Chapter 3 - Festivals and Fairytales

1913, Revington Manor, London, England

The image of that certain dandelion still haunts me to this very day. It has been four days ever since that night happened. My mind has been occupied by Gavin for the rest of week and every time his face appears on my mind, my heart can not control itself. I took a few deep breaths to calm myself as I returned to the pile of contracts and papers I had to sign. I have far more important tasks to finish today and I can not be bothered by a person whom I no longer have any contact with.

I shook these thoughts away as I started signing away the pile of papers on my desk when I heard a distant knock from the door. A young maid curtsies to me and approaches my desk. 

“Miss Clara, you have a guest waiting for you downstairs.”

I halted from my writing and looked at the maid who was standing at the door.

“I beg your pardon?” I quivered. 

No one has ever once dared to step in this house and to visit nor greet me. Only my Aunt Emma was the only person to visit me but for business only. 

Could it be? No. It can not be him. I refuse to believe that he is here but because of the dandelion last night the possibility is quite high.

“I will be there in a minute,” I told the maid before grabbing a red wool cardigan as I descended from the wooden staircase.

“Miss Revington, Miss Blair Campbell has come,” the head maid proclaimed as I reached the last step of the stairs and was greeted by a familiar face that I saw a few nights ago.

“Miss Revington, it is a pleasure to meet you once again.” She bows.

“Indeed. Although, may I ask what is your intention here in England and you came all the way to Scotland to visit me?” I asked in a harsh tone. 

I was not really a fan of unplanned visits especially for people I am not close with. After what happened at the ball, the last person I want to see, besides Gavin, is her.

“Well, is that not confusing?” she chuckles. “I thought you would have heard about it right now. Especially since you are one of the new faces at court, everyone expects you to be there.”

I tilted my head to the sides as my brows started to crumple. 

“I am afraid that I can not comprehend what you are saying. Is there a certain thing that I have missed?” I asked.

She handed me an emerald velvet envelope that looked like an invitation to a party. As I read the contents of it, my eyes widened and looked like it was going to pop out of it’s sockets.

“Oh dear! You do not know anything about it do you?” Blair laughs. 

“Well, aside from impressing the royal court we also have a duty to perform towards the people of Great Britain and that is why the four houses are holding a festival in England. Honestly, if you will think about it was only my house, the Quinns and the Vaughns that participated. We did not ring you about it because we knew you would be busy the upcoming week.” 

Blair explains further information about the festival but none of these words coming out of her mouth were processing in my head because I was still looking at the invitation in my hand. The festival was today! I do not have any appropriate attire for the said occasion and I can not help my cheeks from turning red because of anger towards myself for being so careless and embarrassed as well. 

“I-I am afraid that I am not fit to join this day’s festivities. Please do send my regards to the Quinn and Vaughn family,” I heed my apology but these words from me seemed to not affect Blair in any way.

Blair eyebrow rose up as she put both her arms on her hips and looked at me sternly.

“I can not believe this,” she shakes her head in disappointment. “And here I thought you were already well-trained.” 

“I-I am sorry?” I asked in confusion.

Blair sighs as she regains her proper posture and faces me with a more professional demeanor before she speaks once again.

“Miss Revington, I have seen your family for ages and I have witnessed them handle situations and create solutions that exceed anyones’ imagination. That is one of the great traits of the Revington House that the citizens rely on. I know you are still new to all of this but hopefully in the future you would meet or maybe exceed these expectations.” 

I was dumbfounded as I stood in front of her, knees shaking from the aroma of fear and authority I can sense from her. The once giddy Blair I witnessed a night ago and this morning is now gone.

“You should be glad that I took notice of this. Come now, Miss Clara. We shall get to the place where sorrowful women go,” Blair spoke as she pointed towards the front door.

“I am sorry, where?” I inquired.

“Well, the boutique of course!”

—

Before I could say “no” to Blair and create another argument with her. She pulled me towards the carriage without giving me a second to dress up. We arrived in a certain boutique and tailor shop that had lots of elegant and beautiful gowns and suits displayed on each mannequin.

“Greetings and felicitations!” Blair hollered as soon as we entered the boutique.

The boutique was built of sturdy oakwood and smelled freshly made coffee in the morning. It had a pleasant ambiance and felt very homey despite the elegance of the interior design. After roaming my eyes around the place, my attention was caught by a stout middle-aged woman who looked like she is in her forties and gave Blair a big hug and nodded at me.

“Halò! It is a great honor to see you Miss Campbell and Miss Revington. You are always welcomed here at our shop.” She smiles.

“If that is the case then, maybe you have a little something for me and little Clara here for today's festival, no?” Blair asked politely.

“Oh! I’ve got just the thing!” 

She disappeared from our sight as she went inside one of the rooms to grab two different costumes that looked really colorful. Two mannequins were placed in front of us, one in green and the other one was in red.

“Behold! One of our greatest designs yet. Two fairytale costumes for two marvelous women!” The woman announced as she motions for us to come closer.

The first costume consists of full reds. There was a black corset and top underneath it but the bottom one was red and so was the hood.

“This costume is inspired from the character in the famous tale, little red riding hood which is a little red herself. Red Riding Hood is a tale about a young girl who comes to visit her grandmother only to find a wolf that plans to eat her. It was quite a happy ending since the wolf was killed and they were safe,” The woman told the tale.

“Well, if you think about it, the story is kind of, well, creepy,” Blair spoke but soon her eyes started to widen with joy. “I will be taking this, thank you very much.”

The woman turned to me as she showed me an elegant emerald gown with ruffs for it’s collar and golden linens around it. It was paired with a green that added more elegance to its nature.

“Do you like it, Miss Revington?” she asks.

“Actually, I am very much impressed. From which fairytale was this based?” I asked out of sheer curiosity somehow it was familiar to me.

“This is Tinkerbell, from Peter Pan! Although, this gown design is based on the sixteenth century fashion.”

My hands froze midway as I was touching the emerald gown. The gown I am to wear to the festival was derived from the story book I loved and the book that reminded me so much of Gavin.

“Is there anything wrong?” Blair asks as she notices my discomfort.

“Oh, no. I was just shocked to hear such a name. I-I am sorry, what is the story of Peter Pan?” I pretended to not know.

“Peter pan is a free-spirited and mischievous young boy who can fly and never grows up, Peter Pan spends his never-ending childhood having adventures on the mythical island of Neverland as the leader of the Lost Boys, interacting with fairies, pirates, mermaids, Native Americans, and occasionally ordinary children from the world,” The woman informed us the tale.

I smiled at the thought of how Peter Pan and Gavin were so alike with each other that another part of myself stings. What if the Gavin I knew is not as free-spirited and easy-going as the one I met three years ago? I do not think I can handle that sort of idea.

“So who is tinkerbell?” Blair asked

“Tinkerbell is Peter Pan’s partner-in-crime and she has the ability to sprinkle pixie dust to other people to make them fly,” the woman replied.

“I am assuming that this comes with some gold pixie dust?” Blair smirked.

“Why, yes of course! You can not be a fairy if you do not have any magical pixie dust.”

“Then,” Blair took a handful of money and generously gave them to the woman, “Consider these sold!”

—

The festival started around noon time in the town of London. Many vines, flowers and marvelous designs were displayed around the town and gardens to commemorate the theme of the festivities.

Children and their families flocked over different stands where food, games and toys were found. There was a puppet show from near-by and a story telling booth as well.

Different children had different costumes as well. Some were Hansel and Gretel, Snow White, Rapunzel, Robin Hood, Thumbelina and many more memorable fairytale characters throughout the centuries.

“Looks like someone is enjoying this.”

A red hooded figure approached me and I immediately recognized her from afar because of the unique devilish grin she had every time she saw me. 

“You look... well, Miss Blair,” I said nervously, trying to compose and calm myself since I felt a hint of happiness earlier when I was watching the festival. 

I can not bear to lose control here. Not when half of England is present. Blair rolled her eyes at me before colliding our arms together. 

“Could you not have thought of a better compliment?” she teased.

“I am not really the type to find compliments amusing,” I replied.

“In that case, I am glad to give you one now. You look stunning, Miss Clara.” Blair gave me a sincere smile before pulling me towards a certain booth where a certain music was calling my ears.

“What is this?” I asked.

“It is called a musical chair game also known as “Trip to Jerusalem”. It is a game of elimination involving players, chairs, and music. It is a staple of many parties worldwide.” 

Many kids flocked over each musical chair as they danced to a certain tune on the flute. All of a sudden the music stops and each kid finds a chair of their own until it comes to the very last two and one of them one.

“Now it is time for the adults!” 

Someone shouted behind me and Blair. Both of us turned to see one of the Quinn twins wearing a costume just like the both of us.

“Oh, lord help me.” Blair sighs. 

“Hello, ladies. You both look splendid but you look much better, Miss Blair,” the twin smiled at her and turned to me. “No offense.”

“None taken,” I said.

“Finn, what are you doing and what on earth are you wearing?” Blair asks with a hint of annoyance in her voice.

“Oh this?” Finn spun around us to show us his costume.

“I am portraying Rumpelstiltskin! Do I not look quite dashing?” Finn chuckles but was received by a growl from Blair.

“Would you please stop pestering us and just go on with your day?” Blair spat that results in Finn making a sad puppy face that makes me vomit inside.

“But I want to spend the day with you!” Finn insisted.

“And I do not. I already have Miss Clara to accompany so now go on and find somebody else to annoy. Goodbye!”

“All right then, here is a deal. If you win this round of “Trip to Jerusalem” then I will leave you alone for life!” Finn swears as he crosses his heart with his fingers.

Blair sighs as she lets go of me and heads to the middle of the booth to get ready for the dance. One of the older people decided to play a dancey tune with their flute and surrounded the place with a whimsical tone.

“Let us give it up to Little Red Ridinghood and Rumpelstiltskin! What a rare pair.” 

The announcer started the dance as both Blair and Finn started dancing with the adults and trying to find a right spot to sit in. All of a sudden the music comes to halt as the players rummage around each other to find their own seats.

Finn and Blair were able to secure theirs and one player was deducted from the group. This feud went on and on until there were the last two remaining players and one chair left. 

“Prepare to die!” Blair hollered making the crowd cheer for her. The two of them have been bickering non-stop since the beginning of the game resulting in them drawing a bigger crowd.

“Oh, please! Save the talk for later.” Finn smirks.

The music starts to play again as Finn and Blair eyed each other, tension oozing out of their stares. They were spinning around the circle but the dancing was nowhere to be seen. The once fun gameplay turned into some sort of warzone between Blair and Finn.

“I-…Y-you are supposed to danc-“ The announcer was cut off by Blair’s fearsome and piercing stare.

The flute stopped playing as the screams and cheers went louder when Blair and Finn started to run towards the only chair and pull on it.

“This is mine!” Blair screamed towards Finn tugging the end of the chair.

“Nuh uh! Not today, sister!” Finn yelled louder as he started pushing her away from it now.

In a split moment, Finn was able to yank the chair away from Blair making her lose her balance and fall towards him.

“Watch it!” Before Finn could react Blair knocked him out as both of them plummeted to the ground with a thud. 

“Ooh!” The crowd said seeing what happened.

Blair was now on top of Finn with his arms around her. Both looked quite shocked but Blair was the first to stand up and kick him in the shin with cheeks flushing red.

“Ow! What was that for?!” Finn yelped.

“That is for being a jerk, Quinn!” Blair spat before leaving him.

“I can not believe they are still going on with this.” 

I turned around to come face-to-face with a guy wearing a rogue costume, a pirate hat, a hook for a hand and eye patch on his left eye. 

“You are Franklin? Right?” I asked out of the blue. I could recognize those blue eyes from him anywhere.

The man chuckled as he took a quick bow before me. 

“Yes, that is I. Our paths have crossed again I suppose,” he chuckles. “You look beautiful, Miss Clara.”

I started to choke inside trying to stop myself from coughing because there might be something that could come out. 

“Are you alright, Miss Clara? Y-your cheeks... they are red!” Franklin exclaimed, making me cover my face.

“Do not look at me!” I commanded.

Franklin stood there for a second before he realized what happened as his cheeks turned pink as well.

“Oh, uhm- apologies, Miss Clara. I will excuse myself for a bit,” Franklin said before rushing off.

I quickly went behind the bushes and started taking deep breaths to calm myself and my lungs. My cheeks were still burning hot red and any minute I could feel like my heart was going to pound out if my chest.

“Do not! Please, please, please!” I exclaimed.

But before I could utter another word, pink carnation petals were flowing out of my mouth. As second pas by, dozens of these pink carnations escape from me.

“Pi-pink carnations?” I asked myself.

Pink carnations symbolizes admiration and affection. My eyes widened with realization when I thought immediately of what Franklin told me earlier. 

“Oh god!” I gasped when Franklin’s name popped put of my head and more pink carnations came out.

This can not be. I can not feel anything towards him!

“Lady? What are you doing?” A small voice came from in front of me. 

I froze in my position when I heard a certain voice that sounded very familiar. A voice that I last heard three years ago.

“Uncle Gavin! I think this fairy needs help! Flowers are coming out of her mouth.” The little boy jumped up and down with worry plastered clearly on his face.

“Wait a minute, Bingley!” A deeper voice called outside the bushes.

With a few rustles, a tall man wearing a Peter Pan costume stepped out of the bushes. His brown hair shining in the sun and his green eyes looking towards me. Shock was written all over his face but was quickly replaced by a smile formed in his face as he kneels down and gives me a hug.

“Gavin? Is it really you?” I asked, choking back tears.

“Hello, Clara. I found you.”