Silver lining

A few moments later, Helen and Aria, having finally gotten dressed, came out from Helen's room.

Helen was used to such atmospheres, wearing heavy dresses and everyone around you looking at you like you were a doll.

But it was a complete nightmare for Aria. She couldn't breathe in the light brown ball gown Helen had made her wear, and she was sure that she would fall flat on her face anytime with the heels she was wearing. Aria's head ached with all the pins Helen's maids had put in her hair while styling them, and she was horrified as most of the guests swarmed around the two girls.

All of them began complimenting Helen and wondering who Aria was, along with saying she looked unearthly beautiful. Aria was only able to paas around awkward smiles as Lady Scott led her and Helen around, introducing the former.

At that point, Aria found the silver lining of the fact that she had been banished from her home. She was positively sure now that she would definitely have lost her mind if she had had to grown up attending numerous parties and balls like this one.

Joseph and Jacob were way more than fashionably late.

It was mostly due to the fact that they had spent too much time exploring the grounds and partially because Jacob didn't seem to be able to walk properly in any suit Joseph gave him.

Finally, Jacob looked at himself in the mirror as one of Joseph's buttler slicked back his hair. "Does this have to be this tight Scott? I feel like I can't even breath." Jacob whined.

"Quit your whining White. That is one of the comfortable ones. I would like to see how you would stand upright wearing this." Joseph snapped as he tapped his foot impatiently, pointing to his own dark brown suit.

Jacob pouted but stopped complaining with the fear that Joseph would really make him wear something very uncomfortable.

The two boys finally came out of Joseph's room and descended the stairs to the ball room.

At this point, one of Joseph's friends called out, "Finally! Here comes the birthday boy!!"

And everyone's attention was focused on Joseph and Jacob as they descended the stairs.

Jacob was trying his level best to walk properly and not fall and embarrass Joseph and his family.

He barely had any time to look up from his feet. But just as he did, his eyes immediately searched out the head of golden hair he most anticipated to see and he forgot all his worries and fears.

Jacob had looked upon Helen, who had been talking to some friends and had turned in the direction of the stairs hearing the cry.

Jacob stared open mouthed at Helen and wanted to run down the stairs and towards Helen, just to tell her how stunningly beautiful she looked.

Right now, Jacob very much wished that Helen could see. He wished desperately that she could see the awe in his face and the admiration and love in his eyes for herself.

He probably would have rushed towards her, had it not been for Joseph walking just ahead of him. So, for the moment, Jacob satisfied himself with gazing intently at Helen and imprinting her image in his mind.

He wanted to forever remember how beautiful Helen looked tonight.