CROWN PRINCE | LES MISÉRABLES

62.

I got out of bed. We had a ball today. We needed to get everything ready.

"Good morning my love. How are you this lovely morning?"
"A bit tired. But I still have so much to do."
"Stay here.", he said, pulling me back in bed.

"But the ball."
"It's at night."
"Still. We need to prepare."
"I will choose your dress and you will choose my suit. Does that sound like a deal to you?", he asked.

"Sounds amazing."
"I know. It's my idea.", he said, getting out of bed.

He went out of the room. I took some deep breaths and walked to the window to open the blinds. The last ball was a catastrophe and this one couldn't be one. I had to make sure to drink enough and stop the tight lacing. Society put us, women, under enormous pressure:

you had to be skinny but also enough curves for a man to find you attractive. If you're not married until the age of 18, you are considered damaged. If you had a baby before being married, you are declared a whore and your baby a bastard.

Tight lacing played a huge part in our society: women needed that perfect waist. It had to be the slimmest part of your body. And don't get me started on things that happen every month. Your hair needs to be perfect at all times and you are not allowed to be unaccompanied unless you're married.

If that doesn't tell you how awful our society was, I don't know what will. Balls were everything and the hosts were strictly observed and watched. One misstep would make you a laughing stock. We weren't allowed to study in university. I loved reading, and I was lucky to be in the richer middle class. Because otherwise, no one would've taught me.

A woman could not marry below her status, only up. Once again, I was really lucky. I had no title but was mostly introduced as 'Miss Annelise Robillard or the honorable Annelise Robillard' because my father was a Baron.

But now I had to stop myself. I would need to get ready for the ball.

"Are you alright, my love?"
"Yes, just deep in thought."
"What about?"
"I cannot ruin this night again. I am worried."
"Don't be. I should've asked you first and I am sorry. But if you don't feel well, you can excuse yourself. Say it's Tim."

"I cannot lie, you know how hard it is for me."
"Yes, I do. But still. This night should be enjoyable for all of us, not only our guests. Stop worrying about it. We have the entire day and no little boy running around to make things harder. We have time to make this the perfect ball.", he said.

"You know what to say when I am feeling down. Thank you."
"You're welcome."
"I love you."
"I love you, Annelise.", he said, kissing my cheek.

I smiled and began to wash. My skin had to glow and it would. I would be the star that shines down the brightest. And Bastien was going to help me.