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It's about more than just a pretty dress.

Wolfgang was a bit confused, when he knocked on Safa's bedroom door, the door was immediately opened and a small group of female servants all rushed outside while smiling and giggling.

Wolfgang stopped one of them asking, "What's going on? Why are you laughing?"

And the girl responded, "You should see for yourself, but be careful not to fall in love!" Before she hurried away.

Now even more confused, he walked into the room.

Wolfgang had already sneaked a peak at the dresses when he brought them earlier with James, he imagined what Safa would look like in her dress but realized, his imagination wasn't enough.

Wolfgang's eyes widened as soon as he caught glimpse of Safa who stood with the help of her cane in front on the long mirror.

In a crimson red, Almost shoulderless ball gown with Half Sleeves, an unsure Safa stood while gazing at her reflection in the mirror, a small matching red hat rested on the top right side of her head.

It was obvious she was so nervous judging by how many times she fidgeted with her glasses with her gloved-in-red Hand.

Without looking back, "Wolfgang are you here? Tell me Is this not too provocative? I should have not given madam Delacroix liberty to make the dress however she wants!

I cannot believe I let James talk me into wearing this! It is still winter and this is barely covering anything from above! Not to mention the skirt is too wide I feel like I am wearing a parasol!

How am I to wear this in front of others! And why did the servant girls have to tighten this bloody corset this much?! It is nearly suffocating me and Almost my entire bosom is out?!

Maybe I should wear something else, this is a small party, not a Ball!" Safa began complaining.

But the lack of response made her turn around to look at Wolfgang.

"What?! Why are you silent?!" She asked.

"You...oh god...woman, can you not see that you look stunning?!" Wolfgang said.

Confused, "What are you talking about?!" She asked.

"Safa, if you don't come down in this dress for everyone to see, I might as well just quit my job, because you are a sight to see and I hate for you to not realize that!"

"Are you drunk or something? I do not understand you!"

"WOMAN YOU'RE GORGEOUS GODDAMN IT! YOU'RE BLOODY BEAUTIFUL?! WHAT CAN'T YOU UNDERSTAN! YOU LOOK LIKE A QUEEN!" He shouted.

Safa's face heated at his words, "Alright...do not shout!...I understand!"

...Meanwhile...

"Clara dear? Can I come in?" James asked as he knocked few times at Clara's bedroom room.

"YES!" She responded from inside, so In a swift move, James opened the door and walked inside.

The moment he laid eyes on Clara, he froze in his place.

"Before you start laughing and joking about how I look in this gown, remember that Just because I'm back on speaking terms with you, doesn't mean you have the right to say anything I don't want to hear.

I already know I look ridiculous and It's making me lose my mind...I feel like I shouldn't be wearing something this beautiful and expensive! It's a waste on me!" Clara warned him.

Although the design of her dress was almost exactly as any other ordinary regency gown, with slightly puffy small sleeves and long straight column like dress-skirt, the beauty of the royal blue with silver embroidery fabric that was used, made Clara's gown extra ordinary.

But it wasn't just thanks to the fabric that the dress was pretty, the brunette girl herself was the main attraction in this gown.

Wearing a pair of matching blue gloves, her long dark hair was done in a simple yet elegant bun using a blue ribbon, she was stunning.

But She was also a nervous wreck pacing the floor, sometimes stopping by the long mirror to check herself before she goes back to nervously pacing back and forth.

"Clara...can I say something?"

"James, please I'm trying to calm down! If you have something to say, say it already!"

"This is how you should've been dressing the whole time." He said.

His words perplexed Clara into pausing her pacing, "What do you mean?" She asked.

"I'm sorry that you think you don't deserve this dress, I know it's not your fault that you feel that way, but You deserved to wear this sort of dresses from the start.

You look amazing! You look natural, this is meant for you!" James said flashing her a gentle smile.

"Really?"

"Really."

Smiling, "Thank you for saying that..." Clara replied.

"Just so you know, I'm not lying, you do look beautiful." James said.

"Do you think I look noble enough?"

"Are you worried about introducing yourself?"

As her smile faded, "It will be a matter of time before people realize I'm a bastardette." Clara said.

"Ugh Don't, don't call yourself that!" James replied.

"But it's the truth, I understand why someone would hide the fact they have illegitimate children from the world.

Safa tried to comfort me, but I know for a fact No one would see me as a noble once they know my origins...I don't belong in this life, nor in this dress." Clara said, as her eyes began watering, James approached her and handed her his handkerchief.

"I wish I can tell you that you shouldn't think this way but then again I lied to you for 6 years because I didn't want you to feel like this." James replied.

"Maybe I shouldn't introduce myself as your sister..."

"Clara..."

"But then again it's too late to back away..."

"I'm really sorry."

Wiping her tears away with James's handkerchief, "It's alright...I can't continue living a lie, I just need to accept my reality, and whatever comes alongside it...

Hopefully, it all works out And I can finally lead a life where I make most of the choices for myself...maybe fall in love with someone who doesn't care about my origins... get married someday and have a child too, and if not...I can just live here with Safa, we can grow old together as two happy spinsters.

I mean who needs husbands or society! We're fine by ourselves!" Clara said chuckling nervously, "I mean imagine, You and Wolfgang and us girls, all live here together in harmony till we're old and wrinkly.

I know it's unrealistic, but it's my dream at this point." She added.

"Clara...Do you wish to be married?"

"Maybe..."

"Maybe?"

"Forgive me, it is uncomfortable talking about marriage with my own brother." Clara replied.

"I suppose that's common sense...but without a father figure, I have to take on the role of the man of the house, that includes making sure you get into a good marriage situation." James said.

Scoffing, "You didn't seem to care about my marriage situation before when I had no idea you were my brother." Clara replied.

"I did care, I just couldn't show it...why do you think the Gardener avoided you like the plague? Or why I was desperate for Joey to come back into your life?

I was really disappointed when he ended-up meeting That girl Mary." James said.

Surprised, "Don't Tell me, you hoped that Joey would marry me?!" She asked.

"I did, Joey is a good man, I was hoping he would still have his feelings for you, but I was too late, and even though Mary has already become his beloved, I hoped that for old times sake, Joey would work for me to help me keep an eye on you.

I was becoming more attached to Wolfgang at the time, I was losing focus on my duties." He replied.

"And what about the young Gardner? Why did you make him avoid me?"

"Because I did some digging on him, turned out that while he was indeed being unfairly bullied by the late Lord Stuart, he was known for being a womanizer, so I warned him to not approach any girl in my house especially you."

Clara suddenly bursted laughing, "Hahahahah!"

Confused, "What's the matter Clara dear?" James asked.

"Haha! I guess even a womanizer like you James, hates other womanizers!"

"Laugh all you want! I did what I had to do to protect you."

"Yes, yes whatever you say, Mister the apple doesn't fall far from the tree." Clara said sticking her tongue out at James.

Offended, "Hey! What's that supposed to mean?!" He asked.

"You spoke about how unfair it was for father to go around and sleep with women not caring he might father children out of wedlock, yet for five years after he died, that was exactly what you were doing." She replied.

James lowered his eyes, "I know this is shameless to say but I was careful...I made sure to keep records of everything I did, so what happened with him, doesn't happen with me." He said, "Besides, I only had few endeavors, unlike father he was by all means necessary...Addicted." he added.

"But one can't always be careful...I know this would sounds a bit embarrassing coming from me, but I'm actually proud of you." Clara replied.

Astonished, "Proud of what?!" James asked.

"For starting and maintaining a real relationship with Wolfgang, someone you actually look forward to see.

What you two have is something that people spend a lifetime searching for, I'm jealous of you.

Not to mention, You haven't seen a single woman since you two began your relationship, that's impressive to say the least, and it does show you're different than father in some things.

He couldn't stop, he didn't care to stop, but you do.

And I do hope you continue to care." Clara replied.

James smiled at her, he hurried to Clara and engulfed her in a hug, "I love you sister, you're a real Angel.

I promise you that as long as I live, I will always do my best to be worthy of you."

Hugging him back, "Hopefully that doesn't mean more lies." Clara said.

"No, I'm done with that life!"

"Hmm, we'll see."

...Few minutes later...

As they waited in the Garden, "What a beautiful place!" Penelope said, "Such a lovely garden too."

"We're lucky today's weather is quite nice, fitting for a day in the Garden." Colin replied, then he turned to look at Fabian who was busy playing with Denver, "Look at him, he reminds me of Kate and Anthony when they play with Newton." He said smiling.

Fabian was throwing a small leather ball for Denver to run after and catch, and everytime Denver caught the ball, the little puppy would hurry to return it to Fabian so he would throw it again.

"I didn't think of this before but maybe i should get young master a pet.

It would for sure make him feel less lonely." Gertrude spoke-up.

Suddenly, Penelope turned around as she heard a noise, and immediately upon doing so, she chuckled loudly in surprise.

"Colin look!"

Colin and Gertrude turned around as well and watched as Wolfgang and James were walking towards the group in the garden alongside Both Safa and Clara.

Each girl had wrapped an arm around the man beside her as they walked together.

Colin's jaw dropped, and Gertrude gasped audibly, she turned quickly to Fabian and called him, "Young master!"

"Huh?" Fabian turned around ignoring Denver who brought the ball to his feet.

"Oh heavens...What in the..." The gentleman was too stunned to speak, as he glanced with unbelieving eyes at Safa in a dress matching the same color as his waistcoat.

"Oh my goodness Safa! You look absolutely gorgeous!" Penelope said giggling, "And you too Clara! These dresses suit you well!" She added.

"Thank you!" Clara replied smiling.

"So you're Clara!" Colin said, "Yes!"

"Clara darling, introduce yourself properly." James said.

Nervously, "Oh, yes...I'm Clara, Clara Teaton, James's sister." Clara stated.

Fun fact: What did dogs play with in the 1800s?

Surely, sticks from the field, ropes from the shed, bones from the butcher, and homemade balls provided opportunities for peo- ple to play with their dogs, but true dog toys came later.

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