My dress

Angelica sat quietly in her room on her bed. Her room was silent but her mind was racing.

She had a blank expression on her face. Internally she was distraught, her entire life as she knew it was about to change. If her father's title was taken from him they would have to move.

Most probably they would become outcasts, it would be definite shame for their family. That would only make things here worse than ever before and she knew it. She was worried.

"The king ordered it... he is the only one that can reverse it." she said quietly to herself.

She continued to repeat those words to herself, that was the only thought she could think. She needed an answer that could solve everything, that would make this impending nightmare end.

Suddenly it struck her, in the simplicity of her own words, the solution was right there.

"The king has ordered it, thereby... he is the only one that can reverse it... or is that so?" she asked herself in understanding.

She quickly stood up from her bed, walked to her closet and put on a black cloak. She already had a solution to their problems and she could solve it all tonight. All she wished was that lady luck was on her side.

As soon as she was ready to embark on her task someone suddenly entered her room.

"Angelica." her mother called.

"Mother... what can I assist you with?"

"I wanted to know if you were alright my dear... do not mind your father, he was just in a terrible mood... at least he did not—Where are you going?" asked Ohara, her eyes nestled in confusion.

"I am on my way to collect my dress from Lady Sellie." replied Angelica simply.

"To...tonight? But it is already late my dear, you cannot go out at this time, your father will be furious." declared Ohara.

"Father is already furious, like any other day." replied Angelica unhappily.

"I need to go now mother, before it gets even darker outside." she said.

"You cannot leave, what will I tell your father?" asked Ohara in more fear than worry.

"Tell him that I went to collect my dress from Lady Sellie. Tell him that she will be leaving for the village tomorrow and tonight is my only chance to collect it from her, just tell him anything believable. I will be back before midnight hopefully, take care mother." said Angelica quickly, there was no more time to waste.

She hastily gave her mother a kiss on the cheek before escaping out the window for fear that her father would see her leaving.

Ohara sighed helplessly, there was nothing she could do, her daughter had already left. Oh how much she wished for the day when neither she or her daughter would have to hide things from Dariel.

...

"My lady, Lady Angelica is here to see you." a young maid politely announced bowing her head to her mistress who had been drinking tea in the drawing room.

"My, my, at this time of the night?" replied her mistress. The maid nodded in response.

"Well send her in." 

"Of course my lady." the maid responded bowing her head once more before leaving the room.

The maid returned a moment later with Angelica following closely behind her. Her mistress waving her off, taking the hint she left the room and closed the doors behind her.

"Lady Sellie!" exclaimed Angelica happily advancing for a hug.

"Oh Angelica, it is nice to see you, to what do I owe this surprise visit of yours?" replied Lady Sellie. She had stood up to receive the hug.

"I was just in the area and decided that now would be a good time to come and collect my dress before you leave." Angelina answered. Her explanation seemed believable enough, however, Lady Sellie thought otherwise.

"Is that so now?" Sellie asked. "Because if you ask me Angelica it is awfully late for you to be out just because you want to collect your dress."

"I am telling the truth Lady Sellie. I am just here for my dress and then I will be on my way." Angelica said believably. Although Lady Sellie had her doubts, she decided to push them aside. After all the Rivethans were a strange bunch, every single one of them.

"Alright then dear, follow me, I just finished your dress." replied Lady Sellie all smiles. Angelica followed behind her.

...

"Thank you once more for my dress Lady Sellie, you did a splendid job. I love it!" Angelica exclaimed. She was holding her new dress protectively wrapped in a pale cloth so it would not get dirty as she carried it home.

"Oh I am glad you do dear. Are you sure that you would not like to stay for dinner?" asked Lady Sellie.

"No, thank you Lady Sellie, but I am afraid I have to go before my father becomes furious." Angelica said. "Oh you know how he can be." 

"Oh that I do know..." chuckled Lady Sellie in a disturbed manner.

"Yes... you can expect your payment tomorrow. I am sorry I left in such a hurry I forgot to bring it with me." apologized Angelica.

"That is alright dear, it is not bother at all." replied Lady Sellie.

"Thank you for your understanding. I must be leaving now. Goodnight." Angelica said smiling very innocently.

"Goodnight dear." replied Lady Sellie closing the front door behind her.

Angelica walked down the steps into the quiet street. The light snow descending did not appear to have an agenda to stop any time soon. It was certain that tomorrow the streets, the trees and the houses would be covered with a fresh layer of snow.

Everyone had already left the streets heading home for dinner. The town almost seemed barren, the only indication of its inhabitance being the bright lights shinning out the windows of houses on both sides of the street.

Angelica walked silently through the streets, her eyes focused ahead. She was not going home at this moment. No. She had one more stop to make before she did. Her only hope was that her mother found a way to calm her father down.