Commotion

Leila sat quietly in a detached pavilion overlooking the softly lit gardens. The cool evening breeze whispered around her, stirring the delicate jade and cream silks of her gown. She cradled the infant Apollonia in her arms, gently patting her back until a soft burp escaped.

"Nia... why are you so fussy tonight?" she murmured tenderly.

Though the baby soon settled, Leila remained restless. Weariness clung to her like the thin shawl wrapped around her shoulders—too delicate to provide any real warmth. She sighed, the weight of sleepless nights and silent fears pressing against her chest. The maids had grown wary of the child's rumored demonic heritage, and though Leila longed for help, she dared not trust their hands near the baby.

A sudden warmth brushed against her shoulders. Startled, she turned her head just as a heavier cloak settled around her. A familiar voice followed, close to her ear.

"It's colder up here than I expected."

"Y-Your Lordship?" she stammered, recognizing him. "I thought you wouldn't be attending the ceremony."

She had asked Aurora indirectly about his presence earlier, only to be met with a cryptic smile and the vague excuse of "imperial business."

"I only came to deliver a message to the emperor," Octavius replied, his gaze shifting to the city below, where lights danced and distant laughter carried on the wind.

Leila followed his eyes. Despite the celebrations, the waning winter clung stubbornly to the land, testing everyone's endurance.

"I see..." she said softly, disappointment faintly coloring her voice.

Octavius turned to her. "And you, my lady? Why are you out here alone? Are you not enjoying the festivities?"

"Oh, a little," she admitted, then looked down at Apollonia nestled against her. "But I hardly know anyone, and... I prefer the quiet. Besides, Nia was uncomfortable, so I stepped out for some air."

"No escort?"

"I came with Her Imperial Highness."

Before Octavius could respond, a voice interrupted from behind.

"Well, if it isn't the infamous one-armed general."

Leila and Octavius turned toward the source. Two men approached, faces familiar to Octavius but not welcome.

"Out here charming a new lady, are we? I thought you were mooning over the crown princess," one sneered.

Octavius's expression darkened. "Dionysus. Dominus," he greeted them coolly. "What brings you here?"

"Still bitter, are we?" Dionysus grinned. He had short, ash-blond hair and deep brown eyes that gleamed with mockery.

Dominus glanced past Octavius and gave a low whistle. "And who's this?"

"She is a guest of Her Highness. Show some decorum," Octavius replied, his voice flat.

"Still so uptight, even when your House is on the verge of political ruin," Dionysus goaded. "Fallen out of the emperor's favor, have we?"

Leila's hand instinctively tightened around Apollonia as Dominus stepped closer.

"Wait a second..." Dominus peered at the child. "That baby—she looks like you, Octavius. Is she yours? Is this your paramour?"

"How dare you?" Leila snapped, her voice sharp. "How dare you question Lord Octavius's loyalty to the crown? You should be ashamed!"

Dominus smirked, then suddenly reached out and grabbed her wrist. Leila gasped, nearly dropping the child.

"Ah!" she cried, pain shooting up her arm.

"Careful now," Dionysus warned mockingly. "Even if she is just a paramour, she's still a lady."

"And this," he added, laughing, "is why the crown princess left you. Your noble act must have bored her senseless. Oh maybe she found out who that 'guest paramour' you speak of is. How revolting she must've have found you to be playing behind her back with another woman." he guffawed.

"Let go of her," Octavius growled, eyes blazing.

"Oh? Struck a nerve?" Dominus challenged. "What can you do with only one—"

Octavius's fist connected with his face, cutting him off mid-sentence. Dominus collapsed with a grunt.

Dionysus retaliated, striking Octavius hard. Leila shrieked, and Apollonia began to wail.

Bloodied but undeterred, Octavius fought them both, each blow powered by fury and precision. Despite being outnumbered, he began to gain the upper hand. When one of them lunged toward Leila, Octavius drove a boot squarely into his face, sending him sprawling.

"Even after all these years, you haven't changed," Octavius spat, glaring down at them.

The commotion finally drew attention. A guest shrieked, and soon a group of nobles emerged from the banquet hall. Among them were Melody and Lucerne.

Octavius averted his gaze as Lucerne's stunned eyes met his.

"What's going on here?" Melody demanded, stepping forward.

"Your Highness, I can explain—" Octavius began, but Melody raised a hand.

She exchanged a silent look with Lucerne, who nodded subtly before signaling the imperial knights to disperse the onlookers.

"Please return to the celebration," Lucerne called. "This matter will be addressed privately."

When the crowd thinned, Melody turned her focus to Octavius. "Tonight is a sacred occasion. And yet I find you brawling in the gardens of the holy temple."

"Your Highness, please do not blame Lord Octavius," Leila interjected, stepping in front of him. "Those men assaulted me in an attempt to provoke him. He acted only to defend me and my daughter."

Melody's gaze fell to Leila's wrist, now visibly swollen.

"Is this true?"

"It is. I swear it on my life."

Octavius opened his mouth to object, but Leila silenced him.

"I won't let you be punished for their cruelty," she said firmly. "They should be the ones held accountable."

Melody paused, then nodded.

"Lord Lucerne," she said, "have the men taken into custody. Interrogate them thoroughly. Lord Octavius is to be released after questioning; the knights can confirm who initiated the conflict."

"As you command, Your Highness," Lucerne said, his voice tinged with quiet resignation. Melody left with the soldiers hurrying under his command to restrain the fallen men.

Leila stepped forward and gently dabbed the blood from Octavius's split lip with a clean handkerchief.

"You're hurt," she murmured.

Octavius met her eyes, ashamed. "Forgive me, my lady, for showing you such an undignified sight."

"There's nothing to forgive. You defended me. That was honor, not disgrace."

"What are you doing here brother? On top of that causing unsightly disturbances on such an occasion?" He asked part concerned part searching.

"It's as you see. I just came to deliver news about father." Octavius looked into Lucerne's eyes.

"About father?" Lucerne saw sincerety in them. He wasn't lying.

"You should return to the hall, my lady," he said softly. "You must be exhausted."

He accepted the handkerchief with a nod of thanks, then turned to follow Lucerne and the soldiers escorting the restrained Dionysus and Dominus.

Leila stood alone beneath the full moon, its light casting long silver shadows across the marble floor. She watched until the last of them vanished from view.

Only then did she return inside.