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Jean has never understood why the aristocrats of Mondstadt liked organizing balls. In her humblest opinion, they’re simply a waste of time, money and resources.
She wasn’t interested in seeing nobles flaunt their wealth through their extravagant jewelry and glittering gowns. She wasn’t too keen on the idea of having to walk around wearing five inch heels for hours on end, when all she wanted to do was retire to bed.
Jean has mastered the art of ballroom dancing much like how she mastered the art of the sword. She had also mastered walking with high heels (and acting like her feet weren’t going to be sore the next day). But she could never master the art of words. She was never one for socializing, and unfortunately, balls were social events. It was especially difficult for her, the heiress of the prominent Gunnhildr clan. She was always the center of attraction in balls as people scrambled to gain her favor.
Jean, unfortunately, grew up having to attend balls almost every month, courtesy of her mother, Frederica Gunnhildr, who had wanted her to be acquainted with all the important people of Mondstadt. Their names and information were seared into her mind like a prayer. Quite frankly, Jean liked almost no one among these nobles. They were simply too much for her, in so many ways. Some were too arrogant, some were too obstinate, the rest didn’t care, and she’d say she preferred that over the other two. It just meant she didn’t have to interact with them save for a few formal greetings.
As she grew older, ball invitations got more frequent. Luckily, she had already joined the Knights of Favonius, and she finally had a valid reason to skip out on some of the balls. Her mother insisted on her attending the most important ones though, and she can never say no to her mother.
Tonight’s ball was one she couldn’t skip. Almost all aristocrats, leaders and merchants of Mondstadt would be gathered tonight for the annual Winter Gala. Even the lesser known nobles would be present.
Oh, how Jean loathed the Winter Gala. It wasn't as if anything unpleasant had happened to her in the past Winter Galas. She only disliked it for the fact that she was expected to show up in a dress on a winter night. It was absurd, all she wanted to do on winter nights like these is to huddle herself near the fire as she reads books until she falls asleep. That, or pass out as she does another all nighter to finish some of the seemingly unending stack of paperwork in her office. Either way, she could both be warmed up and alone. In the gala, however, not only did she have to talk to people she didn't exactly look forward talking to, she also had to wear a gown that barely covered her arms.
Luckily, tonight, it seems like not a lot of people would recognize her. The theme of the gala this year is a masquerade ball. While it is true that all of Mondstadt knows Jean Gunnhildr, it didn't mean they would recognize her when she was wearing a mask and only her lips were visible. Although, her signature blonde hair was hard to miss. But it wasn't like she's the only blonde person in Mondstadt, anyways. Only people who had talked to her a lot would recognize her, that would mean Diluc, and some members of the Knights of Favonius. She could count herself lucky tonight as that ticks off one of the things she hates about the Winter Gala.
Although, only one thing gets ticked off her list. The other thing was as displeasing as ever. She entered her dressing room to start the arduous task of preparing for the ball. She was faced with a beautiful sleeveless light green gown. The gown had layers of lace, and the topmost layer was embroidered with cecilias and windwheel asters. It would have been perfect, if only it wasn't winter. Tonight would be a frigid night, and she wouldn't be surprised if she came down with a cold the next morning.
It was as she suspected. She had just arrived at the venue and if she lacked manners, she would have chattered her teeth. It was simply too cold for her to be wearing this dress, and she had removed her coat just a few minutes ago as told by Frederica. She wanted to keep the coat on, yet, again, she could never say no.
She sat herself down on a table and started looking around. She had no time to look around earlier as she was too busy trying to keep herself warm. The venue was absolutely stunning. It was almost like a winter wonderland. At the center of the venue was a large chandelier with a multitude of glass snowflakes hanging down from it. The glass snowflakes shimmered whenever light hits them. The smaller chandeliers didn't have snowflakes dropping down from them, yet they were dazzling all the same. The long, white tables had intricately decorated cloth running in the middle with white flowers in vases of alternating heights. In between the vases were empty glasses, ready to be used. Plates and utensils were aligned neatly on both sides of the tables. The tables were arranged in a square, the middle was left as an empty space. Jean assumed this was where the dancing would occur. The food tables were behind the tables, with waiters waiting for the guests to come and get some food. Some tables had appetizers, others had the main dishes, and some had desserts.
Her mother had walked away to talk with some people, while Jean had delegated herself to stay at the table for a while as she eyed some of the sweets nearby. From what she could see, there were dessert plates with slices of cakes, macarons, cupcakes and cookies. She was trying to resist the urge to get a slice of cake, but it proved to be quite difficult. She felt too embarrassed to eat right after she had just arrived, so she decided to wait for a few minutes before going to the table of sweets.
She watched as more people entered the venue. She wasn't particularly interested in them as she was sure she knew all these people without their masks on. She tried waiting for someone she knew to enter to no avail. She hadn't seen the red-haired head of the Ragnvindr clan either. She was sure she wouldn't miss Diluc of all people, what with his flaming red hair standing out wherever he went.
She sighed and gave up waiting for any familiar person. She stood up and went to the dessert stand.
"Can I get a slice of cake and two macarons, please?" She didn't care that the waiter gave her a questioning glance before giving her what she asked. He probably thought it was quite weird for someone to ask for dessert when she hadn't eaten anything else. She simply wanted to taste the sweets at the ball, nothing else. After all, she wasn't quite sure whether she'd be able to stay awake for the duration of the gala if she wouldn't eat any sugar as soon as possible. She went back to her seat and slowly took a bite of the cake. The cake had white and blue icing, with a small, single snowflake on top. The cake was chocolate flavored and it easily melted into her mouth. She absolutely loved it, and it might take her all her willpower to not get another slice when she finishes the one she has.
Jean was about to take the last bite from her cake when a woman came in. She would have dropped her fork if she had lesser control than she had. The woman was beautiful beyond words. It wasn't as if Jean could see her face, she wore a mask like everyone else in the room. Yet, Jean somehow knew she was beautiful. She could barely take her eyes off the newcomer. She wore a white gown littered with little sequins, shining whenever the light hit them. The seams were decorated with light blue flowers, similar to the blue of the cryo crystals Kaeya would show off to her every now and then. These blue flowers increased in number going up, with the top and sleeves completely covered with lace flowers. The lace flowers outlined the woman's chest, barely covering the most important parts. A gold belt with a singular snowflake embraced the woman's slim waist. Jean wondered if the woman felt cold. Sure, the sleeves ran up to near her hands, but surely she must be cold at the chest area?
The woman's face was covered with a light blue mask, the same color as the flowers on her dress. The mask was adorned with diamond patterns and a singular large feather at the side. Jean didn't stop staring as she tried to uncover the woman's identity. She had an inkling that she most probably knew this woman, but couldn't pinpoint who it was.
She stopped and looked around the tables, Jean figured she was finding a place to sit. It was odd, as barely any of the seats were occupied, and she could sit anywhere. Jean didn't know if it was a figment of her imagination, but she swore she saw the woman's eyes land on her and a small smirk graced her lips.
It was a frigid night, yet Jean felt she could melt right there and then as the woman started walking to where she was. The woman sat in front of her. The smirk on her face wasn't a figment of her imagination after all. She still wore the smirk as she unabashedly eyed Jean. Jean could feel her face heat up despite the cold, and she was thankful for her mask that covered the blush spreading on her face.
"My, you look stunning tonight, Jean Gunnhildr." Jean's eyes widened in surprise as the woman mentioned her name. That wasn't the only thing that surprised her, though.
She'd recognize that voice meters away.
The woman sitting in front of her was none other than Eula Lawrence.
"Eula Lawrence." Jean answered, her voice slightly quivering as a gush of cold wind blew her way. The woman – Eula, put a finger on her lips.
"Not too loud, now. Nobody here would be pleased to know a Lawrence is attending the gala." If the Lawrence was you, then I would be forever pleased. Jean thought in her mind, but said nothing.
"You look… gorgeous, no, beautiful tonight." Jean finally answered after staying silent for a good few minutes. She couldn't look at Eula as she said that, but she heard her chuckle. Jean was suddenly so much more interested in the white flowers lined up on the table.
"Why, thank you. Unfortunately, I would have to seek vengeance against you for that statement." Eula replied, and Jean finally looked up to her and gave her a questioning glance. Not like Eula would see that.
"Why?" Jean muttered quietly. Eula said nothing as she stood up and walked away. Jean felt disappointed as she left. Jean didn't bother looking for her as she felt that maybe she had offended Eula by that statement. How she was offended by a compliment was quite a mystery to her, though.
"You're quite brave, making a Lawrence feel a myriad of emotions from a single statement. And for that, vengeance will be mine." Jean's heart almost jumped out of her chest as Eula whispered in her ear. Eula's breath was hot, quite unlike the cold that embraced the venue. Jean felt shivers go through her body as she felt Eula's breath on her neck. This woman was going to be the end of her.
"What… what would you like to do, then?" Jean's voice quivered more than before as she still felt Eula's hot breath tickling her neck. The blush on her face hadn't faded, perhaps it had gone a shade darker.
"A dance with you would be suitable revenge." Eula whispered again. But this time, she finally moved away from Jean's face and frankly, Jean felt disappointed. Not for long, though, as Eula extended a hand to Jean.
Jean gave her a small smile as she accepted the outstretched hand. Eula's hand was warm, and she didn't ever want to let go. Eula guided her to the wide space in the middle of the venue where a number of couples were dancing under the chandelier. A few glances were thrown their way as they made their way to the center. Jean didn't care, though.
Eula placed her hand on Jean's waist and pulled her closer. Her other hand rested on Jean's shoulder. Jean didn't know it was possible for her face to turn another shade darker, nor did she see it, but she was quite certain it did turn a shade darker. Jean couldn't quite look at Eula's face, so instead, she looked down on the ballroom floor, covered with a dark blue carpet. Jean felt Eula remove her hand from her shoulder, and brush her chin. Eula turned her face up. Jean was greeted with Eula's face. Eula still had her mask up, yet Jean could see her eyes behind the mask. They were as pretty as ever. The light in the room emphasized her purple-yellow eyes, and Jean was so engrossed with them that she almost didn't notice the way Eula had pulled her face closer.
"Focus, Jean Gunnhildr." She whispered. Jean snapped out of her daze and Eula gave her a small smile as she finally put her hand back on Jean's shoulder. The slow music was replaced with a melancholic tune.
"Now, shall we?" Eula asked. Jean gave her a small nod and they started dancing to the music. Eula's dancing was flawless. She had the grace of a ballerina, much like how she was in battle. Jean's eyes never strayed away from Eula's, nor did Eula look away from hers. It almost felt as if they were in their own little world, without anybody else watching them. Jean's gaze went down to Eula's lips, and was tempted to kiss her right there and then. She steeled herself as she knew she couldn't do such a thing in the watchful eyes of the nobles around her.
The music finished, and was replaced with another, much more upbeat tune. Eula took her hands away from Jean's waist and shoulder, and Jean almost frowned at the loss of contact. Eula didn't let her be disappointed for long, though. She held Jean's hand as she dragged her away from the dance floor. Jean followed her steps until she stopped right in front of the door to the veranda.
"Would you be willing to accompany me to another dance, only between ourselves?" Eula asked as her hand hovered above the veranda door. Jean walked closer to Eula, looking around to make sure no one else was looking. Once she felt safe, she inched closer, her lips barely touching Eula's ear.
"If the dance you're proposing involves both our lips and hands, then I would readily accept your offer." Jean whispered. Eula said nothing more as she pushed the door to the veranda open. She made sure no one else was in the veranda as she pushed Jean against the wall. Eula discarded both their masks to the floor as she cupped Jean's face. Jean reveled in the heat of Eula's hands.
"Such a tease, Gunnhildr. And for that, vengeance will be mine." Eula said as she closed the distance between them with a kiss.
Maybe balls aren't that bad after all.