13. to hold and confess

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[13]
"I am a saint with blood on my hands."

LONDON,MADAME CAMILLIE'S BOUTIQUE

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LONDON,
MADAME CAMILLIE'S BOUTIQUE.

"TIGHTER! I WANT her dress to fit her to perfection." Izabella demands, watching the modiste tighten the ribbons on Alena's dress, drawing her waist in.

"Auntie, she'll die from a lack of air before she can even make it to the alter." Tatiana argues from her chair, watching her sister from the sidelines.

"Good! It will save her from dying of the misery of being married to Thomas Shelby." Izabella insults, clearly annoyed.

Alena sighs heavily. Her aunt was stubborn, alright. A tough nut to crack. And it was evident to see that the news of Alena wishing to marry the gangster didn't go down as well as Izabella's favourite gin.

"Aunt Bella, Tommy isn't as awful as you think. He's a businessman, he has all his affairs in order and he is kind to me." Alena begins. "He's intelligent and well mannered— most of the time."

It sounded like she was convincing herself more than the others in the room.

Her aunt scoffs. "He is a gangster, my dear. And you are a duchess. A perfect duchess, if that."

"Perfect. I hate that word." Alena felt uneasy as she stared at her reflection. They were up to four women around her, fitting and tightening her into a dress like a doll. "Why do I have to be perfect? Why can't I just be... me?"

"Alena, if this is what you want then I will not get in the way." Izabella declares. "But I am letting you know now that men like him— men like him are a danger to themselves and others."

Tatiana had had enough listening to her aunts bitter judgements. "So what if he's not a prince? Or duke, or Lord? She likes him! They must see something in each other that we can't. And who are we to refuse that?"

Little did everyone know, Tatiana was speaking more on her own situation with Arthur Shelby. They spoke everyday, he even took her to the boxing ring to teach her how to defend herself. She liked the version of herself around him. She just liked him.

"I am her aunt! That's who! The person who your mother appointed as your guardian." Izabella snaps.

Alena was now trying on her veil, it was white as snow, with patterns made of lace at the ends. It blanketed her face, trailing behind her, making her appear as an angel sent down from above.

"You look so beautiful, Lena." Tatiana smiles warmly.

At least one person appreciated her efforts in her appearance for the big day.

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