Invitation

You never know how strong you are…

Until being strong is the only choice you have.

―Cayla Mills

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"Where have you been all this time? Do you know how worried I was?" inquired Mrs. Blythe after she had made her daughter sit down on a chair and taken off her bonnet.

"I know, and I'm sorry Mama." apologized Eva, taking her mother's hands in hers. "I was roaming around and had gotten lost in the forest overnight. A kind person," she paused before continuing. "A person helped me and I stayed at their house for a day. They sent me back and here I am, please don't worry anymore. I'm here, safe and sound."

Mrs. Blythe hugged her again tightly before scanning her body for any injuries. Eva's leg was covered with her gown, and she thanked the heavens that her mother couldn't see her cut.

Trying to divert her mother's attention, she asked, "Where is Vanessa?"

It was now Mrs. Blythe's turn to look guilty. "You must know that it's not her fault and she did it in concern for you."

Eva felt a bad feeling brewing in her chest. "What did she do, Mama?"

"She went to ask for help from Lord Ken." her mother broke the news and Eva's face fell.

"Where is she?"

"I had sent her to the market to buy some food. She must be returning anytime now."

At that precise moment, her sister appeared on the doorstep and almost dropped the bag of groceries when she saw Eva.

"Eva!" she exclaimed before running to hug her sister.

Eva returned her embrace but quickly took a step back to look at Vanessa.

"Where have you been? Was it the Lord who found you? I'm sure that you must have caught feelings for him now, haven't you?" asked Vanessa, gleefully.

"Is he still searching for me?"

"He must be, I'm sure of it."

"Well then, you must go and inform him that I'm back and he does not need to look for me any further. Why would you go to him, Ven? We will become even more indebted to the people around us." reprimanded Eva in a soft tone.

Vanessa looked confused. "But he is going to marry you regardless. Why not ask him for a few favors along?"

"Vanessa!" scolded Mrs. Blythe. "Your sister does not want to marry him."

"But surely, she must feel his affection now," she spoke, looking from her mother to her younger sister. "He is in love with you Eva, and you won't break the poor man's heart will you?"

She felt helpless when Vanessa tried to persuade her. She felt trapped and taking a few steps back, she looked up. "Can you please go and tell him to stop searching for me first?"

"Ok, ok I will. No need to worry so much for your future husband." teased Vanessa before once again walking out the door and disappearing from their sights.

"No one is forcing you to marry him, Eva. But I did see his worry for you when he came to the house yesterday." came the words from her mother and Eva felt speechless.

Should she tell her mother how that man had looked at her previously? How he had insulted their family and threatened her?

No, she could never reveal all of that to her mother. Eva knew she was only going to increase the load of worry on her mother's shoulders which was the last thing she wanted to do.

She could only force out a stiff smile and say, "I'm tired, Mama. I'll change my clothes and then we can start sewing."

Mrs. Blythe sighed and relented. Eva departed to her room with a smile that soon dropped when she turned her face.

After changing her clothes to more comfortable ones, she could only go out of the room to help her mother. She had learned sewing after her father's death to help Mrs. Blythe in her shop. She was quite good at it and it was from her mother, that she learned how to craft things from paper.

Mrs. Blythe started commonplace talk and Eva occasionally hummed and replied with a short comment. Her thoughts had drifted onto other things.

From Lord Ken to the money lenders and from there to Stanley and how he was doing. From there on it was a mixture of chaos. Black hair, dark bottomless orbs, flawless lips, and heart-stopping stares.

Her eyes widened as she realized her trail of thoughts and shook her head to get rid of them.

Seeing her daughter get redder with each passing second, Mrs. Blythe questioned, "Are you feeling well, Eva? You're sweating..."

"I'm fine Mama. What were you saying about Mrs. Jenkins?" she changed the topic fast, trying to distract her mind from her sinful thoughts.

Licking her dry lips, Eva saw Vanessa enter through the door but this time, with an excited air around her.

"What happened Ven?" she asked, getting up while placing her stitched socks on the table.

"You can't believe what I have just heard Eva!" she said giggling and unable to stand in one spot. "See it for yourselves. I still couldn't believe it when Lord Ken told me."

Eva took the scroll from her hands and rolled it open. Her eyes read each line till the very end before her brows furrowed in bewilderment.

"Mama, we have been invited to the neighboring Kingdom, Xandria! I have heard that their King is dashingly handsome and best of all, single!"

"Is it true, Eva? We are invited?" her mother questioned.

Eva slowly nodded and passed the scroll to her mother. "The whole Kingdom of Vermont is invited. All the maidens of the country are asked to arrive tomorrow and they all will be provided with carriages from the Kingdom. It is said to be a masquerade ball."

"Mama, we are going correct?" asked Vanessa still jumping around in joy.

"Certainly, you both shall-"

"What about you? Are we supposed to leave you here all alone?" spoke Eva, glancing at the scroll with her head still full of confusion.

"Of course not! Mama will come with us and we will have a great night enjoying ourselves. Just think of all the people we will be able to meet sister!" said Vanessa, grabbing Eva's hand and twirling around.

Eva smiled softly seeing her sister so happy. How could she refuse when all she wished for was her family's happiness.

"Mama, I have saved some money by selling Eva's crafted birds and animals. We can both buy a dress from the money!" and Eva now knew where her missing animals had vanished to.

"I don't need a new dress, Vanessa. I already have a suitable gown for a ball, all I have to buy is a decent mask." explained the youngest sister, and this time, Mrs. Blythe was the one to disagree.

"Nonsense! If your eldest sister is buying a dress, you will too. It is your money Eva." said her mother, leaving no space for any arguments.

"Mother, should we go right away?" asked Vanessa who still hadn't calmed down.

"No, it's getting dark. Go tomorrow, early in the morning. I would accompany you both, but I have to go to the shop tomorrow." Mrs. Blythe clarified and Eva hesitantly agreed.

"I just can't wait to meet the King!" cried Vanessa, dancing around as if the King was already holding her hand.

Eva couldn't smile but only watched her sister. Somewhere in her chest, she felt tense and uneasy. Why did her heart feel so anxious all of a sudden?

She had no clue and could only go to bed with a heavy hurt without knowing the cause of her worry.

What is the worst that could happen in a ball? she asked herself and closed her eyes after staring at the Moon from her window. In the darkened world, she was not aware that another person was drowned in her thoughts on the other side of the forest.