Violetta glided forward, her head held high and a gracious smile on her lips as she approached her brother. She curtsied deeply, the skirt of her gown billowing around her legs and the silk of her bodice stretching taut across her chest. "Your Majesty," she greeted, her voice a low, melodic murmur. "I am honored to be in attendance at your imperial ball tonight."
Augustus, however, waved a hand in a playful, dismissive gesture, a wide grin spreading across his face. "Violetta," he chuckled, taking her hand in his and helping her rise. "You need not be so formal with me. I am your brother, after all." He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a teasing whisper. "Unless, of course, you wish to put on a show for our esteemed guests and remind them of the power and prestige of the royal family." Augustus winked, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he teased his sister.
Violetta laughed, a soft, tinkling sound that drew the attention of those nearby. "You are insufferable," she murmured, shaking her head in mock exasperation. "But very well, dear brother." She leaned in closer, her voice a playful whisper. "I suppose I can make an exception...just this once." Violetta's eyes sparkled with mirth and affection as she looked up at Augustus, her hand still clasped in his.
Across the room, Cassian stood tall and proud, his gaze fixed on the brother and sister as they greeted each other. He could see the easy camaraderie between them, the deep bond of love and affection that existed despite the formality of the occasion. A part of him longed to join in, to add his own teasing quip or playful jab, but he held himself back. He knew that this moment was meant for the siblings alone, a private joke shared between them. Cassian would not dream of coming between them, of interrupting the easy rapport that existed between the king and his sister.
Instead, Cassian contented himself with observing the pair, his icy blue eyes taking in every detail of Violetta's appearance. The way her gown hugged her curves, the way her hair shimmered beneath the candlelight, the way her eyes sparkled with mirth and affection as she spoke with her brother.
Augustus chuckled softly as he released Violetta's hand, a hint of fondness and a touch of something more, a deeper emotion, in his eyes. "I'm afraid I've taken more than my fair share of your time, dear sister," he murmured, a slight blush coloring his cheeks. "I would not wish to monopolize your attention any longer." With those words, Augustus stepped back, gesturing to the throng of nobles eagerly awaiting Violetta's attention.
Violetta's eyes softened as she looked up at her brother, a gentle smile playing at the corners of her mouth. She reached up, cupping Augustus's cheek in her gloved hand, and leaned in closer. "Augustus," she murmured, her voice a low, tender whisper. "Why do you look so guilty, dear brother? Surely, you know that I cherish every moment I spend in your company." Her thumb brushed gently over his cheek, a comforting, affectionate gesture.
Augustus's blush deepened, spreading down his neck and staining his collar a soft, rosy hue. He swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing in his throat as he met Violetta's gaze. "Violetta," he muttered, a note of exasperation in his voice. "I'm not a child anymore. You can't just...take my cheek into your hand like that and expect me to maintain my composure." Augustus glanced around the room, noting the curious stares and whispers of the nobles watching their exchange. "You're embarrassing me," he grumbled, but there was a hint of fondness beneath the gruffness of his words.
Violetta let out a soft, melodic laugh, her eyes sparkling with mirth and amusement. "Oh, Augustus, you're the one who insisted on not being formal," she chuckled, shaking her head. "You are still my dear, sweet little brother, no matter how much you grow up. And I will always cherish the time I spend with you." With those words, Violetta leaned in and pressed a soft, sisterly kiss to Augustus's cheek, a gesture of love and affection that drew a collective sigh from the watching nobles.
Violetta, a playful glint in her violet eyes, changed the topic of their conversation with a soft, teasing lilt to her voice. "Augustus, dear brother," she began, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "I must say, you are a man of great power and influence, not to mention quite handsome too. So, when do you intend to take a wife and secure the royal line?" Her voice was light, but there was a hint of genuine curiosity in her tone.
Augustus laughed, a hearty, booming sound that drew the attention of those nearby. "Violetta," he chuckled, shaking his head in mock exasperation. "You, of all people, have the audacity to lecture me about marriage? The woman who has spurned the affections of half the eligible bachelors in the kingdom?" He leaned in closer, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "Or have you forgotten that you are the one who has been avoiding the altar like the plague?"
Violetta waved a dismissive hand, a soft, tinkling laugh escaping her lips. "Oh, hush," she murmured, rolling her eyes at her brother's teasing words. "I am merely being a dutiful sister and looking out for your best interests." She paused, a thoughtful expression crossing her face as she glanced around the room, taking in the sea of nobles eagerly watching their exchange. "Besides," she added, a hint of anticipation in her voice. "I have come to this ball tonight with a purpose of my own."
Augustus's brows shot up, a look of shock and surprise crossing his face. "A purpose?" he repeated, his voice a low, incredulous murmur. "What purpose could that possibly be, dear sister?" He leaned in closer, his eyes narrowing as he studied Violetta's face, searching for any hint of what she meant.
Violetta met her brother's gaze, a soft, enigmatic smile on her lips. "I have come to this ball," she murmured, her voice a low, purposeful whisper. "To find a suitable man. A man who would make a worthy husband and partner." Violetta's gaze flicked around the room, taking in the assembled nobles with a critical eye.
Augustus's eyes widened in surprise, his jaw dropping slightly as he processed Violetta's words. "A man? Any man?" he repeated, a note of shock in his voice. "You mean to say, you aren't going to marry Cassian?" Augustus glanced over to where Cassian stood, his expression inscrutable as ever. "I thought the two of you were...fond of each other." The king's voice dropped to a low, conspiratorial whisper, a hint of confusion and a touch of concern in his tone.
Violetta's smile faded, her violet eyes flashing with a sudden intensity as she met her brother's gaze. She clenched her hands tightly, her slender fingers curling into fists at her sides as she spoke, her voice a low, fervent whisper. "Fond of each other? Perhaps, in the past, there was a...connection. But that was a long time ago, Augustus. I no longer harbor any feelings for Duke Vrost, nor do I have any intention of marrying him, even if it be a marriage devoid of any love, just a contractual marriage to attain heirs, I would not have it with him." Violetta's jaw tightened, a hint of something dark and painful flickering in her eyes.
Augustus remained silent, a look of understanding and a touch of sadness in his gaze as he listened to his sister's impassioned declaration. He glanced over to where Cassian stood, his icy blue eyes fixed on Violetta, a look of longing and a hint of desperation in his expression. Augustus knew that gaining Violetta's affections back would be a difficult, if not impossible, task for the stoic duke. The shadows of Violetta's past, the scars left by her past, ran deep and would not be easily healed.
"I see," Augustus murmured, his voice a low, thoughtful whisper. "I had no idea...I thought that perhaps, in time..." The king trailed off, his brows furrowing as he considered his next words carefully. "If it is not Cassian, then who...what sort of man do you seek?" Augustus reached out, taking Violetta's hand in his own, giving it a gentle, comforting squeeze. "You have my support, dear sister. In whatever decision you make. However, I wish to see you happy, Violetta. I would not see you married to a man who does not deserve you."
Violetta placed her slender, gloved hand over her brother's, giving it a gentle, grateful squeeze. A soft, warm smile graced her lips as she met Augustus's concerned gaze. "I am truly happy to know that you care for me so deeply, dear brother," she murmured, her voice a low, heartfelt whisper. "Your support and love mean more to me than words can express." Violetta's smile widened, a glimmer of affection and appreciation in her violet eyes.
Slowly, gently, Violetta removed Augustus's hand from her own, her fingers lingering for a moment before letting go. She took a step back, her gown swishing softly around her legs as she did so. "However," she continued, a note of determination and a hint of something harder, more resolute, in her voice. "You need not worry, Augustus. I have learned from my past mistakes, and I can assure you that I will not be making the same one twice." Violetta's jaw set, a look of unyielding resolve in her gaze as she spoke.
Augustus nodded, a sense of relief and a touch of admiration in his eyes as he listened to Violetta's words. "I have faith in you, Violetta," he murmured, his voice a low, confident whisper. "You are a strong, intelligent woman who knows her own mind. I know that you will make the right choice, for yourself and for your future." The king paused, a thought striking him as he studied his sister's face. "I must attend to some other matters now," he explained, glancing around the room at the assembled nobles who awaited his attention. "But I leave you to your own devices, dear sister. I trust you will find the man who deserves your hand and your heart." With those words, Augustus stepped back, a final, affectionate smile on his lips before he turned and strode away, ready to fulfill his royal duties.