Vain 3 Banque

Slowly ascending the steps to the small platform. A single face stepped into the spotlight of the chandelier, a little girl, her pale blue dress fluttered with her light steps, lips pressed into a thin expressionless line. The audience only watched with interest as the girl led herself towards the grand piano, before settling in the seat.

Taking in a deep breath, the girl placed her hands on the keys, starting the first note to her song. Her fingers glided across the instrument, years of learning, studying and perfecting flashed in her eyes. It was as if the instrument itself was an extension of her.

As the song continued, the tempo gained momentum. The music flooded the room, filling every crack and corner to the brim, and overflowing once there were no places left for it to breach. The audience was lost in a daze of emotions, their spirit and soul overflowed and their voices were caught in their throats in shock. As the music excited the scene, slowly and as peacefully as it had came.

Seconds pa.s.sed as the audience regained their senses, looking up at the spotlighted platform, they could see the girl stand before them. Bowing for the end of her rendition.

And once again they were snapped into sense, as the audience stood up in a fiery, clapping as if their life depended on it.

Lifting her head from bowing, the girl's lips quirked up in a small smile. As she turned to leave the stage, her footsteps retraced the path she had already walked.

❅

Aileene didn't hate banquets, hate is too strong of a word. She might dislike some parts of it, but she enjoys other parts. The foods were always acceptable, the music was simple and easy on the ears. It was just the people; aristocrats, n.o.bles and their children. They were nothing, but invasive and overly annoying.

Sure, she knew they wanted to make alliances, bargains, trades. Anything to help them succeed. It was how things were run, flowery words filled with praises in turn for a small penny of power. It didn't bother her in actuality, she wasn't one of those justified and upright judge of society. If that's what needs to be done, then let it be done. It had nothing to do with her, so she had no qualms. 

But it was annoying nonetheless to hear shallow words of affirmation, when all she wanted was her own company. Which would be happily welcome, especially now when girls were gathered around her for small talk and gossip.

"Aileene, what do you think?" A beautiful little girl with long silver hair and golden eyes turned to her with a bubbly smile. As she holds her red dress in her hands and gives a quick spin to show it off.

"Princess, you look beautiful." Aileene replied gently, returning her own pretty smile. It had been a bit after her performance and it was time for the dining. A time where people stood in circles and groups, talking and socializing. Even children took to making friends and connection with a similar outlook, power stuck to power. Which she could easily see in her current circle, that includes Ruby Emerin the young princess of Austrion and the esteemed Xi Faber, fiancée of the Capra House's heir, Seti Capra.

Which was none other than a member of the heroine's harem. In that vein of thought, they were all rivals and if power stuck to power, their roles in the game seemed to have deemed them friends. Though whether it was friendship in the sense of true companionship or just shallow scheming, she'd have to see. 

"Aileene, you're such a talented pianist! Your performance was amazing." Xi spoke in admiration, as she joined in the conversation. Though the aforementioned performance none other than the piano piece Aileene had played as a gift for the Queen's birthday, which was the reason for the whole royal banquet.

"It's nothing impressive." Aileene laugh gingerly, taking another sip of her drink.

It was hard tedious work to perfect the piece, and performing it for people to judge was even more gruelling. But she would rather leave it as memories of the past, afterall she had gotten it over with. And she was now free from that responsibility, just until the next piece she would have to perform. At that thought her mind began to wonder what her next piece would be as she glance to the dance floor, where the music had already begun with couples waltzing about in circles.

"Aileene, do you know who your fiancé will be?" Ruby asked curiously,   when she saw the girl before her glancing at the couples dancing, mindlessly.

"I don't know currently, but I think it will be decided later on." Aileene turned back to the young princess, a bit surprised at her sudden question.

Wasn't Ruby just two years younger than her? It was a bit young to already be thinking about marriage. But it was just the mindset of this world, wasn't it? It made her wonder how a world completely individualized and independent in it's ideals would be. A world that was real and modern.

"Do you have someone in mind then?" Xi asked a mischievous smile gracing her lips, as she lean in for only the two girls to hear.

"I don't, but the princess might have someone in mind." Aileene responded quickly, pushing the question off to the unsuspecting princess. She didn't enjoy being the subject of gossip, so it was better in her mind if someone else just takes the bullet. And the princess just happened to be the victim.

"I definitely don't." The blushing Ruby replied just as quickly when she was caught off guard. She couldn't help but break out in a bit of a nervous sweat, her flight instinct nugding at her. 

"That's a lie, just tell us. We won't tell anyone else, promise." Xi urged, her voice clearly displaying her growing curiosity. Earlier, she had shot the question and the princess took the bullet. So she had to investigate to the end, it wasn't fair if she was just left in the dark.

"I have somewhere to go, I think my parents are calling me." Ruby answered Xi's push, trying to hide her tomato red face as she hurriedly scurry away from the two of them. Her mind blaming her stupid reflexes for displaying all her feelings on her face.

"You embarra.s.sed her." Aileene smiled at the unravelling event, her eyes following the red girl trying to escape. She was entertained to say the least, the young girl had been easily teased. And she obviously reveal her secret to both Xi and her.

"I was just curious." Xi stated defensively, also watching Ruby dashing out. Her thoughts aligning themselves along Aileene, as her curiosity sparks for the princess's secret.

"Well, I'll be going for a walk. You don't have to go with me." Aileene drank the remaining bit of punch she had left. As she excused herself, even though the small bit of gossip was interesting. She was quickly getting tired of the social interactions.

Afterall, on an average, normal day she wouldn't even have to speak full sentences. Nodding and simple responses seemed to do the job well. Here she had to pretend she wanted to talk, and she was exhausting her acting energy. So she needed an out. And her out was going to be exploring by herself.

❅

1.) What's your favourite animal?

Answer:

Turtles, hence my name. And also because they're really cute, have you seen one?? They're so slow and they're slow. I also heard they're evil and that's perfect for me.

2.) What types of book you bitterly despise? Wattpad, Published Novel, anything.

Edit: I didn't really like how the original chapter was written, so I decided to rewrite some parts of it. Choose to reread if you care! •^•