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[center][color=BDC9FF][sup][b]Former-Knight | Shield-Maiden of Vertiron | Noblewoman[/b][/sup][/COLOR][/center][hr][INDENT][INDENT][sup]
[color=BDC9FF][b]TIME:[/b] [i]Evening[/i] | [b]LOCATION:[/b] [i]Chateau de Monfort[/i] | [b]INTERACTION:[/b] [i]King Theodoro[sub][@Congee][/sub], Queen Theresa Corelli[sub][@Silence Sounds][/sub][/i][/COLOR][/sup][/INDENT][/INDENT]

Alice stared despondently into the full-length mirror that gave a vivid reflection of her finished look for the evening. She sported a simple gown — a charming neckline that came up to her collarbones and wrapped around her arms to fully expose her broad, toned shoulders. The gown was a deep red color with white, laced trimming along the skirt and the neckline. Golden buttons lined up the corset of the gown, matching the golden jewelry that she paired the dress with. Alice was sure to emphasize a non-poofy skirt since she never liked to attract attention to her discomfort in formal attire. Although she felt the look exposed her masculine features enough, it was completed with an elegant updo to prevent her from trying to hide in her mane of golden locks.

She sighed as a knock on the door sounded through her natural-lit chambers and broke her melancholic moment, "M'lady," a soft, maid's voice followed the delicate knock, "I've been told to make sure you're all right."

With a deep breath, Alice turned to walk out the door, startling the short maid as she faced her, [color=BDC9FF]"Tell my father that he needn't worry and that I'm heading there now."[/color] She ended with a gentle smile. With that, the maid gave a simple bow before turning on her heel and leaving to do as she was ordered.

Since Alice's quarters were not far from the event, she decided to walk through the courts to get there. With each dreadful step, she tried to dismiss her nervous feelings and replace them with care-free ones. Alice was never the type to delve within the rumors and gossips of the nobles -- she had no interest in it, nor did she have the time for it. Although, now that she's been unable to participate within the military affairs, she has a great amount of time on her hands. Nonetheless, she doesn't plan on filling it with the stereotypical dramas of the noble life. On that matter, it was suggested, and encouraged, that Alice were to attend this years ball for the sake of her new beginning as a noblewoman, rather than a militant. 

Once she reached the Chateau, she could hear the sounds of the music and the chatter of the nobles inside, booming out from the tall windows and echoing through the beautiful courts. The architecture of the building never ceased to amaze Alice every time that she'd come across this building, but her girlish dream of attending balls in exquisite gowns was always beneath her lionhearted spirit and her longing to protect. Now, given the opportunity to live a different lifestyle, she felt anxious and unprepared — taken from where she felt most comfortable and thrown to a den of wolves in which she couldn’t readily defend herself.

"There you are," an older man's voice sounded, stirring up a sense of safety from such a comforting, familiar voice.

Alice turned, a smile stretching across her rosy cheeks as she eyed the man's tall, brawny stature that would intimidate nearly every audience. Though it wasn't just his muscular build, it was his military uniform that he sported with several adornments of badges and insignias that all displayed his high status and devotion to Virtiron. [color=BDC9FF]"Father,"[/color] she sighed in relief, walking closer to take his arm in hers as they entered inside, [color=BDC9FF]"I didn't know you were going to be attending as well."[/color]

"I couldn't leave you to be so miserable with the rest of the nobles," he replied with a heartfelt chuckle as they pressed onwards. Alice tripped slightly, staggering a bit from keeping a quick pace compared to her father’s, seeming to have overlooked his cane that he required to support himself. Thus, she moved slower until they finally reached the doors. Her father looked to the guard with a nod as they were announced in a respectful manner. Her father being introduced as 'Military General Sebastian Allaire' and Alice as his daughter 'Lady Alice'.

The announcement of their names were enough to turn heads and stir about gossip from Alice's participation within the army. It was shocking to many to see her out of the comfort of her armor and dressed, instead, in a formal attire with expensive material and jewelry. Although she is easily unrecognizable, the announcement of her name gave away her identity to save from people’s confusion. However, the nobles believe that she isn't worthy of owning a noble title since she has no true significance to political matters, but she was given the title by the respect of the people since they appreciated her accomplishments and victories. Alice couldn’t help but scoff, [color=BDC9FF]"I'm already ready to leave this dreaded place." [/color]

Alice's father rubbed her arm reassuringly, trying to keep her spirits high, "They just don't know you, yet."

Alice shook her head and took this time to gaze around at the diversity of the room, eying the people of the many other countries that she would've once seen as her enemies. This left her feeling subconsciously defensive, taking in the appearances of any figure that could be of any future threat. She quirked a brow at the sight of the King of Euhijan, definitely being a rare sight to see due to the tension that dated back for years. Alice's eyes scanned past the other Euhijan nobles to meet with a blatantly obvious Lygarthien since he proudly fashioned his heavy fur -- another individual that casts an aura of apprehension, backed by a history of clashing with Virtiron. Her eyes finally darted to a familiar, heartwarming sight at Sir Fontaine, a person that would actually know and respect Alice.

Before she knew it, she was stepping up to meet with King Theodoro and his mother, a moment that she wasn't quite prepared for. A rush of memories resurfaced and took over her mind, dating back to when Alice and King Theodoro would play as children, all the way to when she fell for his charm and kindness that only seemed to grow with age. Each moment away from him seemed to chip away at her heart like an axe to the trunk of a tree, until it would eventually break -- but the numbness and her once-busy lifestyle helped her dismiss this terrible feeling. Now, as she was about to stand before him, she became harshly reminded of what her life was like prior to her military participation - a passionate and genuine longing to be with the King, a crush that she couldn't shake off. As the group in front of them passed, she stepped forward with her crippled father and faced the rush of memories, the lingering heartbreak, the vulnerability - she faced him.

Alice looked deep into his eyes and stared past his royal attire, past his throne, and past his crown to become lost in an abundant series of childhood times that reminded her of the innocence that they once shared. She couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment from being ashamed of the woman that she became instead of a woman more fit for a King. Seeing King Theodoro well-suited within his chair with gifts lying around him made Alice mesmerized and enthralled by his status which only added to his charm, setting a near-impossible standard for any lucky woman to be his bride. It seemed that Alice could only dream of being in that position, but for this moment, she let the reality hit her like the trampling stampede of Euhijan’s calvary.[color=BDC9FF] “Theo,”[/color] she would mumble under her breath, nearly inaudible as a mixture of bitter-sweet emotions broke through to her expression, causing her brows to furrow and her lips to bend.

Alice’s father nudged her to break the moment of silence that seemed to last for hours to Alice. She took a quick breath,[color=BDC9FF] “I apologize, Your Majesty,”[/color] she spoke with a shaky voice, bowing her head slightly and moving her eyes away towards the ground. Alice reached into a hidden pocket on her dress, pulling out a necklace with a dazzling, gold chain that complimented the big and shining emerald stone that was socketed beautifully. She offered it with both of her hands in respect,[color=BDC9FF] “A bright, emerald jewel that was mined from the great mountains of Lygarthia. I came across this rarity on a conquest not too long ago —  I figured it’d be an excellent gift as it’s said to help bring prosperity.”[/color] Alice smiled gently, refusing to look into his eyes as he would accept the gift. Due to a long line of nobles awaiting his welcome, they were rushed aside to join the party and celebration.

Alice’s father gave her a confused expression, “Maybe I shouldn’t ask what that was about.”

Alice simply shook her head as they sat an empty table towards the edge of the room.