The outdoor afterparty ball was in full swing; a famous orchestra played their hearts out, waiters were extra attentive, and the families didn't intermingle with each other. A perfect ball. As perfect as the balls in the imperial family had for their events, Estell thought. She sat with Mary and Olivia at a table far outside the garden. It was a percussion for her to keep interactions with the Ironheart family and the other noble families on a low scale. She only said small greetings or a small conversation with either Cinder, Beth, or Clyde by her sides. She talked with the waiters almost constantly, dulling the silence. It's only for a night, she assured herself. After this night, she can speak and move freely in Kris's enormous house. Cinder told her that once they got to the house, Estell would be in the room next to the library, and Kris's permission would be all hers. Kris must be such a kind man if he's willing to give a whole room to his wife's androphobic sister. 

Estell pouted as she stabbed her fork at her steak. "They could've said I feared speaking to others instead of men, for all it's worth."

“Estell!” Olivia whsipred. 

"I was born a man! Or, born to be a man! I'm not afraid of men!" She whispered back. 

"Being born a man has no bearing on fearing men. Not all men are like the romance novels you read, you know that."

"And, you're a beautiful young lady. Would you love to be considered a man?" Mary asked. 

"I hate that. I hate that more than anything," Estell said. "I will hate it until my bone has turned into dust." She threw her fork on the plate. "I just wanted my input before they said such a thing."

"I must admit the girls were too hasty in saying such a thing, but what is done is done," Olivia said. 

Estell sighed. Her eyes cocked to the table, holding that of the wedding cake along with other sweets. After Cinder and Kris gathered to cut the cake first, nobles were gluttony of the highest degrees, Cinder's the most; she already had five slices. Cakes aren't Estell's favorite sweets, much too sweet, but pies were her devilish sin. It was the reason she was able to gain weight during her teens. Beth thought she was too skinny when Estell first appeared to her in a desperate plea to flee her family, especially for an imperial princess. Luckily, she gained weight rather quickly. So now she had a more pudgy build, which made it a crime that most dresses didn't fit her. Shame on the designers, Estell thought. And shame on her for forgetting to find some favors on this night. By her mother's name, she was going to enjoy her night. 

"I'll be back, ladies," Estell said. 

"Stay within our sight, please," Olivia said. 

Estell nodded before venturing to the table. She even made more haste when she saw a servant bring a fresh batch of sweet berries pie. Estell thanked the servant at the table who helped her to a slice of pie. She took a deep breath of the pie, revealing its sweet smell. Her mood changed while relaxing her shoulders. Maybe she has changed enough; after this night, with the backing of Ironheart's protection, she wouldn't need Beth and Cinder's protection so much. Maybe, she thought, she could be more daring. She could even find some friends outside the home, new people who would love to have her. She could move past being a runaway princess and, like Beth, no longer have to move from place to place. Her eyes wandered to find Cinder standing firm and close to the Duke as they conversed with some nobles. Cinder looked beautiful in her dress, and her smile was so sweet, even if it was all fake. 

But, even if it's fake, it's nice that Cinder genuinely looks like she is enjoying herself. Estell popped a spoonful of pie into her mouth, humming softly. She needs to enjoy herself too.

"Is the food that good?" Estell nearly dropped her fork and spit out her food. She turns to see a young woman with orange hair staring at her. "Is it that good?" She asked again. 

She swallowed, nearly choking it down. "Y-yes," she replied. 

"You were lost in your own little world, so much so you didn't release me walking up behind you."

"O-oh, my apologies," Estell said. She placed her plate down and bowed. "I'm Lady Estell."

The woman cursed herself, "Isabella. Isabella Ironheart. The sister of the newlywed groom."

Isabella, or the woman, as Cinder mentioned, who was staring at Estell earlier. Estell couldn't figure out why the lady was staring at her; was it her hat? It did look like she was going to a funeral instead of a wedding, as if she was mourning. Estell straightened up. 

"It's a pleasure to meet you finally. I heard you were staring at me…does that mean you liked my hat?"

"Pardon?"

"I mean, of course, you would be staring at me; I look like a nun compared to everyone else."

"You did look quite peculiar."

"I'm usually more open; it's just for tonight. And you look gorgeous, like a goddess."

Isabella blinked before a small smile came out. "You don't get out much of noble society, do you?"

Estell fidgets with her fingers. "It's that apparent? Actually, no, it is apparent. I'm completely new to this whole thing. Even my brief stink in my childhood didn't prepare me for my sister-"

"The bride," she said.

"Yes, her marrying the Duke is such a huge change; it's an amazing change that I had some input on. But I don't know what I'm going to do since I'm just so 'afraid' of men, but, but, I'm not, and I want to…do that make sense?" Estell asked, her hands curled up to her chest. She was even breathless. 

Isabella looked over to her side before moving closer to Estell. She placed her hand on the side of her mouth. "No, but I can help."

Estell stared at her. "Would you?"

"Of course," she let her hand down, "I like girls like you."

"Whatever do you mean?"

"You'll find out soon enough. Find me once you and your brethren rest in my brother's estate. I'll be visiting soon," Isabella smiled before twisting around, walking off like a storm that slapped Estell's face.

And she left a feeling of eagerness Estell hadn't felt in a while; she had possibly made a friend.