The Villager

26

THE VILLAGER
ʚɞ Ruth ʚɞ

"This ball shall be spectacular..." Serena gushed at the ideas she had crossed before us, reminding us that the ball was surely soon. It was a ball for Jaxson and Arabella, it was there time to finally announce their pregnancy, the heir to the future of this country and they could not be more nervous to share it to the world.

"Serena..." Arabella sighs, sitting back on the couch, placing her hand upon her stomach.

"Hush, Bells." Serena placed her hand to her sister and that had Josephine widening her eyes. "This must be perfect for the two of you, and I will not allow Princess Lockwood ruin this for you. I know she will, she always has to be involved in anything the two of you do."

"She wished to move in to help watch over me," Arabella explains with another sigh. I could tell she was tired, I knew she held the weight of everyone around her because she was carrying the King's child.

Serena's face drops. "And what did you tell her? I do hope you told her no."

"No, but Jaxson did." Arabella hides her smile behind her hands as she rubs at her face.

"Good. Good for him." Serena nods.

"Did you wish for her to stay?" My voice asks aloud.

Arabella turns to me on the couch, pressing her hand over the top of the couch. "I would rather have my own mother than her to live with us. She is pushy..."

That is all the information I needed to know.

"I am familiar with pushy. My own mother left, she pushed to take my sister..."

"What?" Serena exclaims.

"She didn't, did she?" Josephine's small voice is filled with concern as she questions.

"No, Tilley wished to stay. I am taking care of her, but for how long? My mother will come back, I just know it."

Telling the ladies this felt good. Truly, it did. They did not know much about me when I knew all about them. They knew of my marriage with another and how that ended, but they did not know about my mother and the ways she had done to me. Only Timothy knows.

"Why haven't you told us before?" Arabella worries and that is the reason I did not wish to say anything. She takes hold of my hand, her eyes filled with determination. "She won't go, that is a promise. We shall keep her safe. How old is she?"

"Sixteen. She gushes about all of you all the time." The girls smile softly as my words.

Arabella's smile widens. "Bring her to the ball."

"What?"

"Yes, bring her," Serena agrees.

"She is invited, it would be rude if she did not attend." Arabella hums. "Invite your friend too, if she will attend."

"I know Tilley will come when I tell her the news, but Ophelia will not step foot in this kingdom."

"Did you say Ophelia?" Josephine perks up, her brows screwing together in confusion.

I nod. "My friend, yes."

"Why? Do you know the lady?" Serena questions.

Josephine keeps her head down, shaking her head. "It is nothing."

Not pushing the conversation, I shake off the feeling and keep the conversation going with the ladies.

"Well, she is always welcomed here. You must tell her." Arabella was truly what Lockwood needed. I could not imagine any other lady in the land becoming Queen and ruining this country with her ego. Arabella was kind, beautiful inside and out, and selfless.