Secured

Serendipity

(n.) Finding something good without looking for it.

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"Good morning Mr. Benjamin." spoke the two sisters and bowed. The shopkeeper smiled and returned the courtesy.

"Why is it that there are not as many people as expected? I believe you are already aware of the upcoming ball," asked Vanessa, unable to hold back her curiosity.

"Milady, I am aware. All the women and ladies arrived last evening and the shops were open till midnight. More than half of Vermont has already started getting ready I should think. It is not every day that you are invited to the famous Kingdom of Xandria by the King himself." explained Benjamin and Eva nodded in understanding.

"I hope you had a good day," said Eva with a smile and the man bent his head in answer.

"I believe that all of the shopkeepers had a day full of profit. An occasion such as this is not common and when it arrives, we all focus on working our hardest. I suppose you are here to buy gowns yourselves?" he asked in a polite tone.

"Yes, we are. Show us your best works Mr. Benjamin," demanded Vanessa and followed him eagerly as he walked off to bring the dresses.

Eva lingered around waiting for her sister and the shopkeeper to come back. A while later, they both arrived and Vanessa was exclaiming in delight.

"I fell in love with it at first sight. What do you think of it Eva?" she asked, holding the dress for her sister to see.

It was a dark maroon-colored dress that Eva felt would perfectly match her sister's blue eyes. Its neckline was a little too low and there were no sleeves. Instead, the straps were decorated with little gem-like materials. The fabric looked shiny and Eva couldn't help but ask,

"Will you be comfortable in it?"

"Of course! It is beautiful isn't it?"

"If you can afford it, Ven, then of course you will look gorgeous in it," Eva spoke her opinion aloud and Vanessa seemed satisfied.

"I knew you would agree. I picked this dress for you, but how will you hide your hair?" asked Vanessa, uncertainty taking over her features.

Eva hadn't thought about it. She had been too flustered by the dream that she had no chance of thinking about her appearance at the ball.

"How about I stay back at the house?" questioned Eva. She hated attention and she knew the amount of scrutinization her hair would attract.

"Absolutely not. Why would you stay at the house alone when this is the perfect opportunity for you to spend some time with Lord Ken? And anyways, I think it is useless for you to hide your hair. This time, leave it open and tie it securely with a few pins."

"I don't think Mama would agree, Ven..." spoke Eva hesitatingly but Vanessa quickly removed her doubts.

"Don't you think Lord Ken would like to see your hair? I'm pretty sure that some of the people might have already gotten a glimpse of the color. I will help you convince Mama, you don't have to worry Eva. Now quickly choose a dress. Do you like the one I picked?"

Eva saw the dress her sister had chosen for her and sighed in relief. It was nothing too flashy and was simple enough for a ball gown.

It was a beautiful color of sapphire mixed with sky blue. The material felt soft to touch and the neckline was not low but the general length. The sleeves were of a net-like material and reached her elbows. The gown was not too big and neither too tight for her body and unknowingly it reminded her of the dress that she had worn back in the castle.

Getting rid of her thoughts, Eva happily consented to buy it. Only a few coins were left after they exited the shop after saying their farewells to the shopkeeper. The dresses were packed up in two separate boxes with the matching shoes and masks that went along with them.

All of a sudden, Vanessa nudged her by the shoulder and whispered, "It's the Lord! He's coming in your direction!" she spoke and Eva gulped.

"Ven, he has nothing to speak to me about, why don't we just leave?" persisted Eva, fearing to talk with the man who had made her feel uncomfortable previously.

"No way! Ah, it is a pleasure meeting you so early My Lord. To what do we owe the honor?" started Vanessa with a sweet grin on her face as she pushed Eva a few steps forward.

"I had come looking for Lady Eva, but since she was not at the house I knew she would be at the market. Are you ladies going to attend the ball?" he asked, smiling and she shuddered internally.

She had felt goosebumps and she had trembled when she had been in front of the King but the King had never caused her pain in any way. The Lord had an eerie air around him which made her feel as if she wanted to run away and never see his face again.

Vanessa noticed Eva's silence and poked her in the arm to answer.

Steadying herself, Eva replied, "We had come here to buy gowns for the ball which is to be held at night if I am not wrong. I believe we must hurry back since I have to go and help my mother in her shop. Excuse us."

After dismissing herself, she took Vanessa's hand to leave but the Lord intervened.

"May I secure the first dance with you at the ball, Milady?" he requested but it sounded more like a command. She stared at his outstretched hand and hesitantly placed her hand in his.

"You may." she gritted her teeth as she spoke.

The Lord smiled. It lifted up his trimmed mustache as he kissed her hand, longer than necessary. Eva quickly pulled her hand back and offered an awkward bow before hurriedly departing with Vanessa.

On the way, Vanessa continued to advise her on the matters concerning the Lord but her sister's voice had been tuned out of her head. Her mind was filled with the slow humming of the wind and the voices of the birds that were departing back to their houses as evening approached.

Her mind was persisting on imagining the same face, over and over again, no matter how much Eva tried to block it out. Why were her thoughts drifting towards him eventually? Why could she not get rid of those dangerously deep eyes? It irritated her yet brewed something in her chest at the same time.

Perhaps today's ball would distract her mind and fill it up with newer and better memories. With this thought in her mind, she listened to her sister since it was the only distraction she had presently.

Soon, it would get dark and they would have to start getting ready for the upcoming ball.