Matters At Hand

Cerulean, salmon, fuchsia, lime, and even lemon chiffon. Most of those sounded like options in a rather delectable buffet, but they were far from being meals or ingredients of a meal.

Sophie only realized then how much she failed to appreciate the diversity of fabric colors. They were countless with fascinating naming systems, almost like the wildflowers in the woods.

Her eyes were wide the entire time Maude attempted to explain her vision to a clueless dressmaker. The modiste's frustration never left her face as she skimmed through fabric after fabric for what felt like an eternity. Eventually, Maude was able to sort out a group of fabrics that she labeled close enough.

By that time, her face was colored with embarrassment and she had shrunk for the rest of the interaction—an unusual sight.

Once the modiste began asking questions about what Maude wanted for the details of the dress, Adeline had promptly pulled Sophie to a different corner of the decorated store. Somewhere where their discussions would be unheard by the two other ladies.

Sophie had a guess as to what Adeline was trying to do in the midst of her boredom. She was either about to spill the most gut wrenching gossip about people neither of them cared about or she was about to ask Sophie for some, to which she had none.

Surprisingly, instead of any of those, Adeline gave Sophie a cryptic opening.

"Although I am incredibly happy for Lady Maude and her creative visions, there are matters I wish to discuss with you and solely you."

Sophie was shocked. Usually, when it came to personal matters, none of them were excluded from any discussions. Oftentimes, Maude had the wisest insights, Adeline knew this. A sickly feeling churned in Sophie's stomach as the realization dawned on her—were they about to talk about Maude?

"That's a betrayal to our friend." She voiced before she could think it through. Admittedly, Sophie had always been protective whenever it came to her two closest friends.

"It's nothing of that nature!" Adeline shook her head, looking more serious than Sophie had ever seen her. It was a daunting sight. "I am afraid it concerns a matter only you can understand."

"Oh?"

"Yes, well." Adeline paused, contemplating her words. The wait was excruciating. Was a tragedy about to befall them? Where did Adeline's staple happy-go-lucky attitude go?

"It's about children." The blonde said.

Her words shocked all the coherent thoughts out of Sophie's brain. They flew away through her right ear, left to freely drift in the wind.

An unexpected answer. How was she supposed to respond?

"Ah, yes. Well. Indeed, there are many children in the kingdom. What about them?"

Adeline squinted her eyes at her friend's idiotic response. Sophie would be embarrassed if she wasn't so lost. Could they go back to naming colors?

"I am talking about having children."

Oh! Yes, having children. A normal discussion between— "YOU'RE HAVING CHILDREN?"

"Shush. Shush! I told you! This is only between us." Adeline attempted to hold her hands over Sophie's mouth. It was too late, however, for Maude and the modiste were already giving them strange looks. She felt her face heat up—the attention was humiliating.

Adeline and Sophie gave them forced smiles, hoping to dismiss the awkward tension. Once the modiste resumed her rambling and Maude looked away to listen, Sophie's gaze flicked back to her friend, eyes bright in excitement and wonder.

"Do not tell me you are pregnant as we speak, Adeline!" She shouted in a whisper, now more aware of the people inside the store with them, but nevertheless, happy for her friend. "I envy you so much, you can not even comprehend."

Luke was never opposed to having children, but it wasn't in the forefront of their minds. The Duke had always been too busy handling his responsibilities and Sophie did not want to add to the plate. Secretly, she longed to be accompanied in the estate by a mini-Luke or two while her husband was away.

The idea of having children with Luke always warmed her heart. She refused to be forceful about it, however.

"It's nothing like that." Adeline attempted to make light of the situation but her grin grew by the second, matching Sophie's own. "Well, not yet! I wish to be pregnant. The husband and I have discussed it. We have been trying for a while now."

The tips of Sophie's ears grew red at the implications. "This seems rather intimate. Why are you telling me now?"

Hearing that question, the excitement on Adeline's face grew dimmer, molding back into the serious expression she sported just moments ago. Sophie's anxieties grew as she tried to analyze what that meant.

"Although I have always wanted my own kids to raise and coddle, I am not so sure anymore." She confessed.