Heading back to the party to try and find Ana

"So who were you before?" You ask Eve as the two of you start walking.

"Does it matter?" Eve asks with an uncomfortable sigh. "All she can think of is how her life ended." Delilah said softly reaching over to take your hand. "I'd rather live in this life than the past." Eve said pulling her hand away. "And I still want to talk to Anastasia about that contract."

You gave her a soft smile and nodded. "So long as you accept that she wasn't being malicious when she gave it to me." That had been rather thoroughly proven at this point, Anastasia might not be as aware of other people as you would like but you don't believe she is malicious, just determined.

Eve looked at you for a moment before taking you hand. "I will trust your judgement." They rubbed their thumb over your hand affectionately. "Do you think they have food around here?" Delilah asked with a smile. You laughed and they squeezed your hand. "No seriously where's the food?" Eve asked after a moment and the three of you laughed.

the walk back to the front of the palace was helped by the din of the party. That closeness made you slow down. Anastasia is engaged. What should you do? She'd always said she wanted to handle this herself but since she and her mother had a fight yesterday the current state of affairs might be because she was handling things herself. How could you go about ending an engagement? Well first step is talking to Anastasia. You steel yourself and continue. Delilah was nervously by your side while you thought when you started walking again you felt their body shift as Eve took over. You felt bad for Delilah she was going through a lot in a very short period of time, you're glad she has Eve to help.

Walking into the throng of guest you hadn't looked much at them when you arrived. Now that you know this is an engagement party for a Princess you looked at clothing. The women had long flowing gowns with deep slit in along the leg and deep neck lines showing off most of their breasts, the colours varied as did the house emblems but the style was almost universal, the only exceptions were a few that wore pants with tunics. The men were wearing tight tops and pants with colours matching the women they were standing closest too. You had a double take when you saw one with a strip of cloth coming from their top to a woman's hand. When he saw you looking he showed off the strip, a shine from it proved it had gems inlaid. You quickly looked away wondering what sort of party this was going to end up as.

The auras around were a mix of drunk haze and excitement, not sexual, even the leash couple. The news of Anastasia's engagement was quite worth the visit it seemed. You kept walking not sure where you should be going when you felt Delilah direct you. You followed her lead and were led from the foyer to a ballroom.

You saw Anastasia immediately. She was at the other end of the ballroom talking with some nobles. Her aura was incredibly carefully controlled. No images, no real colours just a white glow around her. The fact you couldn't see Vatarie, Asune or anyone else was worth noting. Actually you seemed to be the youngest in the room. Her eye caught yours and you watched her aura flutter for a moment. Joy breaking through her tension at your presence.

Eve nudged you and the two of you made your way to the front. The people you passed noticed your toga as a mirror of Anastasia pretty quickly and a wave of conversation spread behind you. The matching colours clearly meant more than just you are friends.

As you neared Anastasia she moved to you. Directing the people who spoke to her into the way of others causing them to create an opening for her and prevent them from getting much more than a quick few words in. You felt your heart beat a bit faster as you caught a glimpse of her through the crowd. It had been two days but it felt longer.

As the last of the people got out of the way and you saw Anastasia clearly your breath caught a bit in your throat. She really was stunningly beautiful, her red hair falling in rivulets to her shoulders. Her silken bare skin dotted with a few freckles, red lips tugging into a smile as she looks at you, red spreading over her chest as she looks at you.

Eve holds you from taking a step towards her so she does instead. Walking over and hugging you tightly, pressing her face into your neck you can feel her tension lift a bit as you wrap an arm around her. Your other is firmly held by Eve.

"I love you Christopher." She whispers into your ear before pulling back. She looked much more in control than she had, her aura still white but producing flowers that floated down to her feet. "Thank you for coming, sorry my mother insisted on meeting you." She said loudly taking your other side, "You must meet my fiancé." She walked towards the front of the ballroom and Eve gave no objection.

Those word stirred something in you, not jealously, disquiet. That she didn't want to be married to him more than that it wasn't you she was marrying played on your mind. You could just end this. In this room the only person who could reasonable challenge you was holding your hand, if you wanted the engagement over throw around enough magic and you are pretty sure it would be over. That isn't good. That your mind went to **** and intimidation, you were jealous and that is not a good state of mind to be thinking about ending something.

Anastasia slowed as people noticed your clothes, she twisted you around groups of people that would have parted to give more people a chance to observe how the two of you matched. She twisted you and to show off your muscled arms running a hand over your bicep as women watched with more than a little perverted expressions. Feeling like you were slightly on display here Eve too the lead. She pulled you more directly to the front of the ballroom and gave Anastasia a lifted eyebrow to see if she would challenge. Anastasia didn't react to the eyebrow but did move more directly.

You were picturing who Anastasia was engaged to. Conflicting images of old men ugly men and attractive young men filled your brain and jealously bubbled a little. Was this someone who might actually take her from you? Could she actually love him more than you? You cleared your throat hoping that would clear your mind but it didn't.

With a thousand faces flirting through your brain the crowds finally part and you look at a no one. You take a second thinking they must have moved somewhere but instead you saw Lady Demise walking towards you with a smile on her face as she greets people. "Your Highness, my deepest apologies. Your betrothed had to leave. His mother required his return immediately and it is a long way to his home. I'm sure you understand." She walked over to stand in front of Anastasia with am easy comfort at all the people staring at her.

Anastasia's aura flickered into anger for a moment before control returned. "Of course I'm sure we will get to spend more time together at a later date." She smiled out through gritted teeth. "Perhaps I should try and find him before he leaves the capital." She started to turn when Lady Demise spoke again.

"I don't think it would be proper for a Princess to chase after their betrothed. You know how men are, if he sees you chasing after him the wedding might have to be pushed sooner."

Anastasia's hand in yours squeezed as she tried to control her anger. "Thank you for the advice." She bowed to Lady Demise and walked away pulling you with her.

Eve however didn't move so you stopped Anastasia before she got too far away and pulled at your arm. You looked at Eve but she wasn't saying anything to Lady Demise and their auras looked totally neutral. After a brief pause Lady Demise nodded and walked away. You looked at Eve but she didn't say anything. Anastasia was looking at her as well but since she could now leave freely she walked into the crowd with you.

"What was that?" You whispered to Eve as Anastasia started talking to the guest.

"You should spend more time around royals." Eve said instead with a wink. "You shouldn't leave her alone." She added putting her hand on your ass and pushing you into Anastasia's back. You wrapped your arms around her out of habit and she stepped back to press against you. When you turned to question Eve further she wasn't there. A moment of looking around proved fruitless as everywhere was filled with people wanting to talk to Anastasia.

This was the first time you and Delilah had been apart for two days without you knowing where they would be. You looked around a bit more before turning into Anastasia. You are a bit worried about Delilah but Eve will look after her beside most likely thing is they located the food.

"How much land will you have to manage?" A woman asked Anastasia who smiled at her as she held your hands against her stomach. The intimacy of the two of you apparently not worth noting despite the whole engagement thing.

"The duchy has some farm land but it is mostly forest so there won't be much to manage." Anastasia answered. You were surprised she wasn't making overtures about how she wasn't going to be married.

And she never did, throughout most of the night she would speak to people about the marriage she would be in at some point. She never made a comment about you nor did anyone else but she held you close and was very clearly affectionate as she stroked your arms. Eve also didn't reappear which made you worried for the palace's larder. Before your worry reached a point of needing you to investigate she reappeared.

"Where were you?" You asked hoping the food was close, you did miss lunch.

"Have you gotten any better at dancing?" Eve asked in reply.

"Huh?" As you said that you heard music begin to play and she winked at you. "What did you do?" You asked starting to panic. Delilah can't handle crowds, dancing made you feel the same way.

Anastasia shifted in your arms and took your hand in hers. "Would you care to dance?" She asked giving Eve a quick look. Eve stayed close for a moment before baking off.

"Um ok?" You should take some lessons after this oncoming embarrassment is recovered from, a few years should do it.

The ballroom cleared and numerous pairs became apparent. Eve moved to the edge of the partnered groups but watched you and Anastasia closely. You swallow and take a worried breath. This is going to be interesting?