As we were sat at the table (Mother, Aiden, Jacy, and myself), I leaned over and whispered to Jacy, "You haven't fallen for his idiotic comments, have you?" I was talking about Mr Hennicker, of course.

"No, not at the least bit interested, I already have someone in mind," she whispered quietly back to me. Mother caught us both talking and yelled something about being lady-like. I am not quite sure actually, I stopped listening to her at the mention of Father. I hated him, I really did. What kind of man drinks away his family's money every night at the local alehouse. A horrid one, that's who!

I glared at Mother for mentioning our father. Her dark hair pulled back in a tight bun and her small dark eyes dared me to answer her back. Jacy often teased me, saying that when Mother and I locked eyes, it looked like I was looking into a mirror reflecting my older self. Apparently, that is how similar we were, though I hoped not too much. She had become quite plump over the last few years. She seemed to enjoy food a lot more since Father had taken to alcohol and abuse. Perhaps it was to create padding for when he would strike her. I wasn't really sure.

***

There was an awkward pause in the room, which brought me back to the conversation. Finally, Jacy spoke, "Yes, it will be really exciting. It should be beautiful and enchanting." She smiled and took a bite out of her sandwich.

Aiden shrugged, "I do not enjoy them myself. But, if you promise me the first dance, I am sure the rest of the night will be tolerable."

I rolled my eyes, "You mean you do not enjoy them as much as you enjoy the ladies?" My mother gave me a challenging look but I ignored it. She then responded with, "Aliana, do not give him the satisfaction. He is merely trying to play with your head, yours too, Jacy."

"Well, one dance honestly would not hurt," Jacy shrugged, trying to very subtly flirt. Her cheeks had turned a light shade of pink. Our mother continued to look at me, "Well, I hope you have a nice dress to wear, this is an important dance."

When Jacy had whispered to me that she had someone in mind, I could only guess it was the Beausant boy. I hated mother for not believing Jacy had the capability of winning his heart. She believed that I could, and it angered me. "It is an important dance for Jacy as well, Mother," I raised a brow at her.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed that Aiden seemed to be looking back and forth between us. He scoffed at our Mother, though she did not notice, too focused on me. "Well then, Miss Weatherby, I will look forward to it," he said as he shot Jacy a smile and finished the rest of his food.

Jacy suddenly stood up and spoke to Aiden, "It was nice to see you... but I will have to excuse myself." Aiden swallowed hard on the rest of his sandwich and stood as she walked out of the dining room and went upstairs to her room, I heard the door shut behind her.

Aiden turned back to us, "You will have to excuse me as well, I must be back home now." He gave a bow and one last look to me. I nodded and he left.

I turned my head to face my mother, "Great job, Mother. You honestly have no shame." I stood up and started walking away when she yelled, "No shame? I will not let you speak to me in such a manner." I scoffed and turned to her, but she continued to yell, "With such a mouth as yours, no wonder you are still unmarried!" I glared at her, "Oh, so I can end up like you? A woman who just takes what her drunk husband gives her?" She gasped in shock but before she could say anything else I rushed off to Jacy's room. "You will be the death of me!", She yelled after me.

I knocked on her door and sighed, "Jacy. It's me." I heard her call back, "Come in."

I stepped inside and closed the door behind me, "Are you alright? If Aiden offended you in any way, I will make sure to tell him to leave you alone."

"No, he is not the problem. The fact that Mother thinks I can not do anything is the problem. Also, it seems like everyone enjoys keeping secrets from me," Jacy sat on her bed and flipped through the pages of her book.

I sighed and sat down on the edge of her bed, "If it is any consolation, sister, I believe you can do anything you set your mind to. Mother is a fool." I looked away when she mentioned secrets. "What secrets?", I asked. I heard a very faint mutter from Jacy, "Nevermind." She knew about something. I narrowed my eyes at her, then decided not to question it any further, "I believe it helps to just say them then. What is on your mind?"

"Just the ball, and Laurent. I hope everything goes well tomorrow night," she played with strands of her hair.

I raised a brow at her, "How long have you two known each other?"

"We used to be really close until he moved, now he has come back and we have just talked again." Jacy shrugged like it does not matter, but I know it did, "It was just before that I saw him, just before I came home. Though, I honestly do not see him as more than just a friend."

I gave a quiet laugh, "You know, I do not believe in silly things like love, but if you like him... then do not let anyone stand in your way." Not even me, little sister, I thought.

Jacy shrugged and stood to put her book back on the shelf, "Who knows what I feel or what he does. Not to mention that he is the eldest of his family, we would never work out."

"Do not give up so easily. You are fully capable, Jacy. You do have the upper hand, knowing him for so long," I told her.

"I suppose you are right," she said with hesitation. "You and Aidan seemed to be close."

I flinched at her comment but then I looked over at my sister to see her watching for my reaction, so I just smiled, "Well, as they say, keep your friends close and your enemies closer."

Jacy and I had always been close, so I knew she could tell that I was lying straight to her face, "Aww, an enemy would have thought you would be married by now." She laughed.

I frowned at her, "I am not sure what you are suggesting, baby sister, but Aiden is far down on the list of men to marry. He is a backup plan, that is all."

"Hey, I'm far from being a baby, I will be 18 in a couple of months," she reacted to my comment. "Also, it was just an observation sister, do not you worry."

I huffed and walked over to her door, "Well, I see you are much better now. I will be taking my leave then." I opened it and walked out, with a smile on my lips. So she did like Laurent... As I walk downstairs, I know that I did not want to see mother after the fight we had had, so I crept past the dining room and into the parlour. A drab looking room that needed to be refurbished. Unfortunately, our money for that was at the alehouse. It was a pale, peach room with worn, floral furniture, and an even older piano in the corner. I sat down to play.

***

Time seemed to pass and I had been playing for maybe an hour, or maybe three. I hit the last note and heard Jacy come in. I smiled but did not turn, "Let me guess... were you out with Laurent again? I heard the door."

Jacy probably blushed or frowned, I did not know. I did not look. "Yes, but it does not matter, honestly," she sat on a worn chair which was near to the piano.

I laughed and began playing another song, "You two just cannot get enough of each other. Shall I start the wedding preparations?", I laughed to myself. "Dinner is probably ready if you want to eat."

Jacy picked up the pillow from the chair she was sitting on and threw it at me, "Oh my goodness, stop." She laughed, while also blushing.

I laughed too and stood up. "Come on," I gesture to her to follow me. "Admit it... you are lovesick." I walked out of the room and made my way to the dining table.

"Impossible!" she told me. "He ran off once he walked me home. Some relationship that would be." She followed me into the dining room and we took our seats at the table. We were definitely not prepared for one of the worst dinners we had had in a long time.