The royal palace of the Belkan capital was not most famous for housing the Kaiser's political decisions. It was not most famous for housing the mighty knights of Belka either, and of course it wasn't famous for holding the chief Adviser to the Kaiser, who the people were apt to forget. No, the royal palace was known for it's parties. It was known for it's grand, elaborate, extravagant and, most importantly, expensive parties.
Anyone who was anyone (and that was practically no one in comparison to the population of the empire) attended. Lords and ladies left their lands, traveling foolish distances, just for the chance to be in the Kaiser's court for the night. They came in droves, by aircraft when they could and by carriage when they couldn't. The palace hired extra staff, simply for that single night.
The palace ballroom was a massive sight indeed. It could easily fit the castles of numerous lords inside and still have room for an orchestra. The entire room was gilded a gaudy gold . The ceiling was decorated with the images of innumerous cherubim, angels, and other various winged creatures of overtly innocent persuasion. At least one hundred chandeliers hung from the ceiling, each with a thousand crystals hanging off of it and glistening above the twirling dancers below.
The dancers were as showy as the room. The women wore gowns that took a dozen maids to get into and the men were even more fantastic in their attire. To their credit, this was the only time when anyone could be seen in front of all of Belkan society. Reds, greens, and golds waltzed in tune, in front of the ball rooms massive windows. There was nothing but cheer and merriment for nearly everyone. Nearly.
Tucked away in one of the great ballroom's corners, one of the two as far from the grand musicians as possible, was the first of the Kaiser's advisers. She watched with an amused look, at the eager nobles. Every young man tried his best to earn the hand of a young lady and though the young ladies tried their best to look disinterested when the young men looked, the ladies' gazes were only on the men when their backs were turned.
It was a comedy of sorts and like all comedies, it was guaranteed to end well. They would find pleasure in each others arms, that is, until they wore their feet off. Even then, the night would be looked on with happy memories.
The older members of the party used their time to play match maker among the youths, though the youths had no desire of their services.
“Surely, this is not where you've been the entire party Kaon?”
Kaon shook her head most seriously to the speaker, “Of course not my Kaiser.” Kaon bowed her head slightly. “Just earlier I was in the opposite corner.”
Kaiser Olivie Sagebrecht sighed in a most unqueenly way. “Honestly, you're ridiculously, why would you do such a thing?”
“Well it was getting rather noisy in that corner.”
“THAT is not-” Olivie's voice raised a tad too high. She cleared her throat and waited for noisy others to look away. She moved closer and hissed in a low voice, “what I meant.”
“My apologies for taking you at your word then.”
Olivie looked as though she were about to throw her hands up from exasperation. “I know only your polite manner keeps you from avoiding these parties but you could at least attempt to have fun.” Olivie looked over her adviser and nearly sighed again, “And I know you have something else beside your uniform in your closet.”
Kaon brushed off the blue garments belonging to one serving the Kaiser directly, they were a tad fancier than her everyday wear, though Olivie didn't notice that. “I'm sorry, but ballroom gowns do not suit me.”
“Then why aren't you wearing what Lord Ingvalt had his tailors make? Unless trousers do not suit you as well, in which case you should know we don't allow nudists in the ballroom.”
“I could not wear such a kind gift. It is far above my station to accept it, I have tried to return it but Lord Ingvalt will not take it.”
“Above your station?” Olivie clicked her tongue, “A gift between friends doesn't know rank, Kaon.”
“With all due respect,” Kaon took care with her words, “you only say so because you have the privilege of thinking so.”
Olivie waved her off, “Your problem is that you don't have nearly enough pleasure in your life.”
Kaon attempted to interrupt, “I hardly think that is the ca-”
“This,” Olivie cast her arm around the room, “is a ball, Kaon. Though you seem not to have noticed. At balls, one must dance.” A determined, sly smile filled the Kaiser's face, “I'm going to find you a dance partner.”
“Kaiser,” Kaon's eyes grew wide and her words fast, “there is no need for any such thin-”
“Hush.” Olivie tapped her chin, “Who to choose, who to choose? You tell me so little of your tastes...” Olivie's eyes stopped, “What about Sir Reiniger?”
Kaon scoffed but with a look from Olivie, made her position clearer, “he is near twice my size. I will give that there is no better dancer on this floor, but I do not care for following.”
“Then you will be perfectly happy dancing with children,” Olivie giggled, “Because I don't think there's a single person in her-” Then something dawned on Olivie.
Something crawled up Kaon's spine, she didn't like the look on Olivie's face. “Whatever you are thinking, I suggest you stop. I have no doubt it will cause nothing but trouble.”
“Ixpellia!” Olivie completely ignored her adviser's worries, “You hate to follow and she is the perfect height for you to lead her.”
A mix of emotions not easily named, filled Kaon, though none of them showed on her face, she was not as easily read as the Kaiser. “I assure you there is no need. I have no want of any partner, I am fine as I am, and, more important and pressingly, pleased as I am.”
“Your mouth may say no, but your heart tells the truth,” Olivie teased, “you may hide it but you are a girl underneath it all. And just like any other you want to sweep across the floor in the arms of your love.”
“I must ask you, your grace, not to make such generalizations and include myself in them,” Kaon spat as politely as she could. “I wish for no such thing.”
“I will hear none of it. If you will not do it as my friend perhaps you will do it as an order from the Kaiser. Doesn't the sight of Ixpellia sitting on the side, all alone, strike at your very soul?”
“If I am not mistaken she has danced the last three dances and is likely tired, not suffering from want of a partner as you would have her be. You paint her as a lonely soul but she was dancing with Sir Adon just a mere moment ago. I would be loathe to steal her away.”
“Quit with your excuses, Sir Adon has moved on to another lady and I will not have Ix sit alone.” Olivie used her size to her advantage and pushed Kaon away from the security of the corner and towards the orange haired girl Kaon seemed determined to keep from.
Kaon started forward than paused and looked over her shoulder, “I suppose you are going to watch and ensure I do as you say?”
Olivie shrugged, “Why should I? I have no doubt in your loyalty and faithfulness in my commands, no matter what they are.”
Kaon could not argue. Unfortunately, Olivie was entirely and absolutely correct in her trust, Kaon would do as she asked, regardless of the adviser's own feelings. Not that her true feelings were so unlike the Kaiser's desires, but Kaon couldn't let the Kaiser know
that. If Olivie found out, well quite simply, there would never be a single moment of peace for Kaon ever again.
The adviser continued forward pausing briefly to great and make nice with a few nobles before reaching the girl she'd tried her best to avoid. Ixpellia did not notice her at first, her attention was fixed on Olivie, who had just waltzed by in the arms of some lord Kaon couldn't be bothered to remember.
Kaon cleared her throat, Ixpellia turned. She couldn't hide her surprise at Kaon's interruption. It was clear that whoever she expected it hadn't been Kaon.
“Adviser Kaon? I'm sorry I did not see you there.” She made to leave her chair but Kaon stopped her.
“You must pardon my poor manners.” Kaon bowed deeply at the waist. “And I must beg your forgiveness.”
“For what offense must I forgive?” This time Ixpellia left her chair and furrowed her brow in confusion.
“There have been at least eight dances,” Kaon offered her hand, “And I have yet to ask you for one.”
The orange haired king's mouth formed a little 'o' before slowly turning into a smile. She placed a white, gloved, hand in Kaon's, “I would be honored.”
Kaon guided Ixpellia onto the floor, “You still remember, I suppose, how to dance?”
Ixpellia's left arm wrapped tightly around Kaon's right shoulder, “You forget...” There was something in Ixpellia's eyes Kaon simply could not read. “It has not been as long for me, as it has been for you.”
“My apologies,” Kaon brushed back a strand of her own white hair before gently, but no less firmly than Ixpellia, placing her arm on Ixpellia's back. “But you cannot imagine, how long it has been for me.”
~~~
Olivie hated dancing with men who's names she couldn't remember. She knew for a fact she was supposed to remember the name of Lord Whatshisface who was currently dragging her across the floor with all the grace of a drunken mule. But he was so dull, he kept going on and on about land's produce, as if that was the perfect topic to entertain a young lady. It didn't help that he was a great deal older and less handsome than herself.
The young Kaiser stared at the orchestra, willing them to hurry the song along so she could find some excuse to move on to a better, and far more entertaining, dancer. She had no lack of willing volunteers.
To her pleasure she didn't have to suffer much more of his company, the song ended and she was free to find another partner, and check on how her little matchmaking scheme was working out.
“Could I have the pleasure of another dance?”
Or not.
Lord WhoReallyCares offered his hand again, almost as quickly as Olivie had dropped it. It wasn't as though she couldn't refuse him, but rather she didn't want to appear rude. As Kaiser she had to be kind to everyone, regardless of how unpleasant the idea was.
“Pardon my intrusion.”
The intruder's voice was instantly recognized. It was as though the heavens had parted and an angel had descended to save Olivie from her boredom.
“I wonder if I might steal away her majesty for a dance.”
Lord StillCan'tRemember grudgingly bowed his head and stepped away. It didn't matter if he wanted to or not, even a lord could not refuse a prince.
“You are my hero,” Olive happily giggled as she practically fell into the soon to be King Ingvalt's arms. “Had you not come I would have been subjected to another lesson on his cabbages.”
“Well we can't allow the Kaiser to be bored,” Ingvalt led her into a position more useful for dancing, though he held her just a tad closer than was proper. “For who knows what mischief she would get into.”
“I assure you I have done nothing but the most noblest of, well as you call it, mischief.”
He raised an eyebrow, “Olivie,” he spoke in a low, warning voice, “what have you done?”
The young ruler shrugged and brushed off his worries in a light voice, “Nothing you would not approve of.”
“If you say that, then I most definitely will not approve of it.”
“There is nothing wrong with a bit of matchmaking,” Olivie insisted.
They spun round and round, but that did not stop their tongues. Ingvalt bent his head down closer to Olivie's ear, “But there is everything wrong with you doing it.”
Olivie opened her mouth to respond to such an insult but Ingvalt continued before she could.
“You think in terms of hearts and affection, while the rest of the world thinks only of property and title.”
“Perhaps the rest should think like me.”
Ingvalt did not voice anything to the contrary to Olivie's amusement. “But until they do you will create nothing but trouble. Tell me, who are the two poor souls?”
“You know them well,” Olivie said with a smirk, “Kaon and Ixy.”
Ingvalt groaned, “Kaon and Ixpellia? That is a match that would perhaps be ideal in different circumstances, I will grant you that. But in the reality that we face? It is your silly romantic ways that guide you, Olivie, nothing more.”
“What could be more perfect? My beloved sister and my dear adviser. They are entirely suited for each other. Where Kaon is quiet and solemn, Ix is gentle and caring. Her warm heart makes up for Kaon's cold personality. Neither have a great love of the usual pleasures. They will both outlive you and I and everyone else. And most importantly I believe there to be mutual affection between the two. Have you not seen how Kaon looks at Ixy when she thinks no one is looking? It is most certainly the forlorn look of a lonesome lover. And Ixy's face rises and falls with Kaon's entrances and exits.”
Ingvalt sighed, his brow fell sadly, “I will not deny that I believe there is affection and perhaps even love between the two, but your plan will do nothing but undo their careful work. The two obviously must be trying to snuff out such feelings and yet you wish for them to be drudged to the surface.”
“Love should never be squashed,” Olivie asserted simply.
“It will only end sadly, Olivie, you must see that. Ix cannot remain here, no matter how much you and I, and perhaps Kaon, love her. She is the king of her own nation and must live there. Kaon will not leave you, for, no matter how strong her love, her loyalty is far stronger.”
“Then I will force her,” Olive decided.
“And you will do her the gravest insult. She has served your line for nearly as long as it has existed. You must understand, a match between an adviser and a king is destined to fail.”
“Just like a match between a king and a kaiser can't?”
She knew from his look that he very much wanted nothing more than to kiss her at that very moment. Part of her wished he would just do it but the more reasonable part told her this was definitely not the right time to unveil that particular part of her life to the court.
Their dancing slowed and he settled for leaning his forehead against hers for a moment, “I will make this work somehow.” They fell back into the faster dancers around them. “Every man in this room would fight to the death for a chance to dance with you.”
Olivie shook her head with a laugh. “It is only because I am the Kaiser.”
“No,” Ingvalt whispered in her ear, “they fight because you are beautiful, it is to the death because you are the Kaiser.”
“And what of you? Would you fight for me?”
“I would not fight because you are beautiful or the Kaiser. I would fight because you are Olivie and most importantly I would fight because I am madly in love with you.”
“You flatter me far too much.” Olivie's face was a pleased pink shade, “Were you not just calling me silly a moment before?”
“You are silly,” He insisted, “and I love you despite and for it.”
They danced in pleasant silence. It was the quiet of comfortable old friends and happy young lovers. Though there were noises and sights all around them, their eyes and ears belonged only to each other. Well mostly at least.
“Well now, see the fruits of your labor, Olivie, they're dancing together.”
Olivie sighed at the sight, “If only Kaon weren't so stiff, I thought Sir Reiniger had taught her to stop that but apparently not.” Her disposition grew happier, “At least they are a rather suitable couple.”
“It helps that Ix is perhaps the only one above the age of ten Kaon can look suitable with.”
~~~
Ixpellia had not forgotten many things. She had not forgotten the warmth of Kaon's hand, always warmer than her own. She had not forgotten how Kaon always smelled of the peppermint leaves the adviser habitually chewed. She had definitely not forgotten how formal, proper and stiff Kaon was most of the time. But she had, however, forgotten how insufferably silent Kaon could be.
Ix had tried twice to chat about the weather, a boring but neutral topic, and both times Kaon had curtly replied and fallen back into silence. The white haired woman could have tried, that was the least Ix was owed. Ix didn't let her annoyance show though. She'd keep trying until Kaon gave.
“How long had it been since I was last awake?” It was a genuine question as well as a conversation starter, at least she hoped.
“Nearly one hundred and fifty years,” was Kaon's reply. She didn't expand and had the full intention of stopping the conversation with that.
Ix allowed a moment of silence before trying again. “It's been a long time since we've danced like this then, hasn't it?”
Kaon let out a neutral sigh, “For you it has only been a few years, for me it has been a century and a half. But I would venture to say nothing has changed.”
“How true,” Ix grasped on the thin but existant, thread of conversation Kaon had thrown out. “The room has different faces in it, it's nearly identical to then isn't?” Ixpellia looked around the room, “same songs, same dances, same room, I think you're even wearing the clothes.”
“I will not deny it.” Kaon tried to keep a straight face, as did Ix, but they both broke into quiet laughter nonetheless. “A thousand years may pass but this empire will stay the same.”
“I'm glad,” Ixpellia nodded, “because every time I wake up I'm afraid the whole world will have changed while I was asleep. It's comforting to see things that haven't changed.”
Kaon chuckled, “do you realize the two of us cannot seem to have an original conversation? We had this very conversation right after we met. You told me you feared sleeping because you hated waking up.”
“And you told me...” Ix trailed off, her cheeks growing red. “Yes, I remember.” Ix smiled to herself. “I suppose when you know someone for a long time you start to lose things to talk about.”
“On the contrary, I think you gain countless more things to say.”
They fell into a silence again. It was a much more companionable silence than the previous one though. The two focused on their dance, it was not a graceful nor elegant one. Kaon had technical skill but little grace, while Ix had natural grace but no skill, between the two of them they came out perfectly average.
“It occurred to me, just now. I never did tell you, did I?” Kaon slowed down her pace until they were hardly moving at all.
Ix gave her a puzzled look, “You never told me what?”
Kaon's expression grew warm. “Good morning, Little King.”