The maid is gone now, it is just me, my small hands going to pull the letter from under the covers. Holding the wrinkled sheet close, I want to read it but I know it is too dark. So tomorrow will be the day I will try to catch a glance.
For now, I know the perfect place to hide it, my head turns to where my ballet shoe rack is and it brings a gentle smile to my face.
I lift the covers off me slowly, holding the letter close and stepping foot on the floor, glancing around the dark room.
If not for my memory it would probably not be easy but luckily I've been in this room for plenty of years. My eyes dart to the pitchy part of the room in the corner, my feet slowly tip-toeing over there. Once I reach the area, I squat down to pick up one of the pointed shoes, turn it around, feeling the roof of the shoe.
I take a deep breath the letter crunching underneath my fingers as I quickly shove the paper to the front of the shoe. Mindlessly feeling for the empty space ad putting it back in its place.
I stand back up on my tip-toes, slowly backing up and my heart is beating so fast with every step making me more anxious. *Bump* I bump into a solid object, feeling around it to reveal my bed which I fall onto with a sigh of relief. Even though it didn't take long it still was one of the most nerve-racking tasks.
The maid could have come in at any time or heard me walking around keeping note of the steps to let my mother know. I just hope I was quiet enough... I crawl to the top of my bed, digging into the covers and closing my eyes. The soft cloths wrap around my entire being, burying me in the unseen darkness. A comfort of mine that helped me fall asleep. My eyes closed, gently and the clouds of my mind filled the rest of the night, minutes to hours passing by until all of it becomes a blur.
The next day came faster than I expected with loud voices waking me up and the covers being ripped from my tight grip. The maid from before smiling at me with a few others accompanied by her, "Good Morning, Lady. Victoria did you sleep well?"
My eyes are blinded by the bright light as a slight headache brew in the pit of my mind. "I suppose so." "Great!" She takes my thin arms and rips me from the bed, planting my feet on the floor as the other maids strip my bed of life. Tearing every sheet off and every pillow, my face comes to a frown and I look up at the maid for any other action.
She looks down at me, blinking back, "Ready to get ready for the day?" I nod, "Yes I'm-", She grabs my arms and leads me around my bed to the bathroom opening the door with a light bow. "Here you got Lady. Victoria, we will be waiting when you finish." I give an awkward smile, feeling that part of my arm that she grabbed with precaution. I bow my head slightly as well, "Yes ma'am, I'll be quick."
I did a quick shower, brushed my teeth, along with on a face mask applied, and finally an undercoat that I put on to go over my dress. I click open the door to the bathroom, my head down as the maid puts a puffy dress over me. An emerald one with tiny jewels at the top and bottom of the dress with long ruffled sleeves.
She grabbed my face lifted it up and took a black ribbon from her pocket wrapping it into a bow around my neck. She clapped her hands together, "When we leave the room your Seamstress and his helpers with make sure your dress has no tears or rips." Her eyes go to my dresser where four women wait standing for me.
"For now these women will tend to your hair and makeup", Her eyes come back to me, "Your Lady. Acres informed us that you will be having company today." My chest expands with air, "But I thought, I was supposed to go back to my regular schedule back?" My voice feels quieter than before, and the maid has no facial reaction to my question. "I know yes, things change though Lady. Victoria and even still you have a duty as the future heir to the estate."
I ball my hands together, squeezing them tight with a deep exhale, "Yes I know can you at least inform me of the company?" "I think you already have a good idea from the color of your outfit, Lady. Victoria." My eyes widen and I try to stay calm at the thought, it couldn't possibly be-no no-the last time it was not good company... Why would they want to come back to see me? Especially- I look up to the maid's glassy eyes her mouth opening with a response, "The Bellums of course, the second-place rival of the Acres family."
She leans down to put a finger over her mouth, "Make sure to be on your best behavior Lady. Victoria, you know we are always watching." I gulp and she takes my arm again, leading me yet again around my bed and setting me on a chair. Where the women start to get to work on me, two in my hair with the others in my face.
Applying different creams and sprays as they worked quicker than I could see, the only thing my eyes clearly focused on was my face in the dresser mirror. Round but skinny lacking a sort of color as it seems the brown was dimming its shine each day. The frown on my face is the most prominent thing in my view as it represents the true nature of how I feel but yet soon I would have to force a smile.
Go in front of 'The Bellum Twins', and put on a face of maturity and wisdom pretending as if they aren't trying to get a secret out of me. I know Lady. Bellum most certainly would not enjoy my company but I will bare through her judging eyes...
Because I know I don't have a choice in the matter regardless.