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The Queen’s Court Auction hadn’t even crossed Lydia’s mind by the time it had arrived. There was no room in her mind for the event, as it had become occupied by the interaction shared with her sister days before. Initially Lydia had thought Aurelia’s distance in her demeanour was a result of the time away, but after neglecting Lydia’s apprehensions towards Egbert that day she began to realise there was something deeper occurring. Something had happened, something had changed her sister. Even if it seemed as though she was the only one to recognise it as something potentially serious, Lydia would make it her mission to find out what had happened.
Lady Whistledown had never been anything Lydia paid attention to, regarding her existence she remained indifferent. Yet, she found her interest piqued for the first time when Whistledown paper was released about herself, to the point where she had spent the last few days analysing and rereading the piece for answers. It wasn’t that Lydia held shame in the magnification of her actions at the Queen’s presentation, nor had she cared for the ridiculous idea of something between her and Orpheus. But the endeavour into Aurelia’s disappearance caught her attention. While the idea that Lydia was rumoured to be responsible for a fall Aurelia had from a horse completely sickened her, it still raised a possibility that she hadn’t thought of.
Who was responsible for Aurelia’s disappearance?
Maybe there is a person around them that had pushed Aurelia, causing her loss in memory. Aurelia had a lot of connections with the people around them, it was plausible. If Lydia couldn’t solve whatever was going on inside Aurelia’s head yet, the least she could do was find the person who caused this. Therefore, to Lydia, the day of the auctioning was really the day she would begin her own investigating. She had made a list of the nearby stables, in hopes that one would bring them answers about her sister.
“Where do you believe you’re going?” The voice that stopped Lydia in her tracks as she attempted to leave her estate that morning. The plan in her head hadn’t factored in one looming unavoidable obstacle. “Mother,” She started with a forced smile and the acknowledgement that her plans may have to occur after arriving at the planned event. “Going? Hah, of course not going anywhere,” Lydia responded with a half-hearted laugh between her words. “Simply taking a stroll towards the door. Splendid oak craftsmanship, don’t you think?” She continued as she looked at the door she had been so close to getting through. “Enough with the nonsense, we will be leaving for the races soon.”
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Conducting seasons where girls are showcased to eligible bachelors in hopes of marrying them off had always seemed the worst possible situation to be in. But Lydia was proved wrong when explained the concept of the Queen’s Court Auction. “How charming,” She had shared with the maids as they prepared a basket that would meet her mother’s expectations. “Nothing exudes romance quite like a price placed on one’s company.” Lydia expressed, trying to minimise the tone of frustration in her voice at the fact that this is what she was stuck doing instead of finding answers to her sister’s mystery. “No doubt this concept delights you, correct?” She remarked at Aurelia who had been acting her usual not-self.
Arriving at the countryside, Lydia began to take advantage of everyone being around. She started to look around, trying to find a certain person she wanted alongside her on her detour. She then felt a hand placed on her back, prompting her to pay attention. “Face forward, Lydia,” Her mother told her as she steered her in the direction of the heart of the auction. “Thank you, mother,” She commented under her breath, “I was truly lost before your intervention,” Lydia quipped, nodding towards the unmissable crowd of people in front of them they were headed for, that she of course would have missed without her mother. Before her mother could pair a statement with her threatening glance, Lydia quickened her pace, joining the ton several paces ahead of the rest of the Ellis’.
In the short space of time it took for the rest to catch up, Lydia was joined by Archibald Hastingston, whom she had briefly met before. Though she was not given much time to greet him, as it was Archie that asserted control over the conversation. Her worry at the volume of his voice shortly dissipated as Lydia realised it was intentional, her mother appearing just on time to hear the arrangements that she had supposedly made. “Lord Hastingston, what a pleasure to see you again,” Lydia watched her mother say with a smile she didn’t recognise. Similarly, Lydia put on a obviously-artificial smile to Archie, “Yes and I am just honoured that you would be so kind as to accepting,” She gushed, her hand on her chest in exaggerated appreciation. “Hurry back, Lydia, for the auction will be commencing soon,” Her mother then instructed, a discreet revert to her previous demeanour.
As the pair became out of sight finally, Lydia could give a subtle exhale. She didn’t find need to ask Archie why he had helped her, instead she just appreciated him for it. “Well, if it isn’t the Dancing Virtuoso himself,” Lydia exclaimed, as what would have been her greeting had the circumstances been different. “I do hope it is not another dance you seek in exchange for your conveniently-timed intervention,” She explained. “And that my gratitude alone will suffice?” While her tone was joking, she still held a glance at him to emphasise on ‘gratitude’.
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@.astxrism Archiebaby
@.benitz786 Fake Aurelia
@.DandelionKate Orpheus
@.Kristi Belle was hinted at xx