2 Invitation | Chapter 2

"Mother! There's a letter!" I hear Katie call as I'm helping my mother work on a dress in the other room. We've been so busy due to the upcoming ball, all the ladies wanting their perfect dresses to impress the Princes and Lords attending. So much talent goes into making them, they're so beautiful and intricate; I'm not surprised mother is so popular with the villagers.

"Go and see what she's yelling about, would you dear?" My mother pats my leg and gives me a quick smile before I get up and walk out the room to find Catherine looking over the letter. When she sees me she runs up to me with a concerned look on her innocent face.

"Angel, it has the palace sticker on it, is it bad?" She asks quietly, as if she already knows not to let mother know at such a stressful time. I take the letter from her, examining it for myself and seeing that it does indeed have the royal cress stamped onto it.

I look towards my mother, who I can still see from the doorway, working so hard on a dress she must make for the ball which is now in two days time. The dark circles under her eyes are prominent due to her lack of sleep and her slouched shoulders only confirm her fatigue. I look back down at the letter and then look to Katie.

"Where's Stefan? Can you go and find him for me?" I ask sweetly as I bend down to her level, she smiles and agrees before rushing out the front door. I stand there, just twirling the letter in my hand, I know I shouldn't open it but mother has been so busy, I can't put any more pressure on her if the taxes have gone up or something of a similar nature has/is going to occur. I shake my head to disperse the worries and slide my thumb under the paper to open it. To my surprise, it is not about the taxes at all.

"Evangeline, what is it? Katie said we got a letter from the palace?" Stefan comes running in the door, his sleeves rolled up and sweat beading on his forehead; obviously out chopping wood for the fire. He walks over to me, Catherine coming over quickly after as Stefan takes the letter from my hands.

'Dear Miss Evangeline Capella,

You have been royally invited to the ball in celebration of my 20th birthday, an official invitation is included in this envelope...'

"You got invited? But how? They never invite people who..." My brother starts to say but trails off as he continues reading the letter carefully, looking for even a minute mistake. Catherine squeals loudly and hugs my leg tightly, jumping up and down with excitement.

"What's all this commotion out here? What is this letter you are all talking about?" My mother comes out of her room, a confused look on her tired face as she places her hands on Catherine's shoulders to stop her from bouncing.

"Mother! Angel's been invited to the Prince's ball!" Katie squeals and my mother's eyes widen as she grabs the letter from Stefan's hands. She starts to read the letter out loud, so we can all hear clearly, and as she finishes the best smile indents her cheeks. A smile of significance; one that I haven't seen in a while.

"Oh, Evangeline! It seems you've made quite the impression on Prince Alexander!" She says happily as she engulfs me in her arms.

"What do you mean mother? Surely it must be some misunderstanding? I couldn't possibly have-"

"Been invited by the Prince himself?" Stefan finishes my sentence and I pull away from my mother to look at him as he is lifting Katie up into his arms and resting her on his hip, an excited smile on both their faces.

My mother passes the letter back to me gently and I skip to where the letter is signed off, just to confirm the words of my brother again ad I haven't even had the chance to read it properly yet.

'I will surely be expecting you.

Yours Sincerely,

Prince Alexander Nicholas of Harinford.'

With his royal signature written at the bottom, there's no way it can be counterfeit.

"Oh my" I gasp as the realisation hits me.

The Prince, personally, wants me to come to the royal ball?

"It's finished Evangeline! Come and try it on!" My mother shouts from her room and I rush from my seat, where I was plaiting Katie's long blonde hair. Mother had kicked both Katie and I out of her tailoring room so she could work on my dress, without our prying eyes, so neither of us have even seen what fabric she has chosen.

She has been working non-stop on the villagers outfits just so she could have enough time to work on mine. She said she had always had this design in her mind and said she had drawn it many times in her sketch book, but just never had an occasion nor purpose to make it.

So, as soon as we got the news that I'd be attending the ball, she immediately started preparations for my dress.

As soon as we enter my mothers room we see the most beautiful gown I have ever laid my eyes on. It was a deep red with silky material. It has a corset-like top with white beading attached to add some beautiful detail. There's a white lace pattern flowing from the corset and fading into the top of the skirt, which flowed so delicately to the ground that I felt unworthy just to be looking at it, never mind wearing it.

"Oh mother! It's beautiful!" I gasp, running towards the tailoring mannequin and holding the fabric in my hands,

"So you like it? Oh, I hoped you would. Now quickly, try it on!" My mother pushes Catherine, who is also mesmerised by the dress, out into the hallway and shuts the door, leaving me alone in the room to try on this magnificent gown. I feel the silky fabric through my fingers, while taking it off the mannequin and holding it up to my body in the mirror. I just hope I can do this dress justice, it's the least my mother deserves.

"Carter, Derek!" I call as I see them at their stall. It's the day of the ball and I still haven't told them I'm going. Since mother and I have been busy making all of the outfits and gowns, we simply haven't had time to come to the market, let alone catch up with friends.

"Evangeline!" Carter runs to me and hugs my hips. I ruffle his hair as we walk over to his older brother, who's currently serving a customer but watching us through the side of his vision with a slight smile on his lips.

"Thank you, have a nice day" Derek bids farewell as the elderly lady leaves with fruit in her basket. He turns towards me and Carter, a handsome smile still written on his features.

"Are you two ready for tonight?" I say happily, my eyes bouncing between the two brothers.

"Yes! My suit just got finished today! My auntie made it!" He says proudly and looks towards his brother, who is looking at me instead. A slight scowl crosses the younger boy's features as he glares at his older brother.

"That's wonderful Carter! My mother just finished making my dress as well" I smile and grasp my hands together in front of me, anticipating their reaction.

"Yes! Evangeline's coming!," He jumps up and down, his childish giggle making me smile from ear to ear.

"See! See, Derek! I told you she would! I'm going to tell father!" And with that he runs off into their little house and I watch him with a sliht giggle. I then feel someone take my left hand gently and look back to find it was Derek.

"You're going?" He says, the smile from before has vanished into confusion and slight... disappointment? I nod nevertheless. Before then, I hadn't realised he didn't answer my question earlier.

"Aren't you?" I ask him, my head tilted slightly as my grin slowly starts to fade, with his expression not changing.

"I wasn't, no," he replies and looks down to the stone path beneath us, "It's not something I would deem necessary". I also look down and nod my head, understanding his point but still displeased.

I can't help but wonder why, however. He didn't say anything about not going before? Surely everyone in the village wants to spend time with the royal family in their palace, its not everyday you get invited to a ball with the royals of Harinford.

"But," he states. I look up in hope, to meet his deep brown eyes that are seeming to twinkle in the sunlight, a glimmer of regret noticeable in his expression.

"If you're going, I think... I can make an exception" he smiles lightly, his thumb circling the back of my hand. In all honesty, I had forgotten they were still in their embrace.

I grin widely, my nose scrunching slightly, as I wrap my arms around his neck, my hands intertwining at the back of it. His arms wrap around my waist and he squeezes, pulling our bodies automatically together. I hear his laugh and I pull back slightly, though still keeping in our embrace. My hand falls from behind his neck to his cheek, as I see a slight dimple indenting by his eyes. His smile slowly starts to lessen as something in his deep eyes changes, his eyes flickering between each of mine.

I hear a loud cough from behind us and we instantly freeze. We pull away from each other quickly, and Derek clears his throat before we turn to face the man who interrupted us. He seems to be older than my mother, but not by too much. I would believe he is in his early 50s.

I can see a small smile is nestled between the grey hairs of his beard, his hair being the same shade, and this relaxes me slightly. It's comforting to know he's not annoyed in any way by our actions. He seems to be wearing clothes a similar style to that of Derek and Carter. Looking down, I see Carter at his side, grasping onto his hand and a wide smile on his delicate little features.

He must be their father.

"Son, who is this?" The brothers' father grins and looks from Derek to me. A blush falls on my cheeks as I realise his father just saw our intimate interaction, without even knowing who I was; not even my name.

"Father, this is Evangeline Capella" and with this I nervously step forward, holding my hand out in front of me for a polite handshake.

"It's very nice to meet you, sir" I nod and he chuckles lightly, taking my hand pulling me forwards, so I all but fly into his arms. I giggle and so do the brothers as their father gives me a loving bear hug.

"Call me Victor, it's lovely to finally meet you Evangeline! I've heard a lot about you. These two seem to be very enthralled with you" he chuckles as he pulls away and gestures to his two sons. I laugh as Carter pulls Dereks suspenders dramatically, to get his attention.

Victor's hand is still settling on my shoulder, watching his sons interactions with a keen eye, as well.

"Hey, Derek, why are you not going to the ball? Even Evangeline's going now!" He's jumping up and down with frustration at his brother. I notice his father's look grows concerned beside me, his hand then slipping from my shoulder as he moves forward.

"You're not going? You never told me this, Derek" he steps towards his son more, his expression completely changed from the happy man who enveloped me only a minute ago. Though, his expression is more of disappointment and sadness than one of anger.

"I thought you would have known that already, father," Derek's eyes glancing from me, obviously seeing my look of confusion, before going back to meeting his fathers, "but no, I am going" his facial expression changes into a slight smile.

Carter hugs Derek's leg before putting his hand up for his brother to reciprocate, and his father pats his shoulder in contempt. His look of disappointment vanishing like nothing ever happened.

"See, Evangeline, you've been a great influence on them" his father says with a wink. His eyes wonder from me to behind me as he sees someone looking over his fruit, and hurries off to help them.

"Ask her Derek! You have to or I will!" Carter states in what is meant to be a whisper but is much to loud to be a successful secret.

"Ask who what?" I laugh and walk further towards them until my shoulder brushes Dereks arm, leading to him smiling down at me.

"Carter here was wondering if you wanted to go to the ball with me, well... us" he asks with a laugh as Carter looks on with a nod of his head, his eyes hopeful.

"Oh of course! I would be honoured to go with two lovely gentlemen!" I say dramatically with a hand on my chest to signify my 'swooning'. They both laugh, Carter hugs me and takes my hand dragging me inside their cute little town house to see his suit.

That Night...

"Darling! Derek and little Carter are here!" I hear my mother say as she opens the front door. I sigh happily and take one final glance in the full length mirror in my mother's room, smoothing out the slight creases in my dress.

Mother did my hair, the dark brown waves placed in a half up bun, with little white pearls in it that she had lying around from her many nights of dress making. I added a little bit of make up to accentuate my light green eyes and to add a rose tint to my lips.

Lace gloves surround my hands as well as my fathers ring encasing my thumb, which he to gave me when I was younger. I used to wear it all the time, but after loosing it soon after my father had passed away, seeing how much it meant to, not just me, but also my family, I deemed it much to precious and so I now only wear it on special occasions.

I step away from the mirror and take another deep breath, before I open the door and walk down the hallway, moving towards the main room where I hear many voices talking. My heels are clicking with every step; my mothers wedding heels.

As I turn the corner into the living room, everyones chatter stops, and my mother brings her hands up to her mouth, her eyes slightly watering in the corners.

"Wow..." I hear Carter say as his hand tugs on Derek's much larger one that he's holding. Although, his brother seems to be stuck in a some sort of thought, his mouth slightly open as his eyes flutter around me. This causes a flush of red to my cheeks; I've never really liked to be the centre of attention, but having Derek's attention all on me is something I would like to get used to.

"Angel! You look like a Princess!" I hear Katie shout as she comes running up to me, and I bend down to embrace her.

"Thank you, Katie" I giggle and hold her cheek as her pretty smile becomes pronounced on her face. I look up slightly to see Derek standing in front of me, with his had held out for me to grasp. I let go of Katie with a kiss on her forehead, then placing my hand into Dereks, in order to lift myself up.

"You look beautiful" he says quietly into my ear, causing me to blush, and when I look down to hide this from his view, I see our hands, still intertwined.

"Darling, you.. I know you will steal every mans heart at the ball" my mother states as she gives me a loving embrace, Derek's hand falling from mine and landing on my back instead.

"I highly doubt that mother, but thank you, this dress is so gorgeous" I admire, my eyes skimming over the fabric once again.

"It was no problem my dear, you look radiant" she sighs, her hands on my shoulders.

"Right, now come on you three, you need to get to that ball; it's starting soon" my mother says quickly as she wipes her eyes and looks to Derek with a smile.

"Look after her, will you?" She sincerely asks, but she takes his free hand in her grasp, patting it gently.

"Don't worry ma'am, I will" Derek grins and his eyes flash to mine. I look back to my mother and see a loving smile on her face as she looks between me and Derek.

"Oh," she waves her arms to fan herself as her eyes tear up again and laughs at her emotions, "come on, your carriage awaits!".

She pushes Derek, Carter and I down the hallway to the front door.

"Wait, what carriage?" I look up to Derek with confusion written on my face, but he flashes me a wink, smirking slightly at his own mysteriousness.

As we walk outside, my mothers arm now interlinked with mine and I am met with a beautiful black horse pulling a black roofless carriage, with such intricate and stunning gold embroidery.

"Oh my.." I gasp and stop in my tracks.

Someone puts their hand on my back and I turn to see Derek.

"Did you do this?" I ask, more like admire, looking into his deep brown eyes. He nods slightly, a laugh coming from his mouth, his free hand coming up to scratch the back of his neck.

"It's not much," he says and looks at the horse and carriage infront of us. "But I wanted tonight to be special".

"Are you kidding? It's beautiful!" I cry out as I walk as quickly as I can towards the horse. As I reach him, I start stroking the side of his face.

"Hello" I coo, his silky hair running through my fingers, "you're very pretty".

"His names Thunder, I chose it!" I hear Carter from next to me, and I laugh at his excitement, as well as the brilliant name choice.

"He's yours?" I ask genuinely interested, my hand still subconsciously stroking through Thunder's long, black hair as I look at the small blonde haired boy next to me; he really looks nothing like his brother.

"Yes! We've had him for four years now!" Carter explains and I'm about to ask more, when I hear a cough and look over his head to see Derek standing by the flip down stairs on the carriage, waiting for us. I decide against interrogating Carter about Thunder, and smile down at him, his eyes glistening as he looks up at me.

"Come on, we better go. Your brother's waiting" I whisper to Carter, who kindly takes my hand and walks me over to the steps as I take my dress in my other hand, not wanting it to get ruined before I even arrive.

"M'lady" Derek says as the brothers transfer my hand from one to the other as Derek helps me up into the carriage and of course helping Carter up afterwards. Derek climbs up onto the coachmen's seat, and holds the reigns before turning to me and Carter with a grin.

"You two ready?" He somewhat shouts as Carter replies with the same level of volume and I nod quickly, giggling at Carter's excitement which has seemed to grow as the day has gone on. Derek winks before he turns back around to face forward and slams the reigns down, Thunder springing into action and setting off; heading towards the forest.

I turn and wave at my mother and sister, who are still standing by the front door and waving excitedly back at me. I feel tears well up in my eyes as their figures fade; if only they could come with me and enjoy this celebration as well. I turn to see Carter's looking back at me in the lantern light attached to the carriage.

"Are you okay, Evangeline?" He asks as he clearly sees the water in my eyes glistening. I nod waving my hand in front of me, trying to compose myself.

I can't believe something like this, could have happened to someone like me.