Page 66 of Glass Hearts
My surly friend has always denied wanting to find true love, thinking it wasn’t for her. Joking that I could love enough for the two of us. Yet as I hug her goodbye from our sleepover, it makes me hopeful that the princes will bring out more of what I see in her. That confident, smart and selfless woman that I love so dearly.
Bri and Winona have already left the room, along with Ella. I sit on the plush bed, wondering if one day someone will look at me like the princes look at my friend. Slowly, I begin to change, the soft fabric sliding against my skin as I get ready. Lowering my hand, Ramen, my adorable pet ball python, slides up my arm to my shoulders. Hitching his ride to my cluttered room, the same room where I sketch dresses and sew. If they are going to be courting, Ella will need many dresses.
Being the in-castle seamstress is actually quite boring. Few clothing items to repair and no requests so far for any lavish dresses. I truly think Prince Sylas made up the job just so that he could make Ella more comfortable, since he probably knew we are more like sisters than just best friends.
Grabbing my tote of sleepover items, I head out past all the princes’ rooms and head towards the makeshift workroom. I pass the offices for all the councilmen when I overhear a conversation that makes my heart drop.
“You are now engaged to my daughters. Congratulations. You will forget about Arabella. You will be under our control with this spell with everything you say and do, up until your wedding night. You will appear in love and excited at the prospect of marrying my gorgeous daughters, who are frankly too good for the cheating lot of you. Inside, you may be warring, but frankly, I don’t care. You all ruined everything by going after my whore of a stepdaughter. Why am I not surprised she has been opening her legs for all of you? Your spell will only be removed once you have accepted your fates and are faithful, loving husbands to my daughters.”
I run away from the door, going straight to Arabella’s room. My panic rises as I find her room empty. Every spot I scope in the castle, Ella is nowhere to be found. The castle feels strangely empty, echoing with silence. Continuing my exploration, I notice the guest quarters are also vacant, including Winona’s. All except for the Baudelaire’s rooms. The Quadias spot me before I can escape their clutches.
“Looks like we caught a snake. Now tell me, why is Belly’s friend in the castle at all? Especially snooping?” Zia, or is it Pia, says.
“I was sent here to retrieve some linens that need mending. I work at the castle now as the seamstress. That is all.”
I hoped this lie would spring me free, but instead, they gruffly shoved me into their overly perfumed room.
No! I need to find Ella!
“I think Mother will be quite pleased with us for this catch. Now what do we do with her? Tie her up or something?”
“Well, duh, Lia, that’s what mother would want. So she doesn’t get in the way ofthe plan. Then I am sure Victor will handle the loose ends.”
I try to squirm out of the two girls holding me. The third sister weakly punches me and tries to slap me. Neither land, but maybe it can buy me some time. Clearly, they have no clue what they are doing.
“Zia, we don’t even have rope!” They all look pensively around the room.
“Oh! How about our lingerie!? The princes will buy us new ones, anyway. A shame they didn’t even try to see these, though.”
Getting tied up with lingerie by the Quadias is a new low for me.
Ramen has already slithered into my long tresses, which are currently braided. I swear I feel the shake of his tiny head in embarrassment.
Mercifully, they clearly have tied no one up before, so I can already feel the material loosen. With my magic, I know I can always unravel the threads that are still tightly woven. I just need one of them to look away.
The Quadias move about the room, looking to be getting ready. If I am going to be a temporary prisoner, I might as well get some more information.
“What are you all getting ready for? Finally, leaving like the rest of the chosen ladies?”
“Ugh, no, Elora. We have beenchosenby the princes. We are getting ready forourengagement dinner.”
“That is so sad that you have to get Mommy Dearest to weasel you into marriages. Tired of boys running away once they notice your ugly personalities?” This comment rewards me with another pitiful slap.
“Mia, don’t bother with her. She will be of little consequence to us once we get rid of Arabella for good. Elora, we know you make dresses. Perhaps if you behave, you can keep your job here. Forget about the trash princess, and maybe we will keep you around.” Mia shrugs, smirking. As if I would ever begto serve them.
The delusion of these ladies. Though I suppose if you get everything handed to you, you would think you can have anything or any person.
When I was younger, I had always hoped that the Quadias would grow out of their resentment towards Arabella, that they would become her allies and not enemies. They had been relatively kind to her when they were younger, but Bernice trained that out of them swiftly.
I continue to watch as they run around getting ready, putting on makeup, and fixing their hair. Of course, always matching. The knock on the door has me screaming for help, but my pleas die on my lips as I see their wickedly evil mother walk in. Unlike my bestie, I am not much of the confrontational type. But this woman makes me see red.
“Ah, good job, ladies, already making your mother so proud. Miss Elora, why might you be in the castle?”
“She is claiming to be a seamstress for the castle, Mother,” one of the Quadias interjects.
“I see. That just won’t do. I don’t need you causing problems.” She comes around, inspecting the tying job her daughters did.
“Sloppy knots, ladies.” She tuts as she grabs another set of stringy green lingerie and sets to tie a brutal knot. Well, crap sticks, that will be slightly more inconvenient to get out of as I feel the material bite into my wrists.
