Aurelia and Harrison executed a bow and curtsy in perfect harmony, their moments seamless to any casual observer. Yet, it was far from normal - not in the typical sense, at least. After all, they danced as kin of the"Davis’" and “Ellis” line - and that match was shrouded with a hatred known quite far and wide. Why? Honestly, Aurelia never quite knew. While her curiosity knew no bounds, Aure knew better than to broach the subject with her mother. In her household, discussions concerning the Davis family, if they occurred at all, were laden with harsh words or met with a resounding silence. Their name was taboo, not to be uttered within the walls of their home, a fact well-known and meticulously observed by all those who held the “Ellis” name.
However, as she gazed at the man before her, a peculiar sensation washed over Aurelia. For a fleeting moment, she detected something in his gaze—a look she had glimpsed for only a mere second. Perhaps not even that long. It was a look devoid of the emotions that had filled his eyes at the dance’s commencement, like a candle suddenly extinguished, and perhaps, Aurelia had unwittingly been the one to blow it out.
Whatever had occupied the man’s thoughts at the outset of their waltz had swiftly dissipated, replaced by an expression that did not sit well with Aurelia. It left her with a sense of unease, as if beneath the facade of their charade, something deeper simmered, something that defied the rigid boundaries of their family’s animosity.
No, she thought, dismissing the unease as nothing more than a trick of her fragmented mind, which had played such cruel tricks on her since she awakened from her long slumber after the injuries. That had to be it. As if to confirm this, the throbbing in her head dissipated with the man’s departure, a sign that seemed to say straying from her duty was not an option—just as her mother had reminded her earlier that morning. Aurelia Juliet Ellis, the eldest daughter of the Ellis household, had a role to fulfill, and an impression to set for her younger sister. It was a responsibility she took seriously, and one she had no intention of forsaking. Lord Harrison was simply an unwanted nuisance, one that she would avoid for the rest of the season.
Resolute in her thoughts, Aurelia gracefully made her way off the ballroom floor, her intention being to seek the refreshment she so desperately needed after the heated discussion that had transpired. However, just before she could reach her destination, her gaze caught sight of a familiar figure hastily walking onto the balcony, as if he were in a rush to escape. Escape what, she wondered? The answer eluded her, but a small ache tugged at her, urging her to find out.
STAY; it is not right, a voice in her head screamed, reminding her of her duty to stay, engage, and find a suitable future husband. But something in her heart called out to a man she felt she had not seen in an eternity—a close friend, a childhood friend, someone who held a special place in her heart. Their friendship had always been a source of comfort, and she could not resist the urge that propelled her legs to follow where he had disappeared.
As she stepped onto the brisk November evening, Aurelia found herself staring at the familiar silhouette of a man who seemed to be entranced by the stars. He stood there, bathed in the soft, silvery light of the moon, his chest rising and falling with each deep breath. The stars above seemed to twinkle in time with the rhythm of his thoughts, casting a gentle radiance upon his features. For a moment, Aure simply watched in silence, unable to tear her gaze away from him. Even without him noticing her, she felt a certain ease wash over her, a comfort he had always provided.
Aurelia could not help but wonder what had driven him to escape the ballroom with such haste. Recent memories of the man remained elusive, but one thing she knew for certain was that he had always been a good friend. Seeing him in this state stirred a sense of concern deep within her.
Without wasting another moment, Aure approached Orpheus with a warm, reassuring smile as she stood beside him on the balcony. She gently cleared her throat before speaking, her voice a gentle, yet teasing.
“I daresay, Lord Orpheus,” she began, her eyes twinkling with playful mischief, "I find the ladies in there may be far more captivating than the stars tonight. Although I do understand the necessity of a brief respite. The notion of a future partner hidden among those walls can be quite elusive, can it not?
She paused, her tone becoming more earnest as she continued. She missed him. While it had been a only year, Aurelia felt as if she lost so much more. Her memories of the man were hazy, at best. Though her recollection of who he was to her, and would always be remained. A friend - and currently a friend she wanted to make sure was okay. “Yet, any lady would consider herself most fortunate to be chosen as your bride, I am convinced.” Her voice softened with genuine affection. “And I am confident that destiny shall unveil the perfect match for you when the time arrives.”
With a mischievous grin soon meeting her lips once again, she added, “Even if your constant playing of new melodies at ungodly hours will occasionally try a lady’s patience to the very brink—beautiful as it may be.”
For a moment, Aurelia allowed her gaze to remain in his eyes - her smile softening in the comforting presence of her friend, despite him not uttering a word. Something was on his mind, truly. Letting the silence bathe them, Aurelia looked to the heavens. What a beauty the were - far more beautiful than she felt inside.
Though, after a moment, she allowed her finger pointing towards one bright one shining brighter than the rest. “You see there,” she said, her finger tracing a path through the heavens, “That star is Sirius, and it is always held a special place in the lore of the night sky. To the Egyptians, Sirus heralded the annual flooding of the Nile - giving both life and death. Some say it brings both good and bad luck. But on a night like tonight, with its brightness, I can not help but hope believe we may be graced with the more favorable side of its hand.”
Aurelia’s words had indeed filled the silence with a touch of wonder and whimsy, granting them a brief respite from the weight of their world and the intricacies of their lives as they contemplated the celestial beauty of Sirius. However, after a few moments of shared admiration, a hint of confusion crept across her features. It was a subtle falter, a brief pause in her reverie.
"How do I know this?" she mused aloud, her voice barely above a whisper. Her brow furrowed in mild perplexity. The knowledge of the stars and their stories had surfaced effortlessly, yet she couldn’t pinpoint when or where she had learned such information. Astronomy had never been a subject in her formal education, and this sudden awareness puzzled her.
The enigma of her own memories lingered in her gaze as she continued to gaze at Sirius, her thoughts briefly touching upon the mysterious facets of her past. Though, attempting to mask her confusion with a gentle smile, she spoke again, her voice carrying an adoring sincerity towards the man which was easy… despite her confusion with the earlier statement. " "I shall take my leave now, dear friend, as I suspect my absence will soon be noticed. But please, do save your last dance for me? There are matters we ought to discuss. I hope you are well, and that your family is in good health as well. I have yet to catch sight of your brother, but if he is the reason for your midnight escape under the starry sky, you may inform him that I am rather disappointed in him. Nevertheless, I look forward to our next meeting. "
With that, Aurelia gave her friend a gentle nod and turned to leave, her heart lightened by their encounter under the celestial canopy. As Aurelia prepared to take her leave, however, a mischievous glint danced in her eyes, and she could not resist adding a playful remark about Orpheus’s… lovely brother.
" Oh, and if I do happen to cross paths with your dear brother," she said with a chuckle, "I shall make sure to unwittingly drop my refreshment on him as a token of my disappointment. Until we meet again, dear friend." With a soft laugh, she turned and made her way back towards the bustling ballroom, leaving Orpheus to the tranquility of the night and the stars above.