"Are you unwell, my lady? It seems you did not have a restful night," Mary asked while doing my hair. The stress of trying to survive in this strange new world has been on my mind constantly, so I haven't been able to relax. We have to get up and get dressed early this morning because the dressmaker is coming to take our final measurements.
"I'm fine, Mary. I merely suffered a troublesome dream."
"I believe a new consignment of tea arrived but yesterday. I shall see if there is a herbal tea that might aid your sleep," she said as she finished my braid and fixed a pretty pearl ornament within it.
"Thank you kindly."
"My pleasure, my lady. Now, shall we make our way down to greet Madame Jane?" I simply nodded and followed her. When we got to the drawing-room, Soleil was already there, holding a cup of tea. She looked at me and gave a warm smile, as if last night's argument had never happened. She motioned for me to sit beside her, so I did. I didn't want to make our relationship any more difficult than it already was.
"Good morning, Soleil," I offered.
"Good morning, my dear sister. Would you care to join me for tea in the garden after our measurements are concluded?"
Ever since I got here, I haven't really left the manor. I've been staying in my room most of the time, so getting some fresh air would be a good idea.
"That would be most agreeable," my response made Soleil's smile broadened. She look like a child who had been given her favorite candy.
Madame Jane arrived shortly and began taking our measurements. Soleil chose a light blue fabric that suited her fair skin and blonde hair. Meanwhile, I selected a wine-red silk taffeta for my gown. The previous owner of this body must have despised her hair color, but I decided to embrace it, and this fabric would beautifully complement it for the royal ball. I heard that silk taffeta is highly prized for its luxurious sheen and ability to hold its shape.
After choosing the fabrics, jewels, and shoes for the ball, Soleil and I proceeded to the garden. I tried to conceal the amazement on my face as we walked along the beautiful flower-lined path. The air was filled with a floral scent, and butterflies fluttered among the blooms while birds chirped in the trees. The scene was straight out of a fairy tale, which was, technically, the world I was now inhabiting.
As we reached the heart of the garden, the tea and dessert had already been set up for us on an elegant table. We took our seats, and a maid immediately began to pour a delicate brew into our cups.
"I personally chose this tea for us," Soleil stated with a smile. "It's a fine Jasmine tea, which was recently imported from East. I've heard the aroma and flavor are exquisite."
I picked up the cup and took a cautious sip of the tea. The delicate, floral notes immediately dancing on my tongue. "It is exquisite indeed. The aroma is so fragrant, like a fresh spring morning. And the taste is so wonderfully light and sweet."
Soleil's smile softened, her gaze dropping to her teacup. "Sierra," her voice barely a whisper, "I must beg your forgiveness for my conduct last night. I was quite out of line with my demands." She looked up, her blue eyes filled with genuine regret. "I have since realized how selfish my request was. I only thought of my own desires and did not consider your feelings at all."
I placed my teacup down gently and reached over to place a comforting hand over Soleil's on the table. "Your apology is accepted, Soleil," my voice filled with a kindness I had never thought to show her before. "I understand your feelings, truly. It is a terrible thing to love someone you cannot have. But tolerating your demands for the sake of love is not the right solution."
"Then what is?"
"You must speak to Father," I advised. I had observed enough to know that the Duke was not a cold, unapproachable person. He would do anything for his daughters. "You must cast aside your fears and speak the truth, for he loves you dearly and holds your happiness above all else. Confess everything, Soleil. He may find a way for you to be united with the Marquess. It shall not be a simple matter, but it is preferable to a lifetime of deceit, and surely he would wish for your contentment rather than to see your life sacrificed for a mere political alliance."
"But Sierra, you don't understand," Soleil pulled her hand away, her voice dropped to a serious tone. "This marriage... it is not simply for me. It is for our family's honor and good name. Marrying the crown prince will secure our position for generations to come. It is an alliance we cannot afford to lose." She took a quick, nervous glance around the garden, as if afraid the delicate flowers themselves had ears.
"You know all too well how we have been treated by these so-called nobles just because we do not have a mother," she continued with her voice trembling slightly. "The vile whispers, the cruel rumors... the way their eyes linger upon us as if we were a mere trinket. Let them have their sport for now, but once I am made the crown princess, I vow no one will ever dare to cast a shadow of disrespect upon this family ever again!" Her eyes now shone with a fierce resolve. "The time shall come when it is I who protects our honor.
Soleil's words settled around me like a thin, unconvincing veil. My fingers tightened around the porcelain handle of my teacup. How could she not see the truth?
Her logic was so fundamentally flawed, so selfishly self-serving, that I found myself struggling to reconcile it with the gentle girl who had just tearfully apologized.
She spoke of protecting the family, of protecting me, but all I heard was a desperate grasp for power masquerading as love. She wanted the crown and the Marquess. She wanted the best of both worlds, and she was so blinded by her own desires that she couldn't see the wreckage she was about to create. How could she believe that such a fragile, dishonest foundation could secure anyone's future?
She's willing to use the Prince... the kind, unassuming Crown Prince, who had always shown the original Sierra such genuine courtesy. He would be nothing more than a pawn in her game, a stepping stone for her ambitions. And the Marquess... her beloved Marquess would be forced into a secret, shameful affair while she lived a lie in a gilded cage. She spoke of being looked down upon, but in her greed, she was preparing to commit a far greater dishonor to all involved.
I could never say these things to her. It would only crush her, push her further into her self-made trap. So I simply offered a small but sad smile, like a silent plea for her to see reason. The garden air that smelled so sweet and floral earlier, now felt heavy with the scent of lies.
I didn't stay long to the garden, I excused myself as soon as I finished my tea. I discovered another piece of information that wasn't in the book, or maybe I just didn't see it because I had only read ten chapters. Soleil, who I thought was loved by everyone, was actually insecure and obsessed with being in control.