He had to admit that it felt a little weird watching everyone treating everything as a reunion. For a moment he even began to wonder why he couldn't recall all of these people that he had apparently met before. While they were all busy conversing, he ignored the going ons and attempted to recall memories from his childhood but was saddened to find only the times he lay in bed sick and on death's door.
'They can't possibly be playing a joke on me, right?' Sasha knew better than to assume such things but for the moment, that was all that made sense. He and Alessa had been betrothed since young, it would be highly unusual for him to forget someone as important as her.
He was suddenly startled out of his thoughts when Aless placed her hand on his arm, waiting to be guided. His immediate reaction would normally have been to pull his arm away, but upon returning to reality, he found more people had gathered with them. Particularly, his father. Recalling Alys' report, Sasha found himself feeling uneasy and was unable to meet his father's gaze. Instead of acknowledging his existence, he led Aless to her room.
The walk was filled with silence. Neither wanting to worsen their situation. It was only broken when they arrived at her room. Upon hearing her request, Sasha couldn't help but raise a brow, highly suspicious about her quick mood change. To go from an impulsive woman to a soft demure girl, it really threw him for a loop. Was this her way of toying with him? Unfortunately he hadn't the time to wonder.
"Of course." He agreed without a thought before leaving to go see his mother.
Upon entering the great hall, his mother looked as cold as ever, making him feel a little despondent. Even her hug felt a little fake. Royalty was full of people obsessed with appearances after all. Not to mention, if he died, her position would be at risk. However, he still took some comfort in it. Sasha could count the number of times she's hugged him on one hand, much less her kisses.
"I'm alright, mother. The target wasn't me. " He returned her embrace with a soft hug and nodded to her instruction, leaving the room to go get changed. There was no way he was going to stick around to witness his parents quarrel.
In his room, he let out an aggravated sigh and fell back on his bed, his hand running through his hair as if to calm himself down. Sasha was much too stressed to notice all of the details that hinted at an intruder. The messy bed, the sweet albeit faint fragrance of a woman on the covers, the crack in the wardrobe; all unnoticed. A gentle knock on the door further buried these features in the background as Alys entered the room. Needless to say, she was surprised to find the girl gone and Sasha laying on the bed. At first she nervously wondered whether he'd mete out a punishment but to her relief, he sat up and took the cup of juice.
"Just what I needed, thanks."
Playing along with his obliviousness, Alys straightened out the bed and made note to switch out the covers later before he could notice anything amiss. She then started the bath while Sasha looked over the outfit Pierre made for him. Red wasn't even remotely his favorite color but it did give his skin a nice rosy tint so who was he to complain? He was thankful for the stylist's thoughtfulness and prepared to enter the bath, slowly undressing before a pair of unseen eyes.
"Get out and apologize to Damien." Sasha spoke gently but firmly yet didn't bother looking in her direction. He had known she didn't see his older brother in the best light but he hadn't expected to hear of her snarky behavior on his way to his room. Needless to say, he was a little disappointed. Alys kept her head respectfully lowered and stared at the ground. With a nod, she bowed her head and left the room with her small hands balled up into fists.
Left on his own, he hopped into the bath. While he could have sworn he heard the door open, he paid it no mind and finished with his preparations. Clean, dressed, and not any less stressed, Sasha finished the process by putting on his mask. Looking at himself in a full length mirror, he couldn't help but feel as if he was too obvious. If he had the time, he would not have minded dyeing his hair. He was not exactly looking forward to the night's festivities.
The time quickly approached. One moment, he was in his room fretting over how to approach the young queen and make up his faux pas to her, the next, he was listening to Pierre's speech. It was simple brief and to the point. At the end of it, Sasha also entered the crowd and greeted officials and nobles he was familiar with. Once all formalities were done and over with, he had nothing else to do but approach the queen who seemed to already have a dancing partner; his very own brother. A little unsettled he moved on to the food instead and basically ignored anyone and everyone who attempted to approach him with their own motives. From aristocrats who wished to establish a connection with the future king to the bashful young maidens who wished for nothing more than to become queen. They were all met with uncomfortable silence and had no choice but to leave him be.
After exiting the room, Alys didn't head straight for Damien. She left to make herself look presentable and assisted the kitchen staff with their preparations instead. She knew it was a matter of time until she had no choice to apologize, but she wished to postpone it for as long as possible.
When the time was nearing, she too bathed and prepared swiftly. Dressed in a plain white dress that hugged her lithe figure and fit her rank, she paired it with a black bodice underbust that further accentuated her ample bust and delicate waist. It was simple but it'd work well enough to at least serve by Sasha's side. Her soft wavy locks were pulled up into a messy updo, a few strands hanging loose, framing her heart shaped face. Satisfied by the results, she left the room and headed for the banquet, entering through a side door.
She spotted Sasha eating some cake off to the side. She was about to approach him when she noticed Damien with Viola. Although she was fully aware that the girl would never speak of the incident, Alys was all too aware of Damien's ability to make people talk. Unwilling to allow the girl to tell anyone about the incident, she rushed over to their side instead.
"I believe you wanted to have a word with me?" The servant interrupted the duo and gently tugged at Damien's sleeve insistently.
"Well, I'm here now so lets go over there." Alys gestured to the quieter area with empty seats.
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