As far as fancy parties went, this one had been...okay. A bit of a bummer with Lady Nel's sorrows and Lady Embla's anger casting a pall over things, but at least the former had cheered up upon meeting with the Divine Dragon. Not her Divine Dragon, but she seemed to know the one who'd been summoned here. Princess Sharena was having a good time, but Princess Veronica wouldn't leave her side and seemed uncomfortable with everything.

And Prince Alcryst...he looked so incredibly dashing in his new clothes, but he continued to brush away any compliments and look for a place to hide.

Earlier, he'd gushed about how pretty Lapis looked in such a fancy dress, telling her how it brought out her best features, while downplaying how his suit brought out his own and how his weapon suited his musical talents. Even in the final mock battle he'd told her he'd reflect her beauty, rather than accepting his own.

But it's still just the dress he thinks is pretty, it's got to be. Lapis had never thought of herself as ugly, but she knew she was plain compared to the likes of Citrinne and Chloé and Princesses Ivy, Celine, and Hortensia. If nothing else, she was "cute", and still on the lower end of that scale.

She didn't mind, of course, she had other things to worry about than her looks. But she couldn't deny it felt good to hear Prince Alcryst compliment her.

Currently, Lapis sat alone in one of the gardens, needing a break from all the dancing and other revelry. She'd danced with Rosado, Etie, Citrinne, a male incarnation of the Divine One, even Prince Diamant (much to their mutual regret; even being among so many dancers in Askr hadn't improved his skill). But Prince Alcryst had pointedly avoided the dance floor.

Don't worry, Lapis! It's just like Cindrella, your Prince will come soon!

But when she turned to the side, she noticed she wasn't alone. Prince Alcryst peeked over his shoulder and squeaked.

"Lapis! I'm so sorry, I didn't realize someone was already here! I'll find somewhere else to hide, like a hole in the ground or a mud cave, I'm not worthy of-"

"Prince Alcryst."

"S-sorry, I know you hate when I-" He cut himself off. "Um, let's start over. Hello, Lapis, I guess you've had enough of the noise as well?" She smiled a little.

"It's a bit much after a while. Plus, I needed to rest my feet." She paused. "Er, not that I was implying anything!"

"No, it's..." Alcryst sighed. "It's fine. I realize now just how rude it was for me to avoid you. I just saw all those other people wanting to dance with you and thought it best I didn't get in your way," he said. "Honestly, I wasn't surprised, with the way you look...you were the most beautiful bride at the festival."

Her cheeks flushed, and she forced herself to maintain eye contact.

"I don't know about that..."

"You were." He swallowed. "But...Lapis, I've always thought you were pretty, even before I saw you in that dress." Her heart skipped a beat, her whole face heating up now.

"Prince Alcryst...truly?"

"Yes," he said quietly. "Ever since I met you. And the two of us being picked to participate together only affirmed what..." He blushed, looking down, nervously toying with the flower on his lapel. "How I've felt about you for a long time."

"Oh...oh, Prince Alcryst, I..." She'd be lying if she claimed she hadn't been hoping he'd tell her such a thing, but she'd always tried to downplay her feelings. Even if she knew Alcryst liked her just the way she was, poor upbringing and all, she'd always felt there was a line retainers shouldn't cross in their relationships with their lieges.

She'd never considered that maybe the liege might feel the same way.

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to overwhelm you!" Alcryst cried, but Lapis shook her head, taking his hands and smiling.

"Prince Alcryst, you're the one I've been wanting to dance with this whole time. Not that I didn't have fun with everyone else, but...well, I was starting to wonder if I should ask you myself. I just didn't want to seem too forward or anything."

He smiled back at her, helping her up and placing a hand on her cheek.

"If you'd asked me, I'd have said yes in a heartbeat."

"Well, then..." She couldn't help but laugh, the heat in her face calming down into a warm, fuzzy feeling throughout her body. "Prince Alcryst, will you dance with me?" He took her hand and kissed it.

"I would be honored."

Outside, in the peace of the garden, with no audience, they danced to no music. They'd go back to the festival eventually, but for now, they were the only two people in a smaller world, and Lapis had never felt more like a Princess.