Never did I believe myself to dread a countdown more than I do now. With a tight grip on the side drawer frame, I make a sharp inhale as the heat in the room rises. One of my maids slams her boot against the wall and with the strongest pull she can muster up, the lace nearly cracks as she tightens my corset. Gods, she is going to constrict me to death! At least an actual boa would be more merciful than the torture she is putting me through. As I feel my nails digging into the wood, I slam my palm against it to create a loud bang. Startling all of the women in the room, I can hear the sigh of my sister’s annoyance followed by the faint giggling of hustling maids.
“Seriously… Is a corset absolutely needed?” I ask, my expression flat as I stare at the maid who seems to be taking more enjoyment in my suffering than she would like to admit.
“I think so. Your form is already perfect Miss Bloodworthe but if you want to score a fairytale prince… Then you need to keep up with fashion trends!”
If I wanted to scream, I couldn’t as the tightening of the corset pushes every ounce of air from my body. Thankfully the suffering of getting dressed is over as I can hear her tie the finishing bow. It takes me a moment to stand straight, the girls laugh at me for looking like a hunchback but can they blame me? This hurts and it defies everything natural about the way the body should feel. If you ask me, corsets were created by devils themselves. No, actually, they were created by something worse than devils. Even fiends would know better than to stoop this low to create something so horrific. I halt my complaints, I knew this day has been a long time coming. In fact, I find myself regretting putting it off for so long. I’m halfway through my sixteenth year, I should have partaken in a ball the night of my birthday. But finding ‘mister right’ already does not suit my fancy.
What girl doesn’t dream of their prince charming? Sure, I want to marry one day. But I have a love for the arcane arts, I want to study first! Yet here I am stuck in my room glaring at every maid who dares to assist in my get up. As the oldest it is my duty to partake in these events, I know this. But I am also nervous. Will papa expect me to dance with a guy? My eyes glance to Alice who sits in our golden trimmed redwood chair. At least she does not have to be the star of the night. Though she seems just as bothered as me to attend. It must be harder for her… Actually, wait, that gives me an idea!
“Alice.” I call out to her.
“If this is another one of your run away attempts, Ruyi. I will have no part.”
“Okay first off… No, it is not. But I was wondering if you would be my date tonight for the dance?”
Silence is cast upon the room as the maids are unsure what to make of my grand suggestion. Even Alice is taken by surprise but it is soon masked away with a sly smirk on her face. She holds out a hand and I promptly hold it, moving in a pompous manner. We both giggle to ourselves as our servants scramble to fix up my hair. Father said I had to dance, but he never said it had to be with a guy. Such a devilish plan, I am a genius really. I glide across the floor with my sister, practicing slow steps. Even if she cannot see, she is trained in the waltz and other forms of ballroom dancing such as I. This will be an opportunity for me and Alice to get closer. We have gone through a great deal of scrutiny as of late and being able to dance together on the floor is something I will never forget.
“Are you sure you’re not trying to run off again, but with me this time?” Alice jests at me, causing me to roll my eyes.
Two hours feels like minutes and before I know it, I am watching the guests pour into the front of the manor. The garden is well done, bushes trimmed to make a proper walkway as white roses sparkle underneath the moonlight. To match Alice’s clouded lilac eyes, she wears a deep green dress. I am adorned in the typical royal red that is synonymous with the Bloodworthe name. Darker colors contrast our famous white hair and even if I feel forced to attend this party. I cannot help but stare at myself in the mirror. I look… beautiful. For a moment I see my mother within my features, I even have her freckles. But I dare not frown on this joyous occasion, especially as Alice draws near. Her fingers trace around the form of my face, spending plenty of time around my hair. She is gentle as to not mess it up. As her fingers trace my locks, she is able to properly get a picture of how I am dressed. Stopping momentarily at the butterfly amulet I always wear.
“You’re going to make all the boys faint Ruyi.”
“We both are.”
The hallways are anything but quiet though me and my little sister pay no mind to the conversation of the servants, as our giggles trump any words they exchange about the event. None of the guests are in this part of the wing, none of them are allowed to see us until our father makes the announcement. Which means we have downtime. To speak on such girlish things, types of men that I could meet. Alice thinks I should look out for a man with pale features and dark hair. But I insist that if I am to fall for any man, which isn’t possible. But… Hypothetically speaking should I find a nice, charming lunka-hunka prince. Then! Then I would settle with a man who is mysterious! Oh! How I love the mysterious but proper ones! Not that Alice would agree, she likes them more rugged. Even sticking her tongue out at me when I describe my tastes, how rude! Most importantly though… I just hope he is of open mind. I would like that… Someone to appreciate the small things with.
The grand dining hall, also known as the ballroom center floor, is decorated in whites, blacks and golds. We do not rely on simple and primitive fire to light the room. Instead, my father has set up various arcane crystals that produce a luminescence greater than any candle could ever hope to make. It is intentionally dark here, the windows covered by curtains so that the crystal light may bounce from wall to wall. Producing the illusion of stars on the ceiling. Around the rim of the room are long extended tables. Where my father stores them, I have no idea. But he manages to bring them out everytime he hosts one of these lavish parties. I’d even say there are more chairs brought out than needed. I doubt there are that many guests- I spoke too soon.
As my father announces us, I whisper under my breath for Alice. There are too many people to count. My father has invited families, all of which are likely of significance in Tharkos. Me and Alice both straighten our posture into the correct positions with our chins high. With a brief scan around the room I see mothers with wine glasses in their hands while their sons awkwardly stand beside them, forced to listen to them oogle about how great their child is. Oh how lovely of a night this will be… Not only will I have to face the awkwardness that comes with letting down a man soft, but also fending off their mothers that flaunt their children to me like prized race horses. His shoulders are just so broad Ruyi! He scored this high in his academics, Ruyi! Ruyi this! Ruyi! Ruyi look at him! I send my father a glance of slight annoyance and he dares to chuckle in response.
Conversation starts the moment we step into the room. Of course all eyes are on us though I tend to avoid a majority of them. I feel uncomfortable. I will not lie. While I am somewhat used to public speaking so long as it is on official business. I don’t really know… How do I put this… How to socialize when it is improv. Oh, what I mean by that is when I don’t have a script to study off of for a week straight, prepping me on things I am to address. Well… Let’s just say it gets thorny for both sides. Once Alice and I are treated to a meal, a lavish one might I add. I am used to eating humble, per my own request usually. But tonight I am to dine on lean cut beef, seasoned by one of the city’s top chefs that my father has commissioned for the night. Dashed with scalloped potatoes with melted cheese, oh how rare! The first boy makes his attempt, bold with his head tilted in a cocky manner. It is clear he is used to this type of socializing. Unfortunately for him… I am not interested in blondes!
As the pianist switches tone to a song more light-hearted, I start to begin formulating the words of rejection in my mouth. But of course the one and only Claudia insists I dance. Speaking on my behalf, she would love to! I force myself to smile, swallowing back the sheer instinct to turn and yell at her. I hear Alice wish me a faint goodluck as I extend my hand out to this man. With a tug he pulls me closer, a move I am sure my father isn’t too fond of as I can feel his glare from here.
“I will make sure to take great care of you on the dance floor, Miss Bloodworthe.”
Ew… He may have eyes as bright as the sky of day but I am not interested. His voice is raspy in a bad kind of way. His curt behavior and cheesy flirting simply will not do. He tiptoes the line of being proper but clearly has the behavior of the classical playboy. I grimace the thought of having to dance with him. But I must humor my step-mother. Had I just held my tongue that night at dinner, I wouldn’t be here right now. But of course I always have to challenge her with everything, the idea of picking my battles is still a new concept to me. As I reflect on dinner I feel myself being pulled to the center stage alongside the other dancers. Cousins, aunts and even other couples make guests here on this floor. I struggle to look this man in the eye. In fact… When he says his name the only thing I can muster up a single ‘mhm’ of response. I do not pay attention to what he says and as this dreadful dance progresses, I find my eyes wandering to other duos.
I would say I am saved by the song change but as I make the graceful turn away from my first date. I find myself in the arms of another. But unlike the last one, this boy has the most alluring eyes. His dark hair tied back, held together by a yellow ribbon. I grow curious and without much thought, the question slips past my tongue.
“How come you are wearing a ribbon? Not to be mean but isn’t it a little girly?”
My eyes suddenly widen to the brashness of myself. I could easily offend him and as I promptly meet his gaze in terror. I am surprised to see that he is laughing, amused by my question.
“It was given to me by my sister. My name is James Romano by the way. Pleasure to make your acquaintance Miss Bloodworthe.”
“Ruyi… Please, just call me Ruyi.”
This time when I avert my gaze, it is not because I do not want to be here. But rather, I cannot seem to bring myself to look at James. My cheeks flush a faint pink and for once my chest beats with a foreign sensation. A feeling I have not felt in a long time as I take in a breath of air, feeling my heart in rapid motion. He doesn’t point this out yet I know he obviously sees me in a flustered state. Which only adds more to my worries. So much for dancing with Alice. I didn’t even get the chance to enact my plan and now I am starting to fall head over heels for a man just because he wears a ribbon gifted to him by his sister! Wait! No, that is not true I am not falling head over heels for anyone. But as we step side to side, his hands gently hold mine. I feel a strange sense of security. My thoughts are clouded and I am without my better judgment.
“Now, Miss Bloodworte- Ruyi. If I am not mistaken. You don’t have a single interest in any guy here, do you?”
Again he surprises me. His voice is soft, almost like a whisper yet the words he spoke have identified my true self without me even uttering an ounce of grievances. Is it that obvious? I give him a sheepish smile and once again look away. Perhaps it was my reluctance to dance in the first place that gave it away. Briefly giving his hand a tiny squeeze, I start to formulate the sentence in my head. What do I say here? Honesty is not always the best policy, not when you’re a noble. But if he already knows then lying will do no good either. Oh dear… I am taking too long to respond.
“You are not wrong… Uhm, James. I am to attend on the behalf of the family name.”
“We all are.” He chuckles again.
“Then you understand my plight. I wish to study magic, not marry off so early.”
James gives me a faint look of understanding, I know it. Our steps are slow and while our conversation has been brief. I can feel him tug away. At first I thought it was because I offended him. But then he nods at me and I am a little perplexed. Now it is just us two on the dance floor who are not dancing. I grow uneasy and I begin to dig my heels into the ivory floor. Claudia would kill me if I left a mark but at the moment I simply do not care. Every man here is watching for James to screw up and my family is watching to make sure I don’t screw up.
“Then don’t waste your time on me Ruyi. Your mind is settled on other things right now, don’t kneel to something you don’t want to do. Your life is worth more than that wizard.” He smiles.
“There is a college in Snowcake, you should look into it if you haven’t already.”
Oddly enough, James speaks with a familiarity that I cannot quite grasp. I tilt my head and wish I could show my gratitude. He closes the gap between us and begins the dance once more. But I notice that it is different this time. He isn’t dancing with me for the sake of trying to appease me. But rather, we are moving closer to the dining table. He is trying to escort me back so that I may avoid any further awkward altercations with others. As we reach our destination he bows just before grabbing my hand and placing a kiss on top of it. Once more my heart bursts in a million fireworks and I feel mana spark from my fingertips. As we exchange one last glance, he continues to smile. Those eyes… Something about them feels so welcoming, intimate. As I attempt to speak up, he is already walking away.
“Why are you standing here? Go on and speak with more. As a Bloodworthe, you are to marry soon. Find your husband and go.” Claudia hisses at me, pinching the back of my arm.
“I wish to study at the college at Snowcake. I have decided. You can make me dance with every man here but I will not settle for something I know I do not wish for myself right now.”
While Claudia’s face lights up in fury, I can see my father’s features settle with signs of relief. Alice is munching away on bread and our middle sister, Isabelle looks at me in horror. For once again I am challenging Claudia. Not that I care though. This whole idea was her mother’s to begin with. I was given the option to marry or figure out another alternative to bring good faith to the Bloodworthe name. Claudia probably didn’t expect for me to actually come up with said alternative. I am going out on a limb here though. I know nothing of the college I am speaking of. James merely suggested it to me and with this said suggestion, Claudia cannot argue. Even if she wants to, she can’t because my father is already calling to a toast. To announce good fortune but most importantly, to announce my change of heart for the better.
Though I cannot quite forget you…
Who were you?
Did we dance in the gardens once before?
Perhaps I will learn in Snowcake…
And perhaps we will speak again…
Thank you, James…
