Violet

11| The Corset

I can hear the music even from my room, it travels and echoes along the corridor halls. Part of me does not want to go down there...at all. The reason for this is mainly because of my tiring sleepless nights, though mainly because something is bound to happen, something that we now consider to be a 'usual mishap,' happening at least once a day to give Emmett and I clues.

Like yesterday. Boy, was that eventful? The thought of someone taking photographs of Emmett and me this whole last week makes me feel ill. To be watched, to be examined. I knew that whoever is doing all of this would not be an easy catch, but I was not aware of the extremality of it all. However, it does make everything feel more real. But what has been found, has been found and now that we have this information, we can try to keep a lookout.

But to think that there may be more than one person scares me.

And our catch-up with William and Fredrick yesterday has been on replay in my head all day. Why would Fredrick defend me from his brother? Even if they were both planning? Or maybe that was part of their present plan.

On the other hand, another part of me wants to go. And the reason for this is because I would love to be able to dance, properly, with Emmett again. As I have more knowledge of how to dance, and now that we have practised, it should be easier and more enjoyable. But that was exactly a week ago...one down, two to go.

I am then brought back down to the present moment due to a sharp pain in my left ribcage.

"Ouch! Ari – geez."

"I know, I know. It is supposed to hurt."

The tops of my fingers graze the rough fabric of the corset digging into my sides, while Arietta stands behind me, tightening the strings for the last time. Thankfully the pain goes away.

"How is one supposed to feel beautiful when the requirements of beauty bring nothing but pain?"

"Oh, Violet." Arietta sighs, now handing me the same red dress I wore for the first ball. "Is it that bad?"

"Ah," I scoff, "Yes. I just wonder how so many women have to wear these corsets when all they do is crush your ribs and squeeze you until you cannot breathe?" I say this while jumping into the dress.

"You do think incredibly deeply about things, do you not? Besides, they are the beauty standards.

Now," Arietta turns around, displaying the back of her corset, clearly undone, "my turn!"

"Oh no," I reply, "I am sorry my friend, but I cannot torture you like that."

She laughs. "Okay never mind, I will do it myself then." So, she does, and quite fast too. I do not even know why she asked me to help her in the first place. Then over the top of her now tied corset, she slips into a beautiful and flowy emerald green dress.

"Wow, that colour suits you."

"Thank you," she says while adjusting the sleeves, "as does yours."

"I think I am going to take this corset off."

"Oh no please do not! I am sure Emmett would love to see you dressed up."

I snort. "I am convinced that he would not care," I say, "and besides, why should us women care what boys think?"

Arietta giggles. "There you go again," she says while guiding me out the door, "let us go now." We get out into the hallway and begin making our way down to the ballroom.

"Who are you dressing to impress then?" I ask. Our shoes create a satisfying echo as we walk.

Arietta sighs next to me. "In all honesty, no one. I guess I am just going for the food."