Evelyn Disgrace

Chapter Twelve - The Past

According to my observations, it seems like there is much that a wedding entails. Very, very much. And I find it disgracefully annoying.

First one must send out the invitations, and also manage all the drama that comes with that. Apparently everybody in Vera's high society expects to be invited to every single event possible. For instance, Lady Alderade threw a fit when she heard that Anneth was to be married that week, and practically invited herself. Then Miss Harper, Anneth's forgotten childhood friend, showed up at the house with presents for the bride. The Tirases had no choice but to invite her. Except, I suppose they could have rejected her indirect pleadings and risked looking antisocial.

After all the invitations are sent, the couple must decide on a cake, a caterer, and which delicatessen to purchase all the meats from. They also must select wine appropriately, making sure to choose the best one and still not offend the other wineries. The same thing goes for the delicatessens.

Then there are dresses and fashions to decide. Styles and embroideries. And last, but certainly not least in Anneth's wedding, is the decorations.

And I certainly have much to say here.

We shall begin with the useless flowers that people consider pretty. I admit that roses are admirable, considering their symbolism of romance. However, I don't agree with Anneth's selection of petunias. The rose carries elegance and superiority, while the petunia just contains happiness. And why would one be happy after spending all that money?

I suppose Evelyn does not necessarily agree with all my descriptions of a wedding, but I'm sure agrees with some, considering the circumstances.

For the circumstances entail that Jeremy Faux is marrying Anneth Tiras, not Evelyn Tiras.

She has two nights until the wedding. Two nights to steal the pot of decay. Two nights to escape Asrin's clutch.

But for now, she is decorating the union venue. A place that must have cost a fortune, I might add. However, it's pretty.

And that's all I'll say.

"Where will you two be going for your wedding trip?" Evelyn asks, trying to bring up things to talk about with Jeremy. She finishes tying a garland of petunias across one of the venue's stained glass windows.

Jeremy swiftly ties the other end. "I expect we'll go to Lake Alvard."

"You expect?" Evelyn moves over to the next window and begins to tie another garland. "What do you mean by that?"

"Well, Anneth appears to be mildly under the weather. We may have to postpone the trip." Jeremy walks over to help her.

"I'm sure Anneth won't postpone the trip. She's been excited for it since forever." Evelyn sighs, reflecting on memories past. "All the time she'd say that she wanted to go to Lake Alvard for her wedding trip. The girl would blab and blab about it until the rest of us were sick of hearing of that place."

Jeremy hesitates for a moment before attaching the other end of the garland to the nail next to the window. "Is Anneth talkative?"

"Yes. Why?" Evelyn moves on to the next garland.

Jeremy follows her. "I was just wondering."

Evelyn looks at Jeremy. "Are you getting cold feet?"

"No." His response in brusque, as if he's not giving the entire truth.

Before Evelyn can argue, she hears her name ripple across the venue's elegant atmosphere. Her mother.