To Kiss a King 2

Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Eloise pranced in through the door, painted and porcelain like a living doll. White blonde ringlet curls fell around her face and shaped her rounded cheeks. Pouty small red lips open and reveal small teeth. Her blue eyes sparkled with the mock shock and happiness she displayed upon her face. 

“Oh Nora!” Eloise grasped her shoulders and planted two kisses on either side of her face. 

Nora stumbled backwards. 

“Oh Nora dear, it’s your dear cousin Eloise! Aren’t you glad to see her!” Her mother prompted.

Nora attempted to push the corners of her mouth upwards into what her mother would find a suitable smile. Eloise sighed in contentment as she looked out Nora with judging eyes. 

“Ah, you look...just the same! It’s alright, I’ve brought my maid with me and she can do something about this hair for the ball.” She stuck out a slender hand to catch a limp strand of escaped hair. 

“The ball?...What ball?” Nora found her mothers gaze. 

“Oh dear, don’t you know? We’ve been invited to the spring ball by the Queen herself.” 

“I can’t go.” 

Her mother disregarded her words completely and instead called out for Jenny. 

“Jenny, help Eloise’s maid bring all of her luggage in. Nora, show her to the guest room will you?” 

Nora stared blankly beyond the both of them. Realizing it would be easier not to argue, she turned and made her way up the stairs. 

Eloise struggled to keep up with her fast pace up the stairs and made her way into the first room on the left. 

“Dear me, you move fast.” Eloise laughed sharply and moved a curl behind her ear. 

“Must be hard to move in such heavy skirts.” Nora moved to leave. 

“Yes, well they are all the rage in Paris.” 

“Ahh, but you’re not in Paris are you? Here, we don’t dress like a wedding cake to travel.You remember don’t you? You used to live here.” 

Eloise raised an eyebrow and turned a deep shade of pink. 

“Oh, I remember many things about living here.”  She hissed leaning in toward Nora. 

“Like how you betrayed me? And ruined my life forever?” 

Eloise let out a shrill evil laugh. 

“Oh, you didn’t need me for that. You ruined yourself.” 

Nora bit the inside of her cheek and tried to fight the tears that accompanied her extreme rage.