Excited squeals escaped from two young ladies from an upstairs room in the west wing of the De Marlowe estate. One dirty blonde with green eyes, Kira De Marlowe, dug through the dresses that her father brought for her and her older sister, Maria. Who's hair was almost platinum blonde. Otherwise, they could be considered twins, even though Maria was three years older than eighteen years old, Kira and at least five inches taller.
In the box that their father had given them, were dresses of beauty. Different colors, some with designs, others were brightly colored, while others were faded. There were only five different dressed in the gift that they had received and told to share. Yet it was just as exciting, as the sisters were close and didn't mind sharing in the rare gift their father bestowed upon then. That's not today that their father didn't spoil his two youngest children. He just did so in other ways than clothing. Hence why both girls also got two smaller gifts from his recent merchant alliance.
Maria had received beautiful sapphire earings that were a deep blue like the ocean. Whereas Kira had received a beautiful necklace that was a sparkling green Emerald that resembled her eyes. It had an interesting spec of black in the middle of the gem on the end of the white gold chain that resembled a star. Both pieces were beautiful, as were expected of the head of the merchants in the city.
To say the least, the gifts were given to the girls in the nick of time. As the annual Harvest Celebration was being held and the King had invited all of the nobles in the Country to join the royals for a ball. An with these gifts from their father, they will draw attention to themselves. Their father's hope, husbands.
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Late, the De Marlowe family was almost late to the ball. The De Marlowe daughters had taken to much time and had made the whole family leave late. Thankfully, the commoners were mostly all home, so the ride to the Palace was quite smooth. Marcus De Marlowe, the head of the family, was dressed a finely pressed dark grey suit that looked slightly to big on him. A sign that the man had lost weight but hadn't yet bought a new suit. Nathan De Marlowe, the eldest son, and heir to the De Marlowe fortune, on the other hand, was dressed to the nines. His suit, unlike his father, was jet black, his tie, a dark grey to stand out against his suit. Maria had gone with a pretty light purple dress that was in the box of dresses that were given to the girls. An Kira, she wore a
beautiful dress that was mostly red on the top half and back, while the front and lower portions were a cream-colored white.
"Do you think Flynn will be there?" Maria asked as she glanced towards Kira who was sitting quietly and watching the scenery as they rode by. "Don't speak so casually about him, you don't even know the guy," Kira replied as she glanced towards her sister. The two De Marlowe males ignored the girl's talk, instead of focusing on talking business and possible deals they hoped to make tonight.
A snort came from Maria as she flicked a curl of her hair over her shoulder. "I can speak casually, he's going to ask for my hand tonight. I just know it." This time it was Kira's turn to snort, she even added in an eye roll at her sister's words. Followed by a tired sigh as Maria started to gossip about how amazing the head of the Royal Knights is.
As the carriage pulled to the front of the Palace. The girls both climbed out with the help of their father and brother. Then, they walked into the Palace, joining the other nobles who were heading into the evening event. The atmosphere already becoming cheery as people started to converse. Drinks on platters were being brought around to the guests as they entered the ballroom of the Palace. Women, dressed in beautiful ball gowns, and men dressed in their best suits. Smiles on each and every one of their lips.
"Ah, there's Caroline Watts. Let's go say hi." Maria exclaimed as she then grabbed her younger sister's arm and started to drag Kira towards the dark brown-haired girl. A pleasant smile was on the girl's lips as the two sisters approached her. "Carolyn, it's been a while." Maria greeted her friend. "Agreed, it has been," Carolyn said and glanced towards Kira. "And who might this be?" Carolyn asked, tilting her head. "Ah, this is Kira. You remember her, don't you? I mean, you have been away in France but surely you didn't forget her." Maria spoke to Kira. "Ah! No way, you got so pretty, Kira! An look at you, looking less like a tomboy and more like a woman." A light blush appeared on Kira's cheeks as she got teased by the older woman. "It's good to see you as well, Carolyn." The dark brown haired girl offered Kira a small smile and then turned towards Maria to say something before freezing.
"Oh! He's here! Flynn is here." Carolyn practically screeched in a whisper if that was possible. Kira and her sister both turned around in time to see the tall, attractive and most eligible bachelor in the Country enter the Palace. "Ah, he's so attractive." Mira and Carolyn murmured at the same time. Meanwhile, Kira could feel her heart skipping a beat as she lays eyes on the man for the first time. He was attractive, but, Kira's never been overly boy crazy before. So, this new feeling that she was feeling was quite new to her.
"I uh, think I'll go grab a drink," Kira said as she glanced at her sister and her friend, who was still staring at the head knight. So, being ignored, Kira slipped away from the two and headed towards the refreshment table.