Decades

Chapter 1

Bella's POV

While the dining hall looks rather grand tonight with the gold accents on the silver wear, the tablecloth, the candles...I find it to be obnoxious for the event we are having. I find my mother's outrageously tight corset underneath her gown to be almost an attempt at appearing more sexual. She never wears a corset this tight around my father. She also is wearing a rather youthful color of pink...something I find strange as she normally wears darker colors. It's like she's attempting to stand out, possibly even more than me.

I glance down at my own gown, the pastel blue to match my eyes, the corset unreasonably tight as well. Why are we dressed to impress? Surely, our guests wouldn't make negative comments with our normal attire. We dress like royalty to begin with.

"Bella, where are your gloves?" My mother asks, hands on her hips as she watches lady Lucy fiddle with the silverware. "Our guest is left-handed." She hisses out, the servant quickly switching the utensils around at that particular spot at the table where the older male will be sitting.

"Our guests haven't arrived yet." I mumble, frowning as my mother quickly scolds me for not speaking clearly. I repeat what I had just said, giving her a bored expression as she looks irritated.

"They will arrive at any moment. Dress yourself properly."

"Isn't this already arranged and finalized? They won't go back on their word should I not be dressed in my gloves." I explain a little confrontationally, not understanding the fuss.

"Miss Bella, I have your gloves right here." Lady Lucy says, taking them out of the pocket of her apron. I pout at her as she passes them over, more affected by her scolding stare than my mother's. I put the gloves on, saddened as I cannot see my well-groomed nails anymore. They are longer than appropriate, but I find them to be pretty.

"Our guests have arrived! We must greet them at the door." My father announces, rushing into the room to acquire my mother and I. He is dressed normally in his tuxedo. It's just us women that have to appear even more well-dressed than normal, and I find it to be a nuisance.

"Come Bella. Stand up straight." My mother orders, grabbing my arm and pulling me along. I almost trip over my heels, my right foot aching especially as I've always developed a bunion on the big toe on that side. I follow my parents with a grim expression, having been dreading this day since it was announced to me.

It is the day I am to meet my future husband. He is a family friend...but not to me. My father owns the south side of the town, while his father owns the north side. It is only natural that the two families combine to share the wealth amongst each other, and to ensure it stays for generations. At least, that's the narrative my father is following. I happen to think it is a bit unfair to be claiming all this wealth. Lady Lucy is a kind woman, very intelligent for being a servant with a lack of education and resources. It would be nice if she could acquire some wealth. She deserves it for putting up with my mother and father's outlandish requests. But still, I do not argue. It's not like I'm heard anyway when I voice my opinion.

Lady Lucy quickly adjusts the pin that's holding my hair in my updo once we've arrived at the front door, sending me an encouraging smile. I maybe wince at her back, not finding the encouragement something I desire. I'd rather not be doing this.

"Open the door! Do not keep them waiting." My father whispers angrily, Lady Lucy scrambling to turn the knob. I stand up tall as my mother requested, the corset digging into my ribs enough that being hunched over would be even more painful anyways.