In Amber's room, the warm afternoon light slipped through the embroidered curtains, casting a soft glow on the evening gowns hanging neatly and the scattered jewelry on the table. Amber stood before the mirror, holding up her sparkling blue earrings, her eyes shining with excitement as she smiled:
Amber: "I'll wear these earrings with this dress."
She pulled out a golden gown, decorated with blue lace patterns.
"And I'll add these bracelets and this blue necklace. What do you think?"
Kate, amazed as she stepped closer: "Oh my, you'll look like a princess stepped out of a painting! The gold will make your blue eyes shine even brighter."
Then Kate opened a box the maid had brought, pulling out a green gown with emerald shades, embroidered with golden threads, as if a magical tree had woven it from its leaves on a spring night.
Kate, proudly: "Look! This is my dress. Doesn't it look royal?"
Amber, excited: "Kate! That's stunning! You'll steal the spotlight tonight… trust me, everyone will fall in love with you."
Kate laughed lightly, twirling with her gown.
Kate: "I know, I know that already!"
Suddenly, the door opened slowly. Rosalyn walked in with graceful steps, but her tone carried a hidden malice.
Rosalyn with a fake smile: "My sisters-in-law… how are the preparations going? Are you ready? The guests will arrive any minute."
She walked straight toward Amber, her eyes gleaming with deliberate curiosity.
Rosalyn: "And what colour is your dress, Amber?"
Amber, calmly: "Gold."
Rosalyn raised an eyebrow, smirking.
Rosalyn: "I thought you'd choose blue… but no matter, whichever color you wear, you'll be the star of the evening. Especially after the Baroness praised you yesterday… it seems she's considering you for her son."
Amber and Kate exchanged a quick glance worry flickered in Amber's eyes, while Kate narrowed hers.
Rosalyn, with a poisonous smile: "How lucky you are. A poor orphan girl offered marriage to the heir of a wealthy family… even if it's just a traditional match."
But Kate stepped forward, her gaze sharp and defiant.
Kate, coldly but with contempt: "Not everyone dreams of marrying for money alone. Sometimes… love matters more than wealth."
Rosalyn's smile froze, her lips trembling before she snapped back.
Rosalyn: "Love? Love exists only in fairy tales! Reality is cruel, and marriage is about alliances, not childish dreams!"
She leaned closer, her voice low and cutting.
Rosalyn: "The place you stand in now… would never have been yours without luck. Don't forget your limits."
She turning to Amber with a harsher tone:
Rosalyn: "And you, Amber… don't cling to illusions. Opportunities like this are not to be refused."
Without waiting for an answer, she turned and walked out, her heels tapping against the marble floor, leaving behind a heavy silence.
Kate, exhaling with sarcasm: "'Reality is cruel'… as if we don't already live in it every day! Silk-wrapped insolence."
Amber, whispering: "She knows… she knows about Eric."
Kate: "Maybe… but it doesn't matter. No one will control your heart, Amber. Not her, not the Baroness, not even protocols. You will write your own story, no one else."
Kate encouraged her warmly.
A moment of silence passed before Amber looked at the mirror again, a hidden strength beginning to form in her eyes.
Amber: "Then… let's begin tonight."
Kate left Amber's room, still thinking of Rosalyn's words: "The place you stand in now… would never have been yours without luck."
Kate (to herself): "What does she mean by that? Maybe she was talking about herself. She should be grateful she married into our family."
She headed toward her own room, but before she could go far, a hand gently caught her wrist, pulling her quietly toward the side balcony. She spun around, her heart racing.
Kate, startled: "Aaron! Oh my… you scared me! My heart nearly jumped out!"
He smiled shyly, letting out a soft sigh as he ran a hand through his hair.
Aaron: "Sorry… I just wanted to talk to you for a moment before the party."
She looked at him curiously and noticed he was hiding something behind his back.
Kate: "What? I'm busy right now… what are you holding?"
Aaron revealed a small black velvet box, elegant in appearance. His hand hesitated as he extended it toward her, his eyes darting up to the sky while he scratched his neck nervously.
Aaron, in a low voice: "This… I just wanted to give it to you."
His cheeks flushed red, as if he regretted the idea at the last second. Kate stared at the box in surprise, then slowly took it from him. When she opened it, her eyes widened in shock.
Kate, whispering in disbelief: "T-this… this necklace… it's the same one from the market?"
Aaron nodded shyly, unable to say a word.
She looked at him, then at the necklace, then back at him again. Her heart pounded faster, her face growing warmer with every second.
Kate, softly: "For… for me?"
Aaron, barely audible: "I wanted you to wear it tonight… at the party. I thought it would look beautiful on you."
A short silence fell between them, filled only with their nervous breaths and the faint sound of music drifting from inside.
Kate tried to ease the tension, smiling softly as she asked, attempting to regain control
Kate: "Didn't you say at the market… that you would give it to a beautiful girl?"
Aaron laughed lightly, as if she had caught him red-handed, then replied with a sincere tone, tinged with nervousness:
Aaron: "Yes, I did… Don't you think you're beautiful?"
The words froze in Kate's throat, her gaze locked with his. She didn't know how to answer. Flustered, she lowered her eyes and whispered faintly:
Kate: "I… I'll try it on now."
With visible nervousness, she opened the clasp and lifted the necklace to her neck. But when she tried to close it behind her, she fumbled.
Kate, softly, embarrassed: "Ah… I can't… I-I'll just ask the maid to fasten it."
She was about to leave when Aaron stepped closer, until he was standing right behind her.
Aaron: "It's fine… I'll fasten it."
With trembling fingers, he gently lifted her hair, his hand brushing softly against her neck. Kate drew in a deep breath, trying to steady the wild beating of her heart. He was too close, so close it scattered every thought in her mind.
He closed the clasp carefully, then leaned in slightly toward her ear, whispering in a low, warm voice:
Aaron: "It's beautiful… but it looks even more beautiful on you. It suits you perfectly."
Kate froze, her eyes wide, as heat rushed across her face. She turned toward him quickly, her voice shaky and faint
Kate: "Th-thank you… I really… don't know what to say…"
She gathered her breath, then quickly ran off the balcony toward her room—as if fleeing from herself, from the emotions that had begun to spill out without permission.
Aaron remained on the balcony for a moment, staring at the spot where she had vanished. A calm smile curved his lips… then he sighed softly, running a hand over his face, and whispered to himself
Aaron: "The necklace… it truly is beautiful."
Then he quietly returned to his room, to prepare himself for a night that might change everything.