Chapter 231
Caleb gets in and pulls away from the curb, shaking his head. “That was… impressive.”
“Thanks,” I say, my hands trembling slightly in my lap now that we’re safely in the car. “I think I kind of blacked out for a
minute there.”
“Well, whatever you did, it worked.” He glances at me with newfound respect. “You’re ready for your debut.”
A little while later, I’m walking into the suite that my parents have prepared for me at the estate. My rooms here are more like an entire apartment than a guest room; there’s a sitting room with a small dining area, armchairs, and a fireplace, a walk–in closet, a huge bathroom, and then the actual bedroom. The stylists are already waiting for me and ready to go.
The next several hours pass in a whirlwind. I’m bathed, scrubbed, moisturized, plucked, and polished until my skin practically glows. My hair is washed, dried, and styled into an elegant updo with loose tendrils framing my face. My makeup is applied with an expert hand–not too heavy, but enough to make my features pop under the bright lights that will be at the ball.
And then, finally, it’s time for the gown.
Two assistants carefully remove it from its garment bag, and I gasp. Seeing it in the final fitting was one thing, but now, with my hair and makeup done, it’s even more magnificent.
The sage green fabric shimmers in the light, the layers of gauzy material creating the illusion of a field of wildflowers growing up from the hem. The bodice is encrusted with tiny crystals that catch the light, and the off–shoulder neckline is both elegant and
slightly daring.
With careful hands, they help me into the gown, making sure not to disturb my hair or makeup. The material is soft and cool, the weight of it substantial but not overwhelming. When they finally zip me up and step back, there’s a collective gasp from everyone
in the room.
“Oh, Iris,” my mother breathes, her eyes welling up with tears. “You look absolutely beautiful.”
Alice, who has been here all morning to help me get ready, hands me a tissue. “Don’t you dare cry and ruin your makeup,” she warns, even as she dabs at her own eyes.
I turn to face the full–length mirror, and for a moment, I don’t recognize the woman staring back at me. She looks like a princess from a fairy tale, elegant and regal and wildly beautiful all at once.
When I was a little girl in the orphanage, I used to dream about moments like this. I would wrap a pillowcase around my wais d pretend it was a ballgown, imagining that someday, someone would come and claim me as their long–lost daughter, and go live in a castle and wear beautiful dresses and dance with a handsome prince.
I never actually believed it would happen. And yet, here I am.
Once the final touches are added–a diamond necklace that’s apparently been in the Willford family for generati, matching earrings, and a bracelet that my mother fastens around my wrist–it’s time.
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Chapter 231
+40 Bonus
My entourage and I make our way through the mansion to the grand banquet hall, where hundreds of guests are already
gathered. Through the closed doors, I can hear the murmur of conversation, the clink of glasses, the soft music of the string
quartet.
This is it. In just a few moments, I’ll step through those doors and into my new life as Iris Willford.
I think I might puke.
The attendant nods to us, then opens the doors with a flourish before I even have a chance to breathe. The room beyond is a
glittering spectacle of lights, flowers, and elegantly dressed people.
Every head turns our way as the attendant’s voice rings out:
“Announcing… Lady Iris Willford!”
