Katheryn’s wedding was short. It was all outdoors. Katheryn had always said she wanted a Spring wedding, so I was incredibly disappointed that it happened in the Fall. My new brother-in-law, however, seemed nice enough at a glance. Maxwell had unruly, glowing orange hair, a tidy sum of freckles, and a bright smile that conveyed comfort. His eyes were somehow greener than Kat’s and he was more than acceptable socially, given who his father was. If I didn’t know any better, I would think they could be happy together. But I did know better. I know Kat better than anyone. And I know Kat didn’t want to get married. No amount of freckles and shiny teeth would change her mind about that.

The intentions of the wedding were painfully clear. Part of it was no doubt the never ending social climb, but another part was something sadistic and petty. This was the backlash for years of misbehavior from Katheryn. It was a message and a punishment. If she could not behave for her mother, she would have to learn to behave for her suitor. It was a trap.

“Congratulations,” I offered smally to my sister as the sun began to set over the warmly colored trees. It was the first time all day I really had a chance to talk to my sister, and I wasn’t sure what else to say.

“Thanks.” Kat gave a small smile, which did a poor job of hiding the sadness in her expression.

“I know it won’t, but this feels like it changes everything,”

“Yeah.”

I gripped her hand, letting her know I was here for her and she returned the gesture. Mother was not wrong about one thing; Kat did look stunning in the gown. It complimented her body and the color and style gave off the impression of her being nearly angelic. Maxwell was a lucky man, that was certain. I hesitated as I saw him approach us. He took a short bow upon arrival.

“So sorry to bother you, ladies,” he turned to Kat, “but the sun is beginning to set, and I would like to introduce you to your new home before it gets too late.” I frowned. The way he spoke about a new home suggested he was speaking to a new pet, not a spouse. He turned to me and I was quick to form a polite smile. I must never drop appearances. “It was lovely meeting you, Mabelle. I’m sure our families will merge well,”

“Unquestionably,” I remarked cheerily, then turned to Katheryn to wrap her in a hug, “Goodbye, sister.”

“Come see me tomorrow,” Katheryn begged in a soft voice. “Goodbye,”

I walked back to Mother who was smiling complacently at the scene. I was never a troubled child, since I was young I was always obedient, agreeable, and never wild or rebellious. I left those traits to my sister, who exhibited them with stubborn pride. Because of my mundane personality, I had never had true problems with Mother. There were times when we would get into small spats, but they would always be resolved within the hour. But, now, seeing Mother’s smugness while she watched the aftermath of the celebration of Katheryn’s loss of freedom, I felt only resentment for the woman who raised me.

I was silent the entire carriage ride home. It had less of an effect than I would’ve hoped for, but I lacked the confidence to do much else. I simply stared out the small door of the carriage and watched the colored leaves fall from the trees. In the past, the sight had made me jubilant, but now it simply felt melancholy and morbid. Even though I had just seen her, I missed my sister and best friend, and couldn’t bear the wait to see her tomorrow.

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

“Kat!” I screamed when my sister opened the door to her new house. I had begged Mother to allow me to visit as soon as I woke up, and eventually she obliged.

“Mabelle!” Katheryn squealed. “Come inside, come inside!” We acted as though we haven’t seen each other in years despite the fact that we had shared a full conversation the past afternoon. I was relieved to find that Kat seemed to be in better spirits. Her new home was enormous. It was much bigger than her old home, with a large foyer and many different hallways and stairs. It looked like how I pictured the mansions described in the books I read. She lead me through a lightly decorated hallway and spoke as she walked, “I spent all night exploring, I know this place pretty well now,”

“That’s great,” I smiled, genuinely happy to see Kat so excited. We reached a kitchen where Maxwell was sitting on a stool, leaning towards the empty table.

“Hello, Mabelle.” he smiled politely, “Katheryn has been very eagerly awaiting your arrival,”

“He’s an only child, he doesn’t get it,” Kat teased and Maxwell shrugged, accepting the dig. She smiled and turned to him then said in a hinting tone, “Now, Mabelle and I can catch up,”

“I get it,” he laughed, “Let me know when I can return to my own kitchen.” He left the room without objection, and we sat at the polished wood table which stood as the centerpiece to a magnificent kitchen.

“He seems really nice,” I commented.

“He’s alright.” Katheryn frowned. “I guess I got lucky that he’s decent. It’s just-” she carefully worded the sentence, “sometimes it feels fake, you know? He’s always so polite and courteous… It’s like how we have to act around everyone but each other. All, ‘how do you do?’ and everything...” she paused, “I guess I shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth.”

“How was the first night?”

A secretive smile replaced her frown and she played with the loose fabric at her collar. “Pleasant.” I raised an eyebrow, trying to understand what Kat was suggesting with her unusually short answer. “That’s all I’m saying!” She laughed defensively.

Eventually, I gave up and laughed with her. “I’m glad marriage isn’t as awful as you thought,”

“Oh, no, it is,” Kat frowned again. “It’s only been a day and I already feel like I’m in a cage. Married women aren’t supposed to have fun or do things. I can’t even use my old excuses anymore about going out to try and find a suitor,” she cupped her head in her hands and leaned on the table, “Enjoy your spouseless life while you can, and knowing mother, I’m sure you don’t have much longer,”

I stifled a laugh, though her words did cause a surge of nervousness well up inside me. I had spent my whole life preparing for marriage, but the image of my miserable sister the previous day was burned into my mind. Katheryn always tried to hide her unhappiness and bury it where it could never be found. Seeing her so unhappy was a shock to me. Perhaps, though, she was right. I should enjoy my youth while it lasts. “I’m not as adventurous as you to begin with.”

Katheryn sighed and tilted her head to the side. “Well, you should be. Now that I’m a ‘Mrs.’ I need to live my fun youthful life vicariously through you,”

“You could do that through books.” Katheryn rolled her eyes.

“But I don’t want to,” she sighed, “I want something real and exciting. You remember that carnival we saw? You stopped thinking about books for like a whole minute, which is a lot for you,”

My cheeks flushed with embarrassment, “I guess it is,”

“That’s it,” Katheryn announced, “I’m assigning you on a mission, for the betterment of yourself and I. You will go to the carnival, and have the time of your life, then return back to me and report every detail-”

“But, mother,” I interrupted, “she already said we couldn’t go to it,”

“Mabelle, I’ve listened to mother my whole life and look where it got me. I’m married to some stranger and I can’t do anything anymore. This is your wedding present to me, just give rebellion a chance, okay? In honor of my legacy?”

I instinctively grabbed my locket as I thought through what her sister was asking of me. The way she put it it didn’t seem so bad. Maybe she could use some adventure in her life. “Okay,” I shrinked eventually, “but if I get married off because of this, it’s entirely your fault,”

“I’m willing to take that risk,” Katheryn teased, then stood up and walked to the window. She peeled open the curtain and peeked outside. “The day’s still young, and mother thinks you’re here. I’ll be your alibi. Go have fun for me!” She yelled and nearly pushed me out the door.

“Leaving so soon?” Maxwell asked, stepping slowly down the curved stairs leading into the foyer. “Nice seeing you, Mabelle,”

“You as well! Bye!” I managed to squeak out before I was thrown out the door by my sister. It appeared that whether I liked it or not, I would be going on an adventure.