Chapter 2: Moonlit Dance

Aristelle of Philia wanted to leave the ballroom. It was stifling, the people, the dancing, the endless clamor of voices.

Cassian was tired as well. A young man of tall stature, light hair and speckles of confetti on his skin. He was the barefoot princess’ closest friend of similar class status. A bit of an airhead at times but he never had ill will.

“I will murder myself if no one else will,” mumbled Aristelle.

“Aris, you know that’s not an option here,” said Cassian.

Out of the corner of Aristelle’s eye caught a strangely familiar face. She grabbed Cassian’s arm in a tight grip. “Hey isn’t that…?”

“Ow...what are you talking about?”

“Come,” said Aristelle, grabbing his arm and pulling him along towards what she found curious.

It was a rather decrepit corridor for the servants where they met the figure of familiar stature.

“Butler?” Cassian raised a brow.

“Your majesty,” said Aristelle. “What are you doing?”

Cassian looks at Aristelle in shock before turning to the butler. He watched in growing shock at the identity of the man. “P-Prince Aurelius?”

The young man chuckled to himself before facing them. “How curious, a young noble lady of all people finding me as quickly as she did.”

Aristelle and Cassian properly greeted him.

“Is there something you need from me Lady Aristelle? I do hope that you would keep this a secret between us here,” said the prince.

“Actually yes,” said Aristelle, giving him a cheeky grin. “Are there spare uniforms? I would want nothing more than to join you.”

“Join me?”

“Aris,” said Cassian through clenched teeth.

She elbowed Cassian in the ribs. “You’re feeling restless too aren’t you? C’mon, you’ve gone along with all my nonsense in the past.”

“Well, yes but that was when we were children. This is the prince we’re speaking to…”

“Why not?” The prince seemed in good spirits. “More the merrier, yes?”

Aristelle beamed. “Wonderful”

The events that occurred after were absolute bliss to Aristelle. She had mischievously snuck to places she hadn’t before and dragged not only Cassian but the prince with her. She frightened the maids and butlers with spontaneous dances. She snuck pastries in her apron before dashing off with her companions. Once they had made their way outside the castle, they sat by the wide steps leading to the garden. She then offered the very pastries to Cassian and her new friend.

Prince Aurelius looked curiously at the pastries. “Is Lady Aristelle usually these are the servant’s pastries are they not?”

“Absolutely,” replied Cassian. “Your highness, not to disrespect you in any way, but you’re more than welcome to say no to her.”

The prince chuckles. “I’m quite alright, I’m having more fun than I’ve had in ages.”

“They’re tasty,” said Aristelle. “The kitchen is always filled with these chocolate pastries. I say we’re missing out on not having any.”

The prince ate them. He seemed delighted. “It’s strangely charming, being given something like this.”

Soon after Aristelle finished her pastry, she rubbed the back of her heels. “Curse these shoes,” mumbled Aristelle, slipping them off.

“Aris, seriously?”

“Princess Vanilla Bean?” Aristelle said suddenly. She dropped her shoes, leaving them behind for Cassian and the prince to pick up after her. Each of them picking up a shoe.

“Still think that’s charming?” Asked Cassian, raising her shoe.

Prince Aurelius began to laugh. “I don’t think my opinion has changed. I suppose days will not be dull if one were to marry her.”

Cassian seemed at loss for words.“Are you okay? And are you sure about saying that kind of statement? There’s a reason her nickname is--”

“Barefoot Princess?” The prince finished his sentence for him. “I’m well aware”

“Oh, I suppose rumors travel far,” said Cassian with his gaze to the distance. “We’re childhood friends. I don’t think she’d ever shown interest in marriage either.”

“But you’re interested, aren’t you?” The prince asked.

Cassian goes quiet.

“I apologize, that's not my business to ask,” said the prince. “I’ve been told I’m a bit strange myself, so those rumors have never occurred to me as any stranger. I’m more charmed than anything.”

“That’s awfully generous of you to say, your highness,” says Cassian.

Prince Aurelius shrugs. “Generous? Or perhaps I’m too honest for my own good.” He then offers the other matching pair of Aristelle’s shoe. “I must take my leave Sir Cassian, my duties are not to be neglected for as long as I have neglected them. Perhaps we’ll all meet again soon.”

As soon as he was gone, Cassian found himself pondering upon the Prince’s words. Aris, a charmer? Someone who dared to catch the eye of a person of such high status? He stared with furrowed brows at the shoes still in disbelief of it all.

X

The cat was kind to Aristelle that day, it even purred when she sank her hand into its fur. “Have I finally earned your love Princess Vanilla Bean?”

The sounds of crunching leaves are heard. Princess Vanilla Bean meowed in delight at the presence and made her way to the approaching figure.

It was Reeves Erland, eyes wide with surprise. “Lady Aristelle?”

She pouted. “What a fool I am to think this would go any differently.” Aristelle turned to face Reeves. “Why aren’t you at the dance like everyone else?”

“I wanted some air,” replied Reeves.

“Umph, you seem busy.”

“Really,” says Reeves flatly. He is staring at Aristelle’s maid outfit.

“What?”

“I don’t really know where to start.”

Aristelle follows his eyes to her dress. She smiles as she twirls. “Am I pretty?”

“I suppose you are,” replied Reeves dryly, he was simply appeasing her at this point.

She places a hand on her cheek and eyes Reeves.

“What?”

“I think you’d make a handsome butler.”

“I must decline the idea,” said Reeves. “My sisters would ask too many questions.”

Aristelle crosses her arms and turns her face with a pout. “What a shame.”

“I apologize,” said Reeves.

“Apology declined,” says Aristelle.

Reeves sighs before holding out a hand towards her. “May I beg for forgiveness with a dance?”

Aristelle pipes up at the offer. “Will you really?”

“Shall I retract my offer?” Reeves says as he slowly retreats his hand.

She grabs his hand with both of her own. “Don’t be silly, I haven’t said a word to decline you.”

From the distance, a new song swelled seemingly for Aristelle and Reeves. He bows as Aristelle curtsies.

Aristelle’s expression is bright, she is pleased with the dance. Her steps are wide with energy but light in steps.

In turn Reeves steps carefully around her long strides. He is cautious of her, barefeet and all. Soon the thought overcomes his mind. “Milady”

“Yes?”

“Shall I take off my shoes too? I’m afraid of hurting you,” said Reeves.

She looked at him surprised before gasping dramatically. “Oh, how scandalous of you Sir Reeves.”

He raised a brow. “I don’t want to hear that from someone in a stolen maid uniform.”

She laughs. “It’s a shame you’re not in one too.”

Reeves takes his shoes off. Quickly Princess Vanilla Bean begins to busy herself with rubbing her white fur on his boots. He looked disappointed. “Of all things…”

Aristelle placed a hand on her cheek while looking at her cat. “Shouldn’t have left those shoes behind.”

He looked at Aristelle with a raised brow. “You want that happening to your shoes?”

“At least someone in the world will appreciate them better than me,” said Aristelle. “No matter that, my jealousy is short-lived. May I have another dance?”

“Yes milady,” replied Reeves.

The dance lasted until the lights to the castle began to make their exit. There was one spectator, Sir Cassian, from the castle’s higher floor, holding what seemed to be a lady’s shoe. In his quiet speculation his face scrunched up. But he did not move as he continued to watch the dance from afar.

The moon shone like a spotlight in the garden, illuminating the path for its only two performers. Soon the dance drew to an end.

X

The blinding lights obscured her vision. Someone is there, but who? Aristelle wanted to peer closer but all she could manage to make out was a smile and the vibrancy of the flowers that surrounded them.

“Aris” The voice spoke muffled to her ears, as if she were underwater.

Her hand reached out, but she grasped at nothing. Desperate to reach for them, her hand reached out more. Soon the light began to fade into darkness.

Morning had arrived, but Aristelle was already a sobbing mess.