Everything around her was a blur, and her mother’s sudden appearance on the balcony only added to the confusion. It served as a stark reminder that she needed to focus on more pressing matters. Those matters, of course, being the ongoing dance and the eligible bachelors present. She resolutely made her way back to the bustling party, pushing all thoughts that had troubled her earlier into the recesses of her mind. Though Orpheus lingered in her thoughts, Aurelia forcibly suppressed his memory and continued her evening with her customary smile firmly in place.
Her smile blossomed into genuine warmth during her next two dances. Lydia’s intuition had been on point about Atlas; there was something about the man that proved thoroughly intriguing. Engaging conversation, playful flirtation, and, Lia had to admit, a mastery of dance made the experience rather enjoyable.
Baylor, on the other hand, well, it was Baylor. He always made her giddy, and she adored him; her childhood horse-riding instructor, even if she was at odds with horse riding itself. She had never truly considered him as a match, but as her mother would say, this year was meant to challenge her previous ideals, and for the first time, she found herself giving him a second thought.
Nevertheless, the night was slowly winding down, and she found there being only one person left to dance with, Orpheus. However, before she could think any longer about the subject, she heard her name called by another. It was instantaneous, the nervousness about Orpheus slipping away as she saw her oldest friend.
“Azu!” Lia grinned, almost instantly wrapping her arms around the girl before her next words could even be said. She missed her. After all, after her siblings, Azu was the girl who was closest to Lia. She had been nervous about her upcoming dance with Orpheus due to their earlier interaction on the balcony, but seeing Azu lifted her spirits.
“How have you been, my dearest Azu? Pray, you must regale me with the latest events that have transpired in your life. I must say, your gown is absolutely brilliant, much like your own radiant self. And it appears your lovely hair have gained in length since we last convened. My gracious, there must be countless tales to discuss,” Lia enthused, her eyes gleaming with a childhood joy as she looked at her friend.
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