The Villager

27

THE VILLAGER
ʚɞ Ruth ʚɞ

Pressing pearl earrings to my ears, my door opens to reveal Tilley. Tilley peaks her head in, she smiles at my attire.

"Don't you look beautiful, dear sister."

"Why, thank you." Pressing my dress down when I stand. I jut my chin up at her. "Allow me to see you."

She presses the door open, much further than before and I witness Tilley in a beautiful dress. She is in a blue dress that comes off the shoulders. Her hair is pinned in a bun, flower pins are clipped in her hair and she twirls, giggling at herself.

"How do I look? Do I look like royalty?" She then bows to me, causing a chuckle to leave my lips.

"You are so beautiful, Tilley." And I truly meant that from the bottom of my heart. Tilley was beautiful inside and out. Her heart matched the beauty outside. No wonder why she was having a hard time at school and was bothered by boys, she was beautiful and they knew that.

She flattens down her dress, breathing out. "Are you sure they allowed me to come?"

"You were invited by the Queen herself. I believe she wishes to meet you."

Tilley's eyes have widened, and I squeeze her hands to calm her. "Really?" She asks excitedly.

I nod. "Truly. We shall not be late."

"Oh, no." She shakes her head, hurriedly exiting my room and we make it to the living room area. She clutches a fan and one for me, grabbing the door, swinging it open and we both gasp at the scene in front of us.

Timothy stands, a carriage awaits for us. Timothy has his back facing us, until he turns, revealing the bouquet of flowers. Two bouquets sit in his hands and he smiles at the both of us when we comes into his view.

He takes a breath, seeming as if he is gathering words. "You two are-You two are beautiful."

Tilley and I look at each other with smiles, and Tilley is the first to escape the house and runs to Timothy with open arms. She was so excited to be allowed to come to the ball, she has never tasted royalty, but tonight will be the night that brightens her whole world. She will feel like a Princess herself.

Her arm surrounds Timothy, and he hugs her back with such love and warmth. He hands her her flowers, and she smiles, looking down at them.

"Thank you, Timothy."

"I hope tonight is magical as you make our lives," he whispers to her, touching her chin. She smiles, walking towards the carriage as the chairman awaits for her. He bows to her presence, holding his out for her.

Timothy turns to me, holding out his hand with a smile upon his lips. "And you..."

I take a hold of his hand, and he twirls me around to see my dress. My chest hits his when he jerks me to his body.

His eyes have softened at my being, he brushes away a small strand of hair, his eyes have now flickered towards my lips and I knew just what he was thinking. He wished for a kiss.

"You are divine," he whispers, his breath falling upon my lips.

"We have a ball to go." I pat his chest, blushing at the attention I was attaining this evening.

He nods. "Of course." He holds out my flowers, and I take them with a soft smile.

"Thank you," I say.

He opens his arm, allowing me to swivel my own against his and walks me to the carriage so we won't be late for the ball. I am seated in front of Tilley when entering the carriage. She is used to being in a carriage, this was nothing new to her but she is still giddy about arriving at the ball.