~ Ronance Oneshots ~

VII. "The Girl in the Red Dress."

(Victorian England Masquerade Ball AU!!)
not much angst in this one, srry

Tw - Sexism, Stealing

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The year is 1842. A Masquerade Ball is commencing in the Ballroom on Morning Street. And quite unfortunately, Nancy had to be invited.

Nancy Wheeler was a 19 year old woman, the daughter of Karen and Ted Wheeler, who were a Lady and a Lord. Michael and Holly were staying home with the Nanny, meanwhile Nancy had to spend her time in Hell.

She were never a fan of large gatherings. She found them irritating and uninteresting. She would much rather be home in her room, writing down her thoughts and feelings. She always dreamed of being an author, sharing her dreams and fantasies with the world.

Unfortunately, her father never approved. He said a woman should cook and clean, and not think about such nonsense a man would usually do. Her mother would have no choice but too agree. Once she married him, she were "his property."

Nancy would never marry. For this reason and this reason alone. And, she never found interest in any of the boys that she was around or her parents set her up with.

Maybe she was broken. Maybe she was wrong. She needed to love a boy. Otherwise, what use would she be?

The way she was brought up, women were made to love boys. Women were born to cook, clean and have more children. Men were born to provide for there families. Men were born to "own" women, as her father put it.

She swore that she would never marry a man. Even if she would be an outcast to the Wheeler Family Bloodline.

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Nancy stared at herself in the mirror. Her hair was neatly curled and rested upon her shoulders. Her skin was as fresh as new-fallen snow, Her eyes as blue as the ocean, and her smile as fake as plastic.

How could she keep up the fake act for the whole night? Let alone a few hours. My word, this night would be hell in a dance.

Her dress was a pale green, that left her shoulders and collar-bone bare. It was silky and loose, with a strap that went across her chest and arms to hold it up. In the middle of the strap, a pale pink flower was sown into it.

Even though the dress was loose, the corset still digged into her ribs, erupting the greatest discomfort. But as her mother taught her, comfort isn't always everything. We had to look presentable for the boys. For whoever "wants us".

Nancy cringed at the choice of words, turning slightly to the side, glancing at the trail of the dress behind her. She looked presentable. She looked pretty. She had nothing to worry about.

The girl grabbed the mask from her bedside table and glanced at it for a while. It was the same colour as her dress, but with golden swirls and flowers at the corners.

Nancy took a liking to the mask, even though it hid her face, she didn't mind. She placed it over her eyes and looked at herself in the mirror once again.

Let the torture begin.

♩  ----- ♩

Nancy walked in, glancing around the Ballroom. My god, was it a sight!

Velvet red curtains were strewn across the large windows, and the pale white walls were decorated with paintings. Tables lined the walls, which were filled with trays of pastries and drinks, aswell as the maids and servents coming rounf with them. And the bookshelves were lined with books after books! Nancy couldn't help but gape at the sight, she was mesmerised!