It would probably be a few minutes before the royal entourage entered the grand hall, so Liesl quietly made her way in through another entrance. Once inside, she turned to find Rowan standing nearby. A soft smile graced her lips when she saw him, and her feet didn’t hesitate to spirit her that way. Good, a little bit of safety in such a thing. Except, as she got closer, and he had a chance to get a better look, the expression on his face went through any number of emotions. The first looked like surprise but disbelief and then perhaps pride soon followed. By the time she arrived, he was simply shaking his head.

“What?” Liesl asked before crossing her eyes and furrowing her brows. “What’s the matter?”

“Nothing,” the older man said before clearing his throat. Was that…strain? In his voice?

“Rowan…”

“Okay, fine,” he said before raising his arms a little higher in a shrug. “You just look so beautiful, Liesl. You’ve grown up into a fine young woman.”

Oh, dear. Was he going to cry? No, if he cried, then Liesl was definitely going to cry and her emotions were already on thin ice considering what the rest of the night would bring.

“Thank you,” she said before her smile grew. “You look very handsome in your uniform, by the way.”

“This thing?” He asked before straightening out his royal blue jacket and flicking away a piece of something that had come to rest on his shoulder. The action caused a few medals on his chest to shake and clink before he put his hands behind his back. “It’s a bit stuffy, I think.”

“For the knight Commander? Stuffy? No…”

“You’re lucky I can’t ruffle that hair tonight, you know.”

That’s right, Liesl had her very own armor on and could tease the man relentlessly without fear of retaliation! However, before another quip could fall from her lips, horns sounded and the main doors of the hall opened to reveal the royal party. An announcer preceded them and took the time to list out an impressive list of titles for the King and his daughter.

Liesl could only see him at first, but as the group moved inside, she eventually saw the Princess. It didn’t take long for Zelda to find her gaze and a bright smile kicked up on her lips for a moment. One repeated by Liesl as she brought up a hand to wave back at her.

“And how is the Princess?” He asked as they both watched. “She looks lovely in her dress as well, don’t you think?”

Liesl waited until Zelda’s eyes had to move on before she turned her head in acknowledgment of Rowan’s questions. “Yes,” Liesl replied with a nod. “She looks even more beautiful than I do. And she’s…okay.” Goddesses did that single word fail to capture all the emotion swirling around this evening and its future implications.

“And how are you?”

“How am I?” How in the world did Liesl answer that? I mean, she wasn’t about to admit her chest tightened with anxiousness and her mind was full of dread.

“That’s right,” Rowan confirmed with a nod and perhaps a stubborn refusal to elaborate. However, that might’ve been for the better, as she could be similarly vague.

“I’m…okay, too “

“I see…” As he fell silent, a reassuring hand came up to land on her shoulder before he squeezed gently. Was that sympathy in his eyes? Why?

Liesl could’ve asked, but she was too curious about what Zelda was up to and so chose not to. When her gaze shifted to find her friend, the Princess had apparently been swarmed as soon as she came to a stop. Men, young and old, gathered around and were no doubt paying her any number of compliments on how she looked. Hmm, there was that sick feeling in the pit of Liesl’s stomach again. Except this time, seeing what was happening instead of imagining it, she could feel that uneasiness start to travel up her stomach and into her throat.

The only reason it didn’t progress was the deep voice that called her name, robbing her focus on Zelda as Liesl turned to address the newcomer. She found Grus coming toward her, dressed in his finest uniform for the evening. Over the years, she’d come to find out he was a little older and not as poor a soldier as Calla would have Liesl believe. He’d been made second in command of the castle’s calvary detachment, after all. Which was probably how he managed to get an invitation to this ball. But why we he coming this way, wanting to speak to her?

Realization bloomed in her mind a moment later and Liesl almost took a step back. Goddesses, no. She was in no mood to suffer the same fate as her friend. Luckily, she wasn’t in the same position and didn’t have to–

“Grus! Just the man I wanted to see.” Rowan’s voice cut in from the side and a moment later, the big man had one arm around his junior, drawing his attention away from his intended target.

“Oh, Commander Rowan, good evening,” Grus replied before trying to continue on his original path.

“You know, I was just talking to the King about you. Well, your unit, but still.”

Mention of the King all but ensured that focus would remain firmly on Rowan and Liesl was just about to pick a direction to escape to when she felt an arm wrap around her arm instead. Whoever it was came up from behind and a glance down confirmed it to be a soldier’s uniform based on the sleeve. Great, who the fuck was this?

However, the budding annoyance was promptly snuffed out when Liesl lifted her head and saw it was Calla who had appeared and was currently leading her away. She met Liesl’s look of confusion with a shrug and a smile as mischievous as ever. “Looked like you could use a rescue.”

“I really did,” Liesl agreed with a soft chuckle.

“Well, I’m glad I decided to show up, then.”

That assertion was met with a raised eyebrow and a tilt of Liesl’s head. “Oh? That’s the reason you decided to come to the ball?”

“Maybe,” Calla replied before her eyes caught something off to the side and proceeded to follow their new target until her neck couldn’t turn anymore. When Liesl turned to see what had enraptured her, she found a woman who just so happened to be walking in the opposite direction. “Maybe not.”

“You’re ridiculous.”

“Yeah, but I clean up pretty good, don’t I?”

Liesl silently looked over her friend with an appraising eye before humming her reluctant agreement. The uniform did look nice on Calla and the shorter haircut that framed her face gave her a more mature look. That and the few grey streaks starting to show. “I suppose so.”

“I’ll take it!”

By the time Calla found them a seat near the back (so they could hide away), the music had started and people began to pair up and proceed to the dance floor. Of course, Zelda could be found among them and that sinking feeling took hold once more as the man she was with moved into position. Naturally, one hand clasped Zelda’s, and the other rested in the small of her back…where it better stay.

“Oh, I know that look,” Calla said from where she sat on the other side of the small table.

The comment managed to pull Liesl’s gaze from the man while also lighting a fire in her cheeks, even as she shook her head. “What look? I don’t have a look…”

“Really?” Calla asked before placing both her arms on the table and leaning forward. “You’re going to play that game with me, of all people? You do know it is my job to observe things.”

“My look means nothing and it’s easier that way. For all of us.” Us. Of course, she meant her and Zelda and the return of her focus for a moment indicated as much. But at least she wasn’t lying, even if she didn’t know what it was she felt.

“Good things don’t come from taking the easy way, Liesl.”

“No good things are coming my way.” Only future pain and no amount of talking or wishing was going to change what was happening in front of Liesl’s eyes.

At first, Calla only hummed and let her gaze drift to Zelda too. She was currently being spun around by the blonde-haired gentleman and, though she looked like she was having fun, Liesl knew that smile all too well. It was the one she wore when that’s exactly what she needed to portray.

“I wouldn’t be so sure,” Calla started but immediately raised a hand to silence Liesl’s further protests when she turned to do just that. “How about some food for you and wine for me? Unless you want wine too? Those all seem good, right?”

“I suppose, but you aren’t going to eat?”

“Eat? And leave less room in my belly for that red they’re serving? Oh no, Liesl. You know me better than that by now.”

Goddesses, did she ever. “Then yes, both please.” The former would give her something to do besides stare at Zelda, and the latter would make the sight easier to deal with when she failed.

“Alright, I’ll be back in a flash.”

“Okay…”

Hopefully, no one else would come to bother Liesl while she waited. She was seriously starting to regret getting so dolled up, but the memory of Zelda and Rowan’s reactions gently pushed that notion aside. She was just being grouchy and would feel better once this part of the night was over.

As promised, Calla returned swiftly and deposited a small plate with finger foods on the table. Along with two glasses of wine that looked like they were a double. That poor servant was probably threatened or coerced into as much if she had to guess.

Zelda had moved onto a new partner by the time Liesl tore her gaze away and down to the food. Little quiches, sausages, and plenty of fruits greeted her but the flavor was lost to the busyness of her mind.

“I’m heading out on assignment,” Calla started, before taking a sip to let that news sink in. “Tomorrow morning.”

“Really? You won’t even be here at the ceremony tomorrow afternoon?” Liesl asked with more than a little surprise in her voice. It wasn’t often that the head scout went out on assignment, but then again, Calla wasn’t one to sit around and take reports. “For how long?”

Calla shrugged following the question, and a rather long pull, before setting her glass down on the table. “A few weeks, maybe? The east is getting more restless, so the King wants us to go beyond the mountains to check it out. As for the ceremony, let’s just say I’ve seen enough men play with swords to know I’m not missing out on anything. Not that any of those bastards will pull the thing free.”

Well, she wouldn’t get any argument from Liesl on that last point, but east? That meant…

“We’ll be stopping in Arwik,” Call continued. “Is there anything you want me to check in on? Anyone you want me to say hello to?”

Liesl thought on the question for a time, but ultimately shook her head. “No, that’s a past life now.” The town had received a new Lord not long after the demise of her family, and they would be fully ingrained by now. It was hard to picture someone else living in the Lord’s manor, another child using her room. So, she didn’t and looked back to the previous subject.

“Do you think you’ll find anything out there? I’ve heard the monsters are acting strange, getting bolder.”

Another shrug from Calla, another sip of wine. “Well, I expect to find them and confirm that for myself. That’s the problem with word-of-mouth reports, always a bit unreliable.

That made Liesl uncomfortable for a whole host of reasons, not the least of which was that Calla was a dear friend and mentor. It would be awful if something happened to her! Of course, their friendship wasn’t quite the same as what Liesl had with Rowan, but it was nice to have an older woman to talk to now and then. One that could keep up with the best of the men in swordplay or drinking.

“Please be careful Calla.”

“Don’t you worry, they’re just monsters and I’m not spoiling for a fight. Wouldn’t mind one,one but I’m not looking for it. Besides, who’s going to watch out for you while you deal with all…this?” A finger extended from her cup following the last word and indicated the pomp and circumstance around them.

To which Liesl grimaced momentarily before a smirk managed to peek through. “Rowan,” she answered, as if it were the easiest answer in the world.

Laughter burst from Calla’s lips and she couldn’t help but nod as she settled. “I expect he will and I’m glad for it. But there are things not even his wisdom extends to, you know.” Then her demeanor changed, her expression going softer and her eyes filling with warmth. “Really, Liesl. I want you to know I’m here for you.”

“I know you are,” Liesl replied before reaching over and squeezing the other woman’s hand. Whereupon it moved to her wine to follow in Calla’s shining example. “I sure wish you would actually be here, though.”

“Yeah, but it will be good to see it with my own eyes.” Which Liesl suspected was the polite way of saying I need to get out of here before I rip my hair out. At least partially, and Liesl didn’t hold it against her. Sometimes she felt like that too, honestly. With one important caveat, Zelda left with her.

“I see. Well, I hope you’ll come back soon. You know I’ll be very cross with you if I don’t.”

“Oh, I bet you will.”

The two settled into an easy silence then, watching the guests enjoy themselves. And one person who was not a guest, and definitely not having a good time. Eventually, once this latest dance ended, Zelda began looking around purposefully and Liesl sat up in her seat just to make it that much easier to spot her should that prove to be what the Princess wanted.

It only took another few seconds for Zelda to find her where she sat and the earlier smile returned to her lips before she nodded her head to the side. Oh, did she want Liesl to follow? “Looks like duty calls,” Liesl said while completely failing to keep the excitement from her voice.

“Right, duty.”

Liesl ignored whatever implication was dripping from that second word and stood. “That’s right, my Princess needs me.”

“No truer words have ever been spoken.”

But Liesl only rolled her eyes and left Calla to her wine and her quips before doing her best not to run to where Zelda was headed. Toward a less crowded area of the hall. Unfortunately, crowds tended to move with the Princess. Not even a minute later, the two met off to the side; however, they weren’t alone. Another young nobleman followed along, most likely keen on getting his turn. Couldn’t they just wait a damn minute?

Thankfully, the Princess was more than prepared and quickly dismissed him with assurances she’d return in a moment. Which left her and Liesl blissfully alone. Well, not alone, but at least free from prying ears.

“How are you holding up?” Zelda asked once the two met again.

“Me?” Liesl responded with a shake of her head. Honestly, this woman. “I’m fine, but how are you doing?”

“Is it too soon to fake an illness and leave?”

Liesl couldn’t help but laugh and shrug. “Considering you used that excuse last time, I’m afraid you’ll have to come up with another.”

“I wish,” Zelda said with a sigh. “No, I’m afraid it won’t work. Not when this ball is specifically for me.” Specifically, to help her find a partner, more like. But Liesl pushed the growing dismay back and focused on the here and now for her friend.

“Did you need something then?”

“No, just a break to talk to my friend,” Zelda said with a smile. “If I have to hear any more of these blowhards brag about fake accomplishments, I’m going to walk off the ramparts.” She let the threat hang in the air for a moment before she smiled warmly to prove she was only kidding. At least, that’s what Liesl hoped. “Actually, now that I think about it, could you save some food for me? I’m not sure how much I’m going to be able to eat.”

“Of course,” Liesl said with a nod before making a mental list of things that would be tasty and easy to transport.

“Thanks,” Zelda said before shifting her eyes out over guests who had started to form a circle around them. Far enough to be polite, but definitely close enough that it would be hard to ignore. “It appears my respite is over, though.” With a deep breath, Zelda took a step forward, but then turned to look back, catching Liesl’s eyes. “Wish me luck.”

“Good luck…” Liesl said before adding more in her mind. Getting through until the end. To the point that they could be together again and away from all this. Perhaps she should be wishing for Zelda to find someone she could be happy with, but the thought just…upset her too much. Was she a bad friend because of it? Goddesses, she hoped not. I mean, Liesl did want the Princess to be happy, she just didn’t think she’d find it out on that dancefloor (and yes, didn’t want her to either but good luck getting her to admit it).

Once Zelda smiled one last time and turned to greet the next young man who was brave enough (or arrogant enough) to step up, Liesl turned too and noted that Calla was gone from their table. Oh well, she had a new mission now and would retrieve a veritable feast so she could stow it away for later.