Chapter Text
The morning began like any other, ate brakefast alone in the garden, sit by the fountain with the newest book, watched sister elizabeth practice her piano skills. the dinner bell rings and all the family gathered for the meal; mother lady candice, father lord thomas, eldest cynthia, second y/a and yougest julie. "my dear children." father proclaimed. "we have recived a letter from the royal family. Duke Wayne's sons are of age and has requested a week long courting ball to find his sons their perfect match. her sisters sqwelled in excitement, y/a just ran her fork over her plate. "y/a, your of age as well. you should go. your mother thinks it would be a good idea for you to escape the gradens for once." she looked at he father with distain. "you know im not one for courtship father." father and mother gave each other the look. "darling," mother spoke, "yes you may not need to marry for family matters, but you are a beautiful and i fear that you spend to much time with books." y/a rolls her eyes. "im well aquanted with books." "and thats what we worry. you need out, all i ask is one day. you dont have to attend the whole week. just one day. dance with someone, talk with someone, have a drink with someone." y/a looks at her mother and cant say no to her. "alright. one day. ill attend one day." your mother beams and your sisters snicker. "you need a dress. a real dress. ill have stacey make you one immediately." "why. i have dresses. plenty even." "my dear, this is a ball, and at the dukes palace no less. you need a marvouslious dress. somthing with shine, and vibrant." "mother." y/a looks at her with distain. "fine, little shine but it must be vibrant. im thinking for you, Red. everyone will be in pinks, blues and nudes. you, my dear will be in red." y/a rolls her eyes but gives a soft smile. mother knows her well, y/a doesnt do pinks. "my daughters, you should all get new dresses. stand out at the palace." "what do you say my dear? what colours should our other daughters wear." your mother face beams with happiness. your parents love each other very much. "miss nina." a maid walks up. "yes my lady?" "call up our seamstress, we need 3 dresses. one red, one blue and one yellow." "right away my lady." the maid bows and leaves the dinning hall. both y/a sisters are smilling and full of excitment. "thank you father. i will gladly attend the ball in my new dress." father smiles and raises his glass.
dinner comes to an end. the maid nina comes back in. "my lady, miss stacey gladly accepts. she stated that since she already has their messurements that the dresses will be complete in 3 days." "thank you nina. you may go." nina bows and walks out. "my darlings you may be excused for the night. in 3 days time, the dresses will be here and you all shall prepare for the ball." "thank you father." all 3 girls said in unisen. the girls all leave the table and head out of the dinning hall. "can you belive it! the waynes! a courting ball!" y/a and cynthia smile at your little sister. "of course you would be excited. its your first one now that you are of age to attend." "y/a, have you attended a courting ball?" "yes,julie. i have. once. then never again. all the suitors were not up to my standers." cynthia laughed. you gave her a look. "what?" "your standers? it will be hard to find a suitor who is as bookish as you." you smile and stand taller. "so? whats wrong with finding a suitor with a brain." cynthia and julie both look at you and laugh. "you are going to have a tough time then. most men these days are all about politics, horses or money." cynthia says. she gives you a hopefull but woried looked. "dont worry about me. as long as you marry well and when it comes time for julie to marry, our parents wont have to worry about me. i can care for my own." "i know you can, y/a. but you should find love. even our parents met at a suitor ball." you shakes your head. "if love wants me, then the write one will come." "okay. now i must talk with you julie. as the eldest it is my duty to teach you how to present yourself and behave at these events." you laugh a julie groans. you wave them goodbye and change into you night dress. you head to the library, just like always, its your nightly routine. at this point you dont sleep in your bed, you sleep at either the table or the chaise. you find your next novel to read.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3 days later~~~~~~~~~~~~~
the house bell rings. your tell that the dresses have arrived. you set your book down on the table and leaves the library to find where her mother in the guest hall. "girls, there here. come. try them on." your mother hands you the red dress with black detailing, julie the yellow shiny dress and the blue dress with floral trim to cynthia. the girls all try on their dresses and head back to show their mother. julie has the brightest smile and is spinning in the dress. cynthia is admiring the floral detail. and you, you actully admire yourself in the mirror. the red suits you, the empire waist is flattering, the subtle black detailing is a nice touch. "so my darlings, what do you think?" you look at your mother and smile. "you chose right mother. this dress, i like it." "your mother beamed. "oh my darling. you will deffinly make heads turn at the ball." "ya i rather not have the suitors look at me. but i do think the red looks good on me." "y/a you really should think about it. finding your one." "yes mother. i know. i said i will try. ill dance with one suitor. but thats it." your mother sighs and then looks at her other daughters. "well at least ill have 2 daughters who will fullfil a mothers wish." you grab you mothers hand a squeeze. "you know, i wont be alone forever. im still within prime marriage age. i just. wwant something simple, but someone who can read." her mother squeezes her hand back. "i know. i know." her mother kisses the top of her head. this simple act is very rare in this era, but your mother has always belived that love of any kind should have affection. "i promise to actully particapate in the ball. even for this one day im going, ill dance." your mother smiles. "and thats all i ask." she turns to face her other daughters. "now. lets put these dresses up. as tommorow is the big day. i got the carriage cleaned and prepared the best accessories for you." all the sisters smile at their mother. they all change back into their every day dresses and go on with the rest of their day. you head back to the library. finally alone with your books again. you decide to practice your dancing. its been a while since you have been to a ball and you dont want to disapoint your parents. you find an open space and practice a popular courting dance. a knock on the door statles you. "may i have a dance?" you laugh. "yes. always father." you hold your hand out for him to take. he takes your hand and he begins to dance with you. "im glad you agreed to go. participate. your mother worries." "i know father. i know how it will look for the house to have an unwed and old daughter living with books. to other ill look insane. so ive made up my mind. ill participate in the full week courting ball. maybe ill actully find a suitor who iss right." they stop dancing. your father hold yupu close. "if you change your mind, your mother and i wont be upset. we will protect you from harm. we know you are not insane for loving novels." "thank you father." they go back to dancing in comfortable silence until the dinner bell rang. you both head to dinner together. your family is gather for another family dinner. "mother, ive decided to attend the full week of the courtship ball. ive discussed my reason why with father." your mother smiles brightly at you. "y/a. please do this for you just as much as us. if you cant find someone to make you happy, then stop. i dont want you married and sad. id rather you be home and happy." "than you. i will try and find someone. even just a pen pal." "then im glad." dinner settles back to casual conversations. dinner ends and you decide to actully sleep in your bed night. in bed the day ends and you actully manage to sleep comfortbly for once. tomorrow brings the first day of the courtship ball.