"Your Grace?"
"What's the matter, Lily?"
Thedosia tore her eyes away from the mirror as Lily came inside, brows furrowed in concern.
She was getting ready to go to the Palace with her daughter.
"Your presence is awaited by... the Duke of Blackridge."
Thedosia's eyes widened, but she nodded her head in acknowledgement.
"Go and inform Artemesia," she ordered, "since she herself wanted to see to this."
The Lady in waiting bowed, and left to fulfill her Duchess' orders.
. . .
"And... I suppose Mother will not be going with me?" Artemesia raised a brow.
Lily nodded. So did Artemesia, "Very well, I'll get going then."
She got up from her vanity, and calmly walked down to the sitting room.
That rare day, most of the Blackridge Family was present, except the oldest brother.
A servant opened the door and entered Artemesia in all her glory.
They did not get up to greet the host. They did not stop talking amongst themselves either.
Only when she cleared her throat and sat down did they acknowledge her presence, their chatter ceasing.
"Oh my, I didn't see you there, Lady Artemesia." Alice Blackridge had the same obnoxious smile plastered on her face.
"Good afternoon to you too, Duke and Duchess Blackridge,"
"And your beloved fiance," Julian added with a wink.
Artemesia did not reply as the maid set refreshments on the table and poured tea into the cups.
"Will your Mother be joining us anytime soon?" Rowan Blackridge raised a mocking brow.
"No, Your Grace. There are some matters that require her urgent attention."
"Oh. Then the Duke will be gracing us with his presence." The Duchess assumed.
"Jonathan will not be joining us either, Your Grace." She kept a straight face, sipping her tea.
Julian mirrored his parents' expression. "So, you'll be here alone?"
"If you mean 'without my family', then yes."
"That's.... unusual. But oh well," Alice clapped her hands together, "Let's continue without them. After all, we've been kept waiting for a while, haven't we?"
"Certainly," She set down her cup, "How may I help you?"
"About the wedding, we've given you plenty of time-"
"We have made a decision, Your Grace." She cut the Duke off before he began ranting about how gracious he was.
"Oh?" Julian was surprised, "That was unexpected. What date have you decided on?"
"None."
There was no response.
"There is no date, as there is no wedding." She stated casually.
The family stared. "Excuse me?"
Artemesia did not entertain them any longer, rising from her seat. "If that is all-"
"Wait." A deep voice boomed.
She turned around. The Duke's jaw was set.
"Yes, Your Grace?"
"Is this some kind of joke to you?" He got up. The rest followed suit, their expressions darkening.
Artemesia raised a brow, "Why would you think so?"
He was about to advance, but was abruptly stopped by his son.
Instead of his father, Julian took a dangerous step closer. "Keep playing the refined lady act for a moment longer, and the consequences won't be so pretty."
"Oh?" Artemesia spun around to face them, not the least bit fazed, "If the setting of the marriage date is yours to decide, then its cancellation is ours."
He paused.
The steady ticking of the grandfather clock was the only sound heard in the room.
Suddenly, both men started laughing. Alice, however, had fixed Artemesia with a deadly glare.
Even as it was the first time she made such a face, it felt so familiar to Tia.
"You," Julian stepped forward, roughly shoving Tia's shoulder with a finger, "Don't let your title get to your head. There's nothing special about you. I could have any other woman I wanted-"
"So why marry Lady Montclair in the first place?"
A deep, regal new voice joined the room.
They all froze, not taking another step.
Artemesia slowly turned towards the door.
A tall, slender figure leaned against the doorframe, dressed in white with a red cape flowing behind.
"Y-y..." The Duke's throat went dry.
"Your Highness...!" Artemesia completed for him, her eyes slightly wide.
Leander Halycra pushed off the doorframe, and walked in front of Artemesia, "You haven't answered me, Lord Julian. Why marry her in the first place?"
Julian did not have the audacity to utter another word. He bowed, followed by his family, and grit his teeth. "Your Imperial Highness, the Crown Prince."
The blond raised a brow. "You were all acting so fierce a moment ago, I thought you would attack the Lady outright," he narrowed his eyes, "which you did."
Duke Rowan had the sense to apologize, "On behalf of my-"
"I have heard enough to understand the true sincerity of your apology." he cut him off, brows furrowed.
"Guards," he announced, "escort the Duke and his Family outside."
The soldiers that accompanied him sprang to action, quickly making sure they were seen out to the front gate and never back.
After the garbage had been disposed of, Leander turned around to face Artemesia.
"My Lady? Are you hurt?" His expression was still the same, but something in his eyes made Artemesia's heart jump.
"I-I'm fine, Your Highness. Why are you here?"
"You were late," he said, offering his hand, "and Mother needed an excuse for me to go out after staying holed up inside for so long."
Artemesia looked away, covering her smile with a curled finger.
She didn't give Leander her hand, which irritated him. So, he gently grabbed it from her side himself, enclosing her pale fingers in his.
Artemesia flinched. She blushed, but she didn't pull away either.
"Shall we, My Lady?"
"...Absolutely, Your Highness."
. . .
The Duchess and her daughter were soon aboard their carriage, escorted by the Crown Prince himself.
"To think His Highness would stop by so suddenly," Thedosia commented, smoothing out her skirts, "How surprising."
Artemesia hummed. She was staring outside the window, absentmindedly rubbing her knuckles.
His hands were so warm.
"Artemesia? Did you know the Prince was coming?"
The daughter thought for a moment, but quickly shook her head. "I heard he was visiting the Palace soon, but I never expected he'd pay us a visit."
Thedosia nodded, but then paused. She frowned, "Artemesia?"
"Yes, Mother?"
"What do you mean 'he was visiting the palace'?"
"... Pardon?"
"How did you know His Highness wasn't in the Palace in the first place?"
She froze. Good catch.
"Through Princess Thalia," she said smoothly, "we met last week, at the banquet, if you remember."
"Oh. I don't think that's something Her Highness can go around saying so easily. What if someone overheard what you were talking about?"
Artemesia sighed, "The Princess and I are close. That is why she made an exception for me. And do you not trust my senses, Mother?" She raised an accusatory brow.
The woman shook her head, "I trust you and all... but-"
"There really is no point in further discussion, Mother. Rather, I'm curious as to how you found out." She stared at her.
Thedosia waved her hand, "Don't get the wrong idea. Celestial told me herself when we met last week. With Luna, remember?"
"Ah. That makes sense."
Since neither had anything else to add, they both went silent and decided to enjoy the ride to the Imperial Palace.