We returned to our cottage just as the sun dipped low behind the hills, casting the sky in strokes of amber and fading gold.
Ariel had chosen a beautiful green dress for herself, one that made her eyes brighter and her laughter even lighter. I had chosen a soft yellow gown for Mama, something simple yet warm, the color of early morning sunlight. She had protested when i showed it to her, and of course, I insisted.
I also chose a red dress which I liked more than I had to admit.
We spoke with Mrs. Elowen the seamstress about paying in installments. She did not seem troubled by it. Perhaps the excitement of the royal selection had softened even her strict business heart.
Ariel had walked me halfway home before turning toward her own house, promising to come early in the morning so we could leave together.
Now the cottage was as quiet as graveyard.
I had taken my bath, letting the cool water calm the restless beating of my heart. The scent of rosemary and cinnamon oil lingered on my skin as I stepped back into my room.
Tomorrow is the ball.
The thought alone made my stomach twist in a painful way.
I had never felt so nervous in my life. Not when I first bled. Not even when he first appeared to me.
I lay upon my bed and pulled the covers up to my chest. My eyes grew heavy and I drifted into a deep sleep.
Soon after morning came…
After some time, I rose and made myself ready for the day.
When at last I stepped out of my room, the comforting scent of brewed tea and fresh linen greeted me.
Mother sat near the window, her embroidery frame resting gracefully upon her lap, her nimble fingers guiding the thread through fine cloth.
The sunlight caught in her hair, making the red curls just like mine shine even more brightly.
When she saw me, her face brightened at once. "You are awake? Come here, my dear."
I crossed the small room and lowered myself beside her. She set aside her embroidery and drew me gently into her side, her arm wrapping around my shoulders. I rested my head against her, breathing in her familiar scent.
"You look pale," she murmured, brushing her hand tenderly over my hair. "Did sleep refuse you?"
"It was only the thought of tonight," I said quietly. "Nothing more."
She studied me for a moment but did not press further. Instead, her expression brightened with something like pleased anticipation.
"I spoke with your uncle yesterday," she began.
I lifted my head slightly. "Uncle?"
She nodded. "He has agreed to rent us a carriage for the ball."
I blinked in surprise and sat upright. "He wishes to rent Father's carriage to us?" The words left me sharper than I intended. "He took it from us without mercy… and now he would rent our own carriage back to us? And you agreed, Mama?"
Silence wrapped around us for a moment.
"My child," Kaira said softly, "there are battles one does not win by pride alone."
"But it was Father's," I insisted, my voice lowering though the ache within it did not. "He had no right."
She reached for my hand then, her fingers cool as they enclosed mine. "You are right," she admitted, and there was no denial in her tone. "He had no right. But what is done is done. The carriage would have rotted where it stood had he not taken it. At least now it remains whole."
Her thumb brushed gently across my knuckles. "And tonight," she continued, "it shall carry his daughter to her first ball. Perhaps that is something your father would have wished."
The anger within me faltered as tears welled up in my eyes.
"And the fee?" I asked quietly. "How are we to pay him?"
Mother offered a faint, dignified smile. "Your uncle has agreed to accept it in portions. We shall manage."
We shall manage? How I wish I could believe that.
I nodded and did not ponder any longer.
≈≈≈
Finally the night of the ball came, and I have never been more nervous in my life.
For an hour I stared at my dress laid carefully upon the bed, its folds arranged as though awaiting inspection. I do not know what held me there for so long, fear, perhaps, or the knowledge that once I put it on, there would be no retreat from the evening.
At last, I gathered the strength to dress.
The gown settled upon me with a quiet weight, the fabric cool against my skin. It felt strange to be clothed in something so fine within the modest walls of our cottage.
Ariel arrived just as she had promised, her cheeks flushed from the evening air, her eyes bright with excitement that I could not quite share. She stood behind me now as her fingers worked at the laces of my corset with determined precision.
I gripped the edge of the dressing table as she pulled the straps tighter. And tighter, until air became scarce in my lungs.
"Ariel…" I managed, my voice thin. "Could you loosen it a bit?"
She paused only slightly. "If I loosen it, you shall appear undone before the prince," she replied, tugging once more as though she meant to shape me into something finer than I was born to be.
I inhaled carefully, the fabric pressing firmly against my ribs, forcing my posture straight and my nerves tighter.
Tonight, I must look composed. Even if I felt as though I might faint before ever leaving this room.
Ariel then turned to herself, and in a short while, she made herself look extraordinary, as she always does. She has always known how to present herself beautifully without trying too hard.
She styled her hair up neatly, leaving a few strands to fall on each side of her face. It softened her features and made her look even more radiant.
When she was done, she came behind me once more to tend to my hair. I told her I did not want anything extravagant or overly grand. And thank Almighty she listened.
Instead of elaborate curls or towering pins, she braided my hair carefully and wove small flowers into it, arranging them in a way that made the style look bold and unapologetic rather than delicate.
She allowed a few strands to fall gently over my face, giving it a softness I had not expected.
When she finished, I stared at myself for a long moment. And I was satisfied.
Just then, Mama walked in, dressed in her yellow gown. She smiled the moment her eyes fell upon me.
For a brief second, she simply stood there, as though she had forgotten how to breathe. Then she walked toward me slowly, her yellow gown rustling softly with each step.
"You look…" she began, her voice warm and almost unsteady, "…like a lady fit for any noble hall."
Her fingers came up to touch my cheek gently as I turn towards her. "No… more than that. You look like your father's pride."
The words settled deeply within me, and I could not help the smile that appeared on my face.
She glanced at Ariel then, her smile widening. "And you, Ariel, have outdone yourself as always. You look quite magnificent tonight."
Ariel smiled so brightly I was certain her cheeks must ache from the effort. "Thank you, Aunty Kaira…"
Mother's expression softened at once. She stepped closer to Ariel and took her hand gently within hers.
"If your mother and father were alive," she said quietly, her voice lowering with tenderness, "they would stand exactly where I am standing now looking at you with pride too great for words."
Ariel's smile trembled, though she fought to keep it steady.
"You have grown into a fine young woman," Mother continued. "Graceful, kind… and far stronger than you know."
Ariel blinked rapidly, as though willing the tears away before they could betray her. She forced a light laugh, though it trembled at the edges.
"Oh, Aunty Kaira," she said, attempting cheerfulness, "if you continue, you shall ruin all the effort I put into my face."
Mother chuckled softly at that and released her hand with a gentle squeeze. "No tears tonight," she said warmly. "This evening is meant for joy."
Ariel nodded, drawing in a steady breath to compose herself once more. Yet I saw the way her shoulders lifted slightly, the way her smile became quieter.
And in that small moment, we were no longer preparing for a grand ball. We were simply three women, holding one another together in the absence of those we had loved.
Finally, we made our way outside, where the carriage awaited us beneath the dim glow of the evening lamps.
The air was cool, brushing lightly against my face as Mother stepped in first, followed by Ariel. I gathered my gown carefully and entered after them, the door closed with a firm, final sound that made my heart leap within my chest.
The coachman took his place at the front, gathering the reins in his gloved hands.
With a small flick and a steady command, he guided the horses forward, and the carriage began its measured journey toward the palace.
The wheels rolled over the quiet road.
After what felt like a long ride, the carriage finally slowed before the palace gates.
Every rumor I had ever heard of it proved true the moment it came into view. The structure stood vast and commanding, stretching so far that one could scarcely tell where it began or where it ended.
Its white walls rose proudly beneath the night sky, illuminated by countless lanterns that made it gleam like polished marble.
I could not keep my eyes away. I leaned slightly toward the window, my breath shallow, as I stared at the immense building before us. It did not seem entirely real, too grand, too magnificent to belong to the same world as our small cottage.