The Silence and The Storm: Chapter 4

The next afternoon, a footman dressed in crimson livery arrived with the formal invitation to the Grand Ball. The Baroness grabbed it quickly, her eyes sharp and full of ambition.

“It’s for the Baroness and her daughters,” she said, emphasising “daughters” as she shot a cold glance at Evelyne. “Trisha and Elmira will go. You, Evelyne, will make sure we look perfect.”

The house exploded into a frenzy of vanity. Elmira and Trisha made Evelyne fetch, pin, and mend a dozen things, their words dripping with mockery. They talked about the Prince like he was just a prize to win, ignoring what everyone really said about him — how smart he was and how he didn’t care for the shallow court life. Later, while Evelyne scrubbed pots in the kitchen,

Mae — the old servant — shuffled in. “They work you too hard, little bird,” Mae said softly. “But you have a kind heart, kinder than any of them.”

I wish I could see the world differently, Evelyne thought quietly. Not through the dust of this house, but truly know it.