𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐒𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐋𝐈𝐏𝐒

𝐅𝐈𝐕𝐄 - 𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐒 𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐎𝐎

✧˚ ༘ ⋆｡˚ 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐒𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐋𝐈𝐏𝐒 ˚｡⋆ ༘˚✧
· · ────── ·𖥸· ────── · ·
𝐯.

𝐈𝐓 was the day of Lady Danbury's ball, and Athena found herself in the midst of a flurry of activity. She was surrounded by maids bustling about, each attending to different aspects of her preparation. Athena herself was taking a soothing bath infused with mint leaves and chamomile, her favorite scents.

She found the gentle aroma of mint and chamomile far more pleasant for her personal use than the headier floral scents that so many seemed to favor. As she relaxed in the warm, fragrant water, she closed her eyes, allowing the calming scents to envelop her and ease away any lingering stress from the day.

"I am finished," Athena announced as she stood up from the bath, water dripping from her. Two maids hurried over to wrap a towel around her, their practiced hands moving swiftly. Athena, feeling the chill of the air, walked across the room to retrieve her pink silk robe, which she draped around herself with a sigh of relief.

"I shall be ready for my hair to be styled in half an hour," she instructed, her voice carrying a note of finality.

With that, she returned to her bedroom, closing the door behind her with a soft click. The familiar sound of the door latch falling into place was a small comfort, offering her a moment of solitude in the midst of the whirlwind of preparations.

Athena sank onto her bed, allowing herself to sink into the soft duvet. The gentle pressure of the fabric against her skin was a welcome reprieve from the relentless pace of the day. She closed her eyes, savoring the stillness of the room, and took a few deep breaths. The quiet space allowed her to collect her thoughts, to reflect on the day's events, and to prepare herself mentally for the evening ahead.

Her last ball had been like a dream. Athena remembered it vividly—the elegance of the evening, the grandeur of the ballroom, and the swirl of movement as dancers twirled across the floor. The highlight had been a dance with a Duke, a moment that had felt both surreal and exhilarating. The experience had been a whirlwind of grace and charm, and it had left her with fond memories.

Additionally, she had made two new friends that night: Eloise Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington. Although Penelope was somewhat elusive and difficult to read, Athena appreciated her quiet charm and found her company engaging. Eloise, with her spirited and candid nature, had been a joy to converse with, making the evening even more delightful.

Athena closed her eyes, savoring the cool, fresh air that drifted in through the open window. Before she could fully relax, a gentle knock on the door interrupted her reverie.

"Yes?" Athena called out, her voice carrying a note of weariness.

"Miss Athena, are you prepared for your hairstyle?" one of the maids inquired from the other side of the door.

Without opening her eyes, Athena raised a hand in acknowledgment and motioned for the maids to proceed to the vanity. "You may begin," she replied, her tone calm but ready for the preparations to commence.

Athena continued to relax on the bed, savoring the peaceful moment as the maids entered. The sound of rustling and clinking filled the room as they prepared the vanity for her hair styling.

One of the maids gently tapped her shoulder. "Miss, may we begin?"

With a soft sigh, Athena opened her eyes and slowly rose from the bed. She wrapped herself in her silk robe, feeling the comforting texture against her skin. Moving gracefully to the vanity, she took her seat and looked into the mirror, ready for the transformation that would prepare her for the evening's festivities.