(Preparations: The Moonball Party)

AFTER A MONTH

CLAUDIA

Ma’am Petra woke me up very early in the morning, she informed me it was time to prepare for the moonball party.

I got out of bed sluggishly and dragged my feet on the Axminster carpet that completely overlaid my bedroom floor. I always enjoyed its soft feel under my feet, so most times I walk barefoot.

I sat in front of my gigantic mirror, I stared at myself. My radiant hazel eyes were looking tired and my beautifully smooth and aligned hair had turned shaggy. I was too broken to pay attention to it.

It’s been a month since I stopped seeing Thorsten but it seemed like yesterday. I still couldn’t believe it.

I would tuck myself in bed for days. Dad, mom, and Ma’am Petra tried cheering me up but it didn’t work.

My birthday came and I couldn’t celebrate, I refused to open the luxurious gifts my parents and a few people from the clan had gotten me.

I was broken.

Ma’am Petra walked up to me and stood behind me. She looked at me through the mirror with sympathy.

“I hate to see you like this, this isn’t the Claudia I know.”

She picked some strands of my hair and shook her head in disappointment.

“We will start with giving your hair a meticulous treatment.”

I stood up from the chair I sat in, and I dragged my feet to the bathroom.

My bathroom was beautifully decorated, it was painted in hunter green and overlaid with mosaic flooring in a mixture of different colors.

I saw Ma’am Petra already prepared my bath solution.

I always loved the coconut milk bath over any other kind of bathing.

She often adds Lavender oil, Rose oil, Coconut oil, and sometimes honey. I could see the rose petals she had also sprinkled in the solution.

I stood in front of my Clawfoot freestanding bathtub typically made of cast iron.

Ma’am Petra reached for the straps of my nightgown and pulled it down my shoulders with care.

I raised my fragile shoulders a little so the material could slide down my tender body.

It smoothly came off and I stepped out of it and Ma’am Petra picked it up. She gave me her hand and I held unto them as I stepped into the tub carefully.

My eyes went closed when my leg came in contact with the warm water, I let go of her hand and held onto the tub as I dipped my second leg in.

I slowly sat down in the tub and rested my head on its body. I shut my eyes and exhaled loudly.

I felt Ma’am Petra move the foam over my skin, I opened my eyes and she let out a soft smile, which made me smile too.

“Why are you smiling?”

I turned my head to look at her properly.

“You are so beautiful and pure Claudia. You deserve the best man in the world.” She smiled and lifted my flushed cheeks with her finger.

I bent my head shyly and smiled heartily.

“Thank you.”

I stared at her and my thoughts wandered off. If truly I was beautiful, why did Thorsten never like me?

“Can I ask you something?” Her compassionate eyes met with mine and she gave me a nod, she wanted me to continue.

“If truly I am beautiful as you have said, why did Thorsten never love me?”

She smiled faintly and picked up my hand so she could wash it.

“Darling, sometimes what we want can’t be ours. No matter how worthy we are, what is meant to be will be. The way they are meant to be.”

She patted my shoulders sweetly and I let out a feeble smile. I wasn’t satisfied with what she said but I kept quiet.

After Ma’am Petra was done with my body, she moved on to treating my hair.

She pulled out my hair treatment bag from my drawer and placed it on the floor.

I shifted upwards and replaced my head so that it could be completely out of the tub. My neck was on the edge of the tub, and my lower back was resting firmly on it.

She placed a bowl under my head next to the golden foot of the tub, and applied my favorite shampoo, Wella Balsam.

I closed my eyes, I was ready to enjoy the moment.

After about 20 minutes, we were done in the bathroom and we walked into the room.

My hair was packed in a towel and Ma’am Petra wiped my body with another. I stood in front of the mirror examining my fair skin.

My room door opened and we both looked. It was Mother.

“Claudia, Hi.” She approached me and I grinned.

She was dressed so beautifully in her empire waistline dress, she had a corset under the dress, and her structured cleavage was visible. Her hair was packed in a neat bun and was curled at the edges.

“Good morning Mother.” I turned my face to the mirror and kept looking at myself.

“Such radiance.” Mom stopped behind me with a cheerful smile.

“Petra bring her the outfit,”

Ma’am Petra walked away briskly and I looked at Mom through my mirror.

“Have you dried your hair?”

I shook my head and she walked up to my drawer and picked by a hairdresser. I pulled the chair closer to me and sat in front of the mirror.

She walked up to me with the hairdryer in her hand and she switched it on.

She loosened the towel and my hair fell loose on my shoulder. It was still damp.

She started drying my hair parting it using a comb. Ma’am Petra came back to the room with the dress.

Immediately she saw my Mom drying my hair, she ran up to her and wanted to collect the dryer from her.

“Let me.” My mother said to her giving her a reassuring smile. Ma’am Petra moved backward and gave a slight bow.

~ After an hour~

“What do you think?” Mom made me stand in front of the mirror and she placed her hands on my shoulders.

I smiled as soon as I looked at myself.

My face had a very slight make up on. My eyebrows were shaped and curved, some light blush on my lifted chin, and some lipgloss on my full and symmetrical lips.

My hair was decorated with pearl beads, and a very beautiful pearl hairband, my earrings were also made of pearls. A beautiful neckpiece was on my neck, and around my wrist was another beadwork.

I was looking beautiful in my dress. I wore a black overbust corset on my green chemise gown. Mom helped me pack my hair in a neat bun just like hers. I wore black Hi-low boots to match.

“I love it.”

My mom nodded heartily. She was proud of my look.

“You are the fairest of all. I can't wait to see all the men drool over you tonight.”

I scoffed and looked at her. She was at it again.

“Mom, I’m going to have fun. If they look at me that is their business. I am not paying attention to anyone.”

I lifted my gown a little above my ankle so I could walk properly. I walked to the bed to get my white opera gloves. It was made of cotton and it extended up to my elbow.

“I am ready.”

Mom walked up to me again and adjusted the shoulder of my dress.

“The carriage will arrive soon. We would leave early, we have a long journey ahead.” She kissed my cheek and headed out afterward.

“Are you coming with us?” I looked at Ma’am Petra who wouldn’t stop smiling.

“I am not needed there.” She walked up to me and held my hands. She examined the feel of my gloves and then moved them to her mouth. She planted a kiss on my hands and I stared at her.

“You are an adult now Claudia, it's time to see the world the way it is. Time to carry responsibilities on your shoulders.”

I curved my brows and my heart pondered.

Why was she acting like I was getting married?

“Ma’am Petra, it is a moonball party, not a marriage. Why are you saying these things?” She let out an affectionate smile, making her look more beautiful.

“Don’t pay attention to me, I’m just been emotional.”

We heard the neighing of horses outside and Ma’am Petra hurried to my window. She peeped out of the window and turned her head to look at me.

“The carriage is here.”

I picked up my purse and hung it on my arm. Ma’am led the way and we both walked out of my room.

The packhouse seemed busier than usually, it was because of the event happening. Everyone hurried so they could go with the next available carriage.

Ma’am Petra led me to the second Barouche carriage waiting in front of the house, holding my hand as I walked. I lifted my gown with my left hand as I hurried to the carriage.

She held my hands as I got into the carriage. I sat in it and waited for Mom to show up.

She showed up afterwards and she hurried too. Her maid, Sylvia helped her get into the carriage.

She sat next to me and the coachman got ready. I waved at Ma’am Petra and blew her a kiss. She blew me a kiss in return and bade me goodbye with a broad smile.

“Where is Dad?”

I asked Mom after we began to move, I remembered I had not seen him since I woke up.

“He left very early with the other Alphas, they are to be there before the event commences.”

I nodded and looked outside the door, we were heading out of the compound.

My eyes fell on Thorsten and my heart skipped for a second. He stared back at me and I looked away quickly.

I was shocked to see him. Of course, I expected him to be around for the event too, but I wasn’t ready to see him.

I was still hurting.

Mom placed her hand on my thigh and I looked at her with a feeble smile.

“I’m fine.”

She kept caressing my thighs still, and I looked outside the door again.