"I guess his majesty was right." Bernard said and turned back to head back to the palace when his eyes caught something in the distance - a whisper of white hair.
Bernard's heart quickened as his eyes locked into the fleeting glimpse.
After he left, Arielle and her mother came out of their hiding place. "That was too close mother."
Bernard entered the King's study, his expression grim. "I found a lead your majesty."
"Alright. Tell me." King William's ears perked up eager to hear what his advisor found.
"I saw a girl at Buckswood with white hair, she was gone before I could approach her."
King William sighed in frustration, anger evident in his eyes.
"Keep searching!"
Bernard bowed and exited the room.
Back in Buckswood…
Arielle woke to the warmth of the sunrise streaming through her window. As she opened her drowsy eyes, her mind racing back to the event of the previous night.
"Ari! Ari!"
"Stop shouting Nat. Ari is still sleeping." Victoria cautioned her younger daughter.
"By this time?" Nat said as she went towards Arielle's room and opened the door, not bothering to knock.
"What do you want Natalie?" Arielle asked her sister with an obvious frown as she rubbed her temples.
"Your coming of age ceremony will be held the day after tomorrow, you will need gowns, shoes and other accessories."
"Get dressed." Natalie said as she exited the room and closed the door behind her.
Arielle chuckled, shaking her head. Sometimes Nat's bossiness made her question who the real elder sibling was.
"Mum, tell Ari to come to the tailor's shop with me." Nat said to her mum.
"If she doesn't want to, why do you want to force her?" Victoria asked her daughter from the kitchen.
"She has to mum. Her ceremony is just two days away. She has to wear something nice." Nat replied almost in tears.
"I have enough clothes Nat, why should I buy more?" Ari asked as she came out of her room.
"One more dress would not make a difference." Nat said but Ari did not pay her attention as she went to assist their mother in the kitchen.
"Why won't anyone listen to me?" Nat stamped her foot, exasperation etched on her face.
"Who is troubling by baby girl?"
"Good you are here dad. Tell Ari that she has to get a dress for her ceremony. Don't you want your daughter to look beautiful?" Nat asked her dad.
"Of course I want Ari to look beautiful than anyone else but she would still be beautiful in any dress she decides to wear whether it's a new one or not." Edmund said to his daughter.
"Not you too father." Nat cried out.
Edmund smiled warmly at his daughter. "Ari my dear, just follow your sister alright. Get something nice for yourself." Edmund told his elder daughter. He turned to Nat and said to her, "I believe this is settled?"
"Yes father." Natalie replied with a smile. Arielle looked at her and just sighed. She had just enough dresses in her wardrobe. She had no choice but to obey her father.
Edmund's stomach growled and he chuckled, "Ah, honey, I am famished. Bring the food, please."
After the family finished their breakfast, they all
went about their activities.
Edmund was one of the ministers in the palace and Victoria was a trader.
"We are off now mother." Natalie said to her mother. "Don't go too far girls." Their mother replied as she went the other way.
The roads of the town were busy with people walking and a few carriages that came to pass by them occasionally. Natalie pulled Arielle by her hand. Tugging her arm as she walked quickly.
"The tailor's shop is not running away Nat." Arielle reminded her sister. "We still have time."
"We do not have time Ari. Or do you think you are the only one who is turning eighteen? Other girls are going to be swarming in the shop soon to get their clothes tailored or fitted." Natalie replied as she slowed down a bit.
They got to the town's esteemed seamstress's shop owned by Miranda Adams and as expected there were many girls who had come to get their clothes tailored.
As Natalie and Arielle walked past the door, the bell attached tinkled, announcing their entrance. "I thought you wouldn't come, I would have personally come to the house to get you." A woman with blonde hair walked towards them with a warm smile.
"It is Arielle, Miranda. She insisted on not getting a dress." Natalie said to the blonde haired woman named, Miranda.
Miranda chuckled. "Now let's get you something stunning." She said as she dragged Arielle away with her arms entwined with Arielle's arm.
"Is this really necessary Mira?" Arielle questioned.
"Of course it is." Miranda replied.
Natalie had already started combing through the shop, looking for the perfect dress for her sister.
Mannequins with different poses stood in the shop with each showcasing elegant gowns and dresses
Arielle was asked to sit and Miranda went to bring the clothes she would try on.
Arielle wondered what fate had in store for her.
She was lost in her thoughts and did not notice a figure standing in front of her until…
Pah!
The sudden sound jolted Arielle back to reality.