Chapter Text
There again Niko was forcing laughter, and faking smiles. She was once again dragged to the ball the King and Queen was hosting.
It was the same old tired place, she hadn’t wanted to attend though of course it wasn’t her choice whether she were to go or not.
She was the princess, the heir for god’s sake.
It was absolutely dreadful.
She could just tell the nobles were insincere and were judging her. Not that she could be talking of course. That’d be hypocritical.
She was forced into dances and waltz with strangers, she’ll likely never see again.
As a princess, Niko encounters over a hundred faces a day, and slowly over time the faces slowly start to blend together, making the people around her look like nothing more than just blurs.
Her life was suffocating, maybe if she was capable of staying home her life wouldn’t be as miserable.
Yet this ball, just like all the others, seemed to be important, even though nothing important ever happened, something about re-sealing a peace treaty.
Something Niko truly didn’t give a flying fuck about.
It didn’t seem necessary for the princess to be present, if she wouldn’t be doing anything.
Niko very much wanted to leave though, her parents had personally told her she’d not be able to leave until the 3rd hour.
How grueling.
Looking around the ballroom she tried to find her lady in waiting Aryu.
Where was the glamorous lady?
She had been with Niko at the start of the ball, though of course she had exited the scene, going somewhere so she wouldn’t draw attention to herself.
She wanted for Niko to have the most attention on her.
Yet that was not what Niko wanted.
She wished Aryu had stayed by her side the entire time.
Finally after what felt like an eternity Niko spotted the glamorous lady.
She seemed to be quietly conversing with one of the female knights, Niko was going to have to ask her about that later into the night.
Slowly making her way to Aryu, Niko was stopped by a nobleman.
“My greetings Princess Niko.” the man said, the man had washed out golden eyes, a piercing smile, and like his eyes a washed out golden mob of hair.
Niko had no idea who the nobleman was, he could be a prince for all she cared. He could have a crown on his head, and Niko likely wouldn’t see, nor care.
“My greatest pleasure, greetings to you as well.” Niko said, forcing a smile.
Bowing, the man offered her a hand, “May I have this dance?”
It would be rude to decline, and Niko was no imbecile to court manners.
“Why I would love too.”
▬▬ι════════ﺤ＼(*´O｀*)／～ｏ○◯
This was just absolutely dreadful, the man seemed to never stop talking.
From the nonstop talking Niko learned who the man was, his name was Carston Chevalier, and he was the third prince of Shistorues, the kingdom in which Niko's kingdom, Chigorime was hosting.
If Niko was being honest after getting that information, she started to tune Prince Carston out.
She had danced this waltz so many times over, that it felt like she was doing any other everyday event.
Looking around the ballroom, Niko's eyes fell on a girl dancing near her, the girl was absolutely breath-taking.
She had voluminous, perfect golden hair, her eyes were even more beautiful, it was a striking molten gold that looked unreal, she looked as if she had walked straight out of a fable.
As if feeling Niko's gaze she looks up, meeting her gaze.
Her eyes whispered “Have we met?”
Niko quickly looks away, but not before catching the girl's smile.
She could die right on the spot, it was such a pretty smile, all her life problems were starting to disappear.
Her smile was dazzling and soothing, Niko could see a flash of a fang sticking out, and it did nothing more but add to her smile.
Finally when Niko mustered the courage to look up again, the girl was gone. She likely had been waltzed away.
Niko's face must have fallen from her facade, for Prince Carston had asked her if she was alright.
“I deeply apologize, Prince Carston. It is nothing. I really enjoy this dance.”
As if triggering something, Carston went back to talking.
He would make for a horrible husband.
At last after what felt like another eternity, the dance with Carston finally ended, and before he could talk more with Niko, a noblewoman swept him away.
Niko was more than thankful for the young woman.
After that encounter… Niko needs a drink and to sit down.
Maneuvering around the ballroom, Niko grabs a flute of champagne, and moves to one of the divans placed in the corner.
The corners of the room were the least crowded, yet it drew attention from those who were mingling around.
Niko was aware she, as the Princess, had a designated seat for herself, but she’d rather not rest there. Eyes were always on her, and it was unsettling.
Even if she was used to it, she tends to stray away from attention.
Downing the flute of champagne she watched the dancers.
Niko was always more of a people watcher, rather than the person being watched.
Out of all the silhouettes one stands out to Niko, and it was making its way towards Niko.
“May I sit here?”
Niko couldn’t help but grin, “Why, of course!”
It was the beautiful girl Niko had seen while dancing with Carston.
The girl smiled sitting down, “Sorry for my impudence, my name is Charles Chevalier, I’m the 3rd princess of Shistorues.”
She was Carston’s sister?
Niko saw no resemblance, compared to Carston, Charles was a goddess. Carston was… something.
“Such a beautiful name you have Princess Charles. Sorry, you yourself are beautiful.” Niko said.
Charles smiled, and it ripped the breath out from Niko's lungs. “Thank you.” she said, and it was one of the best things Niko has ever heard.
Niko knew instantly at that moment, she was doomed.
As if the two had been long time friends, they connected instantly, starting playful conversation.
Joking remarks were quickly countered, as if the two were passing notes in secret.
Conversing with Charles was the best thing that had happened to Niko by far.
She wishes this moment would last forever, yet good things always come to an end.
Charles was swept away by a nobleman asking for a dance.
Charles had promised she’d come back once she was done, yet Niko never saw her again for the rest of the night.
Niko had wanted to say something before the night ended, yet she wasn’t able to.
It was enchanting to meet you.
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It was 2 in the morning, Niko had retired to her quarters over 4 hours ago, yet she couldn’t stop thinking of her.
Charles.
Oh how beautiful she was.
An absolutely stunting girl.
How Niko had wished they were able to talk more, the two clicked instantly, and she was a great person to be around.
And if Niko was to be totally honest…
She fell in love right when she had first laid eyes on the beautiful Charles Chevalier.
Who wouldn’t though?
She was an enchanting sight to see.
Yes, Niko liked Charles.
But who did Charles love?
The question kept Niko up, she kept pondering and pondering, so much so she was wide awake.
What if one of the noblemen Charles had danced with caught her fancy?
What if she didn’t see Niko in that way?
What if Niko was moving too quickly? Thinking too far ahead?
What if Charles didn’t like her at all?
That question stopped Niko entirely, she hadn’t even realized she was pacing back and forth around her room.
What if Charles really didn’t enjoy Niko's company in the slightest?
What if it was all fake?
What if their interaction and likeness of each other was all made up in Niko's mind?
Oh how she deeply wanted some closure, and to make the feelings she has for Charles to cease existing.
She knew it was probably impossible but she just wished for Charles to show up at her door. Niko would open it and Charles would say “Hey.”
Even that would give Niko somewhat a little closure. Even if she’ll spend the rest of her life wondering if Charles knew that, it was enchanted to meet her.
Niko finds herself praying that it was only the first page, not near where the story line ends.
Charles’ name will always be echoing through her thoughts, until she sees her again.
Words and phrases were left unsaid yet they were present in the air.
Lingering.
Waiting.
Waiting for them to be claimed, by the person they were meant for.
“Please don't be in love with someone else.”
“Please don't have somebody waiting on you.”
It was an enchanted night, meeting Charles that was.