Chapter 2

 

“Straighter! Arch your back!” Master Allen, our dance tutor, poked my back with his long ruler and pounded it on the floor. I swallowed, sitting up even straighter, trying to imitate Odette’s upright posture. The musicians played nervously, flinching as Master Allen drummed at the floor, throwing them off beat. My legs were sore and my arms were stiff from holding in one position for such a long time, but I bit my lip hard and stayed as still as a statue. I wasn’t going to just give up my one opportunity at something other than my studies.

“Alright, one more time, now, please, Your Highness,” Master Allen flicked his hand at the musicians and a loud, triumphant ballad started. I knew this was meant for Odette, who was much more sophisticated than I in the art of ballet. Father watched with disapproving eyes at me.

But it’s not fair! I wanted to scream, Odette’s been taking lessons since she was six! I’ve only barely started them! But I bit back my protest and went back to the training. After all, if I make a fool of myself at tomorrow evening’s banquet…

Let’s just say the result won’t be even slightly pleasant.

Master Allen was having me work at my splits, which was not going very well. I sat facing the wall, trying to make my stubborn limbs bend to my will. The straightness of the wall, says Master Allen, was supposed to help me improve my posture. I was to work at my splits until I could press my entire body, legs apart, of course, to the wall.

I peeked out of the corner of my eyes at Odette who was quickly spinning into a dance routine.

She was beautiful, a flurry of white, her skirts sparkling like the evening star. She was poised, her limbs lithe, her hourglass figure womanly, a true ballerina. Her light, shining hair was pulled up into a bundle of braids at the top of her head, a wreathe of white feathers woven at the crown of her head. Her entire being was glowing with pure brilliance, like she was some unknown, ethereal creature from somewhere far better than earth.

I looked down at myself, took a mental picture, and compared myself to my beloved sister.

Not even close, I thought miserably as I continued to try to press myself against the wall.

* * * * *

“Ta-da!” Odette sang at the top of her lungs, spinning me around to face the mirror. I inhaled sharply. My reflection stared back at me, a little-boned, short and ill-looking girl with large, dark eyes and loose, flat hair which was now curling down her back. I seemed transformed somehow, and yet unchanged. I was still Odile, with my thin, colorless lips and my pointed nose, my high cheekbones and long, oval face.

I cringed. I didn't look any better. In fact, I might have made myself a little more horrendous.

“There,” Odette pronounced herself satisfied, “You're done. Now,” she grinned as she threw herself down on the chair, “My turn!” And she picked up a book of sonnets and read aloud while I combed her hair. There was no need for iron curlers, for Odette's hair was naturally curly, hanging over her shoulder in dazzling golden waves. I was evnious, you see, because Odette would look beautiful dressed in a potato sack, while I, even after hours and hours of grooming, could not even resemble the word “plain-faced”.

After she was satisfied by everything, which meant that I had to comb her hair twice, brush it, braid it and then coil it up onto her head, she delved into her cosmetics, which I stayed away from. There was no way I was going to put rouge on my cheeks. I was slightly allergic to rouge, and it made my skin blotchy and an angry red.

I watched as Odette powdered her face and applied rouge to her cheeks.

“Odile,” Odette's voice was quiet, for the first time in the whole evening, as she turned around in her chair to face me. There was a dreamy wonder on her face. “Father just barely got word. The Prince of Erovia is coming to our ball tonight.” She sighed dreamily and I fought back the urge to gag as a whiff of her altogether-too-strong perfume wafted toward my face. “Isn't it wonderful?” she giggled, tossing her head back, “He's here to find a wife,” she sighed again, “Isn't it so romantic?”

I raised my eyebrows. Romantic? No, certainly not romantic. I was thinking more along the lines of dull and political, but I didn't reveal these thoughts to my sister.

“Come on now,” I took her elbow and I steered her out of the room, “If you think Father is going to approve of you falling in love so young, you are dead wrong. This is one thing I know he's not going to let you have your way with.”

“How do you know?” Odette smiled deviously. She glided down the staircase and disappeared into the banquet room.

“That little minx,” I rolled my eyes and stood in place for a second, smoothing the wrinkles in my skirt before I followed my half-sister.

Author's Note

Yay! another chappie! Sorry I haven't written in such a long time! I keep on losing my manuscripts!!! :)

Bad cliffie, I know. LOL

Reviews

[Professor Xeronian]

You know, there doesn't have to be a cliffhanger every time, especially in the earlier chapters in the book. Cliffhangers come close towards the end when dramatic events take place. This is just Odile and her beautiful half-sister going to a ball.

[Rose of Gondor]

.....is it bad that I don't necessarily think this is a cliffhanger?

(also: WRITE SOMETHING so I can review you back. Please?)

[rae52]

again can't wait for more