Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 107763 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107763 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
“Coming,” I said as I rushed to her side.
“Now remember, we shall stay to greet just the first six or seven before we join everyone inside.”
“When will the queen arrive, Mama?” I asked as we began to walk toward the door, though she was still overlooking the entryway for any last-minute imperfections.
“Her Majesty will have the good sense to come the very latest possible, so as to make sure no one upstages her grand entrance. Do not expect her…or the prince you truly inquire about, to come until the evening or tomorrow,” she said to me and then stopped when she saw Ingrid, who somehow managed to look both stoic and frazzled at the same time. “Ingrid, are all the refreshments prepared?”
“Yes, your ladyship, everything is already laid out upon trays and they shall be served the moment the guests enter the grand hall.”
“Perfect.” Mother nodded to her and adjusted the gardenia arranged by the doors to impart a pleasant aroma as everyone entered.
When we stepped outside, I saw my brother Damon and his wife were standing beside my father. Baby Mini must have been with her nanny or my sisters. Silva fidgeted with her yellow dress, trying to calm herself, though I did not understand why. She had long been married to my brother. She even had a child, so what did she have to fear from the ladies of society now?
Taking a step beside her, I teased, “I see you’ve sought to outshine me today, sister-in-law, but it is in vain, for I shall be the prettiest today like every other day.”
She glanced at me, eyes wide, but it was Damon who quickly spoke to her defense.
“I beg your pardon?” he scoffed. “Where is Aphrodite when you need her? Someone has grown rather bold of late. I take it you see yourself as a princess already?”
“Laugh while you can, brother, for soon you will be bowing and I will not be able to see your face at all,” I replied with my chin lifted. And of course, despite his age, he pushed me. I stumbled and stared back at him in shock.
“Forgive me, Your Highness.” He laughed to himself.
I was prepared to resort to the same antics when my other tormentor arrived.
“Can I push her too?” Abena called now, standing alongside our brother Hector. If not for him holding her arm, she’d have already done it.
“No, you may not! Damon, as a father, do you not believe you should set a better example?” I snapped at him.
“No, not at all,” he replied, making his wife giggle as she shook her head at him.
“Damon,” she admonished him.
“What? It is her fault for daring to assume she could be the prettiest woman here while you stand before us,” he said to her, making her smile and me wish to throw sand in my eyes.
“Thank you, my dear, but Hathor is right. She will quite surely be the most stunning today,” Silva replied back and leant over to me. “Do not fret, this is your week.”
“Quite right. Try not to scare him off, Hathor, Mother’s nerves might not be able to handle any more disappointment this season,” Damon replied.
“If he should try to flee, big brother, I will call upon your assistance to hold him captive, since you are so concerned.”
Next to me, our father and younger brother, Hector, both snickered as I lifted my head high.
“With that statement, I am more concerned for this prince and our reputation at court than I am about you,” Damon said, shaking his head.
“A brother without loyalty? What a shame. I shall have to count on you then, Hector.” I looked at the boy beside me. He was another person growing beyond comparison and nearly at my height now.
Hector grinned and nodded to me. “Don’t worry, Hathor. I shall wrestle down whomever you wish. Merely point to the gentleman.”
“Why don’t we leave this to the traditional methods of introduction and not have all of society under the impression that I have raised wild ruffians,” my mother said. Then, she gave us all a stern glare, forcing us to stand upright and properly once more. The only person unafraid and insensible was, of course, Abena.
“Mama, if this is all for Hathor, why must I be out here? Devana gets to stay inside and play. I want to go too.” Abena sighed heavily, kicking the gravel.
The mention of Devana made me feel guilty. Devana was not outside because Mother clearly saw what I did—she looked increasingly more like a young lady than a child. As she was not yet out in society and Mother wished to see me married first, Devana was forced to stay inside. Part of me was grateful that the attention was solely upon me, but another part felt bad that Devana would be hidden away. If it were me, I would surely be sour over such things. However, Devana did not care in the least.