The Barony was set to host the débutante ball the coming season, as its very own Rhea Ipheion would be attending as a débutante.

The grand atrium of the Barony was done up with ice blues and crystals strung between vases of beautiful ipheion blossoms. The star-flowers were dainty but elegant against the glittering surroundings.

Rhea had blossomed at 18. Long flowing dark blue hair was piled atop her head in braids and curls that framed her round features. Full lips, long nose, arched eyebrows over ice blue eyes she could have been a blood-related Ipheion and no one would have known better except for the announcement of her adoption years prior. Of course, this did allow the rumor mills to talk but they couldn’t even taint her reputation. Everyone who met her found they would either love her or hate her. Her humble temperament inspired the loyalty of the Barony and her smooth speech endeared her to the nobles. Baron Ipheion feared the coming onslaught of proposal letters he would receive once his daughter was shown before the ravenous wolves that were the gentry.

He should not have feared for beside Rhea came her envoy. Her best friends in the whole world, other than her secret ALICE, her allies, and her business partners. So it would come as no surprise when as the débutantes descended into the ballroom ordered by rank, Rhea Ipheion stood proudly beside her escort and father, Calder Ipheion. She gave a slight bow to the gathered gentry before proceeding to make her way to the side where the débutantes would stand before the first dance commenced. Even before coming, the first dances on Rhea’s dance card were filled.

After the rest of the ladies joined her at the sides, Rhea and her father led with the first dance. Spinning around the ballroom, Calder’s suit matched the decorations. A white suit with ice blue trim and cravat. Whereas Rhea spun out in skirts of a crystal blue that shimmered in the light, off-the-shoulder puffed sleeves that came down to her wrists and embroidery around the trim of the over-skirt in white. Although Lady Arud had a hand in the majority of helping Rhea with her wardrobe, she’d found a fair contender in Lady Dana Iris who loved to dress up her friend, finding just the perfect shapes to show off her best friend’s best features.

Rhea made a splash among the nobility which was just as Dana had planned. Each of the three ladies wished to make sure the future hostess of their business venture would charm everyone.

Rhea didn’t get to rest after her first dance finished instead she was swept across the dance floor with Lucian Arud. His sunset eyes sparkled with mischief.

“Every male in this room wishes he could be me.”

Rhea let out a small laugh, “Oh, please, don’t exaggerate.”

As their dance paused having them on either side their toes pointed out as they danced in place, Lucian placed a hand on his chest as if to say ‘Me? Exaggerate.’

Rhea rolled her eyes while they joined back in the center to dance the remainder of the dance.

Lucian audibly gasped and looked around, “Don’t have Mother catch you rolling your eyes.”

“Too late Mirielle saw me.” Rhea winked playfully at Mirielle who stood guard in her pretty shining armor.

“You are done for, Mirielle always tells.”

Favian came up from behind switching positions with Lucian as the next song began, “What fun did I miss this time?”

Lucian wondered away, if Mirielle wasn’t watching Rhea suspected he’d put his hands in his pockets and whistle.

“Has anyone told you how magnificent you look?”

Rhea shook her head as they turned around each other, “I haven’t had the chance to talk to anyone yet.”

“Well, beware, little sister, all men are wolves.”

They traded partners and then made their way back to each other.

“Yourself included, dear brother?” Rhea couldn’t help the impish grin on her lips earning a flick on her nose by Favian as he turned her around.

The subject was left open-ended as their dance came to an end.

Rhea did come to suspect she knew his reasoning especially when certain men’s hands seemed to wander during some of the dances. Ever polite she just readjusted their positioning and endured until each dance finished.

Her eyes would glide across the other dancers, her gaze catching that of her friends as they rolled their eyes to the skies at the impolite advances of a couple of the ‘gents’.

While others were ‘wolves’ others were intrusive asking her the most personal questions and other men had no idea how to lead. Either they stepped on her toes needlessly or they yanked her across the dance floor and apologized half-heartedly when they bumped into other couples.

‘I don’t know if I like dancing ALICE. It seems a rather tiresome pursuit, especially with the men who didn’t seem to understand what propriety means.’

[FAVIAN, LUCIAN, AND YOUR FATHER HAVE TAKEN TURNS TAKING THOSE MEN OUT.]

Rhea’s eyes widened at ALICE’s wording, not sure if she was relieved or not when she saw the men in question alive if not looking slightly spooked.

When Rhea made her way to her friends' sides she found them chatting with the matrons.

“…and what is the name of this new establishment?”

Dana glanced at Rhea before smiling, “The Flower Path.”