Selected

Fourth

I took a deep breath and walked up to the mansion like house. Like the other buildings in the area, this house was magnificent. The beautiful white house stood tall and proud. The setting sunlight bounced off of the tinted windows and its extraordinary pillars looked as though they could carry the whole world. It was a home fit for a king. Captain Pike followed closely behind me.

My hands were starting to get clammy and I wiped them on my new pale pink silk dress the stylist gave me. It was a beautiful dress, but I couldn't help but to worry about Teyland's dress and what would become of it. I feared with the way the Bly's stylist reacted to it, it would become nothing more than scrap fabric.

Captain Pike rang the door bell for me. It took a few minutes before anyone answered the door. There was a pit in my stomach as I gave a weary smile at the woman on the other side of the threshold.

She gave me a dazzling smile that matched the rest of herself. She was tall and pale with bright blonde hair. Her appearance surprised me a little. It seemed as though she was made of porcelain, with perfect features and a perfect frame.

She threw her arms around me and gave me a huge hug before starting to speak rapidly. "You must be Emmary! Come on in, oh its so nice to finally meet you. Everybody has been so excited all day about your arrival! You came just in time for the party, we were getting worried that you weren't going to be here on time. The party is after all to welcome you to your new home, and it would have been ironic if you had been late." She gave a nervous laugh as I just stared at her. I was frightened to say the least. "Well, don't just stand there, come on." She gave me a wave and I hesitantly walked over the threshold.

Captain Pike stopped at the door way and cleared his throat. The woman gave a nervous laugh, "Oh right, sorry, Pike. I forgot all about protocol."

Captain Pike smiled, "It's alright, Ma'am. I, Captain Pike, birthing number 38229, have successfully carried out my duties to ensure the safe arrival of Emmary Eaton, birthing number 45729, to her destination of the Bly household, 57a34 street Q23, Subsector D, Sector 3."

The woman smiled, "I, Mandrine Bly, birthing number 17746, have witnessed the safe arrival of Emmary Eaton, birthing number 45728."

Captain Pike smiled and gave a small bow. "Thank you Ma'am." He turned to me, "Have a perfect life, Miss Eaton." I didn't say anything to Captain Pike's retreating figure.

"You look absolutely darling by the way. Janks is the family's favorite stylist, I hope he treated you well. He did a fabulous job. You are simply gorgeous!"

I smiled shyly at the compliment, but didn't say anything as I followed her through the entry room, I think I read somewhere that it was called a foyer. The house was stunning. The floor was made of a beautiful granite and my heels made a loud clicking sound against it. The walls were am off-white color and adorned with huge paintings. I tried to stop to admire them, but was whisked away by the woman, who I assumed was Vox Bly's mother. She seemed about the right age. This whole place was overwhelming. All I wanted to do was crawl up in a corner and pretend that this never happened and that I was back in Sector 16 with my family, with Koontz.

It seemed like we walked forever through the never ending house. As we turned a corner, a group of people, were gathered around chatting mindlessly away. "Ladies and Gentlemen,"

Everyone turned to see who was gathering their attention. The noise settled and all eyes were on Mrs. Bly. "I'd like for you to welcome Miss Emmary Eaton, Vox's fiancé."

There was a round of applause. I smiled awkwardly. I was definitely not okay with this. My hands were shaking, so I clenched them. I swallowed down my racing heart. I didn't make eye contact with any of them. I could tell that all of them were looking me up and down, judging me, evaluating me. Probably comparing me to their own sons' matches.