Chapter 7: Emelia's Debut pt.2

Leon had been a dear friend of hers and James’ for many years. He would come to visit with James from time to time during her time at the cottage. When his parents died, his visits became less frequent. Emelia even went to his Kingdom, Iris, for six months to help him transition into his role as King. Something Leon was highly grateful for. She restrained herself from hugging him any tighter when she remembered where she was. Then, she took a quick curtsy, bowing respectfully, “King Leon.”

Leon laughed, “Emelia, you don’t have to do that.”

Emelia looked confused, “But it’s proper etiquette.”

Leon’s heart raced as he looked into Emelia’s eyes. The day they first met felt like a lifetime ago, but her eyes still held the same spark of intelligence and mischievousness that he loved so much. He couldn’t help but smile at the thought of being back in her presence after all this time. Her rare ability to break up the mundane of everyday interactions meant so much to him as it made him smile like nothing else did in this life. He felt drawn to her as if a spell had been cast on him, and she was the only one who could break it. He finally found his voice, “I’ve missed you.” he said softly.

“And I, you,” Emelia replied with a smile. Taking in the opulent surroundings of the ballroom filled with whispering gowns and handsome suits, they both saw the pastel-hued balcony empty of the elite society members. With a gentle nod, Emelia gestured towards the double doors that led out onto the terrace, and arm in arm, the two made their way outside.

Leon’s hand fumbled with the brass door handle before finally turning it and opening it for Emelia. He stepped aside and bowed his head as she exited, mumbling an apology. “I’m sorry I haven’t been visiting much.”

With a deep breath, she broke the silence. “Are you kidding?” she said, stepping closer and slipping through the open door. “You’re King now. I understand.”

Leon closed the door with a soft click, and they walked to the balcony’s edge. The dark sky glittered with stars, and a slight breeze blew across their faces. He stepped close to the railing and looked up, feeling a wave of nostalgia. “I wanted you to know I would’ve visited more if I could have,” he said softly.

“I know that, Leon.” She fixed her gaze on the immaculately trimmed hedges and freshly weeded flower beds of the expansive gardens. A gentle breeze carried the scent of jasmine through the air and ruffled her dress ever so slightly. “You don’t have to explain anything to me.”

Leon’s gaze was captivated by Emelia, bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight. He saw how it outlined her face and cast a heavenly glow around her figure. His heart fluttered, and he tried to swallow the lump in his throat. He took a deep breath, feeling his pulse race through his veins. He opened his mouth, but only a whisper escaped of the words he struggled to say. “I...” His voice was hushed and heavy with emotion, “I’m in lo —“

“There you two are,” James suddenly appeared in the doorway, his tall frame blocking the light from the jam-packed ball. Leon flinched at his presence, his words dissipating into the air.

Leon’s eyes widened, and he stepped back, his mouth suddenly feeling dry. Emelia’s cheeks flushed, and she adjusted her stance, unable to make sense of the situation. “What are you doing here?” He asked hesitantly.

James, who had seen them slip out on the balcony from across the ballroom, took another step forward. His blue eyes were intense and single-minded as if she was the only one before him. “Looking for you,” he said, and Emelia felt her face heat up.

Leon stepped forward and laid his hand on James’ shoulder. James tensed up, the spell that held Emelia and him released, and he looked up at Leon. With a big exhale, Leon flung his arms around James, burying his face in the crook of his neck, “Long time no see, brother.”

“Agreed,” James replied, returning the hug.

Leon looked to Emelia, her brown eyes sparkling in the night. His chest tightened as he realized he could not bring himself to tell her the words of love that had been dancing on the tip of his tongue. So instead, he swallowed the words and asked, “So, how are you adjusting to royal life?”

Emelia tried to decipher the look of anguish on Leon’s face, and her heart sank. His lips were drawn tight as if he wanted to say something, but the words wouldn’t come. His eyes seemed to beg for understanding as he held her gaze briefly before averting his glance. She knew this was something he would have to tell her when he was ready. “How am I adjusting?” she repeated his question and then turned around, her eyes wandering past the castle walls to the forest beyond. She remembered the way the thick fragrance of pine and damp soil would linger in the air and how the sun would peek through the canopy of trees. She could feel the weight of her sturdy leather boots as she trudged through a blanket of moss and leaves, bow slung across her body. Emelia sighed as she drew herself back to reality and looked down at her fine gown. “I miss the cottage, I miss the quiet, I miss the forest…God, I miss pants.”

A deep chuckle bubbled out of Leon and James, and Emelia threw them a heated glare. Her words were interrupted by a desperate hitch of breath as the corset dug into her ribs. “Don’t you dare laugh. This corset isn’t a laughing matter. I can hardly breathe in this thing.” She slowly released her breath and looped her fingers through the corset’s strings to adjust its tightness. Her eyes roamed over them, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. “And come to think of it, using this as a torture device is not a bad idea. Just get it tight enough, and your enemies will confess in no time.” She lightly patted Leon’s arm. “But tell me,” she said casually, her voice resuming its usual lightness. “How have things been on the battlefield?”

Leon’s face was lined with exhaustion as he spoke. “Both sides are holding for now,” he sighed. “It’s been three years since Kingdom Alana and Kingdom Cornea declared war. Thousands of soldiers have perished in the bloody battles, and it seems there is no end to this conflict in sight.”

Emelia looked into Leon’s eyes and saw the raw pain of his experiences in the war. She felt the weight of injustice on his shoulders, “Kingdom Alana blames us for hiring the barbarians to kidnap their princess.

James’ voice was a sudden burst of energy in the quiet space. His fists were clenched, and his face was red with anger. “But they don’t know if she survived or not,” he spat. “I can say for certainty that my mother is dead because of them.”

Leon’s warm palm rested on his friend’s shoulder as he spoke. His reassuring presence could make anyone feel secure. “Your alliance with my Kingdom is holding for now. Kingdom Alana has always been the biggest and richest Kingdom among us all.”

James’ eyes narrowed, and his lips pressed into a tight line. His head tilted to the side as he said, “Is this supposed to make me feel better?” His voice carried a hint of sarcasm and frustration.

Leon’s eyes glimmered with hope as he gave a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry. Your father and I are close to securing another alliance with Kingdom Macula. The tides will turn soon enough.” He turned his gaze to Emelia, a hint of desperation in his voice. “Do you remember seeing a young girl that looked of royalty during your time in captivity? She would have been the same age as we are.” His lips formed a tight line, and he waited for her answer.

Emelia furrowed her brow in confusion, trying to remember. A sea of faces appeared in her mind, but none of them seemed to fit the description of a princess. Even the blurred edges of her forgotten identity and home lingered in the back of her mind, no matter how hard she tried to grab onto them. With a heavy sigh, she shook her head. “No, I’m sorry.”

Leon’s hand felt warm and reassuring on Emelia’s back as he spoke softly, “It’s alright. I knew the chances were slim. But if we can find the princess... alive, that could be a big step towards resolving this war.” The weight of the situation seemed to hang heavy in the air between them.

Emelia peered through the castle windows, watching the guests swaying gracefully on the ballroom dance floor. Her gaze met Leon’s, and for a fleeting moment, a shared understanding passed between them. She bit her lower lip, “I should get back to the party,” she said, turning away. “It was great seeing you, Leon.” Then, she brushed past them both and vanished into the ballroom.

James’ brow furrowed as he watched Emelia return to the party, his eyes lingering in a longing gaze. Leon, who had been watching James’ every move, sighed after catching James’ telltale expression. “You still like her, don’t you?” he said quietly.

James tried to hold back his smile as he watched Emelia from the other side of the window. He knew what he had to do, but it weighed heavily on his heart. “As you know, there are talks of me marrying Princess Elizabeth.” As much as he wanted Emelia, he knew he could not deny his duty as a prince.

Leon gave a solemn nod of agreement, his voice low and serious. “That was one proposal to secure this alliance with Kingdom Macula for the war.”

James sighed and hung his head, “I thought if I stayed away, I could forget how I feel about her. But then I saw her this morning... and everything came back. Stronger than ever.”

Leon felt a pang of jealousy upon realizing that James felt the same way as he did for Emelia. Judging from the look Emelia gave James earlier, she felt the same way for him. He wondered if he had been too slow to make his feelings known. He cleared his throat, shifting his weight from one foot to another. “Just tell her how you feel,” he said to James, clapping him on the shoulder. He wanted James to be happy but knew the words were also a repressed message to himself.

As Prince James and King Leon were walking back inside, the ballroom was still abuzz with the music of the marimbas and the chatter of the guests. James gracefully moved through the crowd, exchanging pleasantries with his subjects while Leon was met by Simon, his right-hand man. “I trust you told her?” he said in a low voice.

Leon couldn’t tear his eyes away from Emelia, even as he spoke. His voice was steady and emotionless as he said, “No. James likes her too, so I’m going to step aside for him.”

The older man with salt and pepper hair stood with his back straight and arms clasped behind him. His eyes darted from side to side as he spoke. “I see,” he said with a voice of dignified calm, “Well, only time will tell.”

Leon looked at him, “Tell what?”

Simon smiled back at him, his face creasing in a web of wrinkles that radiated out from the corners of his eyes. “If you’re being a loyal friend or an idiot.”