Aurora's POV
Lady Hera frowned. Her proclain nose crinkled and she thumbed through the pieces of paper.
"These invitations are too simple. They have to be elegant. Written in the best rose paper and with the best of inks!!"
Isabella nodded dutily. "Yes. It is far too plain.... and ugly." Her nose wrinkled like she'd smelt a foul odour.
I had to remind myself that I needed them. I couldn't do anything but agree.
"Really? I didn't notice. But then again, you are the best at ball hostings and such....."
As expected, Hera flushed and stuck her nose up. "Yes, of course I am."
She flicked the letter onto the table. "I'll make my person letter writer write them then." She picked up her tea cup. Her pinky stretched out as she took a sip. "This would be the most magnificent ball ever."
Isabella frowned. "Won't that make Aurora more..... known, than you."
She batted her fair lashes innocently at me.
Hera waved her off with a fair hand. "I'm the one making everything happen. All the glory would be mine."
Of course they didn't see it as shallow and uncalled for to say in front of the host and their 'Friend'
I put a loose piece of hair behind my ear. "So.... is the king going to be in attendance?"
Hera laughed. "Oh don't be silly, the king wouldn't attend just any ball. It has to one hosted by people of importance." She set down her cup. "Although I think the prince would be in attendance."
Isabella seemed to fan herself harder. "Yes. He usually attends in place of his father."
"Although not to just any as well. He would though, when he learns I'm in charge of it. Also that it is being hosted at my home."
Yes, she was hosting my ball at her home.
It seemed Hera and Isabella were in some sort of acquaintance with the prince. I needed to know about him. He could be a tool for me.
I put on a curious face. "So, you and the prince love each other then?"
The question was pointed to Hera.
She looked down at her dress coyly and ran her gloved fingers over it. "Well, we are to get married."
Isabella looked a ting of red. "Not formally engaged, but everyone knows that they are for each other." The spite in her voice is barely noticeable.
Hera as usual didn't seem to catch it. "My mother is a Spanish princess you see, and it is only logical that I get married to the prince. It could cause a pact between Spain and England."
Isabella curled her fingers on her lap. "So you see, Hera gets the prince because she is a princess. It's only what the king wants."
Hera frowned. "Although it would be hard when we get married, to tolerate that.... that.. that man!!"
Isabella face lit up. "Jack?"
"Of course!!" She tucked a strand of red hair behind her ear. "That man should be banned from the palace, from the kingdom!!"
Jack seemed like a character.....
"Did he ever harm you?"
Her sharp blue eyes narrowed and her cheeks flushed. "Emotionally yes. The scoundrel stole my clothes when I was having a bath!!"
My eyes widened. It wasn't fake this time. "What?!"
Isabella seemed to be holding back a laugh.
"Yes!!"
I frowned. "So he walked into your room and took your clothes?! weren't the maids around?"
She turned redder. "No.... let's forget this,bit is so traumatising.... what were we saying? yes, I'll invite the king. That way, he would send the prince instead."
"Ohh.. I can't wait to see him!!" Isabella squealed.
Hera sent her a firm glare. "No stealing my husband Isabella. I am sure you can find a Duke to marry."
*********
Laura presented me with a letter on my return.
"This came early today. It's an invitation to Shane Mccloy's funeral."
I collected it and the letter opener.
"Really?"
She nodded and her brown curls bounced. "His family seem to love him. Even after the scum he was and what he did to a lot of girls..."
My fingers tightened over the letter opener. "Thank you. Is dinner ready?"
She shook her head. "Almost. Amber is getting the soup ready."
I nodded then walked up the stairs.
So the scum was getting a burial. It made me angry. Hot white anger curled in my stomach, I was sure my eyes were glowing.
I dumped the letter on my feather bed then stood in front of the mirror.
A faint scar ran from the crook of my shoulder to the blade.
Shane.
He'd tried to rape me on our second visit to the city together.
I had been surprised... confused. Laura was the pretty one. The one who got all the attention.
I didn't want him to rape her, but it just didn't make sense.
Laura helped me escape. It was terrifying.... nerve wrecking.
It made me fear the town.
So I killed him.
I ran my fingers over the pale scar in thought. A funeral...
A lot of people would be there. He was sort of known.
That would mean I could meet a lot of people. It would help me butter things up with the people I would meet at the ball....
A smile tugged at my lips. Not everyone was useless after all.