Impatiently, Azucena had tossed and turned in her bedsheets the previous night. She stirred, anxious of her previous interactions. First, she remembered speaking with a new acquaintance, Cassian. They shared banter and shared jokes that she did not expect to land as well as they did. They danced, and she felt a foreign feeling, never remembering a connection made so easily. She hoped he would pay her a visit.
Then, she remembered Lang. In all honesty, the girl felt her entire body freeze when she saw him. He was much more handsome than she had remembered. Perhaps it was the combing of his hair, or the watch on his wrist. Much more regal than blood. She could have almost blushed to his silhouette. Fortunately, the logic of her mind conquered the weight of her gut, and she remembered their flaws, and the thorns on the roses of their friendship.
She knew he was a man of nobility from his confession, she had just never expected them to cross paths again, especially at such a formal event. How was it that she had not met him previously? Perhaps he was a friend of a friend, the world remained far too small for such coincidence.
Would he visit her too? Did he know who to run to? Or was that one sole interaction, an apparent reunion that would never come fully to fruition and leave a larger infinitum of doubt as to what could have been. The lady never intended to see him again. She dreamed of forgetting his favorite beverage, his pretentious references to drowning, his name. Her fingers crossed so maybe luck could save her from having to look him in the eyes.
She concluded the night with Aurelia. Her dearest friend. After nearly one year, the ever-scabbing scars of her disappearance were bandaged by her lovely companion. Of course, Lia was incapable of a betrayal as strong as that avoidance. Azucena could finally sigh of relief for herself.
For Lia, however, she lowered her gaze in memory of Azucena’s tactless hatred. Of course Lia would not deceive her in such a manner, instead she had been injured. And Azucena was not there to support her, she attempted to be, sending various messages and attempting to go to her estate. Knowing their mothers, she was most likely “never home” because she could not be seen in her amnesic state. The guilt consumed her, and she wished to speak to Lia again.
Instead, she helped her servants adorn her home for the special day of callers. Of course, the women often attempted to reject Azucena’s offers of help, yet she never listened. It was a fairly discomforting dynamic, to be assisted for every daily task and give nothing in return. Accredited to elitism, Azucena had learned over many years to pretend as if she were content with the roles she fit. Still, she would not succumb to the allowance of such entitlement.
As she nipped at small imperfections in the petals of household flowers, the girl heard the door open to a caller. For a second, her skin tightened, the hair standing up in hopes it were not someone she feared to encounter. Before she knew it, the front door had opened, and she pulled away from the floral arrangements to appear more natural. Small pieces of her hair hung over her face, disheveled from her small task, and she brushed them to the sides of her frame, before she heard her mother calling.
“Lord Riddlington has arrived!” Announced Regina from the foyer, waiting for Azucena to come forth. After far too little seconds, the woman grew embarassed, and indicated to him. “You may find her through the door.”
Azucena breathed a sigh of relief as the footsteps rolled. After all, it was finch, a long lasting friend with a humble affection for her. Once, she had alluded to romance blossoming between them, however he was simply a sweet boy, and she needed a man to guide her. Still, she smiled softly as he walked in, pleased since she had missed him. Flowers. She thought, looking to him with kind eyes as he handed them to her.
“Please Finch, Azucena is fine.” She then assured him. It was a stark contrast to her previous assertion of her title to the men who did not respect it. Instead of needing to shield herself from Fin as well, she embraced him instead. He felt their petals across his back, carried by her small hands. Regardless of whether society believed it appropriate or heteronormative, she cared not for the restrictions on friendship between man and woman. The woman she was within the bounds of her home was not minded by rules, so she possessed the freedom to love without the conditions forced upon her.
“And thank you.” She pulled away, and looked down at the bouquet once more. “Did you retrieve me lillies?” She said, melting from his thoughtfulness. “You know those are my favorite.”
mentioned:
@cerealkiller cassian
@dandelionkate orphie
@benitz786 lia