Serendipity: Jovana And The Duke

 The dance soon came to an end. Mothers and fathers charged onto the dancefloor, searching for worthy mates for their offspring. Falcon looked around in a weary way, and commented, "Should I prepare myself to present references to a very pompous mother?" Jovana could tell by the light tone in his voice, and the amused smile that it was an innocent joke. But despite Falcon's best intentions, his words opened a deep gash in Jovana's heart, making her feel sad and alone.

"You have nothing to worry about, Falcon. No father will come to count the change in your pocket and no mother will distress you by singing my praises… Excuse me." Jovana said, and made a quick curtsy, and walked away. 

'I didn't mean to be so harsh on him, but I just couldn't help it.' Jovana mused, and on her way to join Xena, she felt observed. And when she glanced around she understood why. Caspian Clifford's eyes were following her, but he looked away the moment Jovana noticed him.

'Was he watching me?' Jovana mused, her heart racing. She breathed slowly, and tried to calm down as she shook her head, and thought, 'I think it's better to keep my feet on the ground and stop imagining things. I've got too much on my plate already.' 

Xena rushed to Jovana like a storm, and Jovana smiled, "Xena! I was just wondering where you —-" 

"Clifford and Ridley? Who's next in line? The King?" Xena exclaimed loudly, and Jovana glanced at the Duke. As she looked in his direction, she was sure she saw a faint but unmistakable glimmer in his eye.

'I'm sure he heard everything!' Jovana mused, as she looked around, embarrassed, and she dragged Xena away to a quieter spot. "Stop it, Xena. The Duke was looking at us!"

"Of course he was… Maybe he's falling for you." Xena quipped, a grin forming on her lips.

Jovana shot her a look, and remarked, "This is not funny." 

"I'm sorry, I just couldn't resist. This will be the gossip of the season!" Xena said, and Jovana chuckled at her friend's enthusiasm.

"Fine. But calm down now. How was your night?" Jovana asked, and Xena snickered.

"Remember my vial? I spent the last hour talking in rhymes. The effect has just worn off," Xena said.

"That must have been funny." Jovana commented, while Xena frowned.

"Sure, for everyone around. For me, it was terrible… And kinda funny as well! But it didn't give me your popularity. How did you pull that off?" Xena asked, looking at Jovana curiously.

Jovana shrugged, and answered, "Actually, I didn't do anything different from what you did." 

"The Serendipity I gave you?" Xena exclaimed, and when Jovana nodded, she said, "Oh, this is so unfair! You got the best possible vial, and I got the worst." 

Jovana went quiet for a moment, and replied, "If it makes you feel better, you should have had my vial. I wasn't prepared for all this popularity." Jovana had just finished saying that when she saw Xena's cheeks turning red. Someone was approaching from behind Jovana.

'There's only one person that can make her blush like that.' Jovana mused.

"Ladies, what a pleasure to find you again." Elijah said, looking between his sister and Xena.

"Eli, the feeling is mutual. It's a pleasure to see you, as usual." Xena responded in rhyme.

'Did she just speak in rhyme?' Jovana thought.

"Is everything alright, Xena?" Elijah asked, and Xena nodded shyly, as she avoided eye contact with him.

"Don't worry, Eli. It's just some kickback from a serendipity vial," Jovana said. 

"Serendipity, eh? Honestly, I never got why everyone adores those vials. Too much unpredictability." Elijah commented.

"But that's the beauty of it, Eli. They make you feel like a child, running around free and wild." Xena said, and Jovana shook her head with a smile.

"My brother is too much of a soldier for that," Jovana said, 

"Maybe, And by the way, my dear sister, I would never have guessed your taste for men. It's…odd, to say the least." Elijah said, giving Jovana a meaningful look.

"I didn't make the choice… It just happened. Shouldn't I take this opportunity?" Jovana said, and Elijah shook his head.

"I'm not sure, Jovana. Just because an opportunity comes your way doesn't mean it's right for you." Elijah said, and Jovana nodded her head.

"I know what you mean, and I'll keep it in mind." Jovana assured him, and thought, 'Eli would like to see me with someone like him. Someone caring and reliable whom he can trust. But it's clear that, in his eyes, neither Caspian nor Falcon are well suited for the role.' 

"Fine. But be sure to know where you're putting your heart." Elijah said.

"Well, I'm pretty sure that at least one of them is more interested in something other than my heart." Jovana joked, and glanced at the Duke in the distance. He was talking with some other Lord. As soon as Jovana laid her gaze on him, his eyes moved to meet hers, like he was reading her mind.

Jovana had the impression that a barely noticeable grin appeared on his lips, 'Come on, Jovana. Now you're being paranoid. He can't read your mind.' 

Elijah glanced at the Duke as well, then back at Jovana. He said, "If that's the case, the Duke and I might have a couple of things to discuss." His eyes went straight to Caspian.

"Please, Eli, don't be so stiff. Maybe Xena could recite a poem to put your mind at ease." Jovana said, and Xena glared at her, knowing she did that to distract Eli, and put the focus on her.

"There's no reason to put me to shame, bad luck is all that's to blame!" Xena huffed.

"I think the rhymes are quite enjoyable." Elijah commented.

"They… They get old fairly quickly, believe me." Xena said, making an effort to resist the residual effect of the vial.

"Then maybe we should quit talking and dance. Would you do me the honor, Xena?" Elijah bowed, holding out his hand for Xena.

Xena grinned, and replied, "Oh, Lord Stafford…it will be my honor." Both of them plunged onto the dancefloor and after a while, the music suddenly stopped, and the royal host was back on the royal stage.

"Lords and Ladies of the kingdom, your host and protector is here. All hail King Edward!" The royal host's voice boomed across the room.

All the dancing stopped, Elijah and Xena walked back to Jovana's side. The King entered the room from a giant double door inlaid with gold, and everyone bowed in reverence.