Midnight Bliss

Chapter 2

We walked into our suite with high hopes. It was spacious enough to house us plus two. The ceilings were high, oak furniture scattered around the room, floral arrangements perched on each side table. It was a decent enough area and I felt thankful Father had friends in high places. As I settled down in my room I admired the bed with its emerald silk sheets and fluffed pillows. I could use a nap.

A knock came to the door. My nap would have to wait.

"Nora, we should get ready for that ball. It will surely take hours." Mother called through the door.

I sighed, "Come in, Ma ma."

She entered the room with a flourish and I rolled my eyes at the show. She was always one for theatrics and as she approached behind me I felt a pang of love for my erratic mother.

"I'm thinking we could pin up your hair to show off your eyes. Paired with the violet dress I can see you being a gem this season." She admired me in the mirror and patted my long hair.

I forced a smile, "I was thinking I would wear the yellow dress Papa got me last season."

Mother looked taken aback, "You don't want something a bit softer?"

I sighed and gave in, knowing it would be an argument. The ball was hours away, but she got to work quickly. Curling and pinning my hair, she worked speedily to pile the enormous amounts high upon my head. When she was done I plucked two strands from beside my eyes and they framed my face nicely. Admiring myself in the mirror, I stood and allowed my mother to slip my corset over my figure and beginning lacing it up. It wasn't something I particularly enjoyed, but damn, did I look good. Once laced, I ran my hands down my tightened figure and let her slip the hoop skirt over my frame, beginning the process of layers to keep my dress looking as beautiful as possible.

In the end of the process we had settled on the soft yellow dress I fondly adored. Once it was laced, I admired myself in the mirror as my mother pinned butterfly jewels into my hair and clasped a single butterfly pendant around my neck. For our family, the butterfly was our crest. Gentle and kind in nature, fierce and beautiful. I never understood why my father chose that to be our crest, but it was nice to have beautiful accessories besides a lion or a panther like other houses.

"All done!" Mother exclaimed, clapping her hands together happily.

It was such an accomplishment for her. I recognized that, but I wondered when I would get a chance to breathe. We had been going non stop since we found out I was attending the season and frankly, I was tired, but I couldn't afford to stop now.

"Ready, girls?" Father called from the doorway.

I admired my father in his best clothes. The blackness of the fabric made his orange hair stand out wildly from his face and mother joined beside him in her own orange fabric. She preferred brighter colors to draw attention to herself, but I feared even tonight she would not surpass the beauty she had crafted upon me. I nodded to father and followed him out the door.

The ball awaited.