Breathing did not come naturally for Lucy. She was not a woman easily rushed, and spoke only when she felt she had something worthwhile to say. But then, why should she mind? Her name was Lucy, and she was magnificent. The empire had named her Lucy, as it was her own personal wish. Come to think of it, she preferred Lucy to Laura. It was just her own private preference, after all.
That morning, she had started off to attend the Empire's ball, with Laura's mother and the two of them. They were, after all, the only two women of their age in their city. To the gazes of the onlookers, they were the most beautiful women of age.
But then again, as they were the only women of their age in their city, they were usually the only candidates for the position of Empress, which had been granted to the two of them. The one that was coming to the ball was none other than the one ruling their city.
The two women had begrudgingly accepted their roles as Empresses, but really, what did they have to complain about?
Laura was forced to wear a long red gown and was smothered with a head-dress of many glowing gemstones, while her mother was forced to wear a simple, but glittering dress of gold.
"They look beautiful tonight, I must say." Laura's father said as he turned to her. He was another of the city's few remaining men of her age, and looked more like a teenager more than ever.
"Yes," Said Laura, "They are indeed beautiful."
Laura had always resented this fact. Had it been not for her mother, she would have been on that stage, and in the most glorious garbs rather than with this drab red dress. Her father, too would have similarly enjoyed it if it had not been for her. He looked at her defiantly, as if challenging her to a battle of wits.
"You should be proud." He suggested.
She smacked her lips together. Did he really think so? She disliked wearing a dress, let alone tried to submit to the truth more than she actually did. During their most closed outings, she used to try her best to dress up in a glamorous dress. It was not the fault of her mother that two years ago she had a heart attack. The doctors were flabbergasted, but only for a moment as it was soon thereafter that she announced that she would not have children.
"Really now." Was her reply, and therefore, she was forced to wear the drab dress she was currently wearing.
"I'm only trying to help you." He pleaded.
He, in actuality, had nothing to do with the occasion, but he tried getting into her good graces.
"Oh really?" Laura replied.
A prince from the empire had arrived. He was actually the emperor's son, with a jovial face and an infectious laugh. Laura had never paid much attention to him, and never seen him before that night, but since then for some reason she had always had this hope that he might come back with her, and propose to her. When he arrived on her world, Laura immediately made her way towards him.
"Your majesty, " Laura said. "Would you like to meet the prince?"
"Who?" Laura's mother asked.
"The little prince." Laura's mother was clearly embarrassed by her daughter's request, but soon let out and smiled.
"Oh no." Was her reply, "I have no idea who this little prince could be."
She then turned her eyes to the prince, who was now standing motionless beside her. In her mind, she could not recognize any such little prince, but there was something about him, that left her breathless.
"As a matter of fact," Laura's father commented, "I think your majesty is wrong about this young man."
Her mother pressed her lips together and nodded.
"Oh quit it. I already told you I have no idea about any little prince."
Laura scowled at her father, as if to belittle him.
"Here, here." Laura's father said, "Young man, May I?"
The prince was definitely quite good-looking, but Laura was not sure. Did it really matter, after all? She turned to her mother, for some vote of confidence.
"Aren't you supposed to be a girl?" Asked the prince.
"Um, well, I prefer to be seen as a woman rather than a girl."
"And why is that?"
Laura's mother turned to her, and again, began to like her.
"Because I am a girl." She replied.
After that little exchange, the conversation became quite jovial.
The prince, who had informed them earlier that his name was Prince Nicholas, seemed to take a liking to Laura's mother, even though she kept a cool demeanor towards him.
"But what do you know about me?" He asked. "I've never been to your world."
On the contrary, Laura's mother had never been to the empire, but she seemed to have a fair idea of who's who in that vast and expansive galaxy.
"How dare you presume I would know who you are?" Laura's mother retorted in return.
"But you are a woman of great wisdom, are you not?"
"And you are too young to know such things."
"And that means I shall be young always?"
"Perhaps not, but you shouldn't be so sure."
"Ah, but that's because I'm an emperor."
The two of them continued conversing, with Laura's mother giving him witty and sarcastic responses to his questions, while he gave witty and sarcastic responses when mocking her. They laughed amongst their small exchanges. So far, Laura was not sure whether she liked him or not. It seemed to her that people always laughed, like he was some kind of clown. The more she entertained that thought, the more she began to like it.
