Elena smiled, accepting the glass of champagne as it was handed to her. She took a sip, hesitant to go out onto the balcony. She truly wanted to, but it would be improper of her to spend so much time with just one person. She was meant to drift from guest to guest, smiling, talking, and moving on. Staying with Lady Jacquelyn would be unwise, especially given that she was from such an unknown house. It would reflect poorly on her skills as a hostess, and it was not practical nor effective from a political standpoint. That the duchess was asking this of her in the first place was rather strange. However, Elena found herself wanting to forget the proper manners and polite conduct of court and nobility around Lady Jacquelyn. The princess could not help but feel intrigued, drawn in by the sheer vibrancy that Lady Jacquelyn exuded. When she smiled, it was not the blank, polite expression of politics and diplomacy. It was a true smile, an actual display of enjoyment. She seemed so full of life.

“I suppose I could use some fresh air,” said Elena. Turning away from the party, she headed towards the far side of the room. Moving through the double doors onto the balcony was like stepping into a different world. There was no one else with them, no nobles nor servants. The sound of music and voices faded away, leaving them completely alone. It was ever so slightly cool, and the night air felt wonderful after the heat of being inside. Elena walked over to the edge of the balcony, setting her glass of champagne aside and leaning on the cool stone of the balustrade with her elbows. The balcony they were on overlooked the castle gardens, normally a spectacular sight. But darkness had long since fallen, and the real view was up above. Countless stars twinkled in the sky, sparkling like thousands of diamonds. The moon was full that night, and its light shone down on them, making Elena’s porcelain skin look almost as if it glowed. Her blue eyes gazed up at the sky thoughtfully.

“The sky is so beautiful tonight,” Elena said with a small sigh. “You know,” she added quietly. “In my chambers, there is a great window that offers an almost perfect view of the stars. I often stay up late into the night simply looking out. There is something so enchanting about a sky full of stars, but I also find the sight to be rather...lonely. It is so magnificent, so exciting, yet it is so distant, so unreachable. It will always be up there, and I will always be down here, allowed only to look on from afar.” Her voice sounded almost sad, her eyes mournful.

Suddenly she glanced over at the duchess. She had nearly forgotten that she was speaking to a foreign dignitary. Embarrassed by having said something that felt so personal, Elena quickly straightened, a blush lightly coloring her cheeks. She smoothed her hands over her skirt, her face falling back into the carefully distant, polite expression it had shown previously. “If you will please excuse me, Lady Jacquelyn,” she said, “for I really should be going back inside now.”

She averted her eyes, looking away from the duchess as she turned to leave.