Gowns of Gold and Lavender, A Noble's Disguise

Annelise's birthday celebration was just one day away, and the manor was a virtual madhouse of activity. While Bloom's family assisted the top staff in their work, the upper servants coordinated the efforts of their subordinates and lavishly decorated the grand hall. Measuring guests for last-minute clothing adjustments, seamstresses darted in and out. The air was filled with color and scent as florists arrived with beautiful bouquets of roses, hyacinths, geraniums, birds of paradise, and red begonias. Every person inside the manor's walls was exhausted by the time twilight fell.

To her quiet horror, Bloom found that she would wear complete ballroom attire, which included an elaborate dress and a tight corset that would likely make it difficult for her to breathe. But she decided to put up with it for Annelise, whom she had come to love very much.

But when she saw the gown for the first time, her resolve faltered.

With delicate touches and elaborate gold embroidery, it shone in a vivid violet. The bodice flared elegantly outward and was snugly laced from waist to hips. The delicately gathered skirt had two openings that ran up her thighs, revealing slivers of golden cloth underneath. The outfit was tightened by a gold ribbon and a lavish collection of real gold jewelry, which she considered nearly too much.

According to Marina, the gold went well with Bloom's hair's highlights. The design of Annelise's dress was identical to hers, but it had silver elements and a softer lavender hue.

Are they trying to make us look like twins? Bloom pondered, her mind wandering.

She insisted that her hair would not be confined. She rejected any advice that went beyond a basic combing and let its natural ringlets fall freely.

The night before the ball, Marina begged, "Milady, at least a half ponytail." "We could use rose pins to secure it—"

"No," Bloom said in a harsh but considerate tone. "I have an improved concept. You can style it halfway up, but no pins. Not much more.

Marina styled Bloom's hair into a delicate half-bun on the night of the celebrations, allowing a few tendrils to fall loose and curve down to her mid-back. Bloom chose a heart-lily from her collection, one that had been nourished by Darren's attention and flourished in her presence, and woven it into her hair. In response, the flower produced three bright blossoms and three delicate buds, creating a tiny bouquet among her curls. As Bloom looked at the vibrant purple petals, a grin formed on her lips. Every look at flowers evoked a calm sensation inside her, as though Darren himself peered through the petals with a quiet, reassuring smile.

Earlier in the day, guests started to arrive, gradually increasing in number. Bloom avoided them because she wasn't sure how she would respond if Julian showed up among the crowd or how she would handle the incessant inquiries that followed her around. Rather, she took cover in the gardens and observed from a distance as scores of people flocked to the estate.

Is Annelise acquainted with any of these individuals? Her eyebrows furrowed as she pondered.

She still struggled to be ready when it came time for her big entrance. The Bloom she recognized didn't look much like the reflection she had seen in the mirror earlier. It was replaced by a stranger dressed in finery, Liliana, the noble.

Before leaving the gardens' embrace, she prayed silently, "Gods, give me courage."

In order to finally reveal Bloom to the world as Hurlstone's long-lost daughter, her mother had practiced the entrance with her endlessly. She was now standing erect behind the curtain that surrounded the opulent staircase. “You look gorgeous, Liliana. Are you prepared? Her mother's eyes shone with a dazzling spark, and her voice was full of excitement.

Bloom forced a hesitant smile. "I'm as prepared as I will ever be." As the herald announced their names, she joined her mother in rushing through the curtains and down the soaring staircase.

The title was somewhat familiar, and heads turned. The guests over thirty whispered explanations to the younger ones who didn't remember the story of Hurlstone's missing child.

The room appeared to be filled with hundreds of people, all of them staring at Bloom, but logic told her that there were only around forty. She raised her chin, determined not to reveal to these distant nobility the terror that was churning within of her.

When they came to the floor, a young, handsome noble stepped up and made a beautiful bow. "Could I enjoy the first dance please?"

Bloom glanced at her mother, who cocked her head slightly in agreement. "Of course, my lord," she curtsied in response. It would be an honor. She took his arm and let him lead her to the middle of the dance floor, where the band began a slow waltz.

She was not entirely unfamiliar with such situations; despite her heart's resistance, her feet remembered the steps. Her anxiety gradually subsided, and she started to enjoy the evening—as much as one could in the midst of so many strangers. She soon gave herself over to the beat of the music, allowing the flow of the dance to relieve the burden of her past and make room for pure happiness.

Julian watched from a distance as Bloom and her mother went down the grand staircase. With her chin up, she exuded composure and showed no signs of discomfort in the midst of the strangers. But Julian saw through the masquerade because he knew her better than anybody else. Her hands betrayed her, grasping the folds of her skirt with a white-knuckled grip that spoke of repressed strain, but her poise remained unwavering. She nevertheless looked arrogantly at everyone, as if she were accustomed to this world of splendor.

He let out a sigh as Robert Westerly moved closer to ask her to dance. Julian wished he could, but he knew she would never agree.

Her tension began to ease as the night unfolded. She seemed more joyful than he had ever seen her, as though a weight had been removed from her shoulders. Maybe he could get to her if that were the case—if only he could figure out how.

At that moment, Annelise discovered him, her approach piercing his daydream. With sparkling eyes, she said, "Pardon me, Lord Hartfield." "Can I participate in this dance?" Her face brightened up with a dazzling smile.

Julian smiled back, putting aside his gloomy thoughts. "Shouldn't I be the one to ask?"

The young girl, who looked like a miniature Bloom in her identical gown, shrugged and said, "Well, you weren't, and I told Mother I'd dance with you first."

He held out his hand. "Then let's dance, please."

He guided her to the floor, her movements light and sure, and she gladly clutched it.

She remarked suddenly, "I also wanted to thank you," with a seriousness that belied her age. "For returning Liliana to us." I adore her. She is amusing, yet she is quite depressed.

"Is she?" With interest sparked, Julian inquired.

She gave a serious nod. "Very depressing. And I can sense you're upset too," she continued, her intuition astonishingly sharp. Your eyes become sad whenever you talk about her. You two ought to speak with one another.

"You believe so?"

A smile dimpled her face. "Obviously! Liliana and you won't be depressed then. You would be a fantastic big brother, in my opinion.

Big brother? A glimmer of amusement arose in Julian's mind. At what point did this turn into a marriage-related conversation?

Unfazed, Annelise went on, "She was enraged when she found out you were coming." However, she refuses to discuss it at all. She keeps her anguish and rage hidden from me. But now that I'm nine, I'm not so little.

Julian gave a quiet laugh. "That's correct."

Annelise laughed back. "Well, I still believe you ought to speak with her."

How was I able to? She is completely avoiding me. Bloom twirled a couple away as his eyes strayed to the dance floor. She quickly switched partners after catching his attention, increasing the distance between them.

He thought cynically, I can't believe I'm following advice from a nine-year-old. I must be in a desperate situation.

With effortless assurance, Annelise remarked, "Oh, it's easy." Simply head to the gardens. She will soon sneak out to get away from everyone. That's how she is.

She told the truth, and he knew it.

Henrik interrupted with a polite smile at that point. "May I take the woman?" With a smile and a nod, Julian gave up Annelise and left the dance floor.

He kept a cautious eye on Bloom from the sidelines. She appeared to enjoy the occasion, but she was obviously worn down by the close quarters of so many nobility. Even when she laughed uncontrollably at some joke, her eyes darted anxiously.

Without her, he had not noticed how lifeless his days had become. Sharp pains of longing were the only breaks in the monotonous tedium of the previous weeks. He missed her, the only woman he had ever met who asked for nothing in return, the one person in the world he felt comfortable confiding in. Until her family came into his life, that is.

He had to talk to her, required to apologize. He would somehow find a way to make things right—

There she is. Bloom muttered an excuse to her companion and walked smoothly out the door. After a brief moment of hesitation, Julian followed her out into the embrace of the garden.