"Huh?" Both siblings froze in unison while Leander almost choked on his chocolate-chip cookie.
"The young man is Julian Blackridge, I think. Though it may be the older one. I'm not quite sure, as I too heard about this through rumors." Celestia sympathized, shaking her head.
"But- but, isn't that a fairly new duchy?" Thalia spurted, "Didn't they get that title, like, five years ago?!"
The woman sighed, nodding, "It is, but that doesn't mean they have no right to meddle in the marriage market. Either way I'm sure Thedosia thought it through. She is no foolish woman."
"But-..." Thalia tried to reason with her mother, while Leander was just speechless.
He remembered the Blackridge family very well. Ambitious, but not very well recognized. He even considered allying with them in the future, as such families are quick to rise to power.
However, it seems now, that will never be the case.
"I've seen that crook Julian, he doesn't deserve Sister Tia!" Thalia cried.
"Now now, Thalia, it is not right for the Imperial Family to meddle in personal affairs without reason. We can't interfere in their union just because the young man 'is a crook' or 'is undeserving'. Thedosia can see to that herself. However..." She sighed, cupping her cheek with a gloved hand, "it is such a pity. She's a lovely young woman."
Leander still hadn't recovered from the shock, and sat there frozen, staring into his teacup. He only snapped out of it when Thalia nudged him multiple times.
"LEANDER!"
He jumped, confused, and then realized where he was.
"Sorry, sorry," the man cleared his throat, abruptly standing up, "I'm going to-... take a bath or something."
He quickly exited the garden and ran off to his quarters, the lump in his throat growing bigger and bigger.
Only when he was out of earshot, Celestia sighed, "This is why I hesitated to tell him. Poor boy."
"But, Mother, didn't you tell Aunt Thea that Leander was interested in her daughter?" Thalia voiced, sad.
"Even if I did, if Tia herself isn't willing, what's the point?"
. . .
Leander only allowed himself to think when he reached his lavish quarters and made sure nobody was stalking him.
He pressed his back against the locked door, breathing heavily.
"She told you she was promised to someone else. It's your fault for believing you still had a chance, you fool." He whispered, scolding himself.
He took a while to sort out his feelings. What was he to do now?
"How am I supposed to love another, when I can barely take my mind off her? I can't, right? It's impossible."
A moment later, Leander laughed out loud.
"She doesn't want me. She's close to hating me. But why? Why do I still want her?" He muttered bitterly, still confused.
. . .
"Leander, are you ready?" The Emperor knocked on the Prince's door.
"Almost, Father." a voice called out.
"Do hurry up, Lee. You know how your aunt is when her guests are late." His wife chided from somewhere nearby.
The door swung open, and emerged Leander Halycra, accompanied by his trusty attendants. He was wearing his usual colors that day, a light shade of ivory and bits of forest green thrown in here and there, a dark green cloak with intricate flower patterns, accompanied by a golden brooch with the family emblem on his chest and his signature golden ring with a big fat emerald.
He walked out, and approached his parents, "So, when do we leave?"
Gregor looked at him, and smiled, "Soon. We're waiting for your siblings."
Celestia did the same, but she stared at her son with a small smile and moist eyes, "Look at you, all high and mighty now. Even as your mother, I'd say you grew up too fast."
Leander grinned, "Oh, thrusting the blame on me, are we? Whose fault was it that I grew up too fast, exactly?"
The Emperor sighed dramatically, "My, I never thought I'd see the day my son turns against me."
They shared a laugh, as the rest of the family finally assembled in the Main Hall, waiting for the carriages.
Thalia wore a layered dull rose gown with subtle floral embroidery and matching evening gloves. She also had on an antique gold necklace with the Halycran hallmark, and modest pearl earrings.
Damian, however, was suited up in dark teal, with a stylish asymmetrical cloak and short, fitted gloves. The cloak had light flowery prints in gold, and it was fastened to his shoulder with a bronze brooch with the family emblem, similar to Leander's.
Adrian, who was rare to attend gatherings, was dressed in the lightest shade of lavender. He had a bow tied on his shoulder which fell back as a flowing cape with botanical designs. Just like the rest of the siblings, he too wore a silver earring with the Halycran symbol.
The family as a whole looked harmonious, with every individual having their own spark. The children had grown up to be beautiful, each one looking like their parents in their own, unique way.
The light chatter in the hall was interrupted by the trotting of horses, which signaled the arrival of their carriages. Soon, they were all aboard their respective coaches, and were headed for the Heisenberg Estate in the Main Capital.
. . .
Leander hadn't seen his aunt in a while, so he was pleasantly surprised to see she hadn't aged a second.
Luna Heisenberg, Dowager Duchess of Heisenberg and Empress' twin sister, pulled her niece and nephews into a tight embrace one by one, with Leander being the last.
"Oh goodness, my little Lee!" she exclaimed when she saw Leander. Leander shared the sentiment, and hugged his aunt tightly, "Auntie! It's been so long!"
A few moments of motherly blabber here and there, Celestia scolded her and Luna finally pulled away, staring at her oldest nephew.
"Come now, Luna, everybody's watching. Do let go."
She finally patted his cheek but Leander himself didn't have the heart to let go. It was only until the Dowager Duchess cleared her throat and said she'd guide the family to their table did Lee come to his senses and follow his aunt's directions.
The Imperial Family's table was at the very center, right next to the Duke of Heisenberg's. Actually, it was more of a joint table.
Good for him. He wanted to see his cousin as he hadn't done so for a long time.
Even as Cedric Heisenberg was five years older than him, he was always close to Leander. Both of them were friends from the very start, and only got separated when Cedric had to depart for war when Leander was 15. After returning victorious from the war, he was granted the title of war hero. He succeeded his house, and was sent to the North for defense in the front lines. That was the last Leander saw of him.
While the rest of the crowd was separated by gender, Leander saw that there were enough chairs at their table for the whole family.
Eh. Not like it would've made a difference.
He took a seat next to the head of the table, at the left where he would usually sit, and relaxed, looking through the masses of people.
When Heisenberg's return was announced, the whole Imperial Capital seemed to be abuzz. For a long time, nobody had seen neither The Duchess Mother, nor the Duke. So, when the invitations to a tea party at the Heisenberg Estate were sent out, everyone wanted to get their hands on one.
But Luna was always precise and careful when picking her close circle. Even today, Leander only saw high ranking nobles and people his aunt and cousin were close with.
Old habits die hard, huh.
He allowed himself to indulge a little more, questioning everyone's fashion sense.
He was done examining all the cloaks and dresses, but just as he was criticizing everyone's shoe choices, his eyes came across the hem of a beautiful dove gray gown accompanied by a recognizable dusty red one.
Thalia? Wait, who was his sister talking to?
His eyes travelled upward, and he froze instantly.
Damn it.
Dark brown hair tied neatly in a low updo. Dangling silver earrings, accompanied with a simple silver pendant resting on her collarbone. Eyes crinkled in amusement, probably at some dumb joke Thalia made.
How could he not recognize those dark gray eyes? The root of his recent misery?
Artemesia Montclair.
He forced himself to tear his eyes away from her.
If something is meant for me, it shouldn't be beneath my dignity to attain it.
Just as he chose to look straight ahead instead, he was met with the sight of a young man with broad shoulders marching his way.
Involuntarily, his lips curled upward.
So did the man's.
Leander got up, and stared at the man as he approached, smiling.
"It's been so long, Leandoodle."
Leander burst out laughing, "Sure has, Cedriculus."
Cedric's cold expression melted away, and he chuckled, taking a seat at the opposite head of the table. As he sat, he gestured to the seat next to him. Leander hesitated. Wasn't he supposed to sit at the Emperor's left as the crown prince?
A few moments of contemplation later, he muttered, "Screw it," and scrambled over to his cousin's side.
Cedric laughed, "You've gotten as tall as me, Sir Trips-a-lot."
"Have I? You seem to have gotten so much older. Is that white hair I see, Sir Sighs-a-lot?"
"Absolutely, Your Royal Oops. My white hair is like a badge of honor and experience. Your pouting, however, has not gotten any better."
"Oh yeah, Old Man Ceddy? At least I don't have to ask my mom to get me a woman to marry."
"Enough, boys," Thalia scolded. She was sitting next to Damian, who was seated at Leander's original place, as Leander decided to ditch his own seat.
"I did not ask her. She keeps forcing me, old woman." Cedric grumbled anyway.
"God, what a life," Leander laughed, "Imagine telling your mom, 'Mom! I need a kid!'"
"Shut up, kid." Cedric groaned, but ended up laughing anyway.
They continued their banter, which turned into a normal conversation in a while, as the rest of the family joined them.
"Goodness, what kind of important and confidential discussion are you having with Duke Heisenberg that you decided to abandon your title and your seat?" The Empress said as she sat down on the Emperor's right, who didn't seem to mind a bit.
She'd just finished exchanging greetings with everyone and decided to come sit down.
Leander grinned, while Cedric just sighed.
Just then, the Duke of Heisenberg and The Crown Prince of Halycra didn't seem like what their titles suggested at all. Right now, they just seemed like two teenagers goofing around, enjoying their carefree days while they still lasted.
Luna seemed to be at peace, seeing the warm expression on her son's face after who knows how long. Celestia felt the same, Leander hadn't been at ease these past days either. Both mothers just seemed relieved, seeing how their eldest sons were enjoying each other's company.
The atmosphere was lively with light chatter and the clinking of silverware against glass.
After a few moments of internal debate, Leander finally decided to tease at the topic.
"So... have you decided?"
Cedric looked at him, brows furrowed, "Decided...what?"
"You know, who you're going to marry?"
He froze, then sighed. "You're the last person I want to talk to about this."
"I'm just curious, man. Is it such a sin?" Leander pouted.
He seemed to be reluctant, but his trust in Leander overpowered his hesitance and he spilled anyway.
"Well... truthfully, I... still can't move on."