Chapter Text
As a noble, your life was nothing if not hectic; paperwork, taking care of publicity, and now, moving. Your family had a lot of stuff from your previous mansion and moving everything took quite a while. Your father had urged you to not help the workers with heavy furniture, but you felt kind of bad just watching them. As a treat for working so hard, you decided to wake up earlier than everyone else to explore the grounds. But who were you fooling? Taking a walk at the crack of dawn in early April was never a wise decision, especially when it was barely 12 degrees outside. You were fairly certain you were heading back toward the mansion, but you weren’t sure. The grounds were enormous; so expansive it would take a week to see it all, at least that’s what you thought. Up ahead on the cobbled road, you saw houses. Determined to get home, you went to look for someone who could point you in the right direction. The township was rather cute; brick houses with wood decorations, cobbled roads, and lots of people out to start the day. The streets were already filled with people heading to and fro, and you stumbled into the masses. You were nervous, you didn’t know any of these people!
You could not be more eager to get home and warm up, your shoes were not the fittest for walking around, either. Your housemaid, Ethel, was most likely waiting for your return; warm breakfast and tea ready for you. Everyone else was wearing thick clothes fit for the foggy weather. You had no idea where the crowds were heading. You slowly and carefully managed to get to the side and to a building.
Choosing to walk in the opposite direction of the crowd (since they seemed to be in a hurry anyway) you turned around only to walk right into someone. He was tall – super tall – and dressed in elegant clothing, almost regal. His eyes pierced through your soul. He put his hands up, almost like he was about to grab your shoulders to steady you, but seemed to change his mind halfway through. You were already so embarrassed bumping into a handsome stranger and then he didn’t want to help you? God! So embarrassing!
You stuttered out a quick apology and stumbled away from the street. You were eventually able to find someone who could help and got home just before noon. Desperately trying to forget about getting lost (very embarrassing), you decided to read a good book; your favorite one, in fact. You read until late evening, interrupted by Ethel calling you down for supper.
Your mother sat on the edge of her chair as you entered the dining room. “I have some exciting news!”
You slid into your seat at the table. Your mother clasped her hands together. “The lovely family who lives in the mansion just on the other side of the lake have invited us over for a welcome ball! How exciting isn’t that?”
You had always had a bit of a struggle trying to strike up small talk with strangers, but you did love dressing up fancy.
Your father looked very stern. “It’s very important to make good impressions on them,” he told you. “They are very important people.”
His words scared you a bit, but you felt you were definitely up for the challenge of impressing some higher-ups. Your family was very wealthy, and your social status high, but it would take more than that to impress them.
You gave him a nod and dinner commenced. The housemaids had put together the most delicious meal to celebrate the move; all your favorite foods and desserts were put on the table. You were a bit conflicted over your mother’s announcement. What would you even wear? So stressful! Showing your best side was essential to making a big impact on higher-ups, meaning your entire family (literally you, your mother, and your father) would need to be in your best garments. After dinner, you headed straight to your room and collapsed on your bed.