Ribbons and Laces

Mrs. Pickinns hurriedly grabbed a bundle of keys from her wooden office desk, while the two subjects watched her with anxiety in their eyes.

"Mrs. Pickinns?" Asty gently called out. "Do you want us to help you find the right key-"

"Hush, child!" one by one, she tries on the different shaped keys on the warehouse doorknob. It was where she had promised that the unfinished samples of outfits were stored.

Asty looked down and reached for the envelope. She examined the smooth texture of the paper and confusion was evident in her bright, orange eyes.

Her fingers could feel the paper from the inside. But she was scared to open the envelope. She didn't want Lady Rosellia to be upset about her seeing the contents of what she had in store for the Duke.

But at the same time, Asty was doubtful whether Lady Rosellia really placed a message inside or not. It would be a disappointment if the Duke opened it and there was nothing inside but the invitation card of the King.

She pondered a thought.

Lady Rosellia could have opened the envelope and see it's contents for her to know that she was indeed invited and what she was holding was truly an invitation card.

But why is it still fastened as it was as if nobody had opened the envelope?

How did Lady Rosellia slip a note for the Duke inside of an unfastened envelope?

"Asty." a low voice called out her name. Her eyes looked over to Noelle's nervous expression. "Do you not feel anxious?"

"Anxious? With what?"

"Of course you wouldn't." he heaved a sigh. "You always loved to do new things."

Asty smiled at Noelle and placed her hands on his shoulders, caressing. "It's alright. We're together in there. After we deliver the message to the Duke, we can leave and stay out of the nobles' way."

"Yeah. But..." he looked at her with furrowed brows, displaying his nervousness. "It's also the ball of the Counts."

Asty patted his back, comforting him. "We'll stay out of the Counts' sight too."

Noelle nodded.

Finally, they heard a door creak, followed by a rigid cough.

"It's open," Mrs. Pickinns waved her hands on to the dusty smoke that the door produced. "Your outfits should be here. We'll wash them and ask the maids to help spin them."

The two stood up and assisted Mrs. Pickinns inside the abandoned warehouse.

The rickety floorboards creaked as the trio entered the dilapidated storage. They waved their hands to the air and looked around.

Boxes, sacks, bundles of cloth, and broken sewing machines were everywhere. Mrs. Pickinns brought out a small key and walked into a locked antique closet.

Noelle and Asty observed.

Mrs. Pickinns inserts the key into the rusty lock and a faint click could be heard. The chain dropped into the dirty floor with a soundful thunk.

She slowly opened the closet and revealed a few usable formal outfits inside. Asty and Noelle looked at each other and grinned like idiots.

"This place could do some cleaning."

"We'll offer to clean them the day after the ball, Mrs. Pickinns!" Asty answered enthusiastically.

"Very well. Noelle, do you have any objections?"

"Not really. It should be my payment to you for being able to enter inside the palace."

"You've grown a lot, Noelle."

The male shifted his green eyes away and pouted his lips.

"You used to be so naughty and playful when you were young. I remember the very day you left the fence open and the next day Farmer Roonie had woken up to have no lambs in his farm."

Noelle awkwardly chuckled. "Come on, Mrs. Pickinns. Don't tell Mr. Roonie about that."

The strict lady could only sigh. "I'll have the maids wash these. While doing so, return to your homes and inform your parents. Come back immediately after you have told them. Tell them that you do not need their approval, Mrs. Pickinns have already decided it."

Noelle and Asty chuckled. "Mrs. Pickinns, are you going to pick a fight with our parents if they said no?"

"Preferably convince them to agree. Then there will be no war," she said in a stringent tone. "What are you staring at? Get moving."

Noelle and Asty immediately scampered outside. This was their very first mission together. To reach the Ball and have Lady Rosellia's message relayed.

The young girl ran towards the forest path into her mother's home, breathing heavily but with a huge simper on her lips.

"Mother!"

"Asthenosthene! Why- oh look at you now! You are all sweaty!"

"Mother..." she paused to breathe. "Mrs. Pickinns told me to go to the Ball this evening."

Her mother's eyes dilated in shock. "Why- what?"

"Lady Rosellia passed away earlier this morning. There is no one to attend in her behalf."

"And you volunteered to attend the ball? You do not even know how to dance Asthenosthene!"

"Mother, I am not going to dance..." she paused for a while, again. "I am going to give the Duke a message from Lady Rosellia."

"You can let Mrs. Pickinns do that! That woman had access to the palace for all I care! Do not go to the Ball!"

"Mother, Lady Rosellia told me to do it..." Asty frowned between heaping breaths. "Did you not tell me to give back Lady Rosellia's kindness?"

Her mother looked down, she wanted to say something to Asthenosthene, but her little girl was too smart.

"Asthenosthene."

"Mother, I'll be fine."

"You won't be. The Palace is not the same as the village. What would become of you if you stray away and never find your way back?"

"I even found my way home when Father abandoned me in the woods."

Her mother's heart cracked in pain. "Oh, Asthenosthene." she embraced her with her arms gently.

"Mother. I can manage. Noelle is coming with me to the Ball and we will return together."

"Listen, Asthenosthene. The Palace is a dangerous place. Much dangerous than the woods infested by wolves."

"Why is that, Mother?" she loomed at her with her bright orange eyes. "The Palace is near the city and full of wardens. Why is it that the Palace poses so much threat than the forests?"

"The Palace is safe during the morning, my child. But if dusk arrives, you know what lies ahead?"

She shook her head.

"The Palace is home to the Counts. The strongest of the Night Hallows."