Bell-like Giggles

The music of the ball begun playing out. Background music. This was a time for noble to mingle amongst each other began the actual festivities began and it would be a while. But it would give the girls some time to hang amongst themselves without having to dance with anyone. Unfortunately, they were quickly swamped by men and women alike to be acquainted with each other. They were unified as a group, pulling at each other from the swarming crowd by linking their arms together. Lilith took charge of the group taking them for a beeline towards the buffet of food begin presented with only a few people having the intention of eating or drinking.

They all took plates for themselves began plating up the mass array of food on top. Discussing and delegating which food group to who so that they could all share amongst each other. Most of the group was tired of attending so many parties leading up to the Baroness' Ball so they wanted to keep a low profile and enjoy each other's company. Eos, on the other hand, didn't attend any party is the debutante ball since she was carrying out the duties of the heir. So, this would only have been her second time going to a party. Nevertheless, Eos didn't really enjoy large gathering, so it was better.

Lilith's had two plates filled with meat forward dishes without as much of a speck of vegetables. Whilst Courtney's plate was filled with easily digestible foods that would be much easier on the palate and stomach especially since she didn't have as fast of a metabolism as Lilith. Arachne's plate was filled with delicacies that aren't often eaten in a noble diet or aren't easily sourced unless it was in the Baroness' Ball. Cybele's plate was filled with foods that were quite common for any party but an easy crowd pleaser so it would suit all their taste, "I'm going to grab some drinks for us, and I will get some water for Courtney as well," Eos began to walk away from the rest of the group, "Find a balcony first and I will come find you." So, Eos began her search for the server from the girls chosen balcony.

However, the one that was closest to the as on the other side of the dance floor which Eos was hesitate on stepping on since there was no one on it. The trek to the other side of the dance floor caused her feet to feel uncomfortable but not enough to make it hurt. Seeing a server with some drinks in her view gave her some energy as she approached them however someone intercepted her. The person in question was the Baroness who was host for tonight, "My! My! If it isn't the Young Miss of the Monciaux Family." The flurry of red took up all Eos' attention as well as the other nobles nearby much to Eos' dismay, "I'm honoured to have the Fairy of the Monciaux attend my humble party." The Baroness' eyes twinkled with mirth as she gauged at Eos' reaction but only saw the ever-smiling beauty unaffected by such shallow flattery.

Eos smiled at the Baroness before pinching the length of her dress upwards ever so slightly but curtsied, "No, I'm honoured to have attended tonight since many have always praise your parties to have been more than entertaining." Reflecting the praises to the Baroness who lightly chuckled as Eos' responses with excitement dancing in her eyes.

The Baroness had wanted to see the Young Lady of the Monciaux Dukedom who was rumoured to be a beauty which had completely surprised her, possessing an otherworldliness unlike any other person she had laid eyes on. People's eyes would naturally align to seeing such beauty but surprisingly she was easily hiding her presence amongst the crowd like a magician and her calmness easily made a good impression on the other nearby nobles, "Well I won't take up anymore of your time, Adieu." The Baroness waved goodbye to Eos who nodded her head slightly before returning to her objective.

Eos approached the server who had recently come back from the kitchen with new refreshments carrying a tray with five champagne glasses filled with alcohol, "Can I have a glass of water?" Politely asking the servant who happily complied after been rudely ordered around by other nobles. He quickly returned with the same tray and the glass of water in his opposition hand, "Thank you." Eos smiled at waiter before she laced each cup in between her fingers as she carried them to the balcony which the other girls had already settled in. As she was placing the cups on the table that was filled with plates with food. Arachne began to untie the rope that was holding the curtain to allow for more privacy.

But began she closed the curtain, lifting her hand before waving before closing the curtain. As she went to sit down on one of the lounge chairs, "What was that about?" Lilith who chewed at the meat that was in her mouth as she was confused by Arachne's actions.

Arachne chuckled as she picked up a fork before stabbing it into a piece of meat on Lilith's piece chewing into the juicy meat that was tender to the point that you didn't need to chew. But it sadly was very heavy and could easy give you a stomach ache if you ate too much of it, "Just a lovesick puppy is all." The mashed potatoes that were on Cybele's plate was easily able to ease the heaviness of the meat. The rest of the girls giggled seeing as Arachne's ability to reduce a man to that of a puppy longing for her attention as quite entertaining. But she didn't give the guy hope of trying to get into a relationship with her.

All of them were maidens who all wanted a romantic relationship with a man that would be full-heartedly faithful to her. Cybele could only sigh with a dazed look as she began to daydream about her potential future spouse, "I would probably want to have man that is a handsome and protective man." She began blushing as the other girls began snickered as she had revealed her preference for a partner, "Well? How about you, Lilith?" Lilith began teasing her as she hooked her arm around Cybele who was red as a lobster. Her cheeks were puffed out as she pouted.

Lilith tilted her head as she began to think about the possible characteristics or personality trait she would want in a potential partner, "Maybe someone who can allow me to do the things I want but can restrain me from overstepping boundaries since I can't read in between the lines." Lilith answered honesty about her inability to distinguish from lies and truths, especially from genuine and shallow people. Essentially, a reliable person who can handle social situation better than herself who allows her to do the things she loves such as training as a knight.

Arachne was quite intrigued by the thought of the prospects of having a husband, "But do you honestly think that we would find such men in this society?" This immediately caused the two of them hang their head in depression knowing that having a faithful husband with those qualities which they wanted was very rare indeed especially of their social class where arranged marriages were the norm, "But, still if I could have it my way then definitely as man that I can tease and never get bored of but also loyal to me." Smiling at the thought of the demure man who could protect and love her was quite a dream.

Courtney was also a maiden who also had fantasy about the man she would marry. But she was adamant about revealing what type of men she would want but Lilith and Cybele kept bugging her, "I would prefer to have a man that has a personality that is opposite of me." She hid her blushing face with her personal fan but to no avail since the rest of the girls began to coo at her usual cool facade slowly crumbling away, "You guys know I don't know how to have fun." The red tinted on the girl's ear revealing a blushing young girl.

The giggles of the girls were like the sound of bells to the nobles who were nearby, "How about you Eos?" Courtney turned the attention to the quiet Eos who had yet to speak, and the rest of the girl were eager to hear the answer.

Eos honestly had to think about the answer since her prospect of marriage were already slim since she was under the servitude of the Monciaux Dukedom but that couldn't stop her from dreaming, "I just want someone who will love and care for me." That was all she said but it honestly surprised the girls since they all had preference.

Lilith pouted as she was unsatisfied by Eos' answer to their question, "No characteristics? No personality traits?" She wanted more than just the description of a loyal partner that even the rest of the girls began pestering Eos to divulge more of her preference.

Eos chuckled as she watches the rest of the girl pouting as they begged her to tell, "Well for me probably a family orientated person, non-abusive and understanding." Eos began to list out some personality trait that she would want in a future relationship which surprised to rest of the group with her insight of a potential marriage partner, "Appearance isn't all too important to me but they at least have to be decent looking." Her list was filled to an ideal person who would be able to give her a peaceful home life but also a loving husband. It gave the girl some real insight into a potential husband and their personalities rather than focusing on their appearance because at the end of their families would arrange their marriage.

However, Eos was an exception to the rule since she wasn't required to marry since she was essentially a vassal to the Monicaux Dukedom but if she were to get married her children would have the same fate as her. It was quite unusual for a noble lady like them to not at least have an engagement especially since their positions in society made them incredibly desirable. The only one who probably didn't have an official fiancé would be Cybele whose family was just only just introduced into the scene of aristocracy.

Eventually the food on all the plates were wiped cleaned and the cups were empty from any liquids. They eventually emerged from their private gathering where the people had begun to dance already before swarms of people began to block their path. They eventually parted from each other to socialise or dance with a partner, but Eos found it hard to want to dance with anyone. But she would have to dance with a few people before she could socialise with other people to make some connections whether it be business or friends.

The night was eventful with especially for the people who were more socially outgoing but for the less energetic were busy making connections with potential business partners. Many of the people that were socialising including Eos who was discussing about the grain exportation going around the country which one of the leading figures in the agriculture world. Barrack Chapman is a well-known figure into the business realm, but he was to retire this coming summer to train his successor for the coming autumn harvest. Despite Lord Barrack being advanced in age he is well versed in all aspects of the agriculture domain even with the advancing movement of technology accelerating production and techniques.

His foresight is greatly valued amongst all his peer and people in the agriculture realm, "You aren't going to mingle amongst people your age." His modulated chuckle as he swirled the glass in his hand then he began to sip at the rim of the glass letting the liquid slid down his throat.

Eos sipped at her own glass, feigning indifference as Lord Barrack suggesting that she was wasting her time as a youth, "I had plenty of time to mingle." This only caused a chuckle from Lord Barrack who could do nothing to persuade the young lady to live her life that suited her age.

Cocking his brow with his closed eye smile as he handed his empty glass to a nearby waiter before replacing with a brand-new glass filled with more champagne, "Alright, I have to ask who this mysterious landlord that is presiding within your territory." He chuckled as he remembered how well the land that the young lady was managing over was thriving with harvest production had doubled in the past few years, "He is doing the job better than most of the man that work under me!" He jollily chuckled as he was vying for those answers which he already knew.

Eos smiled as she drained the last drops of her drink, "Of course! The people I hire must be useful so that land I manage thrives." She chuckled humorously as it muscles in her face were stiffened from the constant need to plaster the face of a well-groomed lady, "The land thrives and so does the Dukedom." Eos was still young so she would let out some emotions from time to time.

Lord Barrack was not oblivious to Eos' situation so he could understand the underlying bitterness in her words, "If you would be willing, I would like to have this person under my wing." This surprised Eos who hadn't quite thought of a backup plan, "This offer will stand indefinitely unless your landlord refuses." His expression softened as Eos gave a genuine smile which was quite enthralling to say the least.

Eos nodded her head as she slightly curtsied, "I will tell the landlord about your offer." Picking up a new glass of champagne that was just recently poured, "When they want to accept your offer, I will notify you." Eos began to stare at the glass in her hand as she watched the bubbled bursted as they reached the surface whilst some of the other bubbles rested at random location in the glass.

The corners of Lord Barrack's lips lifted into a grin as he was satisfied with her response, "I have heard that the region that you manage has some great alcohols." With his uplifted emotions so did the topics, "I hope to visit one day." He was tilted his glass to Eos who gently clinked her glass against his.

Many of people heard Lord Barrack's statement and began showing interest in the alcohols begin produced on the Monciaux Dukedom, "If you indeed to visit the brewery will be able to recommend you some local alcohols beverages." Eos politely curtsied before she was whisked away by her friends.