Chapter 14
Closing the door behind me I rest my back upon it and look up to see Braelia anticipating what I was going to say or do next. Letting out an exhausted sigh I rub my hand over my face while I shake my head.
" I have..no words...I cant... "
Braelia seems to be at a loss for words as well, both of us struggling to form even a simple sentence to which I cant help but giggle, and that giggling soon after turns into a fit of laughter. Braelias face turning confused then worried almost immediately after making my laughter come even stronger. I drop to the floor as my knees grew weak giving out from under me and I rested my head back against the door allowing the laughter to completely take over, tears welling up in my eyes I am gasping for air. Hearing a low giggle come from the other side of the room I look over to see Braelia joining in still struggling to control herself you could see her physically fighting wether or not she wants to join in and laugh with me, a fight she very quickly loses seeing as we are both in a rolling laughter together. Niether of us having any idea what or why we were laughing but it felt good adn just so right. Our humourous escapade continued for a short while longer until we both were able to gain control of our breathing and wiped our eyes of the tears that had begun to spill down our face as a result of the laughter.
" That gave me much releif Ms Helena, and you ? "
Braelia was able to muster out in between the little laughter that managed to escape as she was calming down. Nodding in aggreement as I wiped the tears from my eyes I couldnt help the wide grin that felt as if it was permanantly on my face. When I am finally able to take a proper breath I allow myself to embrace the high that I am on, I havent experienced any sort of relief or felt anything that came nearly close or even comparable to this exact moment and what I was feeling in so long, too long. Closing my eyes and resting my head back against the door Braelia and I sit in silence both equally holding onto the moment for as long as we can manage to, which wasnt very long...
" Helena...It is your sister "
My eyes widen and shoot in Braelias direction who shares a similar reaction as I. My body moving almost too quickly seemingly to not give myself enough time to think, I rise and swing the door open to be met face to face with my older sister Emilia whom had a very interesting expression look on her face, one i could not decipher may I add. Her dewy-eyes nearly bore a hole into my face, niether of us spoke a word, the tension lingering in the air surrounding us become close to unbearable. The few seconds we stood there started to feel like years...
" Helena please I am not sure what- "
Leaving the door wide open I began to walk deeper into the room for I could not decide if I wanted to hear what she had to say or not, all the feelings I had thought I had escaped came rushing back nearly all at once the moment I heard her voice, confusion being my minds focus. My eyes couldnt leave my hands that hung folded at my waist, making my way to the window to give myself something else to focus on when I heard my door close and footsteps slowly creep from nehind me I was able to form a thought to which I was able to let out but barely above a whisper...
"...my frame ?... "
You could feel the room become more daunting, Straightening my shoulders and clearing my throat before glancing over my shoulders to repeat myself
" My frame Emilia, you were cut off before you could finish so please, elaborate "
I am now facing my sister once more and although I am still struggling to read her expressions I choose to give her time to respond as I genuinly want to know what she had to say before...
" Sister, you must allow me to apologize for the way I have spoken to you and my actions towards you as of late... "
She begins to step closer as she spoke and I cant help but to choke up on all the words and confidence I had before, my eyes wandering back down to my fingers that fiddled with one and other...
" You are gorgeous sister, I was allowing my own insecurities to speak for me and If I may speak with full honesty... "
Her hands grabbed ahold of mine before she finished her sentence and she rubbed her thumbs on either hand
" The fabric choice... I may have felt a sting of jealousy "
Finally looking back up at my sister we share a weak smile before leaning in for light hearted embrace that didnt last too long, Emilia pulled away and rested her hands on my shoulders but before she could speak Braelia cleared her throat calling both of our attention to land on her.
" Pardon me "
Braelia lowered her head and gave a small courtsey before she continued.
" Ms Helena and Ms Emilia my apologies for the interruption but if we are to have you ladies ready for the Churchill ball at a respectable time I think it is best we leave the conversation for possibly a later time ? "
Without queston my sister gives my shoulders another light squeeze before turning on her heels and making her way out of the room, looking over to Braelia once the door shut I smile brightly at her knowing all to well she didnt interuppt us for she had to begin on my hair or it was time to don my dress.. but more so because she could almost feel exactly how I felt and how bad I wanted to escape my own skin in that very moment. We exchanged another minor moment of silence and understanding before she sighed.
" Although I did speak up more so for your own sake Ms Helena, I believe we do plan on making quite an impression tonight do we not ? "
My stomach begins to twist at the thought of there being any sort of attention on me but I just nod.
" You must not fret Ms Helena, Tonight you are to show them all your true beauty, no more hiding behind it or hiding from it for I will no longer allow it, now sit and let us begin... "