ALLURING ━━ winifred rose

07. the eventful fair

CHAPTER SEVEN
THE EVENTFUL FAIR

MARY RAN HER hands through Cora's long raven locks right before tying braids along the sides of it and letting the rest of her hair flow down to her waist. Today was the county fair, and people from all over Prince Edward Island were coming to see the festivities.

Cora was struggling between outfits but finally settled for a lacy white dress with hints of violet undertones and a fan of the same color with just as much lace. Her frail body was draped with white and her gemstone eyes sparkled with wonder; she looked breathtaking.

"Cor we leave in an hour!" Gil called out from downstairs as Bash picked up Delphine and rocked her up and down. Cora rushed downstairs and even Gilbert had to admit, Cora looked angelic.

"I'm here!" Cora exclaimed as Bash, Mary and Gilbert all stared at her in awe. Cora noticed this and slowly became uneasy, "What? Do I look bad.. or is my hair too messy.. or is my dress-"

"Cora you look absolutely gorgeous." Gilbert interrupted. Cora smiled at him but soon sarcastic comments filled the comfortable silence, the banter of the two siblings causing Mary and Bash to sigh. Delphine, on the other hand, merely giggled.

"Gil can I go to the fair early? I promised Anne I'd meet her." Cora questioned.

"Of course you can, go have fun Cor." Gil smiled at his younger sister.

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CORA REACHED THE fair and soon spotted an eager looking Anne. She wore a baby blue dress that she had borrowed from Cora, and an elegant hat that had a bow of the same color. The blue perfectly matched Anne's eyes and her fiery red hair was highlighted by the light outfit. She looked wonderful indeed.

"Anne!" Cora exclaimed and hugged her tightly, "You look marvellous."

"Me? Have you seen yourself Cor, you look like an angel." Anne said and Cora smiled at her.

They walked hand in hand around the fair and spoke together, and even occasionally sang.

"Ring toss?" Anne questioned while grinning.

"You're on Anne Shirley-Cuthbert." Cora smirked back at her.

They ended up doing the activity and in the end, Cora won, which caused Anne to whine like a baby. Cora dragged Anne along the entire fair and the pair did almost all the activities together, laughing and musing as though there was no worry in life.

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WINIFRED ROSE WAS nervous for the first time in her life. She had heard Cora confess her feelings for her in the woods, and did not know how to act. "At least", Winifred thought, "Cora reciprocates my feelings."

Winifred Rose was confused. Should she leave Gilbert, the perfect man, and pursue his sister, her ideal woman? Should she put aside every single value that society has taught her and have romantic relations with a woman? Should she stay with Cora's brother and have a bright future, but have that same feeling of emptiness that she feels every single time without Cora around?

Winifred Rose was at a crossroads: a dilemma. She wanted to be happy, but how could she be happy with a man that she doesn't love? She wanted to be happy, but how could she be happy when her parents would disown her for pursuing what, or rather who, her heart truly beats for?

Winifred decided to choose later, and simply enjoy the day. So she put on her lavish cream colored dress with red etchings with a hat of the same color, and clung onto Gilbert's rough hands.

My my, he really needs to use some of Cora's moisturiser.

The couple walked over to the carriage and rode themselves to the fair. And Winifred certainly wasn't prepared for the sight she saw in front of her. The sound of young children squealing and elders muttering in admiration and awe was extremely evident, and the sky's blue hues reflected on a stream that was present near by like a delicate crystal mirror. Hoisted on the grassy area were tents of all vivid hues, and that truly brightened Winnie's day.

But the one sight that she certainly was not prepared for was Cora Blythe. Her emerald green eyes reflected the sun's direct rays as she looked up at the sky and chuckled a most melodious laugh. Her radiant aura and snow white skin almost matched the hue of her dainty white dress that fitted her sleek body perfectly and her curls of raven hair were made brighter by the several vibrant flowers that adorned it. Cora Blythe was alluring.

Winifred felt the whole world go in slow motion as she gaped at Cora, and it took all the strength in Winnie to control her jaw from dropping. Cora was shortly joined by Anne, who embraced her tightly as they both smiled at each other. And in that moment, all Winifred wanted to do was run up to Cora and kiss her and make her hers. She wanted to show the world, especially Anne, how much she cared for Cora, despite the endless consequences. And then it hit her.

She was in love with Cora Blythe.

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"Winnie let's go meet Cora and Anne!" Gilbert exclaimed while chuckling.

Winnie hesitated for a moment before silkily saying, "Of course, let's go." The pair walked over to the two bosom friends and Winifred felt pangs of jealousy when Anne put a hand on Cora's shoulder and laughed with her.

"Winnie! Gil! I was wondering when you two would turn up." Cora exclaimed and smiled a bright smile.

"Well, it was about time Cor." Winifred retorted, getting lost in those same gemstone eyes. Gilbert and Anne both excused themselves to play a game of ring toss, leaving Cora and Winifred alone at a secluded spot behind the tent.

Winifred pulled Cora closer to her, their bodies extremely close to colliding, and whispered in her ear, her warm lips making contact with Cora's trembling skin.

"You know Cora, every time I've seen you laugh with Anne, I've wished it was me making those beautiful pink lips curl up."

Cora shivered at the contact and could only stare into Winifred's aqua blue eyes before gaining her confidence and whispering back, their lips only inches away from each other, "So you want to be my best friend Winifred? Well that can easily be arranged."

Now it was Winifred's turn to be silent.

"You know what I mean Cor, you very well know what I mean." Winifred said softly.

"When your courtship to my brother is over for good, then you can come to me and expect your affections to be returned. Anything you do before it is ended will be rejected." Cora said while looking Winifred in the eye.

"Very well Ms. Blythe, the game is on." Winnie whispered, making Cora smirk.

"One thing you need to know about me Ms. Rose, is that I never lose." Cora said while pulling away and walking towards Anne, leaving Winifred a shade of bright red.

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( 1163 words )

author's note:
thank u for reading muah :) i'm super proud of this chapter and i hoped you liked it too! don't forget to vote and comment if you enjoyed it hehe