Soon Nora's mother Mrs Raymond approaches her daughter as she enters the sitting room. "Hey sweetheart," she says, her tone friendly and warm. "How was it? Did you enjoy the event?"
Nora, feeling a surge of anger and resentment, tries to maintain her composure and put on a fake smile. "It was fine," she said tersely, trying to hide the anger that was rising up within her. "I had a good time, but I'm tired now. I'm going to get some rest."
Unfortunately, Mrs Raymond doesn't seem to notice Nora's discomfort. "Alright, dear," she says, patting her daughter's arm affectionately. "I'll let you rest then. We can talk more tomorrow." With that, she turns and walks away, leaving Nora feeling more frustrated and isolated than ever.
Nora gritted her teeth in irritation as her mother walked away. She felt angry and frustrated that her mother had dismissed her feelings and didn't notice the tension between her and Diana. She wanted to scream and lash out, but she knew that it wouldn't solve anything. Instead, she took a deep breath and tried to calm herself, although the frustration and anger still lingered in her chest like a burning coal.
Despite her frustration, Nora couldn't deny that she had felt a sense of satisfaction at being noticed by the prince during the ball. She had felt a sense of excitement and attention that had made her feel special and important. But as she replayed the events of the night in her mind, she couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy towards Diana. Diana had somehow managed to win the prince's attention with her charm and grace, something that Nora had been trying to do for years.
The next morning
*Diana and step sisters were having a peaceful breakfast when their father and mother. Mr Raymond their father suddenly brought up the topic, catching them by surprise.*
"I wanted to discuss something with you girls," he said, his voice betraying a hint of nervousness.
Diana leaned forward slightly, curious about what her father wanted to talk about. "What's going on, Father?" she asked, her voice carrying a hint of anxiety.
Mr Raymond took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. "The prince has invited you girl's to live in the royal palace, which would of course bring us closer to the royal family and our social status," he began, his voice steady. "However, there is another matter I need to discuss with you girls."
Diana could feel her heart racing in anticipation, sensing the importance of what her father was about to share with them. She exchanged a curious glance with Nora before turning back to their father, waiting for him to continue.
"As I mentioned, the prince is currently looking for a partner to marry," he said. "And he has asked for us to submit a list of eligible suitors for him to consider."
Diana's eyes widened in surprise, feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness. A chance to be closer to the prince and potentially be chosen as his future spouse was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and she couldn't help but feel thrilled at the prospect.
"Oh my goodness," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. She exchanged a look with her sister Nora, who seemed equally shocked by the news. Mr Raymond looked at them, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "I know this is a lot to take in, but this is a golden opportunity for us. We must take it seriously and
Diana nodded, still feeling the weight of the situation weighing heavy on her shoulders. "Of course, father," she said, her tone reflecting her determination. "We'll take this seriously and make sure we put our best foot forward."
"Good," Mr Raymond said, his expression turning solemn. "This brings me to the second part of this discussion: the selection of suitable suitress for the prince."
Diana felt a rush of excitement mixed with anxiety as her father spoke. "The king has instructed us to send a list of eligible suitress for the prince to consider," he said, his tone serious. "We have the opportunity to select some of the finest bachelorette in shook his head again. "Unfortunately, the king has not made a decision yet," he said, a hint of disappointment in the kingdom his voice. "He is considering all eligible candidates, including those from other kingdoms and territories."
"Yes," Mr Raymond replied, a smile playing on his lips. "The king has specifically expressed an interest in exploring outside of our borders for potential matches. This could be a great opportunity to make alliances with other kingdoms and bring more prosperity and influence to our realm."
Diana couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement at the prospect. She glanced over at her stepsisters, Nora and Anna, who were listening intently. "What do you think, girls?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Shall we explore this option and see what we can come up with?"
Nora and Anna exchanged a glance, then nodded eagerly. "That sounds like a wonderful idea," Anna replied, her voice filled with anticipation. "It could bring us some truly unique and impressive options for the prince to consider."
Mr Raymond beamed, clearly pleased with their enthusiasm. "I'm glad you agree," he said, a hint of pride in his voice. "Let's start researching and gathering information on potential suitoress from other kingdoms. We can compile a short list to present to the prince and see what he thinks."
Diana felt a surge of excitement. "I'll start looking into possible suitoress from the neighboring kingdoms," she offered, her voice tinged with determination. "I can send out letters to potential candidates to gauge their interest and assess their suitability."
Mr Raymond nodded, a look of approval in his eyes. "That sounds like a great plan," he said, smiling at her. "Your initiative is commendable." He turned to Nora and Anna, addressing them with equal seriousness. "And what about you two? What research or ideas do you have to contribute?"
Anna raised her hand timidly, her eyes sparkling with inspiration. "I could look into the customs and traditions of other kingdoms," she proposed, her voice soft but firm. "That way, we can understand their culture and what they value in a spouse."
Diana's father smiled at Anna's thoughtful suggestion. "That's a brilliant idea," he said appreciatively. "It will be crucial to understand the cultural nuances and values of other kingdoms to ensure a successful match for the prince. Your input is invaluable, Anna."
Nora raised her hand as well, her voice confident and decisive. "I could look into the political landscape of other kingdoms," she suggested, her gaze steady. "That way, we can assess the potential benefits and risks of forming alliances through marriage. It will help us make informed decisions when recommending suitors."
Nora raised her hand as well, her voice confident and decisive. "I could look into the political landscape of other kingdoms," she suggested, her gaze steady. "That way, we can assess the potential benefits and risks of forming alliances through marriage. It will help us make informed decisions when recommending suitors."
Mr Raymond nodded in approval, clearly impressed with Nora's strategic approach. "Excellent thinking," he commended, his tone filled with admiration. "Understanding the political implications of forming alliances through marriage is crucial for the stability of our own kingdom. Your insights are invaluable, Nora."
Mr Raymond nodded in approval, clearly pleased with Nora's strategic approach. "Excellent thinking," he commended, his tone filled with admiration. "Understanding the political implications of forming alliances through marriage is crucial for the stability of our own kingdom. Your insights are invaluable, Nora."
Diana couldn't help but feel a swell of pride at the thought of contributing to such important decisions. "I could also reach out to our trusted advisors and see if they have any valuable insights or connections in other kingdoms," she offered, her voice steady and confident. "Their expertise and networks may prove invaluable in finding suitable suitors from various territories."
Nora furrowed her brows, a puzzled expression on her face. "Father, I must ask, why is the king entrusting us with this important task?" she inquired, her voice carrying a hint of curiosity.
Their father's expression turned thoughtful as he mused over Nora's query. "I'm not certain, my dear," he admitted, his tone soft but firm. "But I believe it might be because of my close proximity to the king as a valued member of his royal household. Perhaps the king trusts my judgment and feels confident in my family's ability to make informed decisions."
Diana's eyes widened as she processed her father's words. "That's plausible," she said, her voice tinged with excitement. "If the king holds such faith in our judgment, then we must take this task even more seriously. We have to ensure that the suitors we present to the prince are truly worthy of consideration."
Nora nodded in agreement, a determined look in her eyes. "Let's not waste this opportunity," she said, her voice resolute. "We must conduct thorough research, gather precise information, and make well-informed decisions. This could be a defining moment for our kingdom and our family's reputation."
Diana nodded, a sense of responsibility settling over her shoulders. "We'll make sure to leave no stone unturned. We'll delve deep into the customs, values, and political landscapes of each kingdom we encounter," she declared, her voice filled with confidence. "Together, we'll uncover the most outstanding suitoress and present them to the prince, ensuring that he has the best options available."