@farnese-ojousama
The gentle pizzicato of strings and the lilting song of flute glimmered in the air. The chandeliers sparkled, blinding to behold. The hum of voices and soft laughter was a pleasant backdrop to the many couples dancing to the swell and flow of a chamber orchestra. Standing beside the glass doors that opened to the balcony, Viscount Jorcastle nursed a glass of champagne, and looked anywhere but the main event unfolding at the center of the ballroom.
He didn’t want to be here. He didn’t want to join the masses congratulating Lady Ellenstein on her recent betrothal to the hero of Finsel.
With a sigh, he turned away from the party, and walked onto the balcony overlooking the garden of the Jorcastle Estate. Perhaps if he feigned illness, his mother would let him retire early. She’d undoubtedly ask him what was going on, but it was a far lesser evil than having to look at his best friend beaming with happiness in the arms of the man he loved.
Folding his arms over the marble railing, Gonzalo sipped on his drink. From the corner of his eyes, he caught a glimpse of a woman with golden hair and bright blue eyes. He startled, swirling to stare, a tight grip on the stem of his glass.
“...Oh. I apologize.” He let out a sigh of relief as tension bled from his joints, and brushed back the lock of hair framing his face. “I mistook you for someone else.” He turned around, and took a small bow.
“I am Viscount Gonzalo of the Jorcastle family. I don’t believe we’ve met.”
