the moment felt, fragile and shifting.
A boy named Arry crossed his arms and asked in a mocking tone, "Who are you?"
"What are you doing here?"
The second boy, David, added, "Yeah! Who are you?"
The third, Sav, stepped forward, only glaring in silence.
Arry had smooth, flat blue hair and pearly grey eyes.
David stood with a smug expression, his red hair wild, his jet-black eyes sharp.
Sav, with green hair and soft blue eyes, said nothing, just glared.
"Who let you in!?" Arry smirked arrogantly.
Luna blinked. "What do you mean?"
I'm a nobility, but that doesn't matter Luna added inwardly
"Anyone can come here…"
David's laughter cut her off. "No! Only nobility can be here!"
"No mere aristocracy!" he added with a scoff.
Sav tilted his head. "What's wrong with your skin? It's white as a sheet of paper."
"Right?" Arry snickered. "Like a dead body!"
The boys laughed while the girl shrank back, uncomfortable. She glanced at Luna, a silent I'm sorry in her eyes, before slipping away.
Luna stiffened, confused. "Both can be here… What do you mean?"
Arry scoffed and looked at David. "Who would've thought? A mere aristocrat who doesn't know anything!"
David sneered. "What do you expect from them? They bought their titles. They're stupid."
Arry's voice dripped with contempt. "Such a miserable disgrace."
Sav's eyes flicked to Luna's dress. "Look at that, so cheap. Obvious sign of an aristocrat."
He glanced at David. "Pathetic."
David chuckled. "That outfit's only good for slaves, if they're lucky enough to serve a noble."
Luna felt a sting in her chest. Cheap? Worthless? The words hit harder than she expected. She swallowed her anger and kept it buried.
"It's not what you say. Don't bother," she said quietly, staring at them.
"If your family gave you that, they must hate you," Arry said.
"Who would dress their daughter like that if they actually cared?"
"I'm convinced no one does," Sav added.
"She's probably just a worthless doll to them."
Arry laughed. Then, looking at Luna, he said coldly,
"Better to be dead than to live such a pathetic life."
That one struck too close. Luna's expression wavered. Her breath hitched.
Arry turned away, arms behind his neck. "Who cares. Let's go. Not worth wasting our time."
"Right," David and Sav said in unison.
"Goodbye, dead body!" Arry called as they left.
It hurt Luna. What did I do to you? she thought, a tear filling her eye. She wiped it quickly and turned back to the view.
It didn't feel the same anymore.
Her hands curled into fists before she let go, burying the pain deep inside, where no one would ever see it.
For now.
With that, Luna left the balcony and returned to the main hall.