Lady Ìllea(s)

Chapter Five

I awoke with a start. "Calgary, Miss Esmeralda Picacentino, Two. Calgary, Miss-" I held my breath, it's not you, Astrella, it's not. "Astrella Picentino, Two."
I heard glass shatter in the dining room. "Esmeralda?" Mother's voice sounded worried as she stood up and glided to where Esmeralda was.
I couldn't breathe. How could I be picked?! I gave my worst possible face at the camera while making my mom satisfied. I don't get it. Why me?! I still had a life ahead of me!
I turn to look at Esmeralda. She fainted. "Esmeralda!" I cried, rushing beside her.
Mother pushed me away, she turns to Yasmin, "Take her to her room. Make sure she's okay."
Yasmin nodded, picking up Esmeralda gently and went up the stairs.
"Esmeralda!" I cried, racing after her.
Mother stood in front of me, "Don't act so irrationally." She seemed annoyed. "Be a dear and go to your room while Bill" -our butler- "deals with the calls."
"But-"
"Go!" Mother eyes were murderous.
I slumped and went to my room. At the door, I was dying to go see how Esmeralda was doing next door.
I turned the doorknob to Esmeralda's room and tiptoed inside. "Esmeralda?"
It was night time, but the windows were open.
A pair of green eyes floated in the dark.
I stared at them, "Um, Esmeralda?"
I remember that Esmeralda's eyes were gray- and she wasn't so tall.
I take out a hair pin, "W-who are you?"
The green eyes disappeared in a flash.
I watch my twin's graceful breathing. Something I would never be able to achieve while sleeping.
I searched around the room, but the green eyes were gone. Somehow, they looked familiar.

"Lady Astrella!"
A giggle.
"Lady Astrella!"
Another giggle.
I open my eyes. All the maids were huddled next to my bed, staring at me.
Alice grinned, "Congratulations, Astrella!"
I run my eyes, "Meh." I turned away and buried my face in a pillow.
"Lady Astrella!" Yasmin pouted, "Come on!"
They pulled the covers off of me. "Wake up!" They all shouted.
I laughed, and sat up and in my sheer silk night gown. "Wait- don't let mother hear you!"
Iris waved her arm, "It's fine, really. She's out."
"You mean Mistress." I laughed.
"I know right?" Alice rolled her eyes.
"So...?"
They looked at each other, "CONGRATULATIONS LADY ASTRELLA!" That all cried, smiling like crazy.
I shook my head and sighed, "By the way, how's my sister?"
Iris piped up, "She's sleeping now. Probably just because it was exciting?" She shrugged. "I don't know."
"Oh." I said.
"Astrella?" A gentle voice came from he door.
Esmeralda walked in, her eyes widening in surprise when she saw all the maids huddled on my carpet.
"Um..." I shooed them off.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Mother doesn't permit us to do so!" I said, "Astrella!"
Astrella shrugged, "They're nice."
I shook my head, "Mother will be furious if she finds out!"
"IF she finds out." She smirks, "I know you won't tell her."
I sighed, "Of course, you're my baby sister!"
"Hey!" She made a fish face, "I'm only several minutes younger!"
I hugged her tightly, "I don't want to go." I whisper, tears nearing my eyes as I thought of Wesley.
Her gaze saddens, "Me neither." She hugged me back.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"So," the oh-so-professional fat man gave me a toothy grin, "Are two you a virgin?"
I gasp.
Esmeralda gasps too.
Mother's eyes widen, "Of course! We know the law!"
We both blush. Why did they send a man to ask these questions?!
"Alright," he checks off a few boxes on his paper. "Just to clarify," he looks at us seriously, "You two are not to have any kind of relationship with others besides from the Prince. If not obeyed, you will be executed."
I nod, that wasn't going to be hard for me. I'd be sent home before anything happens.
Esmeralda looked uneasy as she nodded slowly, fiddling with her thumbs.