Viola was a spoilt girl, she was used to getting what she wanted, and often would play with people's emotions, just for entertainment. This night is but one simple example of such. The spring ball had come early in the Capital, it was an affair of the debutante season, which Viola wasn't a part of, in fact she was considered something of a spinster. The brown haired beauty wasn't forced to marry like her 'friends' due to having her father wrapped around her finger. Nonetheless she was never one to turn down a party, not when there was wine to be had.
As the Duke's Carriage pulled up to the Royal Palace' Grand Entrance, Viola's manservant had gotten down, opening her door for her, setting down a stepping stool. He observed the girl with lust as she exited the carriage. She wore a blue short sleeved gown with a Dalmatian collar and a flowing pearl necklace that complimented her bosom exceptionally. Her hands gloved in white lace. She was very skinny, and only of average height.
Her thick hair concealed with her hair chains and a diamond hair pin that held her hair into a ponytail, hanging just above her lower back. And that face. She bore the same sun kissed resemblance of her father, the Duke, while having her mothers pale blue eyes. She was certainly more beautiful than the old man. Viola paid no attention to her manservant, simply walking to the palace doors as the servants opened the grand double doors for her, she entered to see her cousin by law Marie handing out floral corsage to the gentlemen who arrived.
Poor girl, She thought. Marie's husband was run out of the kingdom at a young age for corruption and theft. "Serves the bitch right." She thought with jealousy as she watched her give the young Count a corsage, explaining enthusiastically what it was for. Viola rolled her eyes.
Marie was a lackey for the Royal Family, she hated them all, she always saw herself and her family superior.
"When you see a young debutante you like, you give her this corsage." Marie finished, only for Viola to walk forward with her content smile on as she tapped the young count on the shoulder. The count turned to her, she bothered with no word, she only turned her hand, as if expecting to receive the corsage. She was never one to waste time.
The young count looked to her with a polite smile as he handed her the corsage. "I suppose my gentlemanly duty is done then." He stated politely. Marie was too busy with the next man to object.
"I do love a man who knows how to do what he's told. I should be most pleased to see you later in the evening." Viola said politely with a smile of victory as she strode down the hall, pinning the corsage around her wrist as she headed to the ballroom.
She noted it was flower themed, she didn't recall the ball being themed, however when she heard of it the night before she was plenty intoxicated. "Drats" The young lady mumbled to herself as she scanned the floor looking for worthy dance partners. She noted the redheaded Viscount Henry. He interested her somewhat, though he was quite old, she liked the unique, dare she say, handsome look of his mustache & beard. But he wouldn't do.
Being the unorthodox girl she was, she never played by anyone's rules or expectations of her. Viola decided to wander to her cousin by law through the sea of flower adorned ladies as she broke a kind smile. "Dearest Marie, would you care to dance?" She asked, Marie was shocked but the older woman accepted. Viola had no doubts, she wasn't as innocent and courteous as she acted to be.
The two waltzed on the floor until Marie struck conversation with the young lady who was busy scanning the room. "Have you seen any suitors who interest you Viola?" Marie asked with a fake sense of care to the girls courtships. Viola in return only answered her question with another.
"Who was the man you'd given the corsage to, when I entered." She asked, faintly recalling Marie addressed him as a count.
"Ah, that was Peter, Still only 19 I'm afraid." Marie explained with a watchful eye of her.
"Age is of no concern to me. Regardless I was only curious." Viola retorted as she ended there dance, leaving Marie to wander back to her duties over the season's ball.
Viola had seen the young Count across the floor and prepared her sweet smile as she walked through the floor of dancers to his side. She considered the statement of his age from Marie, but she dismissed it seeing he could only be 10 and 9. "Sir Gentleman." Viola mused as she reached him. "We meet again."
She finished clasping her hands together in front of her, purposely pushing her bosoms closer together as they spoke.
Count Peter blinked, going out of his way to avoid gazing to her rather- exposed neck line. "Ah, My name is Peter de Calfton, My Lady." He replied politely as he interlocked his fingers by his crotch..
"Viola." She simply said as she stared into his eyes amorously. It was ironic really, Viola never cared for men, less for titles. She even teased and referred to other young ladies as title whores. But this was her entertainment.
"Would you care to dance, my Lady?" Count Peter asked with confidence. She enjoyed this. Extending her hand, he accepted it with his own as he escorted her to the floor. The two formed the stance of a waltz as they joined the others.
Viola danced with the count as she carefully kept herself as close to him as she could. The two chatted and whispered for a while, she was sure she'd had him until Marie made the announcement that the seasons Flower Prince & Princess would be crowned. Viola looked around at the guests than to herself and the Count. "I believe its safe to assume we shan't be winning today." She said with a gentle smile as the two laughed about their lack of flowers.
Marie stood on the podium next to the effeminate King adorned in his large wig as she made the announcement. "Ladies and gentlemen, this seasons flower Prince and Princess are..." She began, dramatically pausing before she announced it. "Julia & Peter." Viola's content smile faltered before reforming as she looked to her dance partner.
"Ah- How unexpected, I'll be back." He replied quickly as he followed to the stage with Julia. Viola realized Marie had awarded it to her daughter and the count in the hopes of setting the two up.
"And now, let us clear the floor for the Prince and Princess' dance." Marie remarked loudly as she gestured for everyone to clear the floor.
Viola watched them for a time, she felt strangely envious, then grew bored of watching. The two kept dancing as everything went back to normal. Viola decided to walk over to a table where the Kings son sat, he was her age yet his position did nothing to stop her demand. "Move, that is my seat." She told the Prince as he looked to her, before dismissing her as he went back to watching the dance floor. The king and those around him hadn't noticed, or cared to, being too busy fending off the adorers of the king.
Viola was in no mood for this, so she gave him a direct slap across the face. She did not fear the Prince's anger, or any of the Royalty. Her fathers control of the army ensured it.
The Prince was stunned and rose from his seat, anger fueling his eyes as he spoke harshly. "Sit somewhere else, or I'll have you removed."
Viola smirked as she accepted the challenge, she slipped past him, purposely grazing her knuckles along his crotch to catch him off guard as she took 'her' seat. The Prince grew flustered, his face beet red in anger. and fell in defeat as he marched off, wandering around the room. Not bothering to sit elsewhere at the other tables.
