𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐄 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐀𝐍𝐘 𝐎𝐅 𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐘, polite facade and intrigue eases up from beneath the mask. idle gestures illustrates a much more enigmatic and playful maiden strolling alongside arranged amity. her courteous composure a beacon of dazzling rays and pleasing overture. she had always been expected to play the entertainer : the lone princess to be gawked at and pity, or represent interest far greater than her own. a tool to be admired / an empty gesture placed on display. it was always too tiring for her when she is left on her own. therefore, truly, it was no wonder she had rejoiced to the sound of your presence. be it a moment, or ten, it was always easier to be one of 'those unfortunate wards taken in by the mercy of the empire'. she much prefer you over the prattling of nepotism and bigotry, all hoping for the chance to claim ancestral darkness birthrights through her.
❝ oh absolutely, some maidens even starve themselves for weeks on end hoping to impress their heart's desire with expensive fabrics and overbearing perfumes. you are better off covering your nose for a bit. who knows, they might even get you by the end of the night.❞ a soft laughter blossoms from within merry lips, forgoing any shame that would arise from speaking with another. she is the way that she is now, because it is you she is currently with. lighthearted and carefree. her expression is much more natural, less guarded, and sincere. ❝ but you know hope, you have been standing with me for awhile now, commenting on other people's grand attire. ❞ she pouts almost deceptively before twirling around the light-colored gown she had also chosen many weeks prior. ❝ what about mine ? is it not to your liking ? ❞
ㅤㅤㅤ┃┃┃ @asterites, continued from here
despite all the acclaim that being the nephew of camelia claustra can bring, hope is innocently bored of grand gestures — tired of galas & charity events or any other duty that interferes with what he prefers the most, studying unearthed apocrypha & translating the scrolls left behind by the leviathan. but spending the evening at stella's side, more often than not pressed side by side, is almost worth the endless frustrations that come about from those seeking resolution.
' stella ! ' chartreuse gaze widens, properly aghast at the concept. pale mouth presses into a firm, stern line, eyebrows drawn taut as he begins his deluge of worries impressed upon her urgently. ' you better not have done anything like that ! no perfumes ! or anything else ! i'll steal that platter with those little bundt cakes & we can eat instead of dancing. ' the bridge of his freckled nose blossoms with roeseate hue. hope is acutely aware that he's being teased & falling for the bait, cheek hooked as she laughs at him. petulant pout settles itself now & he reclines, arms crossed over his expensive tux as he reclines himself. ' i thought you liked gossiping. talking about what everyone else is doing. that's all you do when we go to those cafes on the waterfront. ' the depth of the blush worsens, spreading warmly over his cheeks.
he clears his throat, nose turned the other way as he contemplates the best way to respond. stella responds best to compliments & simple pleasantries ( although he's certain if he were to bring up a certain death goddess, she might brighter than any other topic. ) yet even he is perfectly capable of rising to the occasion, shoulders squared straight. hope brushes his knuckle against his cheek. ' stella, i believe you know better than anyone that you are bewitching tonight. anyone who isn't looking at you simply doesn't realize that you're the main course. '