Ilene hoped she could get out of this awful dress.
She would be the happiest person on world or under earth if the floor gave way and swallowed her whole, or even if the crystal chandeliers shining on top of her could collapse over her.
A phony smile was painted on Ilene's face to complete her look as she sat in the midst of the great, sumptuous dining hall of Ravenshood Palace with her hands clasped on the table, and a straight posture that had hurt her ass from two hours of sitting in the carriage.
Ilene's banquet gown was a magnificent creation, decorated with elegant fabric. Beige in colour, pagoda sleeves and square neckline with voluminous three-layered ruffle skirt.
Her silver hair, half up braid, accessorized with beads and flowers and remaining hair flowed down that cascaded till her waist. And bodice detailed with four buttons in front and the v-shaped waistline perfectly sculpted her hourglass swan figure.
Her gaze flitted between the noble maidens around the table, who were busy chatting and laughing among themselves while wearing their designer clothes with much ease.
And here, Ilene couldn't take a proper breath because of the fitted-bodice which was threatening to take her life out of her.
"Social season is just around the corner." The Queen Rosalind Ravenshood cleared her throat, emanating silence in the hall. Her queenly image was extremely magnificent and lovely. Thanks to her beauty and royal garb.
To top off her royal appearance, she had worn a golden crown, atop her head. The color scheme of her attire represented her pride and vanity.
With the mention of social season, the noble damsels' there heaved their chest and cheeks flushed red from excitement at the prospect of making their social debuts.
On the contrary, Ilene had ripples of anxiety crawling over her when the topic of social season was brought up. Participating in balls, dinner parties and marrying off would not even be the last thing she would desire at the brink of her death.
Tonight's Royal banquet was with the Queen to discuss about the upcoming social season. Ilene believed that this banquet was being held as a family event. Her mother undoubtedly pulled off a cunning trick to get Ilene in this dining hall, amongst the other fifteen noble maidens.
On the center of ceiling, there hung a huge single chandelier carrying countless of burning candles, illuminating warm light in the hall. This was the Ravenshood Palace's dining room.
It wasn't essential to label this boring dinner as a "royal dinner" unless something significant and royal was about to occur. Perhaps there was?
The long banquet table was stretched out, adorned with white flowers and silver sparkles adding a final touch. Queen Rosalind was seated at the head of the table, along with other sixteen noble ladies. While, the unoccupied seat in the front, across from the Queen's, struck Ilene's thought.
"Social season? Why all of a sudden, Your Majesty?" Ilene expressed her concern, the then awkward smile still tugged across her lips.
"Why not, sweetheart?" Rosalind chuckled, drawing her attention to Ilene.
"I believe you all are of noble birth and of marriageable age, ready to make your debut in the society as debutantes." She claimed with elegance and grace, turning her attention back to the floor.
"Yes, Your Majesty." The fifteen ladies said in a chorus, except of Ilene.
"It is a custom of royal family to hold the social season. That's why, the palace will host a grand ball marking the beginning of the social season. During the ball, you all will be formally introduced in the society, and presented to the Royal Court."
"What's the purpose of this season, Your Majesty?" One of the aristocratic women inquired.
"The purpose is for the young woman to meet a bachelor suitable for marriage. When you come across a suitable suitor for yourself, he will court and wed you.
The Queen's response reverberated over her ears, with her brain stressing the terms 'court' and 'marry'. Goosebumps erupted on her arms, Ilene let out a dreamy sigh. For her, social season is nothing, but a thinly veiled matchmaking gala.
Her entire life, Ilene had protested, horrified and appalled at the idea of spending rest of her life with a man, distant from her home and beloved family.
Above all, making small talk, dancing and engaging with egotistical disguised as humans, disgusted her to the core.
"What are your thoughts on this Ilene, my dear?" Rosalind queried, batting her ever-so fluttering lashes. Why was the Queen sprinkling salt to the wound when she was aware of her opinion?
Ilene hastily exasperated, not ready for that sudden question as she was too busy with her thoughts. "Pardon me, I couldn't hear you, Your Majesty?"
A small laugh bubbled out of her mouth. "My dear, what's your take on it?" She quirked her brow. "If I must be more precise, then regarding marriage." Rosalind flashed a dubious smirk.
Ilene could already feel how her words were weighing her down. "Well, Your Majesty…" she cleared her throat. "If you ask me, I don't believe marriage should be prioritized to the extent that we are doing. For me, marriage is more of a social obligation than a matter of personal preference. Are we solely designed to be married, to have children, and to take care of our husbands? We are, I believe , more than that. So, I humbly oppose the concept of marriage."
Ilene concluded her two minutes long speech with a courteous smile etched on her lips.
Her mouth stretched into a thin grin, Ilene glanced around the table to witness the ridiculous looks plastered over their faces, except of the Queen.
The atmosphere was heating and she could already feel the sweltering heat within her body. Perhaps she was in need of some air.
"I have always been in love with your spirit, my dear." Rosalind broke the eerie silence, raising her spectacular glass of wine.
"Let's raise a glass in honor of the visitor who is going to make his grand entrance inside the hall, my finest maidens." The sixteen maidens all raised their glasses in the air in response to the Queen's royal proclamation.
A tense anticipation had laced the room. The sound of the luxurious opulent door opening with a deep, menacing creak added to the tension.
A heavy, oppressive silence filled on the hallway with everyone's pair of eyes glued to the door.
The luxurious large door was pushed open to make a way for a man, his pair of footsteps clicking against the shiny polished marble floor that clearly reflected the enormous high ceiling detailed with intricate designs and carved paintings.
Ilene's heart pounded like millions of drums inside her and she was not sure whether it was of the silence or his presence?