Information
Tori_446_960
Legacy Name: Tori_446_960
The
Custom Arid JollinOwner:
CherishAge: 14 years, 8 months, 1 week
Born: August 24th, 2009
Adopted: 14 years, 8 months, 1 week ago (Legacy)
Adopted: August 24th, 2009 (Legacy)
Pet Spotlight Winner
February 28th, 2011
Statistics
- Level: 2
- Strength: 10
- Defense: 10
- Speed: 0
- Health: 10
- HP: 10/10
- Intelligence: 0
- Books Read: 0
- Food Eaten: 0
- Job: Unemployed
Who would have thought I'd fall for him?
~*~
"Victoria! Where have you been all day?" I turned to see my mother at the door just as I had almost finished disposing the last of the evidence of my excursion.
"Nowhere Mother," I said innocently while I discreetly shuffled my dress to cover the filthy merchant rags on the floor.
"You should be getting ready for the Ball tonight! It shall be a splendid event and you will be presented to all eligible men. You are to look perfect!" With one last suspicious look, she gathered her skirts and swept regally out of the room.
"That was close!" Maria, my maid whispered as she gently shut the door, "Lady Analise would not have been pleased if she found out where you spend your free time." She gestured for me to sit then began the tedious preparation of my hair. I rolled my eyes at her but do not answer. I wasn't really listening to her; I was musing over my latest escapade and the intriguing boy that I could not stop thinking about.
Luciano. He was as mesmerizing as the music he played. I couldn't stop thinking about him. Maybe it was his ice blue eyes, or perhaps the certain shyness he had; so different from all those over-confident, conceited lords and princes I would meet tonight, all looking for a chance to impress me.
"So... do you like it?"
I snapped out of my reverie and noticed Maria waiting for my reaction. Was she done already? I looked up at my mirror and gasped, "Maria, your hands are magical! You did a splendid job. I wonder if...I mean... Mother will not have anything to complain about." Avoiding Maria's questioning gaze, I ducked my head and scolded myself. I had almost said "I wonder if Luciano would like it." How could I be so into him? After all, I had only talked to the boy for a few minutes.
Waving my hand, I gestured for Maria to leave me alone. I needed a little time alone to collect myself. Plus, I had to get rid of that dusty robe still sitting on the floor!
~*~
"May I have this dance?"
Taking a deep breath, I put on a winning smile and turned towards the inquiring voice. In my head I groan. How many more 'eligible' men could there possibly be? I must have danced with every available male in the country... save for the one I was waiting for.
As Lord Whats-His-Face guided me around the room with his ridiculously sweaty hands, a lone figure in the corner of the hall caught my eye. I could feel my sour mood lift instantly at the arrival of the unannounced guest. Now more than ever, I prayed for the song to end so that I could get away these stifling socialites.
When the music gave way to a more sociable atmosphere, I politely removed myself from my posh company and made my way off the dance floor. As I reached him, he removed the colourful mask hiding his features. Staring up into his eyes, I smiled and said with complete honesty, "I'm so glad you could make it."
Luciano grinned shyly, his eyes darted away from mine and around the room. I watched them widen in awe. The palace ballroom is enormous, and tonight was filled to the brim with all manner of men and women from high society. Taking a deep breath, he turned his gaze back to me and attempted an elegant reply. "I-I just... Thank you. For inviting me, I mean. It's good to see you, too."
I couldn't help but giggle at his response, and my laughter growing in intensity when he blushed sweetly. Noticing several pairs of eyes staring at us from around the room, I was forced to compose myself. I grabbed the awed young man by the elbow and steered him towards the large double-doors that lead to the balcony. I had had enough of high society for one night.
Once reaching the mercifully empty balcony, I release Luciano's arm and face him. " I'm sorry for pulling you outside. I just thought this would be a better place for talking." I blushed.
"Y-yeah, it's so peaceful out here." He was still trying to look anywhere but my face.
Wishing to make him more comfortable, I tried to strike up a pleasant conversation. There was so much I wanted to know about Luciano, his musical talent, and his life in the street. Bizarrely, I found myself knowing the answer to every question I asked before he actually answered.
The atmosphere between us became less stressed as time passed. When I ran out of questions, he began to quiz me about life in the palace. Why did I like to sneak out? Did living in high society seem boring at times? He had even more to ask than me. I was enjoying our conversation, and Luciano seemed to, as well. He had become more relaxed and happy and when he laughed, music notes danced in the air around us.
"This may seem strange," Luciano said suddenly, his finally eyes meeting mine, "but I feel like I've met you before today."
I was so lost in the moment that it took me a few seconds to register his words. Startled by the odd comment, I couldn't think of a proper response. My hesitation caused Luciano to look away.
Strangely, I agreed with him. It does feel like we've known each much longer than a day; like we're connected, somehow.
"Actually, I feel the same way." I murmur, still unsure if I should share my thoughts.
"Oh. You do?" His smile returned; relieved. We stood in complete silence, staring at one another. Suddenly, he grinned foolishly, "Then our meeting must have been told in the stars. Twas destiny."
I couldn't help but scoff, "Destiny doesn't exist."
Luciano looked hurt, but before he can say anything we were interrupted by balcony doors flying open. I looked in the direction of the noise and groan inwardly when I saw my mother stride into view.
"There you are, Victoria! The Duke of Ivancress is here." Without waiting for my response, she stalked back inside.
Sighing quietly, I turn to back to my guest and smile tentatively. "I'm sorry, can we talk later?"
"Okay." He returns my smile but his eyes were shy once more. Raising one hand in farewell, he slipped past me into the night.
~*~
What did I do wrong? Hallways and paintings passed by in a blur. All I could see was his disappointed face.
"She looks like you." The Duke said, distracting me from my thoughts. I joined the man in front of the painting in question. It was a particularly old portrait; its colours were faded from both age and sunlight.
The young man and woman were lounged on a luxurious couch, smiling serenely and were obviously in love. The woman's resemblance to myself was uncanny and the man's face... was too familiar. Bewildered, I slide my gaze down to the written caption beneath the portrait. My breath left me in a startled gasp as I read the names inscribed:
Prince Luciano and his Princess Victoria
Thank yous:
ToSeifer for helping me finish the story
Togrim for the gorgeous overlay
ToPinto for the one-of-a-kind breathtaking profile
To Mree@deviantArt for letting me use her gorgeous art
"Victoria! Where have you been all day?" I turned to see my mother at the door just as I had almost finished disposing the last of the evidence of my excursion.
"Nowhere Mother," I said innocently while I discreetly shuffled my dress to cover the filthy merchant rags on the floor.
"You should be getting ready for the Ball tonight! It shall be a splendid event and you will be presented to all eligible men. You are to look perfect!" With one last suspicious look, she gathered her skirts and swept regally out of the room.
"That was close!" Maria, my maid whispered as she gently shut the door, "Lady Analise would not have been pleased if she found out where you spend your free time." She gestured for me to sit then began the tedious preparation of my hair. I rolled my eyes at her but do not answer. I wasn't really listening to her; I was musing over my latest escapade and the intriguing boy that I could not stop thinking about.
Luciano. He was as mesmerizing as the music he played. I couldn't stop thinking about him. Maybe it was his ice blue eyes, or perhaps the certain shyness he had; so different from all those over-confident, conceited lords and princes I would meet tonight, all looking for a chance to impress me.
"So... do you like it?"
I snapped out of my reverie and noticed Maria waiting for my reaction. Was she done already? I looked up at my mirror and gasped, "Maria, your hands are magical! You did a splendid job. I wonder if...I mean... Mother will not have anything to complain about." Avoiding Maria's questioning gaze, I ducked my head and scolded myself. I had almost said "I wonder if Luciano would like it." How could I be so into him? After all, I had only talked to the boy for a few minutes.
Waving my hand, I gestured for Maria to leave me alone. I needed a little time alone to collect myself. Plus, I had to get rid of that dusty robe still sitting on the floor!
"May I have this dance?"
Taking a deep breath, I put on a winning smile and turned towards the inquiring voice. In my head I groan. How many more 'eligible' men could there possibly be? I must have danced with every available male in the country... save for the one I was waiting for.
As Lord Whats-His-Face guided me around the room with his ridiculously sweaty hands, a lone figure in the corner of the hall caught my eye. I could feel my sour mood lift instantly at the arrival of the unannounced guest. Now more than ever, I prayed for the song to end so that I could get away these stifling socialites.
When the music gave way to a more sociable atmosphere, I politely removed myself from my posh company and made my way off the dance floor. As I reached him, he removed the colourful mask hiding his features. Staring up into his eyes, I smiled and said with complete honesty, "I'm so glad you could make it."
Luciano grinned shyly, his eyes darted away from mine and around the room. I watched them widen in awe. The palace ballroom is enormous, and tonight was filled to the brim with all manner of men and women from high society. Taking a deep breath, he turned his gaze back to me and attempted an elegant reply. "I-I just... Thank you. For inviting me, I mean. It's good to see you, too."
I couldn't help but giggle at his response, and my laughter growing in intensity when he blushed sweetly. Noticing several pairs of eyes staring at us from around the room, I was forced to compose myself. I grabbed the awed young man by the elbow and steered him towards the large double-doors that lead to the balcony. I had had enough of high society for one night.
Once reaching the mercifully empty balcony, I release Luciano's arm and face him. " I'm sorry for pulling you outside. I just thought this would be a better place for talking." I blushed.
"Y-yeah, it's so peaceful out here." He was still trying to look anywhere but my face.
Wishing to make him more comfortable, I tried to strike up a pleasant conversation. There was so much I wanted to know about Luciano, his musical talent, and his life in the street. Bizarrely, I found myself knowing the answer to every question I asked before he actually answered.
The atmosphere between us became less stressed as time passed. When I ran out of questions, he began to quiz me about life in the palace. Why did I like to sneak out? Did living in high society seem boring at times? He had even more to ask than me. I was enjoying our conversation, and Luciano seemed to, as well. He had become more relaxed and happy and when he laughed, music notes danced in the air around us.
"This may seem strange," Luciano said suddenly, his finally eyes meeting mine, "but I feel like I've met you before today."
I was so lost in the moment that it took me a few seconds to register his words. Startled by the odd comment, I couldn't think of a proper response. My hesitation caused Luciano to look away.
Strangely, I agreed with him. It does feel like we've known each much longer than a day; like we're connected, somehow.
"Actually, I feel the same way." I murmur, still unsure if I should share my thoughts.
"Oh. You do?" His smile returned; relieved. We stood in complete silence, staring at one another. Suddenly, he grinned foolishly, "Then our meeting must have been told in the stars. Twas destiny."
I couldn't help but scoff, "Destiny doesn't exist."
Luciano looked hurt, but before he can say anything we were interrupted by balcony doors flying open. I looked in the direction of the noise and groan inwardly when I saw my mother stride into view.
"There you are, Victoria! The Duke of Ivancress is here." Without waiting for my response, she stalked back inside.
Sighing quietly, I turn to back to my guest and smile tentatively. "I'm sorry, can we talk later?"
"Okay." He returns my smile but his eyes were shy once more. Raising one hand in farewell, he slipped past me into the night.
What did I do wrong? Hallways and paintings passed by in a blur. All I could see was his disappointed face.
"She looks like you." The Duke said, distracting me from my thoughts. I joined the man in front of the painting in question. It was a particularly old portrait; its colours were faded from both age and sunlight.
The young man and woman were lounged on a luxurious couch, smiling serenely and were obviously in love. The woman's resemblance to myself was uncanny and the man's face... was too familiar. Bewildered, I slide my gaze down to the written caption beneath the portrait. My breath left me in a startled gasp as I read the names inscribed:
Prince Luciano and his Princess Victoria
Thank yous:
To
Seifer for helping me finish the storyTo
grim for the gorgeous overlayTo
Pinto for the one-of-a-kind breathtaking profileTo Mree@deviantArt for letting me use her gorgeous art