Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 107763 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107763 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
“You wish me to go? What are you speaking of that I can’t hear about? That’s not fair. I am your sister too.”
“Yes, you are my favorite sister, and one day, I shall share all I know with you, but you must be a bit older,” Devana told her. But Abena crossed her arms and refused to move, until Devana leaned in and whispered something into her ear.
“I’m going!” Quickly, Abena hopped up off the bed. “Bye, Hathor. You should give up because you are never getting married when you’re always in a mood!”
“You little—”
Abena slammed the door behind her, cutting me off before I could finish my words. When Devana looked at Bernice, she curtsied and took her leave as well.
“What did you say to get Abena to go?”
“You remember that book Father was looking for a few days ago?”
“The one he claims disappeared off his desk.”
“She snuck into the library and accidentally poured ink all over it.”
I gasped, my hands going to my mouth. “Father is going to kill her.”
“I think he already knows and is waiting for her to admit it.” Devana giggled as she took a seat on the bed. “Abena wrote a letter to Aphrodite for help to replace it.”
“Ah.” Since all of our letters were read, I was sure Mama knew, and thus, so did Papa. “They are torturing her by making her live in terror of them finding out. So, eventually, she’ll admit it when nothing can be done.”
“Do not use it against her, Hathor.”
I scoffed. “I would never.”
“You would so.”
“Just a reminder: I am your older sister, and I need no lecture from you,” I said pointedly.
“I could never forget you are my elder sister—”
“Then you shall tell me the name of your crush at once.”
“Hathor!”
“What?” I poked her side, making her giggle. “Tell me!”
“No!” She jumped back away from me. “This is your story, remember? As you wanted, we will be focusing only on you.”
“Then why did you tell me at all?” I pouted. “You wished to torture me; I am sure.”
She giggled. “I wish for nothing but the best for you. As I love you greatly, my dear elder sister.”
“But what did you wish to talk to me about?” I asked, wondering why she had come.
“It is fine. Another time.” And with that, she left.
I did not want to press the matter more. But I could see she really was in love, which made me so desperate to know.
Love.
I wanted that.
I wanted what everyone else in my family had.
“And I will not find it hiding in here,” I whispered to my own reflection before slapping my cheeks. “Get yourself together, Hathor!”
I removed my necklace and lifted a strand of pearls off the cushion. Bernice was right. There were still plenty of other gentlemen here, and just as I had sought to do before ever hearing word of that awful man’s arrival, I would find my match.
I twirled around once to look myself over before exiting my room.
I could hear the music already playing as I stepped down the stairs slowly. Luckily there at the bottom were Clementina and her mother.
“Your Grace.” I curtsied.
“Hathor. I was telling Clementina here to go back to get her pearls as well but she is being stubborn…as always. Maybe you can convince her?”
“Unfortunately, I cannot, Your Grace, for she is already stunning, and I dreadfully abhor competition, even from dear friends,” I said with my head raised.
“Yes, Mama, and you would not wish to drive a wedge between me and my dear friend, for seeking to upstage her in her own home,” Clementina added dramatically as we linked arms.
“I would take the greatest offense and never speak to you again,” I said in the same manner, trying not laugh.
“Rightly so.”
“Are you both quite finished? Or am I supposed to watch the entirety of this farce?” her mother asked with a stern look.
“Quite finished. See you inside, Mama!” Clementina said quickly before dragging me off. When we were far enough away, she leaned over, whispering, “The woman wished to dress me up like a peacock for dinner. If you had seen the gown she demanded I wear, you’d think I was to be crowned.”
“It is only the first night, why on earth would she wish that?” It was more customary to save your grandest gown for the final ball of the festivities.
“I believe this is why,” she answered as we stepped into the hall. Every young lady was dressed in her very best gown, covered head to toe in pearls, diamonds, and feathers. The pearls I had on and the dress I wore paled in comparison to them all. Even their faces were more made up than normal…All because of him…Prince Wilhelm. “Imagine what they’d wear if he was the heir to the throne.”
“They are all being rather silly,” I said, leading her inside, walking toward the windows.