Chapter 13: Love to talk about love

The three grew closer as the years went on and Laila turned 17. She refrained from wearing her niqab around them, explaining that the only real reason she'd not taken it off before was because it was basically part of her head. She forgot to. Plus there were still male servants around so she only took it off when alone in a room with her sisters or female servants. During a casual day, when the sisters sat in a train after Laila finally gave in to Judith begging to braid her hair and Iris deciding to do the same for Judith: they started talking about their hobbies and the topics wandered from rocks to trees to towns to people.

"Have you ever been in love Laila?"

Judith chattered, softly plaiting the dark brown waves over one another. The addressed boredly answered.

"Wow, this is what we're talking about now? No, I haven't."

Unsurprised by the answer, her sister continued.

"Really? No man has ever made you swoon?"

"No, no man."

Piping up, Iris's fingers flickered between black hairs as she interjected.

"Really? What about any girls then?"

Her breath caught, Laila hesitated before answering.

"Girls? Make me swoon? What kind of drivel are you spitting?"

Judith interjected, curious.

"Wouldn't that be haraam though? Not allowed you know."

Laila quietened, her head slipping down as she shifted uncomfortably.

"That's… something I have trouble with. Truthfully I don't know the concrete rule or verse for that and kinda do something unacceptable by sorta… ignoring it. If I'm a good muslim and follow the rules, then I hope Allah loves me anyway."

"Ah… That's… unsurprising I suppose. We kinda ignore the rules in Catholicism on that one too, I guess we're all rebels huh Iris?"

Iris shrugged, continuing to mess with her hair.

"Well I don't know, it's not like they aren't a valid option. I've had a couple girlfriends and boyfriends."

Judith gasped, whipping her head around and then whining as Iris pulled on her hair to make her face forward.

"WHAT? When did- ow ow ow ok ok- whEN did this happen? I need details, details!"

Chuckling, Laila perked up an eyebrow.

"I'm not as eager as our dear older sister but I'm curious too- this happened at school or something?"

"Oh I go place without you two y'know."

Jumping at the chance, Judith asked.

"You didn't introduce us?? How could you! You should've brought them home at least…"

"Oh I have. You guys have just never noticed."

Laila gasped with Judith, shocked.

"WHAT? Iris hOW."

"Those are words for another time, I'm not the focus here."

"Ah, but you can't drop that bomb and say nothing else! You could be the focus! Come onnn? Just a little story?"

Sighing at her steadfast refusal to talk, Judith gave up on cracking Iris and began to chatter away again.

"Personally, I'm leaning more towards boys but I could see myself with a girl too. I've had my eye on a boy or two at school... Oh but you know who is really hot?"

"Who?"

Laila absentmindedly picked at her clothes again as Judith answered with enthusiasm.

"The Prince Leon!! He's sooo dreamy! He has such a cool dark skin and fluffy afro and his eyes are like dark pools of brown behind his glasses and he is super sweet! Did you hear about how he helped out at charities and inspired a little girl to achieve her dreams? He's so kind!!"

"The prince?? You sure live by go big or go home huh ukhti."

Judith giggled at Laila's comment.

"Well actually! I might have a chance at going big and TAKING him home!"

She winked as her sisters turned to her in surprise.

"All he'll have to do is look at such a beauty as me and I'm sure he'll fall for me at o- ow ow ow Iris stop that!"

Wincing as the other tugged at her hair, Judith pouted.

"What was that for?"

"You're spitting nonsense again, you needed a jolt back into the real world."

Laila laughed as she continued to pout.

"But it's true! He's looking for a wife soon and he's only like, 19 so he's my age! Mom said that she's been trying to arrange a date where I can meet him and introduce myself!"

Their faces soured at the mention of the Baroness but they didn't comment, focusing on the other details instead.

"Pfff really? We'll be having a prince over for dinner in a heartbeat then! I'll have to learn how to cook royal gourmet dishes."

Laila smiled, supportive of her sister. She was surprised that the oppurtunity had even opened but then again, the Baroness was an influencial woman. She spread her name to powerful figures and used her time to make valuable contacts. It was no secret to Laila that she likely married her dad for his power and money. But going after the prince would leave her in a much more powerful position…

However, as Laila pondered on this, Iris was more hesitant.

"Really… our mother did that? And she never told me about it… You aren't the only one who likes him…"

Laila looked back at her, unflinching as Judith nearly pulled her hair.

"What? You too Iris?!"

"Well… yes… he's a very charming guy, how you'd expect a prince to be y'know? And I've always wanted to meet him and just a least try to see if a spark could happen. A lot of us think so, honestly. He's very popular," she sighed and spoke to Judith, "I'm happy for you but I can't believe you get to see him Judith and not me!"

Guiltily, Judith placed a hand on her sister's, reassuring her.

"It was because I asked first I bet, you shoulda told me - we could've asked together! Or even have made a friendly competition over who wins his heart!"

"...That does sound like it would've been interesting to partake in."

Laila snorted with a laugh.

"Are both of my sisters dimwitted or are you just lovestruck? You can't make a game on someone's feelings like that!"

"Ah it's fine it's fine~ I'm only joking here. Besides," Judith snickered, pausing as her braid was nearing completion, "I wouldn't want to lose either of you over some boy. The prince no less, I wouldn't mind if someone else got him."

"I agree, that would be most unfortunate to happen and I would no doubt live in guilt if it ever occured. The prince isn't the only option out there."

Laila agreed with the two, thinking for a moment.

"Let's make a pact then, to stay sisters and support each other even after we all get married and run off."

The other two looked at her sincerity strangely, laughing a little.

"You assume that we're all going to get married?"

"Oh c'mon Iris, I'm sure she means also in general when we'll split. It's basically inevitable!"

"Still… a pact seems childish yet formal…"

"Formal's your middle name I swear!"

Chortling, Judith gently stroked Laila's hair as she spoke.

"I'll agree to it, even if Ms. Formal doesn't."

"Hey I didn't say I wouldn't! I'm joining too, it won't be complete without all three of us."

Smiling a little, Laila traced the palms of her hand as she half recited.

"Ok great. Let's all say we promise to… uhm…"

"First of all, to always stick together as sisters, no matter what arguments and obstacles we go through."

Judith chirped, tying up the braid.

"Right, and also perhaps to respect one another's choices and support each other the best we can in life."

Iris smiled, adding in as she continued to style Judith's hair.

"And finally, to not let any other people get in between us, not friends nor family! I promise to upkeep that the best I can for my life."

"I promise to do so too."

"And me! I promise as well!"

They all smiled and finished up, giggling at their reactions to the styles. Laila then tackled Iris into letting her do her hair too. Whipping out tubes of henna, she did designs across her sister's arms, spreading them all over like decorative gloves made of intricate pasty petal designs. It was time consuming and distracting, as the conversations leapt to trees and Judith's interest in taking up art. As Laila delicately applied the mendhi and told Judith to go for it, she tried to ignore a small tug at the back of her mind. She had never known why the Baroness had kept her around, she assumed it was to gloat over her position and keep her as a servant to order around. That's what she'd been doing after all. So surely, if Judith or Iris got with Prince Leon, they'd move into the palace and she would leave her be? She'd have no use for her after all! Laila felt a smile tug at her lips as she thought about it. This may be the best thing to happen to her yet.

Catherine felt a smile tug at her lips as she viewed the letter of approval in her hands. This may be the best thing to happen to her yet. Now that her plan was set into motion she could rid any worries of what to do with the will. The abomination could have the mansion for all she cared, she'd own the entire KINGDOM if Judith succeeded. Smirking to herself, she set down the letter and went over the time and place that was agreed. The prince had agreed to have a brunch with Judith at the gazebo near the palace's lake. As long as her daughter charmed him well and dressed up properly, without that hideous thing she insisted on wearing over her lovely hair, then Catherine's plan should go smoothly. She'd set up as many dates for Judith and Prince Leon to meet and have them get familiar with each other. Then, once the royal family enjoyed her presence enough, she'd slip a hint to the king or queen about marriage and lead them along. However, it was a tricky scheme, if the prince met anyone else and decided to marry her instead…

All of her work would have been for nothing.

Looking at a pot of ink with a quill dipped inside that lay on the desk, she smiled again, content in the knowledge from bribed servants that Leon did not formally meet any other girl as regularly. Her plan was flawless and her gullible child was infatuated with the prince as well! Finally, she could recieve the success she deserved after losing her chance with the father of the monstrosity that she housed. Irked, she gritted her teeth thinking of the girl. What did Cinderella ever do to deserve that amount of wealth? Who would give a whole house to his daughter and not his wife? But that was the past now. Now, she had the power to set a motion and rise above Cinderella. To get back at her for defiling her daughters. To get rid of her completely. In fact…

Slyly slinking her fingers into the drawer, Catherine pulled out a jewelled brooch. It belonged to the former wife of the household and glittered green with emeralds like the envy in her eyes. It was beautiful, charmed like there were wisps of magic about her but on the back was the pin. Its sharp blade glinted in the light, gleaming gold as she turned it over and pressed it against her finger. Such beauty and yet only just behind it was a dangerous knife. The crimson blood that seeped to the surface only testified to Catherine's idea - it had cut so easily. Just like she would. She would cut Cinderella out of her life and out of existence, permanently. And once she was the mother of a Queen, it'd be oh so easy to get rid of the rest of the abominations as well.

Killing two birds with one stone was going to be so much fun!