The flutter of feminine voices filled the parlor and mixed with the sound of clinking china. Late afternoon light fell over the tables of finely dressed women, catching on their earrings and necklaces. Soft laughter wove itself through conversations and among companions. The flowery scent of the gardens entered through the open balcony doors and settled over the room.

Gigi sat upright at her table, her teacup held delicately in her hand. Around her ladies moved and gestured with thoughtless grace. Each action was refined and beautiful as a diamond reflecting light. In comparison, Gigi felt restricted and stiff. She smiled and mimicked the relaxed manner of the ladies, but didn't feel the ease they displayed.

A few tables over, her grandmother sat with the Queen. Even from where she was, Gigi could feel the glances her grandmother sent her way. Silent reminds for Gigi to remember her training. With every look, she felt her shoulders tensing more and more. As the time moved on she found her gaze move towards the balcony, the rich blue sky inviting her out.

"Truly," Lavinia said, "there seems to be fewer noblemen of worth as each festival passes."

She rested back in her chair, the posture natural. Gigi knew if she tried to sit that way it would come off as sullen or rebellious.

"I must agree," Claudia said. "I thought Sir Clay was a man to trust, but we all saw what happened with him."

Gigi tensed at the name and took a sip from her cup, trying to look unconcerned. She felt a few glances drift her way, but she ignored them, focusing on the fruity sweetness of her tea.

"I still believe there are men worth associating with," Everly said, her voice soft but holding a weight of argument.

Voila fixed her violet eyes on Everly, a sweet condescending smile coming to her lips.

"We mean more than the Prince," she said.

Everly returned Viola's gaze with a poised expression. "I was not referring to his Highness."

"Oh? And who might you be speaking of?" Viola said. Though her tone held sincerity and curiosity, there was a look in her eyes that was mocking. A tiny frown cut into Gigi's forehead as she tried to understand the look.

"Lord Davin," Everly said, confidently.

In the blink of an eye, lips pursed with contained laughs and eyes darted to neighbors as if to share hidden jokes. The actions were so subtle and so quick Gigi didn't have time to register them, though she felt a shift.

"Everly," Claudia said, "I do not understand how you can not see that Lord Davin is a buffoon."

Everly gave no reaction to it, she merely turned her gaze to Claudia.

"You fail to see his merits," she said.

"He has no merits," Claudia said. "He hides away in the library and acts nothing like a nobleman should."

"He is smart and cares for others more dearly than he shows."

Claudia smiled, but the look struck Gigi as off somehow. "Everly, you are defending a man who cares nothing for the way of this Court." She waved her hand as if tossing aside the matter. "I will let this conversation go because you are a dear friend."

Everly returned the smile, but it lacked anything resembling friendship. She rose.

"I find the air in here to be a bit stuffy. Excuse me."

Laying her napkin on her chair, she rounded the table and walked out onto the balcony. Claudia let out a sigh.

"I do not see how," she said, "she can be so oblivious to Davin's egregious faults. He is an oaf with no place in this court."

Gigi was startled by the statement, looking to the balcony. Everly was standing at the railing and remained unaware of the comment.

"I try not to fault her for being blind," Lavinia said, "but it is hard not to. It is a failure on her part as well as his."

Claudia nodded in agreement.

"She really should hold herself in better company," Voila said, taking a sip of tea.

Claudia leaned in. "She is engaged, after all, to the Prince. She needs to think of what people she chooses to associate with."

"I agree," Lavinia said. "She is not a Lady worth much if she continues to talk with those who do not belong here." She cut an edge of cake with her fork and ate it, the movement simply elegant.

"You must agree, Genevieve," Voila said, shifting her sharp gaze to her.

Gigi found herself at a loss for words. The contradictions between the refinement of the ladies around her and the harshness in their tones were unsettling. They looked at her with bold eyes, snagging her into their talk. Gigi swallowed, her throat dry.

"I could not say," she said, her voice coming out small. "I am new to Court and find that I do not have the knowledge to speak on the matter."

The girls gave her understanding smiles. Claudia's smile was tinged with an undertone of intrigue.

"Of course," she said, clearing away her look, her tone gentle. "I must say though, what the Prince sees in her is baffling."

Voila smirked. "The second largest Estate in the kingdom is what he sees."

"A unity that will hold peace," Lavinia said.

"A marriage that is forever a burden," Claudia finished.

Gigi looked between the three girls to Everly.

"Is that really true?" she asked.

"Of course," Lavinia said. "Have you ever watched them together? There is no love there. Simply social duty."

Images of Thayer and Everly flashed in Gigi mind. In each one Thayer's posture was rigid and his expression reserved. Gigi could understand what they meant picturing his manner the day before, the way he was at ease. He never seemed to wear that untroubled smile around Everly. But he never wore that smile around any of the Court. Gigi wondered if he could still feel something without showing it.

"He is reserved around her," Gigi said. "But that does not mean he has no feelings towards her."

Voila shared an amused smile with Lavinia. "Genevieve, there is a way a man looks at the woman he adores that no amount of reservations can conceal. I have never seen that look from the Prince when he is around Everly."

Lavinia flicked her hand. "On the path of marriage, I want to know what you heard of Baron Elless's proposal to Countess Dewinter."

The girls gave out what they knew, one bit of gossip leading to the next. Gigi found herself only half listening while she processed all the new information. Eventually, the solitude that Everly had found and the sun pulled her away from the table.

Everly made no sign that she heard Gigi approach. Her blonde hair was turned golden in the sunlight. She stared out on the grounds, lost in her own thoughts. A hint of a frown translated where her mind was wandering. Gigi stopped beside her, the heat of the day tickling her skin.

Beyond the palace walls, the city was humming with activity. Colorful streamers hung between houses. More embroidered banners hung from windows and there was an air of merriment, even from the distance, Gigi could sense.

"I am not as blind as they believe," Everly said.

Gigi looked at her. Everly turned her attention to her, glanced back once, before reverting her gaze forward.

"How long have you known Davin?" Gigi asked.

The frown on Everly's face vanished.

"Most of my life," she said. "He was the strange, gangly boy who would spend hours in our family's library. I know better than most his faults. He is stubborn. Course. Blunt and unmannered." This was all said with a quiet smile in the corner of her mouth.

"A contrast to the Prince."

The smile faded, her expression shifting to a calm look. "Of course. Thayer is above reproach. Any woman who holds his attention is honored indeed."

Gigi glanced at her and away. "The same could be said for Davin as well, considering his limited tastes."

Everly's smile slipped back in. "I believe so."

They fell into silence, listening to the babble of conversations behind, the sound like the bubbling of a brook. The door to the parlor opened and a guard walked in, stopping by the Queen's table. He bowed and whispered something to her. With a response, he retreated to the door and opened it.

Thayer walked in and the noise in the room quieted as all eyes turned to him. The silence was so sudden, both Gigi and Everly turned to find the reason. Thayer nodded to the room.

"Excuse me," he said. He approached his mother and spoke with her in lowered tones.

Gigi looked to Everly, watching her expression as she looked at Thayer. Her features were unconcerned. No spark of emotions showed at all. When Thayer was finished he rose, but instead of leaving, he walked to the balcony. Both Everly and Gigi curtsied.

"Good afternoon, Lady Everly. Lady Genevieve," he said, everything about him controlled.

"Your Highness," Gigi murmured in response.

Everly said nothing, her manner composed. Thayer addressed her.

"I was hoping you would take a walk with me this evening," he asked.

"I would be pleased to," she said.

Their postures and looks said nothing of their feelings towards each other. Neither did anything in their voices depict what they were truly thinking. Gigi studied Thayer's face, looking for any sign of the man she saw yesterday. Nothing of that relaxed, unrestrained person was there. Thayer took a step back.

"I will come find you at the fifth bell," he said. He turned to Gigi. "Lady, I must ask whether you finished that book you were reading."

Gigi paused for a moment, trying to decide whether the slight inflection in his voice was imagined or not.

"I have, your Highness," she said. "I will have it sent to you."

He gave her a nod, "Thank you. I look forward to reading it."

His gaze moved back to Everly once before he left. The voices dimmed as he walked through the room then brightened as the door shut behind him. Gigi spun back to the railing, the edge of her lips curling without her knowing. Everly shifted closer to her.

"Lady Genevieve," she said, her voice finally showing a hint of emotion. "I would advise you to remember your place. There are some men that will not join your line of suitors."

Gigi's gaze snapped to Everly, but she was already walking back into the parlor, leaving Gigi alone.

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Welcome to the annual Author's Note Ball!
(Thank you Lokilover2486)

Oh by the stars! Everly just threw down! Laying claim to her man while she's in love with another! 🙊 Oh my goodness what is this madness!! But let's face it, I feel like Gigi would throw a mean punch if it came down to it.

What do we think of this new development?

Also let's just admit the terrible trio is...well terrible and we all knew they were up to no good. Gosh backstabbing baboons.

Alright, let's take a tangent that is so vastly different from this topic that you will worry about my sanity. (Haha like you weren't already worried!) Okay, here is our tangent. Does anyone feel like their shadow looks cooler than them?

For reals! In my shadow I look taller and a little like a vampire slayer with my coat open and swaying in the breeze. In reality, I look like an idiot who forgot to close their coat. Ah well, life is cruel that way.

If you were going to be one type of slayer, which kind would you be? (i.e. vampire, werewolf, muffin etc)

Girl, Fight, Balloons! (Or you know vote, comment, follow. Still worrying about my sanity, aren't you?)

Since Davin was the major topic of this chapter here is our three candidates for his casting! Choose!