Lady Margot arrived draped in the burgundy silk of a tea gown, an attire generally reserved for the visit of family or intimate friends–though, I was neither. I knew of her as she did me and we had rarely spoken since. Gazing upon the pearl white tone of her skin and the ruby color of her lips, I consider how her dress was designed not to require the aid of a servant. Opposed to the corset-fastened gowns of all the other ladies, save for Serenity, Margot could easily slip in, and for that matter, also slip out. Watching as all the other ladies poured into the estate, I felt the sensation of my nail dig into my palm, incensed by her sole mockery. Perhaps a performance wouldn’t prove necessary to stipulate a breach of our contract. In truth, it seems I wouldn’t need to convince her at all… she had already intended it. 

In the welcome of my guests, I ushered them towards the dining hall where the maids were finishing their set of the table. As we went to sit down, each of us were promptly served a porcelain cup, followed by a splash of milk, a steaming cascade of brewed tea, and the option of a sprinkling of sugar. I didn’t drink mine and resigned myself to an aimless stirring of my tea whilst the ladies engaged in their own sidebar discussions. Serenity sat beside me, leaning occasionally close in whisper of the others and I nodded countless times in agreement with her remarks. Neither I nor she were concerned with feigning pleasantries in a room full of those we knew better than to concern ourselves with a friendship. Among us at the table, there was no hope for an exchange to surpass our habitual superficiality. It was just to be expected and that felt reassuring knowing I invited them here on the basis of my own ploy. The ladies all knew too well that they were here out of formality, not to revere in my engagement. No one in their right mind would choose to celebrate a marriage of his making alone. 

Soon the luncheon officially began with a platter of lamb, vegetables, and at my request, wine. In our preparation to indulge, however, Lady Margot began a sudden rise from her seat. I watch in silent dread from across the table as she raises her glass, heralding a toast with the clinking of her spoon. 

“I’d like to announce a toast,” she smiles, drawing her gaze across the room before settling in my direction. “To Lady Avalor of House Laine on her,” she tsks, as though amused with the prospect, “well, certainly hard-wrought engagement to the future duke.” With a vicious grin she nods at the other ladies for agreement on her assertion. “She certainly surprised us all with her poise in accomplishing such an alliance - myself included,” she continues, gesturing to herself with a hand. 

“Thank you,” I quip in my rush to address her, standing up, “Lady Margot.” “But,” I continue, raising my glass, “I think I will take it from here.” She shrugs with a smirk and sits back down, staring at me from afar with a smug expression. Looking down at her, I notice the curves of her lips bear an eerie resemblance to His Grace. Not only that, but there’s a strange intent behind her green eyes that I’ve long associated with the young duke. I shudder at the thought. “Alright,” I interject, tearing my gaze away from her. “Well,” I say with a crude smile, “I will most assuredly try to keep this brief for you all, but I would like to take the time to thank everyone for being here today.” Hard-wrought engagement, as if I had any say at all! “It means so much to me that you would attend in a show of support for my upcoming marriage,” I commend, tightening my grasp on the neck of my wine glass, “Oh so much to me.” Serenity soon rises beside me, likely picking up on my anger. 

“I’m certainly joyous to have attended,” Serenity cheers, resting her hands over my shoulder, “But perhaps the blushing bride deserves a respite.” I peer over at her, deliberating over her words. “She spent all of last week throwing this together, all the while planning her own wedding, I’m sure.” 

“Actually, Serenity,” I allude, deciding to decline her offer, “I’m alright.” “I was quite delighted to have heard Lady Margot’s kind words,” I say, turning my attention to her, “And I would like to personally thank her.” She narrows her eyes playfully at me.

“Of course, Avalor,” she agrees, “whatever you like.” She motions toward the exit of the dining room, pausing to allow for me to close the distance between us from across the table. We saunter in a similar pace towards the living area where we sit at opposite ends of the tufted sofa. Propping her elbow against its cushioned back, she meets my gaze. “Well?”

“It’s merely as I said earlier, Margot,” I say coolly, with the tilt of my head, “I wanted to thank you for the sentiment.” Her gaze remains fixed in her suspicion. “You know, it takes quite the courage to say something so boldly contrived, especially having fallen past the mouth of a lady so painfully deliberate in her envy,” I mock, drawing my eyes towards her attire whilst nudging her to follow suit. 

“Hmm,” she retorts lightly, relaxing her gaze in the display of her feigned class. “And what of it?” she prods, grazing her fingertips past the fibers of her dress, “Do you happen to like it?”

“Perhaps adorning a close friend of mine, then yes, but on you…” I pause, narrowing my gaze in contempt, “it just looks desperate, Margot.”

“It’s not desperate, Avalor,” she suggests slyly, “It’s merely practical.” 

“Practical you say?” I tsk, “Do you perchance lust for my soon-to-be husband?” 

“Well that’s quite a strange thought to have at an engagement party,” she remarks, batting her eyes at me, “What do you think, Avalor?”

“In all truth,” I say longingly, averting my gaze so as to hide my hint of a grin, “I think you two were made for each other.”

“What?” she says confusedly, and rightly so, “What do you mean by that?”

“Ugh!” I suddenly woe, placing a wistful hand to my temple, “He’s been nothing but curt with me since the night we announced our engagement!”

“He’s been curt with you–?”

“He’s not wanted a thing to do with me ever since he realized what a mistake this whole blasted courtship has been!” I continue to lament, ignoring her, “The only words to have slipped past his lips have been to remark how wounded he’s felt since dismissing your alliance!” “So many times has he recounted about your features in his writings that I’ve had to burn them in secret just to sleep a night’s wink!” Throwing my hands over her shaken frame, I bombard her with the final onslaught of my anguish. “Margot, please, I beg you, embrace him in his yearn for you!” In an effort to tempt her off the couch, I nudge her forward. “Knowing him, he’s probably sulking in his room right this moment, too lovesick to even bear witness to your beauty!” She looks back at me startled, meaning I did well in my performance. 

“Avalor,” she consoles, a note of sympathy in her eyes, “That’s… terrible.” Huh? I scan her face with a deadpan expression. Did I misinterpret her motives? This isn’t good. 

“Yes,” I reply half-heartedly in an unbroken stare, “It is.” I’m not quite following.

“Tell me,” she asks gently, softening her gaze “has he always felt this way?” Always? 

“He’s uh… yes, he’s always felt this way,” I quickly assert. 

“Well,” she sighs, “That’s quite the shame.” “You two always appeared unquestionably happy together in your youth.” Youth? I resist the urge to narrow my eyes in light of her odd implication. 

“Yes, it’s quite a shame,” I concur, uncertain of what she means to say, “I uh-” Pulling away from me, she motions to rise from the sofa.

“Uh, Avalor, forgive me, but,” she says, with a weak smile, “I have to use the washroom.”

“O-of course,” I oblige, perking up on her request. Motioning to direct her down the hall, I continue. “Yes, it’s right over–” Wait. “Actually, Margot,” I interject, following suit in my stand, “Allow me to ask the maids prior about the washroom.” Gripping my dress, I move swiftly ahead of her. “I merely insisted the washrooms be exceptionally tidy in wake of the ladies’ arrival so I will just have a quick word with them to see if they’ve finished.” “It only be a moment,” I smile, peering back at her. In my stride down the hall, I fix my focus in search of any available servant. 

I soon spot the bonnet of a maid, tending to the houseplants. 

“Excuse me,” I say sweetly, leaning beside her.

“Yes, My Lady?” she asks curiously, “May I help you?”

“You most certainly can,” I say, before closing the distance for a stern whisper, “Please inform His Grace of a visitor waiting for him in his bedroom… but be certain to make no indication that this was told to you by me.” Peering up at me cautiously, she nods.

“Yes, My Lady.”

I return to find Margot still standing idly in the living area.

“Alright, Margot,” I say cheerfully, clasping my hands in front of me, “There’s a washroom available upstairs, you can go right on ahead!”

“Thank you, Avalor.” No, thank you.