Court Of Blood And Ivory

♤The Dress♤

The soft ringing of the chimes from outside as the wind blows wakes me from my sleep. I sit up in my soft bed and sigh softly.

The days have passed too quickly for my liking. Today is the day that my whole life changes. I swing my feet over the side of my bed pushing back the comforter. My thin lace curtains blow softly as the wind flitters through my open window.

I see the sun peeking above the horizon as dawn approaches. "You don't have to hurry." I tell it softly hoping somehow it will delay the time for me, just this once.

I sit in the small red chair by the window and slip on my cover. The wind blows the curly blonde tendrils away from my face as it kisses my cheeks.

I sit there and watch the sun rise eventually shinning over the top of the trees. The dew on the grass shimmers as the sun touches it.

A sharp knock sounds from my door. "Come in." I call out. "Good morning miss." I see the brown hair of Allison as she walks in. "Good morning Allison." I reply as my attention draws back to the outside world. "Your mother sent me to help you get dressed, the carriage will be here half past eleven." She informs and I nod standing up.

"Thank you." I tell her as she walks into my closet. "Which one would you prefer?" She asks me holding up a baby blue dress and dark purple. "The purple will do." I tell her softly.

"No it will not." I hear my mothers sharp tone. I look tiredly to the door and bite my tongue. "Why not mother?" I ask. "Blue is more sophisticated dear." She explains. "They are both royal colors." I inform.

Her eyes flash with anger. "Don't argue Athena, not today." She snaps as she takes the blue dress off the hanger and hands it to Allison. "You will wear the blue dress." She tells me firmly, leaving no room for argument.

Her words are met with silence as she walks out. I smooth out my nightgown and let out the breath that was trapped.

I sit at my vanity and take a deep breath. My eyes meet the reflextion of the suitcases taunting me in the corner of my room. "I'm ready." I tell her tearing my eyes away to meet hers. Her blue eyes hold sympathy and kindness. She knows how mother gets and how its best to let me diffuse.

She nods and starts brushing and pinning my hair until I'm what today's society seems fair. Once she is done I smile and thank her before she helps me into the blue satin dress with many petticoats. "You look like an angel miss." Allison says in awe.

"Thank you Allison. You did a wonderful job." I tell her as I smooth out the dresses blemishes. She beams at me and a small pink tint colors her cheeks. "Your daughter is very lucky." I praise and she thanks me.

I slip on my stockings and shoes before I make my way down the exquisite stair case mentally taking pictures in my head.

Breakfast is short with very little conversation. Nothing is heard but the scraping of forks and knives against fine china.

A knock sounds at the main door and everything stills. "That must be them." My mother says as she wipes her mouth and puts on a smile as she stands.

The click of her shoes is heard as she makes her way to the front door. She directs them to my room and in no time my things are being loaded into a black carriage with intricate designs.

"Athena!" My mother calls as I look out the window to the meadow. "Goodbye." I whisper to it before walking to where my mother and father are standing.

"Be good my dear, we will see you in two weeks time at the first ball." My father tells me embracing me in his arms. I try to hold in my tears as I relish in his warmth and safety. My mother pats my hand softly as a tear slips down her cheek. "We shall see you soon love." She says letting my hand go.

It falls limply at my side as I turn to the carriage. I walk stiffly towards it. The tall man with brown eyes helps me in and I sit down on the plush seat. A sharp crack is heard and the carriage jolts as the horses pulling it neighs. I wave to my father who has now lost his composure.

I feel a tear slip down my cheek before turning my attention to the front of me. "Everything will be fine." I say softly as I reassure myself. "It's not like I will be away forever."

A day and a half later we have made it to our destination. Clemintines school stands tall and daunting. I read that the school used to be a castle used by years of monarchy in the sixteen hundreds. It is beautiful.

The lawn is kept trimmed as well as the hedges. I notice a small garden on the far side as the carriage pulls into the arched gravel drive. There are multiole carriages in front of us. Each dropping off a perfectly brought up young lady. We stop with a lurch and I feel my breathing hitch. I notice that the batch of bachelors has been assigned to greet us.

The carriage moves once more before stopping. I feel the wind blow as the door opens and a hand extends. I take it gratefully and step down as my eyes drink in everything. There are maybe twelve elidgible bachelors this year. Most I recognize but some are unfamiliar. I take a step forward and my feet fail me as my blasted shoe slips on a smooth rock.

I feel my breath leave me as I fall to the hard surface. I close my eyes and brace for impact, impact which never comes. I feel warm hands around my waist and my cheeks flush as I look up into deep blue pools.

"I'm sorry." I say softly as the man helps me up. "Are you ok?" He questions. I give him a short nod as I notice he is one of the bachelors that I don't know. I steady myself and push my hair from my eyes. "Thank you." I tell him as his lips turn upward in a warm smile that makes my stomach twist with warmth. "You're welcome miss..." he trails off waiting for me to announce myself. "Athena Thompson ." I say softly. "You're welcome Miss Athena Thompson." He says his eyes searching mine before something clicks and his face goes stoic.

His hands retreat as if I burned him. "Alexander. Come now. We are going inside." One of the others call out. He leaves me standing there without as much as a farewell.

How odd.

"Welcome to Clemintines miss." An old gentleman says as he takes my bags and we walk up the steps.

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~scarletbride30