Of Fantasies And Realities (BOOK I)

Chapter 5

'Suffering' Comes in Various Forms

The MacDilon ball came by very quickly and was filled with a large number of guests. Everyone who belonged to the haute ton was in attendance.

The ballroom was filled with ridiculously bright colours of ball gowns and the normal dark colour of suits worn by the Lords and misters; of glittering gowns and plain gowns, of extravagant jewels and minimal adornments, of gentries and social climbers, of fine ladies and modest ones with their mamas hoping to shackle them off to the nearest wealthiest available suitor who so much as glances their way.

The sounds of discussions, clinking of flutes and cutleries coming in contact with ceramic dishes were heard in the Great Hall.

Lady Amilie Fauston made sure all her children, especially the unmarried girls would be in attendance because she wanted them to, in her own words "get bespoken of this season".

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"Seems like they finally got their happily ever after", Ava commented. The pair of ladies' eyes moved towards their friend and Lord Peetar gripping each other tightly on the dance floor.

"Or never after", Ellie interjected with an eyeroll.

"I wouldn't say that. It's obvious that they're undoubtedly besotted by one another. You could feel the sparks in the air when they're both within reachable distance", Sofie said. "I wished they would both admit it someday and save us the stress. They don't look so bad together", she sighed.

"They never will. They're both too proud for what is naturally healthy", Ellie told them. She was staring intently at them, a plan already working itself up in her mind.

"What.. What is that?!", Sofie screeched and made a disgusted face at a figure in the other side of the ballroom. The figure happened to be one and only daughter of Lord Armstrung. The Lady Cordylea and her choice of outfit.

"She may be undoubtedly beautiful and elegant nonetheless but that gown is despicably eye-bleeding"

Ava nodded in agreement and stared at Cordylea. The white haired damsel was in a yellow chiffon ball gown with lace ruffles that ascended from the waist down in steps. The neck line was straight as the hands had big straps. The only other design on the gown were tiny black or dark blue embroidery on the bodice. "I agree. What, is she trying to catch a suitor in that?"

"Perhaps. What the doggone is the matter with her?!", Ellie exclaimed as quietly as possible and huffed in annoyance.

Their male partners had bursted out laughing, drawing attention from the guests who were glaring at them for their ill manners and lack of etiquette. They cleared their throats and assumed the proper demeanor. The girls giggled behind their flutes of champagne and kerchiefs.

"She is going to make the Chronicles, for sure I can already see Francess Roden-Dowett gawking at her", Ellie offered and they burst out laughing again, already eager to read what the journal had to say about it in the gossip column on the morrow.

"I wonder why Heriq is so infatuated with her", Ava said.

"Alongside the entire population of men in NGC. Look", Sofie rephrased. She indicated at her brother and his best man Jamie who were practically drooling, following Cordylea's every move. "It's quite obvious though, she's undoubtedly the most beautiful face in this ball".

"And the most bosomy", Ellie added and they cackled with laughter, getting more and more disapproving looks from the attendees.

Ellie sighted the familiar dark hair on a handsome face and excused herself. She glided towards him and Lady Cordylea, on a bid to fetch for some juicy news. She couldn't wait any longer for the damned fool she called her brother.