Unraveling Eden ✔ [ONC 2021]

Prologue

Prologue

1821

Some days it felt as though I had lived a thousand lifetimes and only drifted further away from the person I was meant to be.

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The evening sun poured in through the window that hung open lightly from its hinges and let in a breeze that warmed my soul. Some fresh air was welcomed graciously against my sticky, sweat-lined skin. The room had begun to feel stuffy with the steam floating off the hot bath water and Lady Brighton's voluptuous personality. This time of night, I was usually preparing for the day ahead. Laying out m'lady's dressing robes and attending to her final needs before I made my way through the corridors to my own chambers, where I didn't have to listen to her needless chirping and general rudeness. Tonight, however, had a different plan for me.

A pained groan erupted from Vittoria, where she lay soaking in the bath. "Delphine!" she hollered, her pitch nearly piercing my eardrums. "My head is thumping with the power of a dozen elephants," she exaggerated, rubbing her temples as she scowled at no one in particular. "I am afraid I do not have the strength to attend the ball tonight." She let out an unruly sigh and followed it with a loud splash as her hands hit the water's edge. "Deliver the message," she ordered, harshly, but just as I turned toward the door, her damp hand latched onto my wrist. Her expression softened and she offered a small smile. "Thank you, Delphine. Take the rest of the night."

She sunk down into the bathtub without hesitation, submerging everything but her face. I closed the door behind me as I tiptoed out of the room. My shoulders fell back down to their resting position and my lungs let go of the air that had been trapped inside. 

Vittoria wasn't the type to criticize, even if she was a bit eccentric, but still, I felt compelled to act a certain way in her presence. Or anyone with status for that matter. I was merely a lowly servant girl, at everyone else's mercy. One wrong step and that would be all it would take to mark me an outcast.

I hummed along to the music that had begun to play in the grand ballroom as I carefully walked down the dimly lit hall. Trumpets pipped, announcing each arriving guest. The pertinence of tonight's event hung thick in the air. The strict orders from the King had everyone on edge as the Prince's impending engagement sat on their shoulders. Rumor had it, he was meant to choose a bride at tonight's masked ball. Servants rushed past me, balancing trays of filled champagne glasses on each arm. I slipped into the next hall, out of the way of the hustle and bustle.

"Lady Brighton!" a shrill voice called, though I kept walking. Footsteps quickened behind me and I glanced backward. A woman I didn't recognize trailed close behind, waving frantically. "Lady Brighton!"

"She is-"

Her hand wrapped around my wrist, stopping me in my tracks. "Dear, you're going to be late for the ball. And what are you wearing? Let's get you in your gown. Your hair isn't even done up."

I furrowed my brows, confused, but quickly realized she was mistaking me for Vittoria. I shook my head, about to correct her. "I'm-"

"No fuss, you must attend the ball. The prince is waiting," she instructed, hurrying me back in the direction that I came. I dug my heels into the stone, feeling myself begin to tremble. Telling the truth seemed easier said than done.

I couldn't seem to get a word in. She didn't care to hear of my lack of status, it was all about numbers. All of the women on show as options for the Prince, like livestock for auction. "You don't understand-"

"Ah, I see. Do not fret about meeting the prince. He won't bite, dear," she chuckled and placed a hand on my back, pushing me toward Vittoria's room. Another woman popped into view and she quickly waved her over. "We must get Lady Brighton ready for the ball, the King wants all of the ladies in attendance for the Prince," she said, sternly.

Vittoria and I were very different people, who led different lives. It was hard to think how I could possibly be mistaken for her. She did like to keep her life private and we did have similarly blonde hair with small frames, still, I didn't think I could hold a candle to Vittoria especially in front of a crowd. She had a certain poise that was in her blood and definitely not in mine. "But-"

"You will not slip away this time. Please, get dressed for the ball." The door slid open and she scurried over to the wardrobe, revealing Vittoria's gorgeous, light blue dress with gold detailing and frills hanging elegantly from the bust. It was much more extravagant than any dress I had ever seen, my frail frame was not worthy of such lavishness. I could not do such a dress justice by any means. Still, my cotton gown was stripped off my body and I stepped into a corset.

A pained gasp entered my lungs as she pulled the laces on the corset tight without warning. I grasped onto the foot of the bed as she tugged for a second time. With each inch the corset tightened, I felt as though I would fall flat on my face. It was hard to breathe so I couldn't even imagine having to dance the waltz. The dress must have weighed a thousand tons, at least it felt as though it did when it was sitting on my shoulders. I was beginning to understand why Vittoria was always in a bad mood. While they were beautiful, the layers of clothing were enough to make a woman mad.

She tied my hair up before turning me in front of the mirror. "There. That wasn't so hard. Was it?" I opened my mouth to correct her, but then I caught a glimpse of my appearance. The girl looking back at me was not a lowly servant girl. No, I looked like a princess. "And the final touch." She placed a gold lace mask over my eyes. "Now, off to the ball, Lady Brighton."

Who was I to reject? Now that I looked the part, there was a voice within that was begging me to take this opportunity by the horns and spend a night seeing how the other side lived. One night wasn't going to hurt anyone after all.

I laid my hands at my sides and scooped up the skirt. "I'm ready." 

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Hope you enjoyed this opening chapter for Unraveling Eden! I'd really appreciate any feedback, so don't forget to comment with your thoughts on the story so far!