Xanthy tuned out her friends' chatter as her eyes scanned the feast for a hint of white hair. She passed Kymalin and April by, raising her eyebrows at the sight of their intertwined fingers. Huh. Looked like she would win something from the bet she made with Nyxis. It's the season of luck and bounty, after all.

She shook her head and headed out of the hall where the Seelie Court threw her and all the heirs in. "A celebratory feast and also an informal inauguration if you are to work together after the reform," Master Quinxus had told Xanthy earlier as a passing comment. "Holidays are a good time for it, don't you think?"

She would've rolled her eyes at the Master's mind twisted by politics but she was busy thinking about whether June would show up. What would she say to him when she corners him somehow? Should she demand where he went first? Or perhaps ask him why he seemed to be avoiding her?

Xanthy smoothed her skirt as she tore out of the pavilion installed in the middle of the Imperial Palace right beside the huge yellow-green tree. From a distance, Ariden's laughter echoed after Lufi told a joke Xanthy didn't quite get.

A small smile played on her lips though. When would they realize the only thing that would further their relationship? It's common knowledge to everyone except for the two of them. For observant thieves, they sure missed this huge clue right in front of their eyes.

Well, that's not Xanthy's problem at the moment. She had to find June and this was the only chance she could. He has no right to decline if it's the Seelie Court who did the summons. He must be here...somewhere.

Xanthy glanced back and saw the heirs had flitted off to their small conversations with each other. Elred and Reeca had been standing in a corner talking for almost an hour since the feast started. Faw and Tria were out raiding the banquet table as if Crozal wouldn't rise tomorrow. What were the Cutlasses doing here, anyway? Did the Seelie Court have any use for them?

Canelis and Nyxis were stuck in a game of karavag, the latter's face scrunched up in concentration while Denara was busy goading him into making the wrong move. Cyrdel was alternating between the groups, a glass of liquor on hand. Kennen sat with Seravel and Jonadrin, each sipping different beverages from their cups. Knowing those three, they would stay that way for the rest of the night until someone worked up the courage to talk to them.

For now, the heirs were in good hands. Even the Masters were coming from the direction of the Seelie Hall and joining in on the feast. Was this what Master Quinxus meant when he said they're already celebrating? Maybe.

Xanthy craned her neck as she reached the Imperial Palace's entrance. Still no June. It's been two hours since the feast started. It's so unlike him to be late for anything. Unless...

Unless he really had no plans on going to this gifting. Xanthy felt her hands clenched into fists beside her. Sometimes, what set of nerves he has was amazing.

"Xanthy, what are you doing out here?" Cirasa's voice bled into her ears and bounced against the empty corridor. "They're looking for you in the hall."

She blew a breath and turned to find the oracle approaching her with a smile. "I'm waiting for someone," she said.

"June?"

She snorted. Since becoming the last oracle, Cirasa had been getting better at knowing things he shouldn't have. She turned back to the bridge stretching beyond her. "Yeah," she raised an eyebrow and glanced at him from her periphery. "Perhaps you could tell me where he is."

"If I knew, I would have," Cirasa shrugged. "Let's head back before you get cold here."

Xanthy pursed her lips. "I'd like to stay a bit more," she blinked when her vision turned hazy. Thankfully, the cold dried her eyes before her tears could fully form. "Maybe he was just running late."

Cirasa didn't speak. Instead, he clasped his hands behind him and joined Xanthy in staring out of the entrance. She sighed and rubbed her arms. It's a mistake to wear a short-sleeved dress in this season. The butt of her cane thumped against the Imperial Palace's smooth stone floor as she tapped with an invisible tune in her head. It's the only thing she could do to prevent herself from humming aloud like an idiot.

Outside, the night sky was in a deep shade of umber due to the presence of Leranna and Kamara in their combined sheen. The stars twinkled brighter than usual and if not for Master Drenice's lessons, Xanthy wouldn't even know the name of the constellations Duvindema and Nomina who were both present in tonight's sky. Her eyes brushed against the compass constellation and her heart wrenched yet again.

Xydaprioris. The first constellation she ever knew because June told her.

Xanthy crossed her arms as she leaned against the leg of the arched entrance. Why did every thought always end in him?

"How are things with you and Reeca?" Xanthy raked her gaze towards Cirasa who remained where he was even though Xanthy moved away.

"Taking our time with it, apparently," Cirasa smiled. "She feels she still needed to patch things up with her father and take control of Narfalk. Until then, we're staying as we are."

"Which is?"

"Un-bonded," the oracle said, talking about the sacred bonding as if it's just an everyday concept. "She and I still need to get ourselves together before we make the decision."

Xanthy hummed. That made perfect sense. She still remembered the first time Reeca and Cirasa announced they're dating. The heirs clapped and congratulated the both of them from coming out their shells and finally doing it. They were very much like Ariden and Lufi and if not for the pressure of the war, they wouldn't have been forced to admit their feelings for each other.

Now, they're talking about the next step in their relationship which was a sacred bonding ceremony. It's a decision entailing many things but well... "Do invite me to your ceremony," Xanthy said without looking at Cirasa. "I wish you luck."

Cirasa snorted. "Yeah, you too."

"There you are!" Reeca said from behind them. She caught up to them and braced her knees as she wheezed. Why was she running around in the Imperial Palace? "We've been looking all over for you two! Come on. They're starting the gifting ceremony."

Xanthy raised an eyebrow. "There's a ceremony for that?"

Reeca smiled at Cirasa and took his hand before rolling her eyes at Xanthy. "It's a formal feast," she said as if that explained everything. "Of course there will be a ceremony. Now, come on. Don't keep everyone waiting."

"Yeah," Xanthy said as Reeca turned and hauled Cirasa after her. The oracle winked at Xanthy before letting himself be dragged through the corridor. Xanthy glanced back at the bridge. Still no sign of white hair or a dark cloak. She reached up and twisted a lock of hair around her finger. "Coming."

The gifting ceremony lasted without mirth, at least for Xanthy. Conversations flitted in and out of her ears, fading and blaring to the point of irritating her. It's unfair for her friends who answered the Seelie Court's summons just to spend time with her and for the Seelie Court who actually arranged this ceremony.

It's just...hard to focus right now. Her mind had played multiple worst case scenarios about where June could be. Perhaps he's in trouble? Had he been kidnapped by poachers?

The next thing Xanthy knew, the heirs were saying their goodbyes, each one carrying the gifts she picked out in Nanvera on her own. She didn't even get June a present. It's almost she inherently knew he wouldn't come today.

Dragging her feet to Master Reciphra's study just as the servants began clearing the plates, glasses, and food, Xanthy tucked her hands underneath her arms and sighed the heaviest she could manage. It did nothing to the weight on her shoulders.

When she got to the Master's office, she was admitted inside with a soft tone but the words reached her ears in garbled sentences. She was made to sit on a stool in front of a desk where she reached for a quill dipped in dark ink. She poised the tip against the foremost sheet of parchment laid out in front of her. Speech. She needed to write a speech...

"Your Highness!" a stern voice jarred Xanthy back into reality. She looked down to find she had pressed the quill's tip against the sheaf of parchment that the ink had bled through several sheets. Queen's breeches. How long had she spaced out?

A sigh made Xanthy's head snap up. Her gaze found Master Reciphra massaging her forehead. When she brought her hand down, a genuine smile crinkled the corner of her eyes. "Why don't you take the night off, Your Highness?" the adviser said. "I'll handle your closing speech."

"But Master Quinxus said—"

"Rest for the night, Your Highness," Master Reciphra said. "Please. I feel like you need it."

Xanthy dug her teeth against her lower lip. "Please don't tell him."

Master Reciphra chuckled. "You can trust me, Your Highness," her eyes followed Xanthy when she stood up. "I'll send it to your quarters when I'm done tomorrow. That way, you'll have the whole day to practice."

Xanthy nodded. Her lips had long joined together. She walked towards the door to the Master's office and ducked her head at the adviser. "I owe you one."

"Your Highness, it's my job to assist you," Master Reciphria said. "You owe me nothing."

Xanthy closed her eyes, turned the knob, and swung the door open. "Thank you."

Without waiting for the adviser's answer, she was already out of the door. Her room. She just had to make it to her room. After that, everything would be alright.