I could not sleep throughout the night. I kept tossing on the bed, my mind restless, replaying Mother's words. The hopeful light in her eyes haunted me. I could not bear to shatter it.
Many maidens would be present at the ball. They would adorn themselves in silks, satins, and jewels that gleamed like stolen stars. I could not help but wonder what I would wear if I agreed. Not that I desired attention, but we do not have the means for such finery.
I had seen and heard of the extravagance required, and I was not about to spend the few coins I had saved for Mother's sake on a gown, when the likelihood of being chosen was so slim.
Thousands of maidens would be there. And luck… luck had never been on my side. The choice would rest in the prince's hands, and I was certain I could never be his selection when there were daughters of rich families, trained in grace, in manners, and in beauty that shone like the sun.
A small, wry smile tugged at my lips. Perhaps I would attend. And if I were not chosen, it would not be my fault. And at least neither the prince nor my mother would have forced me into a marriage I did not approve.
I had heard tales of the palace's vastness, some said, it could hold a thousand people at once, and some said, one could wander through its endless halls and still feel lost. A part of me was curious. I wanted to see for myself, to touch the walls whispered of in rumor, to step into a world so far removed from our humble cottage.
≈≈≈
The following day, I was in the small garden in front of our cottage, watering the flowers while humming a song beneath my breath.
Kaira was in the kitchen, of course. Cooking. She was always cooking something, as though the scent of warm bread and herbs could keep misfortune from finding its way back to our door.
I had planned to tell her that I had accepted the offer. The words had formed clearly in my mind when I woke.
'I will go, Mother.' Simple. Yet when I saw her moving about the kitchen earlier, humming softly to herself, I could not bring myself to open my mouth. So instead, I slipped outside.
The morning air was cool against my skin. Dew clung to the petals, and the earth felt alive beneath my feet.
Then my eyes caught a flower leaning to one side, its petals browned at the edges.
I crouched beside it, brushing my fingers gently over its stem. "Are you dying just like me?" I murmured lightly, tilting my head. "You cannot bear to live in this world without me. How sweet."
A smile curved my lips, though there was little humor in it. Just then, I heard someone scream my name from a distance. "Adeline!"
I looked up and Ariel was dashing toward me, her skirts gathered in her hands, hair nearly coming undone from its pins. She looked as though she had outrun a storm.
I rose to my feet just as she reached me, and she wrapped her arms tightly around me, nearly lifting me off the ground.
She pulled away just enough to look at me, her cheeks flushed, eyes bright like she had swallowed the sun itself.
"Adeline," she breathed. "It came. It truly came."
I blinked at her. "What came?"
She stepped back and reached into the fold of her dress, pulling out a familiar neat envelope.
My smile faltered.
"The invitation," she whispered, as though saying it too loudly might make it vanish. "To the bride selection ball."
For a moment, the world stilled. Even the dying flower at my feet seemed to bow its head further.
"You received one as well?" I asked carefully.
She nodded so fast I feared her head might fall off. "Yes, yesterday! Thank Heavens my Uncle and his daughter were not around, else he would have stopped me from going, and let his daughter attend instead."
I forced a small smile. "It seems fortune has grown generous overnight."
Ariel grabbed my hands. "Tell me you received one too."
I hesitated… then nodded quietly, "I did."
She screamed louder than before in excitement.
Kaira's voice floated from the kitchen window. "What is happening out there? Has someone died or has someone married already?"
"Neither!" Ariel called back, grinning wildly. "Not yet!"
I felt heat creep up my neck.
Ariel turned back to me, grabbing both my hands. "You are going, aren't you?"
There it was. The question I had been avoiding since last night.
I glanced at the dying flower again. Then back at her. "Yes," I said at last. "I will go." The words felt heavier spoken aloud.
Ariel beamed. "We shall go together. We will stand in that palace and make every noble girl regret ever looking down on us."
I smiled faintly at her confidence. From inside the cottage, I heard hurried footsteps.
The door swung open. Kaira stood there, flour dusting her hands, hope already shining in her eyes. "Adeline," she breathed. "Is it true?"
I turned toward her. "Yes, Mama," I said softly. "I have decided. I will attend the ball."
And for a moment… I let her happiness be enough.
"Oh, come here, my dear," Mother said, and before I could steady myself, she pulled me into her embrace.
Her arms wrapped around me tightly. I breathed in the familiar scent of flour and rosemary that always clung to her clothes.
"I knew you would not let fear steal this from you," she murmured into my hair.
Fear. If only she knew.
Ariel, standing beside us, could not hide the bloom that spread across her lips as she watched mother and daughter. Her eyes softened, almost wistful.
"You see?" she said brightly. "This is how grand stories begin. Two village girls summoned to the palace. One of us will marry the prince, and the other will pretend she is not jealous."
Mother laughed softly, pulling back just enough to cup my face in her hands. "Jealous? My daughter?" She brushed her thumb beneath my eye. "Who would dare outshine her?"
Heat crept into my cheeks. "Mother."
Ariel placed a hand dramatically over her heart. "I already feel underdressed in her presence."
I rolled my eyes, but a small laugh escaped me despite myself.
Mother stepped back, her expression turning thoughtful now. "We must begin preparations at once," she said. "There is much to do."
"Mother," I began gently, "you need not trouble yourself so much."
"It is no trouble," she replied firmly. "It is a blessing."
Ariel nodded eagerly. "Every household with a daughter is in chaos."
I glanced back at the small dying flower near my feet. The petals drooped further under the sun's climb.
Mother followed my gaze. "That one may not survive," she said softly. "But the others will."
I swallowed. "Yes," I replied quietly. "The others will."
Ariel slipped her arm through mine. "Come. Let us go into town this afternoon. We shall see what can be done. Even if we must rent the gowns or buy in installments."
Mother brightened at once. "That is a fine idea."
I forced a smile, allowing myself to be carried along by their plans.
"You should go. And come back soon," Mother said, gently taking the watering can from my hand before I could protest.
Ariel was already tugging me toward the narrow path that led from our cottage to the main road.
"We will be back before sunset!" she called over her shoulder.
Kaira waved at me, and I lifted my hand and waved back.