Each step was heavier than the last as I swung the door open to find Jeremy casually leaning against the doorframe. Jeremy's hands were tucked into his pockets, and he had one ankle crossed over the other. Our eyes met briefly before his gaze traveled appreciatively up and down my figure, causing my breath to hitch.
Jeremy’s attire mirrored mine. He wore a jacket and pants made of the same emerald green fabric, both adorned with intricate embroidered leaf patterns. He wore a silken black vest and a crisp white shirt. His attire accentuated his muscular physique, and his sleek leather shoes with squared-off toes starkly contrasted the standard clunky boots he usually wore.
As our eyes met again, Jeremy smiled and straightened from the doorframe. With a quick, practiced movement, he pulled out a pocket watch and checked the time. A flash of silver and green was all I glimpsed before he returned it to his pocket.
Turning towards me, he extended his arm with a casual elegance, glancing over his shoulder with a roguish grin. “Shall we?”
My mouth went dry as I took his arm, nodding as we walked down the hall.
“You look breathtaking,” Jeremy remarked as we descended the stairs.
“So do you,” I replied, casting a sidelong glance his way. “Not surprising, considering it seems we had the same seamstress.” My tone was cool, prompting a slight, amused quirk of his lips.
“Strange indeed,” he responded, his eyes dancing with amusement.
I snorted softly at his response, and we turned into another hallway and down another flight of stairs. “My mother will be pleased,” I said, trying to cut through the heavy silence.
“I’m sure she will be. She mentioned as much when I spoke to her.”
My eyes widened in surprise, and I nearly stumbled. “You spoke to my mother about me?” I demanded, and he seemed amused by my reaction.
I hadn’t spoken to my mother since our argument, and I’d been deftly avoiding her. We’d only crossed paths at dinner or in the hallway, always in the company of others. I’d even managed to skip our Sunday tea last week under the pretense of being ill. I half expected her to storm into my room, but she had left me alone.
“It’s part of my duties to converse with both your father and your mother,” he said calmly, arching an eyebrow. “She was inquiring about your escort for the ball, and since you had already agreed to go with me, I thought it best to inform her.”
I sighed. “My mother and I still aren’t speaking,” I confessed. “Naturally, you made her aware.” I shot him a sheepish glance as we navigated down another hallway, now crowded with guests.
“I’m no stranger to family disputes,” he replied, his tone surprisingly warm. “No need to apologize, Princess.” He spoke with a hint of gruffness, but the surrounding chatter made it hard to discern if he was genuinely grumbling or simply speaking with his usual edge.
“Will your family be here tonight, Captain?” I inquired.
“Please, call me Jeremy,” he insisted gently. “And no, they won’t be here.” He paused, his expression thoughtful, before he continued, “My parents died when I was a child.”
I glanced up at him. “That must have been difficult, growing up without parents,” I said, squeezing his arm in comfort.
“That was a long time ago now,” he said simply, patting my hand with his and smiling softly.
“Do you have any siblings?” I asked curiously.
Jeremy’s voice took on a sharp edge as he said, “I have a brother.”
“I’m assuming you two aren’t exactly close?”
He let out a dry chuckle, the sound tinged with bitterness. “We were once very close. We’ve had a falling out recently, and things have been difficult between us.”
Before I could ask more, we stepped into the crowded ballroom where the music and chatter brought our conversation to a close.
My mother’s impeccable taste was on full display throughout the room. Red and gold silk cascaded elegantly over the entrances and arches while candles flickered softly on every ledge, casting a warm, inviting glow. Servants, dressed in coordinated red and gold attire, moved seamlessly through the crowd, carrying gleaming platters of food and drinks.
Across the room, my mother and father held court from their golden ornate thrones. The thrones were intricately designed, their backs twisted with delicate metalwork, forming tendrils of vines that snaked outward like sharp thorns.
It appeared my father had returned from his journey just in time for the ball, as he had promised.
He wasn’t wearing his usual white military garb but had opted for a black uniform instead. I had never seen him wear a black uniform before. It was a refreshing change, but a confusing one. The black jacket, adorned with his medals over the leftchest pocket, featured a row of golden buttons down the front. Gold thread outlined the edges of the jacket, creating a subtle shimmer that matched his black trousers.
My mother wore a white and yellow ball gown that echoed my design in some respects, though hers lacked the intricate embroidery. It was elegantly simple but still managed to be striking. As always, her red amulet hung prominently around her neck, providing a vivid contrast against the yellow of her gown. Her hand rested comfortably in my father’s as he sat beside her.
“I hate that necklace,” I mumbled, trailing behind Jeremy as we moved further into the room.
