The carriage halted right infront of the Duke's mansion, this is where the banquet will be held, to celebrate the nineteenth year of Lady Seraphine Astrenor, one and only daughter of Duke Garrion Astrenor. The coachman opened the carriage door, and slowly i descended, we've arrived, i said to myself, i looked left and right for Elysia's carriage, there it is, the carriage halted right behind ours.
Elysia descended after her father with practiced grace, Viscount Elias Thorne, she touched the ground and just like me looked left and right, i gave a wave accompanied with a smile at her direction so she would spot me.
I dressed in a midnight blue velvet gown, its deep fabric weighing on my skin, providing warmth as well as discreet beauty. Delicate, frost-like silver embroidery followed the bodice and sleeves, A pale as fresh snowfall fur-lined cloak draped over my shoulders, its clasp bearing a single sapphire—the same as my eyes.
This isn't too much... right? i thought to myself as i watch Elysia and the Viscount stride towards us.
"How have you been Aria?" A soft gentle voice came out of his mouth, but it showed no weakness, it had power; and demands respect.
"I've been well Viscount, thank you for asking." I offered a smile then a graceful curtsy.
"Now, now, you can drop the formalities Aria, just call me uncle" he raised his hand with a casual dismissive wave, that's how he always act's from what i remember, if anything he's my first cousin once removed, but ill just comply, that's what i said to myself.
"So now I'm invisible?" my mother let out a long sigh and stared down the Viscount.
"Oh no, i dare not to forget you, i just didn't bother, i mean who dare do something against the Ice sage" He placed a hand behind his head and anxiously scratched it as he let out an awkward laugh.
"Gosh still the same kid as ever, though you're older than me" my mother commented, i knew they were companions back in the day, but i never thought that my mom would casually say such things to a viscount, given that rank is power in this kingdom.
I learned that the hard way.
Together we walked across the gate to the front garden, the viscount and his daughter in front of us, we arrived in front of the door and unease came over me, bad memories flashed in my mind.
...
I was sixteen that time, id never forget that day...
I sat quietly in my seat, watching the others dance, while i waited for Elysia to return.
"Hi there sweetheart" A voice called to me, great, just great, ignore him, i said to myself.
He proceeded to walk towards me, ill admit he was handsome, tall and muscular, but he was despicable.
"Now now, don't play hard to get little lady" he said as he stood beside me, i stood up and turned my back towards him and proceeded to walk away, his hand caught my wrist and gripped it tight.
"Dance with me" he said as he pulled me towards him and touched my cheek; and caressed my face, his left hand holding my waist. I tried pushing him away, but he was stronger than me, he placed his head over my shoulders and whispered to my ear, "That wasn't a request my dear, that was an order, you wouldn't disobey an order from a Viscount, right?", i froze in terror, i could not fight back, as the laws of this kingdom favored the strong, Nobles and commoners followed laws made by the first king, one of them being, Rank is power, you cannot disobey the orders of a noble ranked higher than you, disobedience is punishable my execution.
"So sweetheart, you'll grant me a dance right?" I felt his gaze pierce through my body, and tears threatened to fall, as my face slowly turns beet red from embarrassment, shoulders shivering in fear.
"You can simply say no, Aria" Viscount Elias's voice came from behind me, I'm saved, i thought to myself, but the Viscount did not let go of me.
"Aria happens to be family to me, id appreciate it if you if you let her go, Earl" his voice remained calm, as he stared down the viscount.
"I just want to dance with the lady, Elias" he said as he pulled me by the waist, grinning.
It was obvious that i didn't want to dance, as i tried to retaliate by trying to push his body away from mine, but that only made him pull me in stronger.
"Enough!" Elias shouted, stopping the playing of instruments and the dancing, "Unhand her this instant Earl!" The viscount demanded, authority in his words.
"That won't work Elias, we're both Viscounts" he stated, his lips now curled to a smirk.
"Are you proposing a duel? Very well" There it is, the second law, If two nobles of the same rank is in a disagreement, they can settle it with a duel, they will set the rules themselves, the duel shall be witnessed by at least two other nobles.
"Exactly, Elias, now lets make the rules shall we?" he unhanded me and pushed me to the side, his focus on Viscount Elias, he spoke once more "We fight till one is unable to continue, do you accept?". his smirk growing even wider.
"I accept, we shall duel with blades, do you accept?" Elias proposed his rule, gripping the sheath of his sword.
"I accept, If i win i get to keep her" He added.
"If i win you are to never bother her again, you shall be arrested by knights if you do so." Elias declared. "Do you accept?" The viscount gave a firm and confident nod.
The other nobles did not dare to stop them, instead they formed a large circle around the two viscounts as they began to duel.
Elias was first to draw his blade, Earl followed, they did not speak with words, they stared down each other, then, Earl dashed towards Elias dealing the first strike, swiftly Elias parried his strikes maintaining his balance, each parry rang the sound of metal clashing against one another, a few more parries and only then did he attack, he pivoted to Earl's right side, followed by a sword strike, it was blocked by Earl but it knocked him back.
Elias charge towards Earl, no doubt he was faster, his footwork better, Earl delivered a piercing strike towards Elias, but he kept on moving, with only a small movement of his blade, he redirected Earl's attack, Elias could have struck him down then and there but he didn't, instead he struck the hilt of Earls blade forcing him to let go, he could no longer continue fighting, Elias won.
A wave of silence and heavy suspense shrouded the banquet hall, then cheers and laughter erupted from the crowd, they found it entertaining, both Elias and Earl huffed and gasped for air, their exchange was short but they had expanded quite a lot of energy.
From that day onwards, my respect for the Viscount is second only to my parents; and my fear of banquets and nobleman took root.
...
I snapped back to reality when Elysia tugged at my arm, the steward was about to open the door.
"Announcing the arrival of His Lordship, Viscount Elias Thorne of House Thorne, accompanied by the Lady Elysia Thorne. May they be welcomed in honor on this joyous occasion!"
Without pause, the herald continues.
"Following them, with great respect, we welcome Lady Maria Thorne, the esteemed Sage of Frost, and her daughter, kin of the Steel of Thorne."
The banquet begins.