14:37 Fri , Oct 10 Chapter 12 Gleaming Blossoms Chapter 12 Gleaming Blossoms : 59 +10 Free Coins Beauty shimmered on every side , a field of jewels so bright the eye could scarcely settle on one . At their entrance , whispers rippled through the cluster of unmarried gentlemen . Hands paused in mid - air , wine stopped midway to lips , and a dozen proud hearts beat a touch faster . Ulrich scanned the crowd - powdered faces , feathered sleeves , and flickering laughter - yet Fiona remained nowhere in sight . " Ulrich ." A quiet call rang out , accompanied by a gentle tug at his sleeve . He lowered his gaze . There , in a pale , tightly belted gown , stood Fiona - difficult to overlook in any crowd , yet dressed so modestly that night she might have passed for a lady - in - waiting . Despite her unparalleled features , the subdued cut and color of the dress siphoned every spotlight from her . Unless one looked closely , she blended into the shadows cast by the attendants . " Ulrich , may I borrow I borrow your horse tomorrow ? " Fiona asked as she settled beside him , smoothing her skirt with determined grace . She meant only to earn top marks in mounted archery . Pinecrest Mountain sprawled ahead , its ridges steep and tangled . If she could master mounted archery on terrain that treacherous , the coming trials in archery and horsemanship would present no threat at all . " You are hardly an expert rider , and that mountain can be unforgiving , " Ulrich warned , his brow knitting in worry . Fiona's gaze drifted across the table . Opposite her , Xavier sat ramrod straight , eyes fixed on her with a focus so intense it hovered between admiration and something more brittle - like a man terrified to lose what he had only just regained . The look unsettled her . A faint , unexpected ache tightened in her chest , as though his quiet yearning exposed a loneliness she had tried to forget . She doubted even Soren had worn such raw emotion when rumors of her death first reached him . Determined to dispel the heaviness , she offered Xavier a dazzling smile . He froze , then glanced away , composure restored except for the telltale flush creeping up the shell of his ears . " I would like to seize this chance to learn properly , " she murmured to Ulrich . " If you have a 1/4 14:37 Fri , Oct 10 Chapter 12 Gleaming Blossoms moment , could you ask Mr. Xavier whether he might tutor me in riding ? " ( 59 ) +10 Free Coins Ulrich's talents lay with ink , not steel . Among the young men present , Xavier was the obvious . choice - honorable to the bone and reputedly unmatched in mounted archery . Besides , Fiona seemed perfectly comfortable in his company . " He actually mentioned the matter earlier , " Ulrich admitted , feelings twisting . " He said that if you had any questions , you were welcome to seek him out . " Fiona had worried Xavier might already be spoken for . In the hierarchy of Jexburgh's old families , the Luthor family was hardly dazzling , yet Xavier's quiet charisma drew every ambitious young lady like moths toward a calm blue flame . Ulrich's assurance , though , eased the knot in her chest . Emperor Aldric and Princess Aurora chose to make their entrance a little later , heightening the sense of ceremony that already hung thick in the hall . Past fifty , Emperor Aldric showed not a hint of silver at his temples . His eyes were bright , his back unbowed ; the authority rolling from him felt as solid and immovable as a mountain range . Beside him stood Princess Aurora , her features sharply carved , just different enough from Duflanans to be exotic - a beauty rare enough to draw every wandering gaze . They were flanked by Soren and the Sixth Prince . The two were cousins . The Sixth Prince's mother , Claudia Zonfrillo , sister to Alexander , currently enjoyed the emperor's brightest favor . Apart from the princes , only Soren - a son of the Zonfrillo family - had been granted the honor of walking in with the emperor , tangible proof that the rumors of Alexander's unmatched standing at court were no empty chatter . I'm beginning to believe every woman in Duflana was carved from starlight , Your Majesty . My eyes can scarcely keep up with such radiance , " Princess Aurora said , laughter dancing in her throat . Emperor Aldric chuckled . " And are Duflana's gentlemen so very plain , then ? " She lifted one elegant brow . " Hardly plain , Your Majesty . It is simply that I met Lord Soren and the Sixth Prince first . After encountering such flawless gentlemen , even the handsomest among the rest loses a shade of luster . " As she spoke , her gaze drifted to Soren . He had been the one to escort her into Jexburgh , and in that first meeting , she had thought every blossom dull beside his silent grace . No flower held such soul , no gemstone such quiet fire . He was cold , immaculate , and all the more 2/4 14:37 Fri , Oct 10 Chapter 12 Gleaming Blossoms tempting for it . ( 59 ) +10 Free Coins Emperor Aldric tapped the rail of his throne , mischief glimmering in his eyes . " Since you think so highly of him , why not let me bestow him upon you as your husband ? " A murmur rippled through the gathering , many faces draining of color while others flushed with sudden excitement . Fiona had known the princess was there to choose a groom , yet she had never imagined Soren would be the target . Beside her , Roxanne went stark white , as though the floor had just slipped . Fiona looked toward Soren and found him as serene as ever . In the next breath , she understood . With Alexander commanding the northern armies , the son of the Zonfrillo family could never be given as consort to a foreign princess - Emperor Aldric was testing the waters , measuring Soren's stance on marriage , nothing more . Emperor Aldric trusted Alexander , certainly , but the former didn't want the Zonfrillo family to be too ambitious . Too much power gathered in one family could unbalance the throne itself . Bright - eyed , Princess Aurora clasped her hands . " Would Your Majesty truly part with such a treasure for me ? " Emperor Aldric's smile widened . " That depends on the man himself . I will not force his hand ." Hope shimmering in her expression , Princess Aurora turned fully toward Soren , awaiting his word . Soren bowed , voice calm . " Though the situation in Broadmoor has quieted , it will not truly settle for at least a year . My father has yet to return in triumph . Until he does , I dare not think of marriage ." Fiona had predicted he would hide behind Alexander's ongoing campaign ; the previous year's victory still kept Alexander in Broadmoor , and the emperor could hardly press the matter in such circumstances . She glanced at Roxanne again and saw relief return like color to a wilting rose . Yet Princess Aurora remained undaunted . " Lord Soren , if you learn more about me , you will understand my worth . " Soren inclined his head a fraction . " Princess Aurora , you're unrivaled among women , yet my aspirations lie elsewhere . " Emperor Aldric then raised a placating hand . " Since the young man's heart is set on duty , I will not press him . Duflana has no shortage of fine men ; I shall choose a husband worthy of you , 3/4 14:37 Fri , Oct 10 Chapter 12 Gleaming Blossoms Princess Aurora . " : 59 +10 Free Coins