The long awaited day finally arrived. Each girl invited counted down to this special day with her fingers and toes, each one of them more excited than the other, only wishing to head over to the palace right away. While some were eagerly waiting for the party to make new friends and form alliances or strengthen family relationships, some couldn't get a wink of sleep just thinking about the rumored enchanting garden they will have the opportunity to see for themselves.
It all seemed like a dream, and Aurelia couldn't be more thrilled to be part of it. However, nobody could compare to the duchess's excitement and anxiety. She spent a long time supervising each preparation for her daughter, and making sure everything ran smoothly.
From the steps Aurelia took, to the strands of hair in her head, to every thread in her dress, the duchess made sure her daughter looked absolutely perfect to be presented. She was excited her daughter would make friends with high-ranking ladies, and she was especially thorough in educating Aurelia. If anyone saw her, they would easily mistake it to be preparation for her own debut, not a friendly play date for her daughter.
All the maids in the mansion were already awake before the crack of dawn playing their role in getting their mistress ready for her big day. Jewelry was laid out, petals of the finest fragrance were sprayed in her warmed bath water, even her under garments were especially made for the occasion!
Still, the duchess searched for each flaw she could find, giving the already stressed out maids one order after the other. Which did not make sense because all the details like her hairstyle and accessories were agreed upon before.
"no, no, no. The hair goes up around the front and lower towards the back."
"these accessories are too extravagant for a little girl. Change them immediately. "
"where are the shoes?"
"hurry, or else she will be late!"
"mother, please calm down, the sun has just shone. Look, it's still not too bright outside." Aurelia rubbed her tired eyes still in her new made-exclusively-for-the-party night gown. Yes, the duchess went that far. "The party will be after lunch."
"but you must be ready before." the duchess reminded her. "do you remember all the dance moves?"
"like the back of my hand, mother. "
"how about the poem?"
"perfectly memorized."
"and you remember all the manners?"
"for the hundredths time, yes! Mother, all the girls are between ten and seven, I don't think they would care that much."
"but you are one of the older girls, you have to lead by example."
"I will be alright, mother. As a matter of fact, I am more concerned about you. You seem very distressed, are you alright?"
"of course I am, don't be silly. Kick all the irrelevant thoughts away and focus on what's more important." she still couldn't breathe in relief. "and remember to be graceful and benevolent, and most importantly, always maintain a soft smile."
"I will, mother.I will make you proud." Aurelia's eyes glistened with determination. "I won't fail your expectations, I promise. Trust me."
"Oh." the duchess teared a little, holding her hand affectionately." look how quickly you've grown, your already so mature and intelligent. If only mother could see you right now, she would be very proud."
Fortunately, everything met the duchess expectations and Aurelia got ready without a hitch. When the time finally came for her to leave, she stepped down the long staircase ever so elegantly, dazzling all the servants who came to see her off. Even Ilaria delayed her nap time to see her sister's splendid appearance.
"sister, you look like a princess!"
"thank you, Aria. And today, I will be fortunate enough to meet one."
"a real princess!? Sister, You must tell me everything! Here, give her my ribbon!" Ilaria handed her older sister a red ribbon she usually wears on her wrist.
"uh..."
"lady Ilaria, I don't think that's possible. How about we get you something on the way back?" Anneliese, Aurelia's teacher, and a friend of the royal princess, came to pick up Aurelia.
"fine..." Ilaria showed a downcast expression. "but you have to promise to tell her about me."
"alright." They boarded the carriage carefully and waved their hands from the windows.
"bring me lots of tarts!" Ilaria waved back with both arms.
"remember to smile!" the duchess remained in place, waving as the carriage became smaller and smaller until it disappeared into the horizon.
"what's going on?" a small girl in plain clothes asked.
"you are still wearing that? " The duchess could barely hide her disappointment and disdain. She muttered under her breath, "I guess it's true what they say, you can take a girl out of the slums, but you can't take..."
She trailed off and contained her feelings. Just when she started to forget about the thorn in her eyes, she had to pop up in front of her. Whatever, she has more important things to worry about today, so she simply turned up her nose and left.
" Ilaria, isn't it time for your nap?"
"can I have chocolate cake before that?"
"you had enough sugar after lunch, dear."
The girl, Victoria, rolled her eyes and went back to her room. She couldn't stand how everyone treats her like an outsider. It made her feel lonely, even if the mansion had enough residents for a small village in the countryside.
Unlike the rest of the family, her room wasn't situated at the front with a nice view of the front garden, nor at the top floor, but at the furthest corner in the second floor. It wasn't as spacious either, but large enough for a noble lady to live in. It had only one window facing the south, the view covered by ivy vines and an oak's strong branches, so not much sunshine entered, making it appear colder and smaller than it actually is.
It had the basics, table, dresser, wardrobe, and a place to sit in. It wasn't as luxurious as the living room, where wealth was in full display like artifacts in a museum. It wasn't as colorful as Ilaria's, and nowhere near Aurelia's in splendor and beauty, but it still looked authentic enough and had that rich earthy trait. Could be due to the mahogany furniture paired with the green fabric of curtains, carpets, and sheets.
She liked Aurelia's which had white or rosewood furniture and a walk-in wardrobe, a rosaceous princess theme with golden floral designs bedroom, and ceiling-to-floor windows overlooking the enchanting front garden. Even the pink multi-layered translucent curtains alone must have cost more than Victoria's furniture.
One of the layers, a shiny white transparent fabric with simple floral patterns sowen right in the middle, is used specially during the day, and when the sunlight breaks through it, a faint halo glistens and illuminates the room in a breathtaking light, casting floral shadows on the ground.
Ilaria's was really nice, too. White furniture and white fabric with red, pink, and yellow flower prints and embroidery, standing for fascination, distinction, and love. And while roses decorated Aurelia's room, carnations filled the corners of Ilaria's.
She, on the other hand, has english ivy and spider plants for decoration and not a speck of gold or silver could be seen. Even her curtains weren't of fine silk but imitated soft cotton that felt as smooth as silk. The duchess said 'there's beauty in simplicity' , and' there's no need for unnecessary extravagance,' but compared to the other rooms in the mansion, it was out-of-place like a dentist's waiting room in a five star hotel.
She accidentally entered Viktor's room once and the soft baby blue fabric were enough to bring easiness to one's heart. Even the crib and horse toy matched with the decor. She also stole a glimpse of Vincente's room and was amazed by all the luxurious and elegant geometric designs. It wasn't as colorful as his sisters', but it had that rich scholar taste, with a big library stacked with books, gray carpets and blue curtains, and instead of gold, the decor on the furniture was a classy silver.
She slumped in the couch and hugged a pillow, missing her family. She couldn't help but feel like an outsider here. From their attitude to their glances, they reeked of hostility, treating her polite enough for an unwanted guest they are forced to tolerate.
Actually, Victoria is just a pitiful girl who dreams of having a normal life and a loving family. Her's wasn't that great, her mother was a greedy workaholic, rarely home. Her father spent half of the family's income drowning in his old habits and alcohol. She only had one younger brother, who was constantly bullied until he joined a bad group of friends.
She hoped this time, her family would feel more like...a true family.