Empire of Dreams

*29*

Soon, we were properly settled in the Westenhanger castle. The cosy house was currently in full bloom. Little Mary would almost always toddle away after some interesting insect while Aunt Catherine knitted or played the flute.

I spent most of my time scheming. I needed to inform Edward why I was here but I wanted him to be the one to approach me. I didn't feel like talking to my father or my mother. I wondered whether sending any letter to the Archduke would be safe. I was still waiting for the right time to tell someone about the mess I was in. That's when the invitation arrived.

Lady Irem had invited us to a ball at her estate. The social season was soon to begin. The eligible bachelors would soon begin their search for the perfect partners.

"We need to attend this! It has been quite some time since I enjoyed entertainment" Aunt Catherine said excitedly.

We called Mary to stay with her little namesake while we would be away.

"Don't worry Catherine, I'll take perfect care of her! You need to trust me with my honorary half-sister" Mary assured.

"When you put it that way..." Aunt Catherine said, bursting out with glee. She really was excited.

It felt nice to see her so bubbly. It had been a long time since she had smiled.

While she was away deciding a dress for the next evening, Mary and I chatted away in my room.

"I think Edward plans to make you the Queen" Mary suddenly said, taking away the casual fun that filled the room some moments ago.

"I have been meaning to tell you...." I begin but she cuts me short.

"You don't need to explain yourself. If you accept the position it is totally up to you. But you must remember Jane, we all have actions we simply need to take. I can't promise to stay out of your way. After all, I am the rightful heir. I do not object to you becoming the Queen but I want you to promise that you wouldn't hold any ill will towards me if I protest against your rule in return for my promise to not hold any ill will when you take the throne"

I remain silent for a couple of minutes. Will I be able to keep this promise?

"A promise it is" I declare. Mary immediately engulfs me in a tight hug.

I am glad that we are back to normal. That atleast some part of my life is fine.

The next afternoon is spent getting ready for the ball. Catherine has dolled up in an elegant peach coloured gown while I have chosen to go with a maroon one. We both let our hair down and skipped the headdress.

"You are sure you will be fine?" Aunt Catherine confirms with Mary for the third time in the last two hours.

"I am sure, Catherine. Just enjoy, you both. It will be fun to have an evening to yourself. If anything seems wrong I will immediately send Sia to get you. You're only a couple hours away, though I'm sure everything will be perfect"

We both boarded the carriage and waved at Mary until we were finally out of sight. This was still a long carriage ride but comparing it to the incredibly long ones I had taken, this is nothing.

Soon, the carriage rounds up in the flowery garden of Lady Irem.

"Appa! You came! Welcome, Jane!" Lady Irem excitedly greeted as she hugged us.

Her mansion radiated happiness. The whole housefront was decorated with garlands of flowers. Waves of giggles and excited chatter made me even more eager to join everyone.

"My cousin is getting married next month. This celebration is in her honour" she explains.

"You never did tell me much about your family" I said in a fake hurt voice.

"Let me introduce you to them today, Lady Jane" she curtsied sarcastically and pulled me inside.

The house was unlike any I had seen. Instead of garden doors, there were arches. A grand fountain was placed at the centre and a number of ladies were sitting on its edge while applying something dark paste-like substance on their hands. We passed them to reach the gardens where 5 women were spread out on a vibrantly coloured rug.

"Meet my sisters" introduced Lady Irem, "Laiqa and Lujaina here are my two elder sisters"

The two ladies farthest from us nodded with respectful smiles.

"This is Muznah, my maternal uncle's daughter. She is soon to be married" Lady Irem said as she gestured Muznah.

Lady Muznah curtsied awkwardly before Aunt Catherine brought her into a friendly hug.

"These are my other maternal cousins- Vardah and Rumeha" she lastly pointed towards the two ladies closest to us.

All of them were decked up in beautiful gown which were distinctly different from ours but still similar. They asked us to call them by their names because they were not used to being addressed as 'lady'.

This ball was unique. We were amongst the chosen few of the English nobility who were invited. Mostly it was just Lady Irem, her cousins and a few more ladies from her hometown.

Music players were specially called from India to entertain us and Lady Rumeha graced us with a dance. Even their dance was different but we all soon caught on to the practices.

Time flew past as we danced and sang throughout the evening. Then there was a traditional feast. The food tasted otherworldly. It made our regular feasts seem dull. Each dish was packed with layers of flavour and while I was full to a level inappropriate for a proper lady, I wished I could eat some more.

We rounded up inside the mansion after dinner for games when Sia burst in. A thousand bad thoughts ran through my mind. Was Mary alright? Was Little Mary alright? Had something disastrous happened?

"Sia! Why are you here? Is everything alright?" Aunt Catherine asked before I could sort through my thoughts.

"No, my lady. Everything is not alright but both Mary and Little Mary are fine. I need to speak with Lady Jane" she said.

Catherine and I shared a single concerned glance before I followed Sia out through the entrance.

"I am sorry my lady, but the Archduke has been murdered" she says before she bursts into sobs.