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It was rather peaceful, standing alone in the dance hall that would be soon filled with countless dancing couples.
Julyett stood in the center of the empty dance hall, the faint smell of polished wood and fresh flowers filling the air. The event that was to be held tonight had been one her family had been preparing for months. The kitchens had been working overtime the past few days, the scent of cooking food filling the hallways as the dance hall was prepared with floral decorations and every surface was meticulously cleaned.
She took a deep breath, letting the tranquility of the room wash over her, the refreshing scent of the countless flowers filling her nose as she inhaled. Her dress flowed gracefully as she moved, the blue fabric swishing softly around her legs with each careful step. Every movement sent a dull ache through her shoulder, a constant reminder of his anger.
She rose her gaze from the floor as footsteps approached, and saw her.
Lally approached, her dark hair framing her face and eyes filled with a mixture of determination and tenderness. Julyett couldn’t help but smile at her, feeling a warmth that contrasted sharply with the coldness she felt at home.
In contrast to Julyett's dress, Lally wore a more masculine suit with tan pants and a crisp white shirt, with a black tailcoat neatly overtop, the look both daring and elegant - perfectly encapsulating Lally. Julyett knew Lally’s soon-to-be husband disapproved of her outfit choices, as did most around them, but Julyett personally loved them. Lally had always looked happier in her preferred outfits over the dresses and corsets her fiancé preferred.
“We have a few hours before people will begin to arrive,” Lally said softly, extending her hand out, palm up. "In the meantime... may I have this dance, my dear Julyett?"
Julyett couldn't help the smile that split her lips as Lally bowed her head - she was always such a romantic.
Julyett took Lally's hand, their fingers intertwining naturally - as if they were simply meant to be. “of course, my dear Lally,” she replied, her voice tinged with a bittersweet undertone.
She loved every dance they shared, of course she did, but she wished they could share them outside of empty dance halls. She wished they could dance alongside others, sharing warm looks and loving smiles as others watched.
Lally pulled Julyett close using the hand she held tightly - and her shoulder twinged, but Julyett didn't let it show, and they began to dance, their movements fluid and synchronized. Lally’s hand on Julyett’s waist was firm yet gentle, a stark contrast to how other people in Julyett's life danced with her - harsh and controlling, instead of gentle and loving. As they danced, Julyett felt the tension in her shoulders ease, if only slightly.
But every so often, a sharp pain shot through her shoulder as they made their way through their dance, making her wince. When Lally pulled her into a twirl, lifting her arm up, Julyett couldn’t hide the grimace that twisted her features. Lally noticed immediately, her eyes darkening with concern and a question on her lips, but Julyett shook her head.
Lally pulled Julyett close, and her lips kissed a trail up Julyett’s arm, a familiar and yet thrilling sensation. Julyett giggled at the ticklish sensation, but when Lally’s gaze landed on the bruise spread across her shoulder, she paused, her eyes narrowing with worry.
Maybe Julyett shouldn't have worn a dress that exposed so much.
He would probably ask her to change, before the guests arrive.
“What happened?” Lally’s voice was a low murmur, but the worry was unmistakable. "Did he..?"
“It’s not as bad as it looks,” Julyett said, trying to smile, but the effort was half-hearted. “You know how he is. He doesn’t like it when I... disagree.”
And that was all they did, wasn't it? Disagree, argue, and fight.
It wasn't like that when she was with Lally.
Lally’s jaw tightened, her fingers gently brushing over the ugly bruise that marred her pale skin before lifting her hand to rest it against Julyett's cheek, making Julyett look to her. “You shouldn’t have to endure this. Endure him.”
“I have no choice,” Julyett whispered, her eyes downcast, as she pulled her cheek away from Lally's gentle touch. “We are soon to be wed and society expects me to be the perfect wife, to stand by him no matter what. You know this.”
“And what about what we want?” Lally’s voice broke slightly, the vulnerability in her eyes making Julyett’s heart ache in a way that hurt more than the bruise. "What about what you want?"
Lally was always one that held less importance to the thoughts of society, always talking about extravagant ideas that Julyett knew they could never truly hope to turn to reality. And it always hurt when Julyett couldn't agree and play along with her dreams.
“We... we can't have it.” Julyett replied, her voice barely above a whisper. “Not here, not now. People like us...we’re not meant to be happy together.”
After a long and silent moment, Lally sighed and her hand fell down to hold Julyett's again. She stepped forward, and they continued to dance, each step a silent rebellion against the lives they were forced to lead - a rebellion that would lead nowhere.
Julyett thought of her fiancé, a man who saw her as little more than an accessory. His touch was cold, his words often cutting. They were together for appearances, nothing more. But when she was with Lally... Lally was warmth and comfort, a fleeting glimpse of what could never be. Lally expressed her love for Julyett in every look, every word.
“When we’re together like this,” Lally began, her voice breaking the silence of the deserted dance hall, “it feels like we’re in our own world. A world where we can be ourselves, even if just for a moment.”
Julyett nodded, feeling tears prick at the corners of her eyes as she twirled, leaning back to be caught in Lally's awaiting arms as her dress swirled around their legs. The motion pulled at her bruise, sending a sharp jolt of pain through her shoulder. She winced, biting her lip to stifle a cry before responding. “I wish we could stay in this world forever. I wish we could..."
There was so much she wished for when it came to Lally.
Their dance slowed as Julyett rose to her two feet again, and Lally’s hand moved to cup Julyett’s cheek. “I love you,” she whispered, the words carrying a weight that neither of them could deny. A weight that threatened to crush them beneath it, as there was nothing they could do to alleviate it.
“I love you, too,” Julyett replied, the confession both a relief and a burden - and it hurt to think of it that way.
They knew they could never say these words outside of this empty hall, where no one else could hear. They knew they could never do this outside of these quiet and private moments.
Lally leaned close to Julyett, her eyelids drifting shut as Julyett did the same, their lips nearing each other...
The creak of the great doors leading out of the dance hall interrupted their moment, and as they swung open two male voices called out their names, breaking the spell Julyett and Lally had been caught in. They reluctantly drew apart, the reality of their situation crashing back down upon them as they shared a look that told so much more than the spoken word ever could.
With a final, lingering touch as their fingers slipped out of the tight hold they had shared, they turned to face their fiancés, the weight of unspoken words heavy in the air.
As their names were called again, Julyett met Lally’s eyes, a silent promise passing between them.
They would always be there for each other, no matter what - or who - stood between them.
And as they walked towards their respective fiancés, forcing themselves to stand straight and plastering false smiles across their faces, the memory of their dance remained, a secret world that they could retreat to, even if only in their minds.
Julyett could still feel how it felt, when Lally pressed her lips to her skin in a kiss that was forbidden by society.
She loved Lally.
Lally loved her.
And yet... it wasn't meant to be.
Julyett took her place at her fiancé's side, and Lally did the same.